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 8 - Devala-Smriti (a summary of the reconstructed text)
8 (of 16)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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" 660 is considered in detail, at the beginning. The fourfold
classifi-
cation of 'pure' (Medhya) objects, namely, suci, puta, svaya峁僺uddha
I
鈥� "
& pavitra, is explained elaborately (1052-1078). Similarly, the
nature of impurity, is also clarified (1079鈥�1086). The four varie-
ties of impurity, namely, d奴sita, varjita, dusta & kasmala are
enumerated & defined (1080-1086). The method of purification
of earth, (bhumi) (1088-1092), water (1093-1100), one's own body
(1101-1120), the metallic objects & other things, in general,
like, garments, wooden vessels, corn etc. is mentioned (1121-1140).
-O
PRAKARANA X ASAUCAM :
M
The present chapter deals with the topic of impurity, due to
birth or death to a person (as auca).
Firstly, the days of impurity on birth & death of a person
are laid down (1141-1167). Then the problematic cases of sannipata-
sauca (1168-1174) (occurrence of another asauca, already observing
one asauca
auca), atikrantasauca (knowledge of asauca, after the lapse
of its original period), (1175-1180), Vides asthas auca ( impurity
to a person, staying in a distant region) (1181&1182) are dealt
with.
1 PRAKARANA XI ANTYEST IH :
-
The funeral
rites to be performed on the death of a person,
are treated in this chapter.
Several cases of inauspicious death (durmarana) are mentioned
(1183-1216). Then the rules about, (1) carrying the corpse,
(1217-1226), (2) burning it on pyre (1227-1247), (3) collecting
alcana's
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