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
57 (of 165)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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9
) THE PERIOD FOR ELABORATE SR膧DDHA - 725 After having described the entire procedure of the elaborate
sraddha, the author remarks that sraddha should be performed in the
prescribed manner, once, thrice or four times in a year or in each
month or on each day, according to one's faith in that ritual.
Thus several alternative periods for its performance are suggested.
(3/281) also enjoins like Devala the performance of sraddha
thrice in a year (i.e.in three seasons, hemanta, grisma & varsa)
and daily as a part of five great sacrifices. But the two alternatives,
those of its performance once or four times in a year, mentioned
Manu
24 by Devala, are not found in the above verse of the Manusmrti. However,
Manu mentions the performance of sraddha on amavasya day of every
1 month, (3/122) 25 at an-other place.
10)
SUBSTITUTES FOR 艢R膧DDHA :
Devala prescribes several substitutes or alternatives, if one
is unable to perform the extensive sraddha ritual. (1503-1509).
1 -
(1) Offiering of pindas only, if dravya (articles) & brahmanas
are not available. (2) A fast on that day. (3) Offering water in
honour of Manes to satiate them. (4) If a qualified brahmana
is not available, another daily pitryajna is to be performed
and the food is to be donated to the qualified brahmana. (5) The
darbha grass is to be strewn in the place of brahmanas & the sraddha
is to be performed properly with
Seeking their sanction
(praisa) & the performance accordingly (anupraisa). (6) In the
absence of everything else, one should at least offer into the
fire in honour of Manes or give something to cow, or throw in water.
A
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