History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v4.c63.t2.891

v4.c63.t2.891

It is not easy to see why such a resolve should have been prohibited. Therefore this explanation given by Bhaṭṭoji, K. V. N. (folio 10 a), the Samayamayūkha and others is not satisfactory. It is better to accept the explanation of the Nir. S. that this forbids the undertaking of the worship of a particular image for wages. Aparārka (pp. 450 and 923) quotes a smṛti text defining a *devalaka* as a brāhmaṇa who performs the worship of an image for wages for three years and who thereby becomes unfit to officiate at śrāddhas.¹⁸⁴³ Manu III. 152 declares the devalaka to be unfit for being invited for śrāddhas or rites in honour of gods and Kullūka quotes Devala to the effect that one who maintains himself on the treasury of a shrine is called devalaka. It is remarkable that Vṛddha-Hārīta (VIII. 77-80) says that only the worshippers of Śiva for wages are called devalaka and those of Viṣṇu are not. Acc. to the Sm. Kau. what is forbidden is the resolve to worship an image for securing a direct vision of the Deity.¹⁸⁴⁴ This is rather pedantic and far-fetched.