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
83 (of 165)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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HANSHA MEHTA LIBRARY URDHVAPUNDRA * INFLUENCE OF VAISNAVA CULT : The necessity of Urdhvapundra is emphasized at University placess roda the text. All activities like sacrifice, giving gifts, homa (offerings), the study of veda & the offering of water to the Manes become futile, if these are performed without Urdhvapundra (perpendi- cular mark on the forehead) (172). Even a knower of veda & vedanta is regarded as the vilest person & a thief among men, if he does not possess the Urdhvapundra mark on his forehead (607). This reflects -- upon the influence of the vaisnava cult upon the present text. The Bhavisya Purana & Katyayana (quoted in A.M.38) 14. on the contrary emphasize the necessity of tripundra, in a similar manner. Thus the followers of saiva & vaisnava sects have given importance even to the external aspects of dharma, as indispensible, as they distinguished their sects from the other sects. } The two epithets 'cakrankitatanuh' & 'Lingakitah' refer to the
followers of the Vaisnava & Saiva cults, who make the external
peculiar marks of wheel & phallus respectively on their body. The
text (699) prohibits taking food in the row of such persons. The
influence of Vaisnava cult is also indicated by the statements like
"He does not remember Govinda at the time of his death' (731) &
'from him Hari is quite away' (727).
VAIS VADE VA
1 KRATVARTHA OR PURUS 膧RTHA :
The Vaisvadeva is considered to be Purusartha only (i.e.for
effecting some sa峁僺karas on the person) by the Mitaksara ( on
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