Difference between revisions of "Yajnavalkya Smrti (याज्ञवल्क्यस्मृति:)"
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| − | Vedanga is a class of works regarded as auxiliary to the four Vedas and designed to aid in the correct pronunciation and interpretation of the text and the right employment of the Mantras in ceremonials. The Vedangas are six in number—Shiksha (the science of proper articulation and pronunciation), Chandas (the science of prosody), Vyakarana (grammar), Nirukta (etymological explanation of difficult Vedic words), Jyotish (astronomy) and Kalpa (ritual or ceremonial)<ref>V S Apte (2000), The Student's Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Delhi: MLBD</ref>. This Kalpasutra is fourfold namely, Shrautasutra, Grihyasutra, Dharmasutra and Shulvasutra. This Dharmasutra containing the Do's and Dont's of the social life got enlarged as the Dharmashastra or Smrti literature in later years. The Trimuni of Indian Nyaya (Law and Order) are: Narada, Brihaspati and Katyayana. | + | Vedanga is a class of works regarded as auxiliary to the four Vedas and designed to aid in the correct pronunciation and interpretation of the text and the right employment of the Mantras in ceremonials. The Vedangas are six in number—Shiksha (the science of proper articulation and pronunciation), Chandas (the science of prosody), Vyakarana (grammar), Nirukta (etymological explanation of difficult Vedic words), Jyotish (astronomy) and Kalpa (ritual or ceremonial)<ref>V S Apte (2000), The Student's Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Delhi: MLBD</ref>. This Kalpasutra is fourfold namely, Shrautasutra, Grihyasutra, Dharmasutra and Shulvasutra. This Dharmasutra containing the Do's and Dont's of the social life got enlarged as the Dharmashastra or Smrti literature in later years. The Trimuni of Indian Nyaya (Law and Order) are: Narada, Brihaspati and Katyayana.<ref>Uma Sankara Sarma 'Rsi' (2004), Samskrta Sahitya ka Itihasa, Varanasi: Chaukhamba Bharati Academy</ref> |
== परिचयः ॥ Introduction == | == परिचयः ॥ Introduction == | ||
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Krishna Dvaipayana Vedavyasa had taught the four Vedas to his four students: Rgveda to Paila, Yajurveda to Vaishampayana, Samaveda to Jaimini and Atharvaveda to Sumantu. Vaishampayana also taught it to his students but once Yajnavalkya incurred the wrath of his Guru and was expelled by him, after surrendering the Yajurveda to him. Later he pleased Surya and got a new lyrical Veda, which came to be known as the Shukla Yajurveda or Vajasaneyi Samhita. | Krishna Dvaipayana Vedavyasa had taught the four Vedas to his four students: Rgveda to Paila, Yajurveda to Vaishampayana, Samaveda to Jaimini and Atharvaveda to Sumantu. Vaishampayana also taught it to his students but once Yajnavalkya incurred the wrath of his Guru and was expelled by him, after surrendering the Yajurveda to him. Later he pleased Surya and got a new lyrical Veda, which came to be known as the Shukla Yajurveda or Vajasaneyi Samhita. | ||
| − | In the scholarly debates on Brahman arranged by the king Janaka Vaideha, he emerged as the best and the most brilliant of all the scholarly Rishis, as recorded in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (Chapter Three). | + | In the scholarly debates on Brahman arranged by the king Janaka Vaideha, he emerged as the best and the most brilliant of all the scholarly Rishis, as recorded in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (Chapter Three).<ref>Swami Devarupananda (2003), Mantrapushpam, Mumbai: Ramakrishna Math.</ref> He taught spiritual wisdom to his first wife Maitreyi who was a seeker of truth and his second wife was Katyayani. |
| − | Two more works are attributed to him: Yoga-yajnavalkya and Yajnavalkya Smrti. Yajnavalkya Smrti is a well-known Smrti belonging to the | + | Two more works are attributed to him: Yoga-yajnavalkya and Yajnavalkya Smrti. Yajnavalkya Smrti is a well-known Smrti belonging to the Dharmashastra literature. It is said to be a composition of the famous sage Yajnavalkya, the promulgator of the Shukla Yajurveda Samhita. Its style and ideas seem to be close to this Veda. The present edition as available now was probably finalised by 700 CE, though the original might be placed between 100 BCE and 300 CE. Passages from it are found on inscriptions in every part of India dated in the tenth and eleventh centuries (CE) and also in the Panchatantra. |
== भाष्याणि ॥ Commentaries == | == भाष्याणि ॥ Commentaries == | ||
| − | It has more than 1000 verses in the | + | It has more than 1000 verses in the Anushtubh metre and has five standard commentaries: |
* Dharma-shastra-nibandha by Apararka (1200 CE) | * Dharma-shastra-nibandha by Apararka (1200 CE) | ||
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== अध्यायसारः ॥ Chapter Contents == | == अध्यायसारः ॥ Chapter Contents == | ||
| − | Rishi Yajnavalkya's institutes are regarded as second in importance to those of Manu. Its contents<ref>Narayana Ram Acharya ‘Kavyatirtha’ (1985), Yajnavalkyasmrti, Delhi: Nag Publishers</ref> may be briefly described as follows: | + | Rishi Yajnavalkya's institutes are regarded as second in importance to those of Manu. Its contents<ref name=":1">Narayana Ram Acharya ‘Kavyatirtha’ (1985), Yajnavalkyasmrti, Delhi: Nag Publishers</ref> may be briefly described as follows: |
=== प्रथमाध्याय: आचार: ॥ First Adhyaya: Achara === | === प्रथमाध्याय: आचार: ॥ First Adhyaya: Achara === | ||
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|2 | |2 | ||
|Brahmachari | |Brahmachari | ||
| − | |The duties of | + | |The duties of Student |
|- | |- | ||
|3 | |3 | ||
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|7 | |7 | ||
|Bhakshya-abhakshya | |Bhakshya-abhakshya | ||
| − | | | + | |Food articles to be avoided |
|- | |- | ||
|8 | |8 | ||
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Dattapradanika – Non-delivery or resumption of gifts | Dattapradanika – Non-delivery or resumption of gifts | ||
| − | + | Krita-anushaya | |
Abhyupetyashyshrusha – Breach of contract or engagement between master and servant | Abhyupetyashyshrusha – Breach of contract or engagement between master and servant | ||
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== उपसंहार: ॥ Conclusion == | == उपसंहार: ॥ Conclusion == | ||
| − | The text begins with:<blockquote>योगीश्वरं याज्ञवल्क्यं संपूज्य मुनयोsब्रुवन् । वर्णाश्रमेतराणां नो ब्रूहि धर्मानशेषत: ॥ | + | The text begins with:<blockquote>योगीश्वरं याज्ञवल्क्यं संपूज्य मुनयोsब्रुवन् । वर्णाश्रमेतराणां नो ब्रूहि धर्मानशेषत: ॥<ref name=":1" /> yogīśvaraṃ yājñavalkyaṃ saṃpūjya munayo'bruvan । varṇāśrametarāṇāṃ no brūhi dharmān aśeṣatah ॥</blockquote>Meaning: Having adored Yajnavalkya, the lord of Yogins (ascetics), the Munis (anchorites) said: “Do you describe unto us in full, the religious rites of Varnas (four castes), ashramas (four orders), and (those of) other inferior castes.”<ref name=":0">Manmatha Nath Dutt (1906), Yajnawalkya Samhita, Calcutta: Elysium Press</ref> |
| − | It concludes with:<blockquote>श्रुत्वैतद् याज्ञवाल्क्योsपि प्रीतात्मा मुनि-भाषितम् । एवमस्त्विति होवाच नमस्कृत्य स्वयंभुवे ॥ | + | It concludes with:<blockquote>श्रुत्वैतद् याज्ञवाल्क्योsपि प्रीतात्मा मुनि-भाषितम् । एवमस्त्विति होवाच नमस्कृत्य स्वयंभुवे ॥<ref name=":1" /> śrutvaitad yājñavālkyo'pi prītātmā muni-bhāṣitam । evam astviti hovāca namaskṛtya svayaṃbhuve ॥</blockquote>Meaning: He, who will make the twice-born listen to it on every Parva-day, will reap the fruits of a Horse-Sacrifice. Do thou accede to this our request. Hearing the speech of the ascetics and being delighted, Yajnavalkya, too, saluting the Self-sprung Brahma, said “so be it.”<ref name=":0" /> |
Thus, Yajnavalkya Smrti provides a thorough and chronological insight into the then societal fabric along with its local customs, law and order and expiation traditions. | Thus, Yajnavalkya Smrti provides a thorough and chronological insight into the then societal fabric along with its local customs, law and order and expiation traditions. | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 09:07, 17 July 2025
Vedanga is a class of works regarded as auxiliary to the four Vedas and designed to aid in the correct pronunciation and interpretation of the text and the right employment of the Mantras in ceremonials. The Vedangas are six in number—Shiksha (the science of proper articulation and pronunciation), Chandas (the science of prosody), Vyakarana (grammar), Nirukta (etymological explanation of difficult Vedic words), Jyotish (astronomy) and Kalpa (ritual or ceremonial)[1]. This Kalpasutra is fourfold namely, Shrautasutra, Grihyasutra, Dharmasutra and Shulvasutra. This Dharmasutra containing the Do's and Dont's of the social life got enlarged as the Dharmashastra or Smrti literature in later years. The Trimuni of Indian Nyaya (Law and Order) are: Narada, Brihaspati and Katyayana.[2]
परिचयः ॥ Introduction
According to Swami Harshananda[3], Yajnavalkya was one of the wisest and the most illustrious among the Vedic sages. He was the son of the sage Brahmarata and a nephew cum disciple of Vaishampayana.
Krishna Dvaipayana Vedavyasa had taught the four Vedas to his four students: Rgveda to Paila, Yajurveda to Vaishampayana, Samaveda to Jaimini and Atharvaveda to Sumantu. Vaishampayana also taught it to his students but once Yajnavalkya incurred the wrath of his Guru and was expelled by him, after surrendering the Yajurveda to him. Later he pleased Surya and got a new lyrical Veda, which came to be known as the Shukla Yajurveda or Vajasaneyi Samhita.
In the scholarly debates on Brahman arranged by the king Janaka Vaideha, he emerged as the best and the most brilliant of all the scholarly Rishis, as recorded in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (Chapter Three).[4] He taught spiritual wisdom to his first wife Maitreyi who was a seeker of truth and his second wife was Katyayani.
Two more works are attributed to him: Yoga-yajnavalkya and Yajnavalkya Smrti. Yajnavalkya Smrti is a well-known Smrti belonging to the Dharmashastra literature. It is said to be a composition of the famous sage Yajnavalkya, the promulgator of the Shukla Yajurveda Samhita. Its style and ideas seem to be close to this Veda. The present edition as available now was probably finalised by 700 CE, though the original might be placed between 100 BCE and 300 CE. Passages from it are found on inscriptions in every part of India dated in the tenth and eleventh centuries (CE) and also in the Panchatantra.
भाष्याणि ॥ Commentaries
It has more than 1000 verses in the Anushtubh metre and has five standard commentaries:
- Dharma-shastra-nibandha by Apararka (1200 CE)
- Mitramishra (1600 CE)
- Shulapani (circa 1400 CE)
- Mitakshara by Vijnaneshvara (circa 1100 CE)
- Balakrida by Vishvarupa (800-825 CE)
अध्यायसारः ॥ Chapter Contents
Rishi Yajnavalkya's institutes are regarded as second in importance to those of Manu. Its contents[5] may be briefly described as follows:
प्रथमाध्याय: आचार: ॥ First Adhyaya: Achara
(13 Prakaranas – 368 verses)
| Prakarana | Title | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Upoddhata | Introduction |
| 2 | Brahmachari | The duties of Student |
| 3 | Vivaha | The eight forms of marriage |
| 4 | Varna-jati-viveka | Description of various classes |
| 5 | Grihastha | The duties of a Householder |
| 6 | Snataka-dharma | The proper time for Vedic study and its Consecration |
| 7 | Bhakshya-abhakshya | Food articles to be avoided |
| 8 | Dravya-shuddhi | Various instruments for purification |
| 9 | Dana | On giving gifts |
| 10 | Shraddha | Shraddha and its varieties |
| 11 | Ganapati-kalpa | The adoration of Vinayaka |
| 12 | Graha-shanti | The adoration of nine planets |
| 13 | Raja-dharma | The characteristics and duties of a King |
द्वितीयाध्याय: व्यवहार: ॥ Second Adhyaya: Vyavahara
(25 Prakaranas – 307 verses)
Sadharana-vyavahara-matrika – Laws and regulations in general
Asadharana-vyavahara-matrika – Specific Laws and regulations
Rnadana - Debts, interest and repayment
Upanidhi – Sealed deposit
Sakshi – The Law of Evidence
Lekhya – Written Document
Divya – Divine Tests
Daya-vibhaga - Partition of property among heirs
Sima-vivada - Boundary disputes
Svami-pala-vivada – Disputes of the keepers
Svami-vikraya – Unlawful sale of articles
Dattapradanika – Non-delivery or resumption of gifts
Krita-anushaya
Abhyupetyashyshrusha – Breach of contract or engagement between master and servant
Samvit-vyatikrama – Violation of a contract
Vetanadana – Non-payment of wages
Dyuta-samahvaya - Gambling
Vak-parushya – Defamation
Danda-parushya - Crimes and punishment
Sahasa – Criminal act
Vikriyasampradana – Non-delivery of sold articles
Sambhuya-samutthana – Joint stock companies
Steya - Theft
Stri-samgrahana – Adultery, seduction
Prakirna - Miscellaneous
तृतीयाध्याय: प्रायश्चितम्॥ Third Adhyaya: Prayashchitta
(6 Prakaranas – 334 verses)
Aashaucha - On cremation and burial
Aapad-dharma - Rules of conduct in distress
Vanaprastha-dharma – Regulations relating to Vanaprastha
Yati-dharma – Duties of a person who has renounced the world
Prayashchitta - Sins and expiations
Prakirnaka-prayashchittani – Miscellaneous Expiatory rites
उपसंहार: ॥ Conclusion
The text begins with:
योगीश्वरं याज्ञवल्क्यं संपूज्य मुनयोsब्रुवन् । वर्णाश्रमेतराणां नो ब्रूहि धर्मानशेषत: ॥[5] yogīśvaraṃ yājñavalkyaṃ saṃpūjya munayo'bruvan । varṇāśrametarāṇāṃ no brūhi dharmān aśeṣatah ॥
Meaning: Having adored Yajnavalkya, the lord of Yogins (ascetics), the Munis (anchorites) said: “Do you describe unto us in full, the religious rites of Varnas (four castes), ashramas (four orders), and (those of) other inferior castes.”[6] It concludes with:
श्रुत्वैतद् याज्ञवाल्क्योsपि प्रीतात्मा मुनि-भाषितम् । एवमस्त्विति होवाच नमस्कृत्य स्वयंभुवे ॥[5] śrutvaitad yājñavālkyo'pi prītātmā muni-bhāṣitam । evam astviti hovāca namaskṛtya svayaṃbhuve ॥
Meaning: He, who will make the twice-born listen to it on every Parva-day, will reap the fruits of a Horse-Sacrifice. Do thou accede to this our request. Hearing the speech of the ascetics and being delighted, Yajnavalkya, too, saluting the Self-sprung Brahma, said “so be it.”[6]
Thus, Yajnavalkya Smrti provides a thorough and chronological insight into the then societal fabric along with its local customs, law and order and expiation traditions.
References
- ↑ V S Apte (2000), The Student's Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Delhi: MLBD
- ↑ Uma Sankara Sarma 'Rsi' (2004), Samskrta Sahitya ka Itihasa, Varanasi: Chaukhamba Bharati Academy
- ↑ Swami Harshananda (2008), A Concise Encyclopaedia of Hinduism (Volume 3), Bangalore: Ramakrishna Math
- ↑ Swami Devarupananda (2003), Mantrapushpam, Mumbai: Ramakrishna Math.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Narayana Ram Acharya ‘Kavyatirtha’ (1985), Yajnavalkyasmrti, Delhi: Nag Publishers
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Manmatha Nath Dutt (1906), Yajnawalkya Samhita, Calcutta: Elysium Press