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
77 (of 165)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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745
Devala prohibits the answering of natural calls, during the
two twilights & the middle time of the day (madhyahna) (cf.199).
But Yama allows it during madhyahna with face to the northern
direction. Manu蓳 (4.50) & Gautama (1/9/41-43) allow the answering
of calls even during two twilights, with face towards the north.
Manu (4.50) & Gautama (1/9/41-43) mention a simple, rule that
during daytime, & the two twilights, one should face towards the
north, while during nighttime, one should face the south.
NO PRESCRIPTION OF PRAMANA & DRAVYAS ANKHYA FOR PURIFICATION :
7 Was
While answering the calls of nature, the lump of clay used
for cleaning the parts of the body. Some smrtis consider the point
as to how much of it was to be used & how many times it was to be
employed. (Cf.Manu S.5/136-137, Vsn.S. (60/25-26), Daksa S. V/5-12)).
The smrtis prescribe the pramana (number of times) & dravyasankhya
(number of lumps), in various manner. But Devala, going against
the above views of Manu, Visnu etc. declares that the wise do not
prescribe the number of times & the lumps for purification, but the
cleansing can be done as long as one thinks to be purified. Thus
according to Devala, there is no necessity of prescribing such
details. They can be followed to the extent of one's own concept
of purification. They depend upon the various conditions like
the individual, the situation, time, availability of material
like water, clod etc. (527).
HANDS & FEET TO BE WASHED UPTO WRIST & KNEES RESPECTIVELY :
It is remarkable to note that while washing hands & feet, they
are to be washed with water upto the wrist & the knees respectively,
for purification after answering calls, according to Devala (544).
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