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
18 (of 165)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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he is unable to follow his primary duty or only at the time of
distress. But the duties of the sudra, mentioned by Devala, reflect
upon his improved social status. According to Devala, it seems that
the sudra could follow, even during ordinary course, the occupations
like agriculture, cattle-rearing, selling of commodities, dancing,
singing etc., which are common to the vaisya. He is also allowed
to play upon the musical instruments like flute, lute, drums
taber etc. (94-99).
But yet, it is remarkable that the duty of the vaisya, according
to Devala is to make others to carry loads (bharodvahana), while
that of the sudra is to carry loads (bh膩rodvahana). This distinction
reflects upon the sense of slavery, associated with the duties of
-
sudra.
(3) NUMBER OF ANULOMAS ;
Devala explicitly mentions that the anulomas are four in
number. They are savarna, ambastha, parasava (or Nisada) & ugra
(53-54) (Cf. Arthas astra, III.7.21-25), Manu (10/6-10) & Yajnavalkya
(1.91-92) mention them to be six in number. Manu explains only
8 1
three of them viz. Ambastha, Nis膩da (or Parasava) & Vigra ; while
the other three are not given specific names. Yajnavalkya names
these six anulomas as Murdhavasikta, Ambastha, Nisada (or Parasava
Mahisya, Ugra & Karana. Gautama (1/4/14) also mentions six anulomas
Their names, given by him, are
-
Dausmanta & Parasava.
9 Savarna, Ambastha, Ugra, Nis膩da,
Thus there is difference in the names of
some anulomas.
Pt in the whomeve
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