Yajnavalkya Smrti

PrefaceThis treaty Yajnavalkya Smrti is a code of ethics and moral regulations. The readers will see it classified into three divisions i.e. chapters on etiquettes on behavior and atonement for the sins committed. It also contains in its codicil mitaksra too wherein regulations for the distribution and enjoyment of rights on property in Hindu Undivided Family have been contemplated. In succinct way these rules for conduct and behave lead us to the sacrosanct way of living with the universe duly united.

Thus this Smrti contains a key to refresh in mind the rules for human beings gradually developed from the stage of Homo sapiens to this modern civilized era.

It is prayed for the sake of humanity as a whole that every man should keep and peruse such treaties or books to feel adopt and realize these rules all benevolent for universal brotherhood i.e. Udara cartanam to vasudhaiva Kutumbakan. A practical approach toward these rules as described under three divisions will definitely act as a torch in hand especially and save humanity from falling into the blind alley of misconception misdirection misfeasance as prevailed in this ultra-modern world or a world of mere materialistic approach. In brief, rules may lead the life of a man from hell to heaven.

Every care has been exercised while conveying the true sense embedded in respective hymns all over the treaty still for the error/omission if any arise observed outright suggestions are solicited from the genius readers.

 

IntroductionD.F. Mulla in his book Principals of Hindu Law designates the Smrti period as the golden age of Hindu Law as it was the most productive period. During the post Smrti period, the laws propounded by the smrtis were critically studied modified, and amplified by the works of learned commentators. The code of law of Yajnavalkya is assigned an eminent place in the Smrti literature and it continued exercising its influence on the social life through the works of its learned commentators who always interpreted and modified in the light of the changing needs of the society.

Right, from the oldest scripture till Yajnavalkya Smrti Yajnavalkya is known to be a great personality. It is also a fact that there were many seers known by the name of Yajnavalkya.

One Yajnavalkya was born in the family of Visvamitra and one in the family of Vasistha. According to Matsya Purana, he was known by the name of Yajnadatta. Yajnavalkya was also an acarya the disciple of Vaskala rsi Vayu Purana says that it is due to his name only that Rka Sisya tradition of Vyasa was known as Yajnavalkya.

Yajnavalkya is the name of Acarya. It is said that in his asrama thus lived a Brahmana named Visnuyasas. It is predicted there that the eleventh incarnation of Lord Visnu is Kalki will be born in his house.

According to Mahabharata Yajnavalkya is one of the sons of Visvamitra. His sons were learned and were known to be Brahmavdin. Another Yajnavalkya is one who is known to be a very learned scholar expert in Vedic loremaster in Dharmasastra and writer of many ancient books.

R.C. Majumdar says that Satapatha Brahmana a book belonging to Sukla Yajurveda is written by Yajnavalkya. At the end of Satapatha Brahmana, it is mentioned that Vajasaneya Yajnavalkya promulgated the bright Yajus received from the sun Satapatha Brahmana is an important source of information about the sacrificial ceremonies theology and philosophy of ancient India. It holds that Yajnavalkya received the formula of Sukla Yajurveda from Sun. Yahnavalkya Smriti clearly says that he was the author of Brhadaranyaka that he received from the sun and he also composed Yogasastra.

Bhadarapyakopanisad is a part of satapatha Brahmana. This shows that he was the author of Satapatha Brahmana. Yajnavalkyakanda of the Brhadaranyakopanisad is a proof of his intimate relationship with Satapatha Brahmana and Brhadaranyakopanisad.

Yajnavalkya is known to be a great philosopher and spiritual teacher. He knew things very minutely. Once Janak asked Yajnavalkya if he knew Agnihotra he replied that it is Payas. If Payas is not there then how to offer Agnihotra? asked Janak. Yajnavalkya told him various options. In the end, he said if nothing is available then one can offer. Satya in Sraddha. And Janaka had to say Yajnavalkya you know Agnihotra. For this, he was given a hundred cows.’

Yajnavalkya had two wives Katyayani and Maitreya. He taught the doctrine of Brahma and immortality to Maitreyi. In these chapters of Brhadaranyakopanisad. we find that Yajnavalkya had philosophical discussions with any of the scholars like Janaka, Avala. Aryabhata. Bhujyu. Kohala, Gargi. Aruni and Sakalya.

According to Brhadäranyakopanisad (6.3.15). Uddalaka Arupi was the Guru of Yajnavalkya. He is known to be an inhabitant of Videha because of his relations with Janaka. Satapatha Brahmana (XIV.9.4.29) gives a list of Acaryas. Yajnavalkya is forty-fifth on the list. Here also Aruni is said to be his Guru. As regards the time of Yajnavalkya he seems to be born before Pini. He belonged to the time of later Samhitas and Brahmanas.

 

CONTENTS 

Preface		v
Introduction		vii
Part One Acaradhyayah ( A Section on Etiquettes )
1.	The Source of Common Behaviours	3
2.	Bachelorhood or Life of Celibacy	7
3.	Marriage	20
4.	Class and Caste Consciousness	33
5.	Rules for Householder	36
6.	Rules for an Initiated Householder	47
7.	Estable and Non-eatable Food	58
8.	Purification of Matters (Articles)	62
9.	Munificence or Gift	67
10.	Oblation to the Manes	72
11.	Ordinance of Lord Ganapati	87
12.	Propitiations of Planets	93
13.	Duties of the King	98
Part Two Vyavaharadhyayah (A Section on Behaviour)
1.	The Source of Common Behaviours	115
2.	The Source of Uncommon Behaviours	118
3.	Lending	127
4.	Sealed Deposits	137
5.	Witness	139
6.	Written Document	143
7.	Divine Oaths	146
8.	Coparcenary Shares	151
9.	Boundary Disputes	162
10.	Disputes Between Proprietor and Herdsman	165
11.	Non-Proprietary Sale	168
12.	Resumption of Gifts	170
13.	Disputes regarding Rescission of Purchase	171
14.	Breach of Service Contracts	173
15.	Violation of a Contracts	175
16.	Non-Payment of Wages	178
17.	Rules for Calling out Gambling	180
18.	Reproachful Speech	182
19.	Assault or Violence	185
20.	Robbery	190
21.	Non-delivery after Sale	196
22.	Trading in Partnership	198
23.	Theft	200
24.	Adultery with Women	205
25.	Miscellaneous Disputes	209
Part Three Prayascittadhyayah (A Section on Atonement)
1.	Impurity	215
2.	Unspecified Customary Procedures (in Exigency or Calamity)	224
3.	The religion of a Hermit	227
4.	The Duties of an Ascetic	230
5.	Atonement	267
Index of slokas		301