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
49 (of 165)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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for four var峁嘺s. While Gautam S. (II/5/1-3) prescribes 10,11,12
(or half month) & 30 days respectively for the same.
Devala (1148) also refers to the view of 'others' (apare)
that the impurity on birth or death should be observed for ten days
by all var峁嘺s. The author may be referring to the view of s膩t膩峁璦pa
by the term 'apare' as is clearly indicated by the verse of
础苍驳颈谤补蝉鈦�.
3) TOUCHABILITY ALLOWED AFTER PRESCRIBED DAYS :
The impurity may be lasting for 10,15,20 & 30 days respectively
for the four varnas, but they can be touched, after the period
of 1/3 days of the total number of days of impurity (1149). The
author further declares that the four varnas can be touched, after
3,4,5 & 10 days of impurity respectively & their food can be
partaken after 10,12,13 & 16 days respectively (1150). The view of
sa峁僾arta (41) 10 is different. He mentions that the four varnas
become touchable, during impurity, on 4th, 6th, 8th & 10th day
respectively.
4) ASAUCA FOR ONE DAY TO SAGOTRAS :
*
Devala's view about asauca for sagotras (those belonging
to the gotra of the dead) is noteworthy. He prescribes (1154) the
impurity for one day to the sagotras but bath only (snanamatra)
is prescribed for sagotras by B峁沨aspati 11 (Reconstructed, Asauca 29).
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The Dharmasindhu' notes that the former view (i.e. asauca for one day)
is followed by Nagoji Bhatta, while others do not prescribe asauc a
(impurity) to the sagotras.
