The Dattakatilaka, a newly discovered Smrti-work written by the illustrious polymath Bhatta Bhavadeva, is a text book on the question of the hereditary property of the adopted sons. Though written between the last quarter of the 11 century and the first quarter of the next one, his Smrti-books were (and are still) followed by the Bengali Hindus for their socio-religious life. The Dattakatilaka deals with the question of having a son and different kinds of sons. Of the various kinds of sons, only the natural (Aurasa) and adopted son (Dattaka) are said to be in currency in the Kaliyuga, while the other types of sons are prohibited. Bhavadeva says that one could take more than one adopted sons and the number is limited to three only. Wife can also adopt three sons on the consent of her husband. On the Dattaka’s right to property Bhavadeva did not say much. This book will give a socio political picture of India in the 11-12 centuries A.D.
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