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
36 (of 165)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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C. THE DISTINCTIVE SACRAMENTAL FEATURES: PART-I
70.1
1) IMPORTANCE OF SAMSKARAS :
The text contains a fine simile, emphasizing the importance
of the samskaras (329). Just as a work of painting is gradually
unfolded by the various colours, used for its painting, the status
of a brahmana is also similarly brought out or manifested by the
numerous samskaras, performed in the prescribed manner (329). Parasara
(VIII. 26) is identical with the above verse of Devala. The term
'brahmanya' may be taken as an illustration or it might have been used
to emphasize the importance of sa峁僺karas, in case of brahmana, who
is the spiritual teacher & promulgator of Dharma for all varnas.
2) FOURTH NIGHT ALLOWED FOR COHABITATION :
There is difference of opinion, regarding the fourth night
after menstrual flow, to be allowed for cohabitation (garbhadhana).
Manu (3.47) 鹿 & Yajnavalkya (1.79) explicitly prohibit the first
four nights after mentrual flow for conception. The Laghu-Asvalayana
smrti (III.1)虏 also enjoins it to be performed only after the
fourth day. But Devala like Apastamba G.S. (III. IX.1), Harita
(quoted in S.C., I. p.15)鲁 explicitly allows the fourth night for
conception (garbhadhana) (332/345).
The above peculiar view of Devala is quoted by Renuk膩c膩rya in
his dated work, namely, Paraskaragrhyakarik膩 (an unpublished work,
Manuscript of which is available in Oriental Institute of Baroda,
Acc. No.12092) of 1266 A.D. This fact, indicates not only the
