Devala-smriti (critical study)

by Mukund Lalji Wadekar | 1982 | 67,394 words

Hinduism Dharmashastra

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Summary: This essay represents an English study of the Devala-smriti—an 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 Devalasmriti based on surviving references, emphasizing Devala’s unique viewpoints on social, religious, and philosophical aspects, particularly the Sankhya and Yoga philosophies. The study further aims to shed light on historical socio-cultural contexts and enhance understanding of ancient Indian legal and philosophical systems. Technically the Devala-smriti deals with topics such as Acara (conduct), Vyavahara (legal matters) and Prayashcitta (expiations).

Original title: Devalasmṛti (देवलस्मृति), Devalasmriti, Devalasmrti.

Copyright:
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

Source 1: exoticindiaart.com
Source 2: shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in

Contents of this online book ( + / - )

The full text of the Devala-smriti (critical study) in English is available here and publically accesible (free to read online). Of course, I would always recommend buying the book so you get the latest edition. You can see all this book’s content by visiting the pages in the below index:

Warning! This document has not been proofread. However, for each page you can (and should) verify the text with the original source PDF file.

Chapter 1 - Introductory Remarks regarding the Devala Smriti

+ Chapter 2 - Devala—his bio-data

. 1. Devala: an ancient reputed Sage

. 2. Devala: Life, personality, character and contribution

. 3. Devala: An ancient authority on Dharma

. 4. Devala: His date

+ Chapter 3 - Regarding Smriti

. 1. Smriti: General information

. 2. The exinction of Smritis: Causes thereof

Chapter 4 - Methodology of Reconstruction

Chapter 5 - Outline of the Devala-Smriti

Chapter 6 - Date of the Devala-Smriti

Chapter 7 - The home of Devala

Chapter 8 - Devala-Smriti (a summary of the reconstructed text)

+ Chapter 9 - The distinctive features of the Devalasmriti

. 1.1. Constituents of Dharma

. 1.2. The quintessence of Dharma

. 1.3. Sources of Dharma

. 1.4. The qualification for Dharma

. 1.5. Grihyakaras follow Dharmashastrakaras

. 2.1. Male and female members, worthy of respect, as ‘Guru’

. References to section [A]

. 3.1. The performance of Kamya and Naimittika sacrifices

. 3.2. Status of Shudra

. 3.3. Number of Anulomas

. 3.4. Anulomasavarnya

. 3.5. Antaralas explicitly mentioned

. 3.6. Status of several castes

. 3.7. Duties of Candala also treated

. Table 3: Varnajiti-viveka

. 4.1. Mention of Akshamala

. 4.2. Hair on the head of the Brahmacari

. 4.3. Anadhyaya

. 5. Division of Grihasthas: Yayavara and Shalina

. 6.1. Brahmavadi a significant epithet of Samnyasi

. 6.2. Staying at one place, during rainy season

. 6.3. Samnyasa and Agnihotra in Kali age

. References to section [B]

. 7.1. Importance of Samskaras

. 7.2. Fourth night allowed for cohabitation

. 7.3. Garbhadhana and Simantonnayana sacraments

. 7.4. Polygamy: which wife is to be approached first?

. 7.5. Description of Karnavedha

. 7.6. Vidyarambha or Aksaras-vikarana

. 7.7. Vedavratas

. 7.8. The marriage sacrament

. 7.9. Hala-pravartana: Ploughing

. References to section [C]

. 8.1. The rules regarding Sravasauca

. 8.2. The rules regarding Antyesti

. 8.3. The rules regarding Shraddha rites

. References to section [D]

. 9.1. Enumeration of 21 kinds of sacrifices

. 9.2. Inclusion of sacrifices in 48 Samskaras

. References to section [E]

. 10.1. Enumeration of seven kinds of Darbhas

. 10.2. Wearing of ring in the Anamika finger

. 10.3. The preparation and utility of Kurca

. 10.4. Rules regarding Yajnopavita

. 11.1. The eight auspicious sights

. 11.2. Mutra-purisa-vidhi: Answering calls of nature

. 11.3. Rules regarding Snana (bathing)

. 11.4. Wearing of garments

. 11.5. Marjana, Upasthana, Vaisvadeva, etc.

. 11.6. Rules regarding Bhojana

. 11.7. The rules regarding Bhaksya-abhaksya

. 12.1. The auspicious period on various Sankrantis

. 12.2. Tithinirnaya (decision of Tithi)

. 12.3. Rules regarding Fasting and Vows (Vratas)

. 12.4. Rules regarding Festivals

. 13. Rules regarding Dana (giving gifts)

. 14.1. Nature of purity and impurity (medhya-amedhya-nirupana)

. 14.2. Purification of substances

. References to section [F]

. 15.1. General remarks regarding Vyavahara

. 15.2. Stripumdharma (Rules regarding concerning husband and wife)

. 15.3. Dayavibhaga (Rules regarding partition)

. 15.4. Stridhana: its nature and devolution

. References to section [G]

. 16.1. Rules regarding Prayashcitta (expiation)

. 16.2. Rules regarding Anugraha

. 16.3. Description of Kricchras

. 16.4. Rules regarding Tirthayatra (pilgrimage)

. 16.5. Rules regarding Pancagavya (five ingredients)

. 16.6. Mlecchita-shuddhi (purification of converted persons)

. References to section [H]

+ Chapter 10 - Philosophical aspect of the Devalasmriti

. 1. Relevance of Philosophical exposition

. 2. The twofold Purushartha

. 3.1. Interpretation of the term ‘Sankhya’

. 3.2. Concept of Mulikarthas

. 3.3. The three kinds of bodies

. 3.4. The four maternal and four paternal sheaths

. 3.5. The five Pranas (vital breaths) and their functions

. 3.6. The Tanmatras, known to the Tantras of Sankhyayoga

. 4.1. Interpretation of the term Yoga

. 4.2. Auxiliaries of Yoga

. 4.3. Concept of Tapas

. 4.4. Upasargas (obstacles in the practice of Yoga)

. 4.5. The eight supernatural powers

. 4.6. Aristas (signs of approaching death)

. 5. Papadosas (treatment of the threefold vices)

. 6.1. The threefold bondage

. 6.2. The concept of Apavarga (cessation)

. 6.3. Purpose of spiritual activity

. 6.4. The concept of Utkranti (departure)

. References to section [A]

. 7.1. Devala’s indebtedness to the works on Sankhya and Yoga

. 7.2. Devala—A Brahmavadi Sankhya

Chapter 11 - Devalasmriti in the Modern Age

Appendix 1 - Authors and Works mentioned in the text

Appendix 2 - Mantras quoted and indicated in the text

Appendix 3 - Place names occurring in the text

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Last Updated: 09 September, 2024

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