By Swami Harshananda
Significance of Samvarta Smrti[edit]
Samvarta-smrti seems to be a fairly ancient work. Samvarta is quoted by many authors of dharmaśāstras like Aparārka, Haradatta, Medhātithi, Viśvarupa and others. Almost his 200 verses have been given in their works. There is a printed text which appears to be an epitome of a portion of the original smṛti of Samvarta. The smṛti is in the form of Samvarta’s teachings to Vāmadeva and others.
Contents of Samvarta Smrti[edit]
The topics dealt with may be summarized as follows:
- Rules of conduct for a brahmacārin
- Prāyaścittas or expiations for various kinds of sins
- Duties of a householder, a forest hermit and a sanyāsin
- Special duties of a king
- Few minor topics as the age of girls for marriage
Samvarta as per Mahābhārata[edit]
According to the Mahābhārata[1] Samvarta was a son of Añgiras. Bṛhaspati and Ucathya were his brothers. It is difficult to say whether this was the same Samvarta who authored this smṛti.
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore