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
9 (of 165)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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= 18 077 The srauta, Grhya & Dharma sutras are the three main divisions
of the kalpa. "In the corpus of the Kalpasutras, the Dharmasutras
as a rule follow the Grhyasutras" states Dr. Ram Gopal The
Dharmasastras, those of Manu etc. are historically of later period
than the Grhyasutras, Hence Devala's opinion may be explained as
referring to some ancient works of the Dharmasutras of Manu etc.,
the rules, contained in which, might be re-enjoined by the
Grhyasutras, in accordance with the Mantras of their recension.
But on the whole, the statement of Devala, seems to be somewhat
curious.
II GURU :
MALE & FEMALE MEMBERS, WORTHY OF RESPECT, AS 'GURU' :
Generally, father, mother & preceptor, these three are
understood to be the most venerable persons and are called as
'guru'. All elderly persons are also honourable, but Devala especia-
lly describes eleven elderly male persons & eight female persons
to be respectable as 'guru'. (1) Preceptor, (2) father, (3) eldest
brother, (4) king, (5) maternal uncle, (6) father-in-law,.
(7) protector, (8) mother's father & (9) grand father, (10) eldest
among the castes (the Brahmana) & (11) uncle - these are the eleven
male persons, who are designated as 'guru'. While (1) mother,
(2) mother's mother, (3) wife of the preceptor, (4) sister of father
& (5) that of mother, (6) mother-in-law, (7) grand-mother,
(8) eldest foster mother, - these eight female members are also
*
enumerated as 'guru' (10-11).
