52. Vishvāmitra
Volume I: Part I
The chapter on Vishvāmitra begins by noting his recognition by Vṛddha Yājñavalkya, who quoted his verses on a wide array of topics, notably excluding *vyavahāra*. The *Smṛti* attributed to Vishvāmitra is estimated to have comprised a thousand verses, and its authority is further underscored by its mention in Parāśara M. at 7.28. Vishvāmitra’s precepts touch upon fundamental aspects of *dharma*, including *saṁskāra*, *āśrama*, *vratas*, *śrāddha*, *dāna*, and *prāyaścitta*. Despite the purported thousand verses, only a limited number, such as fifty-four in *Smṛticandrikā* and fifty-nine in *Vyavahāramayūkha*, are found quoted. Interestingly, while not mentioned in early digests and commentaries like Medhātithi, his verses gained currency in later digests, including Aparārka, *Smṛticandrikā*, and *Caturvargacintāmaṇi*. Further sources include a *Laghu Vishvāmitra Smṛti* comprising sixty verses, referred to simply as Vishvāmitra in *Harita Smṛti* 1. A clear distinction must be made between the *Vishvāmitra Dharmaśāstra* and the *Vishvāmitra Kalpasūtra*; the latter exclusively refers to sacrifices and not to *dharma*. It is important to note that no connection is established between the Vishvāmitra of the Purāṇas and the author of this particular *Smṛti*.
— Synopsis by P.V. Kane, from History of Dharmaśāstra
52. Vishvāmitra
Maskarin on Gaut. Dh. S. appears to quote Laugākṣi as Lokākṣi. On Gaut. 10. 42 (about the finding of treasure trove) Lokākṣi is quoted as ‘anubhūticihnāni muṣitvā gṛhṇataḥ pūrvasāhasam daṇḍaḥ tad-dravya dviguṇam ca rājā haret’. Maskarin quotes verses of Lokākṣi on Gaut. 14. 1, 15, 1; 22, 18 (three verses on prāyaścittas for killing a person of pratiloma caste and others also). Kalpataru quotes Laugākṣi frequently e. g. on Br. Kāṇḍa Laugākṣi is quoted five times (all prose); Kalpa° (on Śrāddha ) p. 98 defines ‘Agredidhusu and didhiṣu’.
52. Viśvāmitra
Viśvāmitra is one of the writers on dharma enumerated by Vṛddha-Yājñavalkya as quoted by Viśvarūpa. Aparārka, the Smṛticandrikā, the Kālāviveka of Jīmūtavāhana and other works quote verses of Viśvāmitra on almost all topics of dharma except vyavahāra, such as on the five deadly sins, on śrāddhas, prāyaścitta etc. Viśvāmitra defines dharma as that which is esteemed by Āryas ( respectable people) who know the Vedaṣ1 Aparārka quotes 18 verses from Viśvāmitra on Prāyaścitta and the Smṛticandrikā also quotes several verses of his Kalpataru (on Brahmacāri°), cites Yāj. I. 14 (Garbhāṣṭame &c.) as occurring in Viśvāmitra also. Similarly Kalpataru (on Naiyatakāla p. 314) states that Yāj. I. 179 (prāṇātyaye &c.) also occurs in Viśvāmitra’s Smṛti. His verses on the mahāpātakas are frequently quoteḍ2 The Madras ( Govt. ) Msṣ cat. (p. 1985 No. 2717) notices a Smṛti of Viśvāmitra in verse in nine chapterṣ