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
40 (of 75)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
APAVARGA : 873 97 Like the Bhagavadgita (V.4), Devala points out that the
ultimate aim of both, paths, namely the Sankhya & Yoga, is the
same i.e. the attainment of emancipation. The term apavarga is
used here by Devala. It is very much current in the Nyaya-vaises ika
systems. It also occurs in the Sankhya & Yoga systems, but the
another term Kaivalya is more prevalent in these two systems.
to
.
The explanation of the term apavarga in the text of Devala
(2209) is also similar to that found in the Nyaya-vaisesika systems.
According, Devala, apavarga, is the absolute negation or non-
existence of birth, death, & consequent sufferings. According
to the Nyayasutra (1.1.22) as explained by Vatsy膩yana, apavarga
is the complete cessation of birth & consequent sufferings.
(cf.also other Nyayasutras mentioned above). The d酶ual form
'Janmamaranaduhkhayoh' suggests that only two words are intended
& not all the three independent words. Hence the compound can be
interpreted as Janma ca maranam ca
-
pain of birth & death.
-
Q
janmamarane tayoh duhkham'of
The term 'atyantabhava', used by Devala in sutra (2209)
also displays the influence of Nyayavaisesika philosophy in which
it is a technical term, representing one kind of abhava.
PURPOSE OF SPIRITUAL ACTIVITY :
According to Devala (2442), the purpose of the spiritual
activity is the obtainment of liberation or emancipation of
four kinds. (1) sayujya - (absorption into the deity), (2) salokya
