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
155 (of 165)
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people is also considered. The specific penances & alternative
rules are mentioned for the same. Above all, it is noteworthy
that all expiations are also very simple, practical & easy. It
is most remarkable & categorical opinion of the author that all
people can be purified, eventhough they might be associated with
the Mlecchas, for about 20 years.
TEXTUAL ARRANGEMENT OF THIS CHAPTER, IN ITS RECONSTRUCTED FORM:
谞讬
The printed text of Devalasmrti contains verses dealing with
the problem of purification of the mlecchas & a few other verses,
dealing with miscellaneous topics like asauca, krechra etc. In the
Mlecchitasuddhiprakarana of the present reconstructed text, the
verses, dealing with the Mlecchitasuddhi topic only are incorporated,
while the other verses, of the printed text are accomodated in those
respective chapters of the present reconstructed text, at proper
places, suiting the context. & relevancy. All these are really
the verses of Devala & have been so handed down through the
manuscripts of the Devala-smrti. Only a few of these verses of
Devala are found quoted in some works on Dharma-sastra. The
variant readings of some of these verses, found in those works are
noted in the portion of sources and variants (part II).
However, it is a curious fact that the printed Devalasmrti
is a collection of unconnected verses, dealing with the important
subject of purification of the persons, troubled by Mlecchas.
But the entire topic is not dealt with in it, in a systematic
& well-arranged manner. There seems to be no logical & sequential
link among the various groups of verses in it. Hence an attempt
is made in the present text, to put forth the text of the printed
Devalasmrti, in the most orderly manner, by re-arranging the
various groups of verses in it. The duration of time, association
with the Mlecchas, is mentioned in the printed text. That is
taken as the important thread to link together & rearrange the text.
The verses, in the present text are arranged as representing
the expiation for the period, starting from the smallest unit
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