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 10 - Philosophical aspect of the Devalasmriti
15 (of 75)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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of the body, which is of three kinds, namely that of gods,
human beings & lower beings (2264-2267). These three bodies are
quite different in their nature. The peculiar characteristics of
each of them are properly described in the text. Such a description"
of the threefold body is not to be found in the extant works of
Sankhya. The mention of threefold creation, that of gods, human
beings & lower beings is found in the Sankhya-karika & the
Sa艅khya-sutra (San.Ka. 53/54, San.S.3/46-50). But it is quite
different & cannot be compared with the detailed elucidation .
given by Devala. This point also suggests that Devala is not in
any way indebted to the extant works of Sankhya. His exposition
is based upon some ancient lost works on Sankhya, as is clear
from his explicit statement to that effect.(2210).
(D) THE FOUR MATERNAL & FOUR PATERNAL SHEARTHS :
Devala refers to the four maternal & four paternal sheaths.
(2221). But such eight sheaths are not mentioned in the three
extant primary works of Sankhya system namely the Sankhyak膩rik膩,
the Sankhyas奴tra & the Tattvasamasa. Devala has borrowed this
concept also from the ancient works of Sankhya, in which the
discussion of such topic might be there.
The Sankhyakarika (39) refers to the gross bodies by the
term 'matapitrjah'. While commenting upon the above k膩rik膩,
Vacaspati Misra30 explains that they have six sheaths three
hair, blood & flesh, from the maternal side & three-musclules
bones & marrow, from the paternal side. The verses ', quoted by
Pandit Shivanarayana Shastri in his commentary on the above verse
31 f
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