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 9 - The distinctive features of the Devalasmriti
42 (of 165)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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bride of 7 years, the bridegroom was to be of 18 years & for
gauri of 8 years, he was to be of 25 years. From this, it follows
that in case of rohini & gandhari types of brides also, the
bridegroom must be of higher age, as considered from the above
20 two cases. The Manusmrti (IX. 94) also enjoins a similar rule
that the bridegroom of 30 years & 24 years should marry brides
of 12 & 8 years respectively.
THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE BRIDE :
According to Devala (408) the five qualifications of the bride
were to be considered & given importance for marriage. They are
(1) Kula-family, (2) Sila-character, (3) Vaya-age, (4) V峁泃ta-Conduct,
(5) Rupa-beauty. The beauty is mentioned at the end & hence it is
only a last qualification to be considered. Learning or education
is not at all mentioned here by the author. This reflects upon
the fact, that girls were mostly illiterate & education was not
given much importance in case of women. This also shows the
21 attitude of the author towards education as a qualification for
marriage. The Bharadvaja G.S. (I. 11) also mentions four qualifica-
tions namely wealth, beauty, intellect &family. The smrtis like
those of Manu, Yajnavalkya, etc. also dilate upon the external
signs of beauty.
It may be remarked that Devala's enumeration of qualifications
of the bride is the most ideal & perfect one and may be with
vidya or education, to modernize it.
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