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
27 (of 75)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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.73 860 This 'tat' may be interpreted as standing for the Upanisadic
Brahman, which is sometimes indicated by the use of word 'that'
(tat). This suggests the vedantic influence on the text.
Devala clearly refers to the two kinds of postures, namely
Svastika & bhadraka. The extant Yogasutra does not mention any
kind of posture, technically known as asana. Acc. to Yogasutra
(2/46)74
asana is that which is stable & comfortable. This
indicates that any posture, which is of this nature, is to be
followed for the practice of Yoga. This does not mean that
the various asanas (postures) were not prevalent in those days.
because Devala has mentioned asanas here, while explaining
dhyana, on the authority of ancient works of Sankhya-yoga.
75 The commentators Vyasa (Y.S.2/46) etc. mention many asanas.
Kalidasa refers to Virasana in the Kumarasambhava (3/45 & 59)
& Yajnavalkya (1/278,280) to bhadrasana. The Daksamrti
76 -
78 77
(VIII.5) mentions padmasana & Yajnavalkya (3/198) also seems
to refer to it. These references would definitely suggest that the
as anas were quite well-known in the early centuries of christian
era & might be prevalent even before it, as the ancient Sankhya-
Yoga Tantras, from which Devala has borrowed his explanation of
dhyana, might be referring to the asanas.
(c) CONCEPT OF TAPAS :
Devala defines the term tapas as mortification or heating
of the body by means of the practice of vows, fasts & rules.
(2378-2394 & 8). He, systematically enumerates various virtues
