History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c90.35

v7.c90.35

the Ācārya quotes two verses that he designates as smṛti, that are Viṣṇupurāṇa I. 5. 59-60, but are not found in ancient smṛtis like those of Manu or Yāj. On V. S. III. 1. 15 ( api ca sapta ) the bhāṣya remarks that those who have studied or who know the Purāṇas declare that there are seven hells, Raurava and others, that are regarded as places reached for undergoing the consequences of evil deeds committed by sinners. The Viṣṇupurāṇa enumerates seven hells viz. Tāmisra, Raurava and others, as the places for those who abuse the Veda, who cause obstacles to sacrifices and who give up their proper dharma. Even Manu (IV. 87-90), Yāj. (III. 222-224), Viṣṇu Dh. S. 43. 2-22 enumerate 21 hells and almost all Purāṇas mention 21 or more hells. Vide H. of Dh vol. IV pp. 162-164. On V. S. I. 3. 26 and 33 the bhāṣya says that one can see from Vedic mantras, arthavāda passages, Itihāsa and Purāṇa and popular belief that gods have bodies. On V S. II. 1. 1. Śaṅkarācārya quotes a verse which is the same in Vāyupurāṇa and on I. 3. 30 quotes in all five verses as smṛti, four of which are the same as Vāyu 9. 57-58 and 64-65. Viśvarūpa in his commentary on the Yājñavalkya-smṛti has two interesting notes on Purāṇas. On Yāj. III. 170 which describes the Sāṅkhya theory of the evolution of the world, Viśvarūpa¹³⁴⁸ remarks that this theory concerning the creation and dissolution of the world is found everywhere in the Purāṇas. On Yāj. III. 175 which states that the path to the world of the pitṛs lies between the star Agastya (Canopus) and the Aja-vīthī, Viśvarūpa remarks that in the Purāṇa several *vīthīs* (i e. courses) of the Sun in the sky are found and that *Ajavīthī* is immediately contiguous to Agastya.