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
5 (of 75)
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one can secure the other two also. Devala seems to indicate that
even moksa can be obtained by Dharma. Sankaracarya
(introduction
to Bhagavadgita) refers to two kinds of Dharma-pravrttilaksana &
nivrttilaksana. Budha (I) 10 also mentions the Dharma to be the
1 &
means of sreyas abhyudaya. While Vasistha 11 (1/1) holds that Dharma
is conducive to emancipation of the purusa.
13 The concept of purus artha is also very much current in the
12 Sankhya & Yoga systems. The Sankhya-sutra (1.1) mentions the
total destruction of the threefold sufferings, to be the ultimate
purus artha. The term purusartha' occurs at about five times in
the Sankhya-karika & has been interpreted as referring to bhoga
(enjoyment) & apavarga (emancipation) by Vacaspati Misra in his
commentary. Patanjali, in the Yogasutra (II/10), also seems
Q
to endorse the same view.
14 7
3 11
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1 There is great influence of Sankhya theories upon Devala as
he also believes in two-fold purusartha. But the prominent
distinction between the two is that Devala represents both of
them as the aspects of Dharma only. Dharma is the ground or basis,
upon which the two are dependent.
Devala further adds that beasts are not entitled for the
two-fold purusartha, as they are bereft of Dharma while human
beings & gods only are qualified for the same.
3) THE SANKHYA PHILOSOPHY :
(A) INTERPRETATION OF THE TERM 'S膧NKHYA :
The term Sankhya, according to Devala (2206) means right
understanding of 25 principles. The knowledge of these
3 }
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