Talk:Devala
By Swami Harshananda
Devala was an ancient and highly respected sage and the mention of Asita-devala (‘Devala, the dark one’) among the great sages[1] by Arjuna, of the Mahābhārata, asserts the same. He has been described in the Mahābhārata[2] as the son of Pratyuṣa who was one of the eight Vasus. He was a brahmarṣi.[3]
Dhaumya, another ṛṣi who was the chief priest of the Pandavas, was Devala's brother. He is said to have been present at the Sarpayaga (snake-sacrifice) conducted by the king Janamejaya.[4]
The dharmaśastra literature often mentions the Dharmasūtra of Devala. Śankara (CE 788-820) also mentions his name. Though his work has not been traced till now, other writers have profusely quoted him in their literature. His work can be a value addition to the extant dharmśastra works, if collected and published from respective literature.
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore