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
51 (of 165)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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eleventh day, the earlier impurity is to be extended by three days.
The Vasistha D.S. (4/24-26) & the Gautama D.S. (II/5/5-7) contain
similar rules.
3) The impurity, caused by death is severe & strict as compared
to the impurity caused by birth. Hence the latter cannot affect
the earlier one, when there is any conflict between the two.
4) The impurity of lesser days can be got rid of that of more
days, but not the vice versa.
5) If there is increase in the days of impurity by the occurrence
of another impurity, the person can be pure at the end of the later
impurity, if the subsequent impurity occurs after the fifth day
of the previous impurity.
Manu & Yajnavalkya do not consider all such possible alterna-
tives of this topic. Both of them, merely prescribe the general
rule that when there is occurrence of another similar asauca,
during the period of ten days of the earlier one, the person becomes
pure at the end of the earlier impurity only. (Cf. Manu.S.5/79, Y膩j.S.
3/20a) 14
II. ANTYESTI :
1) DEATH AT A PLACE OTHER THAN ONE'S BIRTHPLACE:
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The death, in a country or a place, which is other than the
birth-place of the dead, leads him to hell. Hence an expiation is
necessary to remove the taint, associated with the dead. On the
contrary, the death at one's birth-place & on the bank of the river
}
ganges are declared to be leading the deceased to liberation (1202鈥�1205).
