Essay name: Devala-smriti (critical study)
Author:
Mukund Lalji Wadekar
Affiliation: Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda / Department of Sanskrit Pali and Prakrit
This essay represents an English study of the Devala-smriti鈥攁n ancient text attributed to sage Devala classified as belonging to the Dharma-Shastra branch of Indian literature which encompasses jurisprudence and religious law. This study deals with the reconstructed text of the Devala-smriti based on surviving references, emphasizing Devala鈥檚 unique viewpoints on social, religious, and philosophical aspects, particularly the Sankhya and Yoga philosophies.
Chapter 9 - The distinctive features of the Devalasmriti
154 (of 165)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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VI.
1)
MLECCHITAS UDDHI: PURIFICATION OF PERSONS CONVERTED :
A NOVEL CONTRIBUTION :
Devala deals with the problem of purification of persons,
kidnapped & ill-treated by the mlecchas. This is an important
& novel contribution of the author to the extant literature on
1 Dharmasastra. This is an attempt to solve, one of the most impor-
tant & irritating social problems.
The Mlecchas (i.e. Muslims, in the present context) invaded
India in the 8th century through the province of Sindh & troubled
the Hindus, living there in various ways. The Hindus were forcibly
carried away and harassed by compelling them to eat or drink
forbidden articles, People were required to talk, dine & live
for several periods along with them. Ladies were also similarly
oppressed by forcing them to perform the undesirable acts.
The rape or seduction of Hindu ladies by Mlecchas was also rampant
Hence the problem of purification of all such oppressed
persons was one of pertinent problems of the society. Devala
tries to solve this problem, by suggesting very simple & liberal
rules of purification. There is no other smrtikara, that deals
with this problem with so much detail as Dewala has done. The
various expiations are prescribed for the persons, belonging
to all the four varnas. The expiation also varies in accordance
with duration of time, spent along with the Mleccha & the
intensity or seriousness of the sin perpetrated. Similarly,
the question of purification of ladies, the children & aged
