Devala-smriti (critical study)

by Mukund Lalji Wadekar | 1982 | 67,394 words

Hinduism Dharmashastra

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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...

Chapter 9 - The distinctive features of the Devalasmriti

- Sub-Contents: (+ / -)

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

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]

Last Updated: 08 September, 2024