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
72 (of 165)
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respectively. (471-474). This point is noteworthy.
3)
THE PREPARATION & UTILITY OF KURCA:
The important technical information about kurca (a bundle
f
or handful of kusa grass) is also found in the text (475-478). It
is said to be of three kinds (1) uttama (the best), (2) madhyama
(middling), (3) adhama (the lowest). The seven, five or three
darbhas (sacred grass) are to be used for its preparation. The knot,
made with right turn should be of the size of one finger.
The upper part of the kurca should be of four fingers, & its
lower part of the length of four fingers. The kurca, with its
S
tips upwards, brings about prosperity. It is used in the rituals.
1 of santi, with its tips, turned downwards; while during the
activities of magical purposes, it should be used with tips, turned
inside. The kurca can be prepared with 27, 21 or 15 darbhas.
4)
YAJNOPAVITA :
PREPARATION & WEARING OF YAJ脩OPAV莫TA :
The sikha (tuft of hair on the head) & the yajnopavita had
become quite indispensible, by the time of the text. In the
absence of these two, all religious acts, performed by a person,
become futile (479).
The text deals with the procedure of preparation & wearing
of yajnopavita (480-497). It should be made up of nine strands
(tantu), possessing three or two threads, tied with one knot.
All the nine strands are believed to be having nine different
