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
16 (of 75)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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847
& in his Introduction also refer to the same concept of six
sheaths. three paternal & three maternal that constitute
the body. The Sankhyasutra (3/7) 32 refers to the gross body as
mostly the product of maternal & paternal elements, but does not
mention the concept of sheaths.
-33
The commenter Yuktidipika (p.120) refers to the six
sheaths, as explained previously. But it adds that some explain
the sheaths to be eight. i.e. the six already mentioned & two
that are formed by asita (whatever is eaten) & pita (drunk). But
it is not clear, why the latter two are also included under the
term mat峁沯a & pitrja sheaths.
The eight stages of realisation referred to in the Upanisadic
literature are (1) Annamaya, (2) Pranamaya, (3) Manomaya,
(4) Vijnanamaya, (5) Jnanamaya, (6) Cinmaya, (7) Anandamaya,
& (8) Brahmamaya; The five of them are quite well-known as sheaths
i
& are referred to in the Taittiriya Upanisad, while last five
34 are referred to in the Ganesatharvasirsa
Ganesatharvas 墨rs a鲁4
(E) THE FIVE PR膧NAS & THEIR FUNCTIONS:
鈥�
Devala mentions five kinds of vital breaths (2222). The
functions & locations of each of them in the body are also
explained (2402-2406). The Sankhyakarika does not accept the
view of the separate functioning of pranas. It only refers
35 to the five kinds of vital airs & states that it is the common
function of organs (karmas - 10 external + 3 internal). The
Sankhya-sutra (2/31) also reiterates the same in identical
讙调
:
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