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<blockquote>तत्त्वष्टाहवनीयमुप प्रावर्तयत्स्वाहेन्द्रशत्रुर्वर्धस्वेति यदवर्तयत्तद्वृत्रस्य वृत्रत्वं यदब्रवीत्स्वाहेन्द्रशत्रुर्वर्धस्वेति तस्मादस्येन्द्रः शत्रुरभवत् | (Tait. Samh. 2.5.2)<ref name=":1">Taittriya [http://parankusa.org/KrYajurBrowse.aspx Samhita] </ref></blockquote><blockquote>tattvaṣṭāhavanīyamupa prāvartayatsvāhendraśatrurvardhasveti yadavartayattadvṛtrasya vṛtratvaṃ yadabravītsvāhendraśatrurvardhasveti tasmādasyendraḥ śatrurabhavat | (Tait. Samh. 2.5.2)<ref name=":1">Taittriya [http://parankusa.org/KrYajurBrowse.aspx Samhita] </ref></blockquote><blockquote>Tvasta (त्वष्टा) angered by Indra's killing of his son Vishwaroopa, initiates an abhicharika yaga (अभिचारिक-यागः | a yaga performed to cause harm to an intended person) to procure a son to kill Indra. The [[Rtvik (ऋत्विक्)|rtvijas]] (ऋत्विज्-s) were to utter the mantra "इन्द्रशत्रुर्वर्धस्व" with Anta-Udatta (अन्त-उदात्तः) or Udatta svara in the end of the mantra (to mean, Prosper Oh ! Enemy of Indra). Instead, they used the Adya Udatta (आद्य-उदात्तः) or Udatta svara in the beginning of the mantra (meaning, Oh! Indra, one who has enemies, Prosper).So, instead of asking for the rise and prosperity of a son to take revenge on Indra, the Rtvijas asked for the prosperity and glory of Indra who destroyed Asuras. Thus, Vrtrasura, the son of Tvasta was born, an enemy of Indra, but eventually Indra was rewarded with glory in killing Vrtrasura.</blockquote>Shiksha literature is very widely available based on the different shakhas (शाखा-s | divisions) of different vedas. They are Panineeya Shiksha (पाणिनीयशिक्षा), Vyasashiksha (व्यासशिक्षा), Bharadvaja shiksha (भारद्वाजशिक्षा), Yajnavalkya Shiksha (याज्ञवलक्यशिक्षा), Parashara shiksha (पराशरशिक्षा), Vasishtee shiksha (वासिष्टीशिक्षा), Katyayanee shiksha (कात्यायनीशिक्षा), Madhyandinee shiksha (माध्यन्दिनीशिक्षा), Keshavee shiksha (केशवीशिक्षा), Amoghanandinee shiksha (अमोघानन्दिनीशिक्षा), Mandavya shiksha (माण्डव्यशिक्षा), Mallasharma shiksha (मल्लशर्मशिक्षा), Svarakusha shiksha (स्वराकुशशिक्षा), Shodasha shiksha (षोडशशिक्षा), Naradeeya shiksha (नारदीयशिक्षा), Mandukeeya shiksha ( माण्डुकीयशिक्षा), Svarabhaktilakshana (स्वरभक्तिलक्षणशिक्षा), Avasananirnaya shiksha (अवसाननिर्णयशिक्षा), Varnaratna pradeepika shiksha (वर्णरत्नप्रदीपिकाशिक्षा) among many others.

<blockquote>तत्त्वष्टाहवनीयमुप प्रावर्तयत्स्वाहेन्द्रशत्रुर्वर्धस्वेति यदवर्तयत्तद्वृत्रस्य वृत्रत्वं यदब्रवीत्स्वाहेन्द्रशत्रुर्वर्धस्वेति तस्मादस्येन्द्रः शत्रुरभवत् | (Tait. Samh. 2.5.2)<ref name=":1">Taittriya [http://parankusa.org/KrYajurBrowse.aspx Samhita] </ref></blockquote><blockquote>tattvaṣṭāhavanīyamupa prāvartayatsvāhendraśatrurvardhasveti yadavartayattadvṛtrasya vṛtratvaṃ yadabravītsvāhendraśatrurvardhasveti tasmādasyendraḥ śatrurabhavat | (Tait. Samh. 2.5.2)<ref name=":1">Taittriya [http://parankusa.org/KrYajurBrowse.aspx Samhita] </ref></blockquote><blockquote>Tvasta (त्वष्टा) angered by Indra's killing of his son Vishwaroopa, initiates an abhicharika yaga (अभिचारिक-यागः | a yaga performed to cause harm to an intended person) to procure a son to kill Indra. The [[Rtvik (ऋत्विक्)|rtvijas]] (ऋत्विज्-s) were to utter the mantra "इन्द्रशत्रुर्वर्धस्व" with Anta-Udatta (अन्त-उदात्तः) or Udatta svara in the end of the mantra (to mean, Prosper Oh ! Enemy of Indra). Instead, they used the Adya Udatta (आद्य-उदात्तः) or Udatta svara in the beginning of the mantra (meaning, Oh! Indra, one who has enemies, Prosper).So, instead of asking for the rise and prosperity of a son to take revenge on Indra, the Rtvijas asked for the prosperity and glory of Indra who destroyed Asuras. Thus, Vrtrasura, the son of Tvasta was born, an enemy of Indra, but eventually Indra was rewarded with glory in killing Vrtrasura.</blockquote>Shiksha literature is very widely available based on the different shakhas (शाखा-s | divisions) of different vedas. They are Panineeya Shiksha (पाणिनीयशिक्षा), Vyasashiksha (व्यासशिक्षा), Bharadvaja shiksha (भारद्वाजशिक्षा), Yajnavalkya Shiksha (याज्ञवलक्यशिक्षा), Parashara shiksha (पराशरशिक्षा), Vasishtee shiksha (वासिष्टीशिक्षा), Katyayanee shiksha (कात्यायनीशिक्षा), Madhyandinee shiksha (माध्यन्दिनीशिक्षा), Keshavee shiksha (केशवीशिक्षा), Amoghanandinee shiksha (अमोघानन्दिनीशिक्षा), Mandavya shiksha (माण्डव्यशिक्षा), Mallasharma shiksha (मल्लशर्मशिक्षा), Svarakusha shiksha (स्वराकुशशिक्षा), Shodasha shiksha (षोडशशिक्षा), Naradeeya shiksha (नारदीयशिक्षा), Mandukeeya shiksha ( माण्डुकीयशिक्षा), Svarabhaktilakshana (स्वरभक्तिलक्षणशिक्षा), Avasananirnaya shiksha (अवसाननिर्णयशिक्षा), Varnaratna pradeepika shiksha (वर्णरत्नप्रदीपिकाशिक्षा) among many others.

=== कल्पः ॥ Kalpa ===

=== कल्पः ॥ Kalpa ===

* एष वै प्रथमः कल्पः प्रदाने हव्यकव्ययोः । eṣa vai prathamaḥ kalpaḥ pradāne havyakavyayoḥ । [[Manu Smriti|Manusmriti]] (3.147)<ref>Manusmriti [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 (3.147)]</ref> defines Kalpa as विधिः । Vidhi to follow in the offering of हव्यकव्याः ॥ havyakavyas (yajna vidhis).   

* एष वै प्रथमः कल्पः प्रदाने हव्यकव्ययोः । eṣa vai prathamaḥ kalpaḥ pradāne havyakavyayoḥ । [[Manu Smriti|Manusmriti]] (3.147)<ref>Manusmriti [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 (3.147)]</ref> defines Kalpa as विधिः । Vidhi to follow in the offering of हव्यकव्याः | havyakavyas (yajna vidhis).   

* कल्प्यते विधीयते | kalpyate vidhīyate | (Shabdakalpadruma) defines kalpa as vidhis (for yajnas)   

* कल्प्यते विधीयते | kalpyate vidhīyate | (Shabdakalpadruma) defines kalpa as vidhis (for yajnas)   

* As given by Vishnumitra, कल्पो वेदविहितानां कर्मणामानुपूर्व्येण कल्पनाशास्त्रम् | kalpo vedavihitānāṃ karmaṇāmānupūrvyeṇa kalpanāśāstram | ie. Kalpa shastra is a guideline for all the actions laid down in Veda (such as yajnas and yagas).   

* As given by Vishnumitra, कल्पो वेदविहितानां कर्मणामानुपूर्व्येण कल्पनाशास्त्रम् | kalpo vedavihitānāṃ karmaṇāmānupūrvyeṇa kalpanāśāstram | ie. Kalpa shastra is a guideline for all the actions laid down in Veda (such as yajnas and yagas).   

There are 4 types of Kalpa sutras

There are 4 types of Kalpa sutras

# '''श्रौतसूत्राणि || Shrauta sutras''' - explain the दर्शपौर्णमासयज्ञः || Darshapournamasa Yajna and others as defined by श्रुतिः || Shruti  

# '''श्रौतसूत्राणि || Shrauta sutras''' - explain the दर्शपौर्णमासयज्ञः || Darshapournamasa Yajna and others as defined by Shruti  

# '''धर्मसूत्राणि || Dharma sutras''' - extensively give the धार्मिक || dharmika rules for general people and the rulers

# '''धर्मसूत्राणि || Dharma sutras''' - extensively give the dharmika rules for general people and the rulers

# '''गृह्यसूत्राणि || Grhya sutras''' - explain the यज्ञाः || yajnas to be followed by the ब्राह्मणाः || brahmanas, क्षत्रियाः || kshatriyas and वैश्याः || vaishyas

# '''गृह्यसूत्राणि || Grhya sutras''' - explain the yajnas to be followed by the brahmanas, kshatriyas and vaishyas

# '''शुल्बसूत्राणि || Shulba sutras''' - शास्त्रम् || Shastra for measurements, include the रेखागणितम् || rekhaganita (geometrical principles) laid down for vedic constructions.

# '''शुल्बसूत्राणि || Shulba sutras''' - Shastra for measurements, include the rekhaganita (रेखागणितम् | geometrical principles) laid down for vedic constructions.

==== '''श्रौतसूत्राणि ||''' '''Shrauta Sutras''' ====

==== '''श्रौतसूत्राणि ||''' '''Shrauta Sutras''' ====

The श्रौतसूत्राणि || Shrauta Sutras vividly describe the procedures for दर्शपौर्णमासयज्ञः || Darshapournamasa yajna and other yajnas such as अग्निहोत्रम् || Agnihotra, पशुयज्ञः || Pashu yajna, and सोमयज्ञः || Soma yajna among others as set forth in Shruti literature. Thus, it can be said that in Shrauta Sutras the explanations given in different वैदिकब्राह्मणानि || Vaidika Brahamanas regarding श्रौताग्नियज्ञाः || Shrautagni yajnas are dealt with in an orderly manner.

The Shrauta Sutras vividly describe the procedures for Darshapournamasa yajna (दर्शपौर्णमासयज्ञः) and other yajnas such as Agnihotra (अग्निहोत्रम्), Pashu yajna (पशुयज्ञः), and Soma yajna (सोमयज्ञः) among others as set forth in Shruti literature. Thus, it can be said that in Shrauta Sutras the explanations given in different Vaidika Brahamanas regarding Shrautagni yajnas (श्रौताग्नियज्ञाः) are dealt with in an orderly manner.

Of the available Shrauta sutras the important ones are - आश्वलायनः || Ashvalayana, शाङ्खायनः || Shankhayana , मानवः || Manava , बौधायनः || Baudhayana, आपस्तम्बः || Aapastamba, हिरण्यकेषी || Hiranyakeshi, जैमिनीयः || Jaimineeya, कात्यायनः || Katyayana, वैतानः || Vaitana, लाट्यायनः || Latyayana, द्राह्यायनः || Drahyayana Shrauta sutras.

Of the available Shrauta sutras the important ones are - Ashvalayana (आश्वलायनः), Shankhayana (शाङ्खायनः), Manava (मानवः), Baudhayana (बौधायनः), Aapastamba (आपस्तम्बः), Hiranyakeshi (हिरण्यकेषी), Jaimineeya (जैमिनीयः), Katyayana (कात्यायनः), Vaitana (वैतानः), Latyayana (लाट्यायनः), Drahyayana Shrauta sutras (द्राह्यायनः).

==== '''धर्मसूत्राणि ||''' '''Dharma Sutras''' ====

==== '''धर्मसूत्राणि ||''' '''Dharma Sutras''' ====

धर्मसूत्राणि || Dharma Sutras expound the rules of Dharma and the actions (activities) to be performed by a person in general as well as the king or the ruler. A complete set of rules to be followed by the different people of different occupations and for those in the four आश्रमाः || ashramas (ब्रह्मचार्यः || brahmacharya, गृहस्थः || grhastha, वानप्रस्थः || vanaprastha and सन्यासः || sanyasa) are described in these sutras. Thus, it can be said that the topics related to the spiritual world, this material world, society and social activities, and all righteous activities are described in a holistic manner. Available important Dharma sutras include वासिष्ठः || Vasishta, गौतमः || Gautama, बौधायनः || Baudhayana, आपस्तम्बः || Apastamba, मानवः || Manava Dharma sutras.

Dharma Sutras expound the rules of Dharma and the actions (activities) to be performed by a person in general as well as the king or the ruler. A complete set of rules to be followed by the different people of different occupations and for those in the four ashramas (ब्रह्मचार्यः | brahmacharya, गृहस्थः | grhastha, वानप्रस्थः | vanaprastha and सन्यासः | sanyasa) are described in these sutras. Thus, it can be said that the topics related to the spiritual world, this material world, society and social activities, and all righteous activities are described in a holistic manner. Available important Dharma sutras include Vasishta (वासिष्ठः), Gautama (गौतमः), Baudhayana (बौधायनः), Apastamba (आपस्तम्बः), Manava (मानवः) Dharma sutras.

==== '''गृह्यसूत्राणि ||''' '''Grhya Sutras''' ====

==== '''गृह्यसूत्राणि ||''' '''Grhya Sutras''' ====

गृह्यसूत्राणि || Grhya Sutras extensively discuss the यज्ञाः || yajnas to be performed by the ब्राह्मणः || brahmana, क्षत्रियः || kshatriya and वैश्यः || vaishya people. Most importantly, the षोडशसंस्काराः || Shodasa samskaras (from गर्भाधानम् || Garbhadhana to अन्त्येष्टिः || Antyeshti) that are performed for a person from birth till death are expounded vividly in these sutras. Thus, how a गृहस्थः || grhasta should lead his life and the procedure in which he has to conduct different dharmic activities are completely described here. The seven kinds of गृह्ययज्ञाः || Grhya yajnas to be performed are:

Grhya Sutras extensively discuss the yajnas to be performed by the brahmana, kshatriya and vaishya people. Most importantly, the षोडशसंस्काराः | Shodasa samskaras (from गर्भाधानम् | Garbhadhana to अन्त्येष्टिः | Antyeshti) that are performed for a person from birth till death are expounded vividly in these sutras. Thus, how a grhasta should lead his life and the procedure in which he has to conduct different dharmic activities are completely described here. The seven kinds of Grhya yajnas (गृह्ययज्ञाः) to be performed are:

# पितृयज्ञः || Pitru Yajna

# पितृयज्ञः || Pitru Yajna

# पार्वणयज्ञः || Parvana Yajna

# पार्वणयज्ञः || Parvana Yajna

# ब्रह्मयज्ञः  || Brahma yajna  

# ब्रह्मयज्ञः  || Brahma yajna  

# मनुष्ययज्ञः  || Manushya yajnas.

# मनुष्ययज्ञः  || Manushya yajnas.

Available important Grhya sutras include आश्वलायनः || Ashvalayana , शाङ्खायनः || Shankhayana , मानवः || Manava , बौधायनः || Baudhayana, आपस्तम्बः || Apastamba Grhya sutras.

Available important Grhya sutras include Ashvalayana (आश्वलायनः), Shankhayana ( शाङ्खायनः), Manava (मानवः), Baudhayana (बौधायनः), Apastamba (आपस्तम्बः) Grhya sutras.

==== '''शुल्बसूत्राणि || Shulba Sutras''' ====

==== '''शुल्बसूत्राणि || Shulba Sutras''' ====

शुल्बसूत्राणि || Shulba Sutras explain the different systems of measurements. Aspects of measurements of various वेदिनिर्माणविधिः || vedinirmanavidhi (altars and the procedure to construct them). For Example, होमशाला || homa shala, यज्ञशाला || yajnashala are discussed. Thus, वैदिककर्मकाण्डः || Vaidika Karmakanda is the topic for Shulbasutras, wherein geometry or the रेखागणितम् || Rekhaganita is applied. Only those Shulbasutras associated with यजुर्वेदः || Yajurveda are available extensively indicating that Yajurveda is the main base for karmakanda. कात्यायनः || Katyayana, मानवः || Manava , बौधायनः || Baudhayana, आपस्तम्बः || Apastamba, मैत्रेयी || Maitreyi, वाराहः || Varaha, वाधूलः || Vadhula shulba sutras are the important ones in this category.

Shulba Sutras explain the different systems of measurements. Aspects of measurements of various vedinirmanavidhi (वेदिनिर्माणविधिः | altars and the procedure to construct them). For Example, homa shala (होमशाला), yajnashala (यज्ञशाला) are discussed. Thus, Vaidika Karmakanda (वैदिककर्मकाण्डः) is the topic for Shulbasutras, wherein geometry or the Rekhaganita (रेखागणितम्) is applied. Only those Shulbasutras associated with Yajurveda are available extensively indicating that Yajurveda is the main base for karmakanda. Katyayana (कात्यायनः), Manava (मानवः), Baudhayana (बौधायनः), Apastamba (आपस्तम्बः), Maitreyi (मैत्रेयी), Varaha (वाराहः), Vadhula (वाधूलः) shulba sutras are the important ones in this category.

=== व्याकरणम् ॥ Vyakarana ===

=== व्याकरणम् ॥ Vyakarana ===

व्याकरणम् ॥ Vyakarana is described as the वेद पुरुष || Veda purusha's face.<blockquote>व्याक्रियन्ते शब्दाः अनेन इति व्याकरणम् । vyākriyante śabdāḥ anena iti vyākaraṇam । </blockquote><blockquote>व्याक्रियन्ते व्युत्पाद्यन्ते साधुशब्दा अस्मिन् अनेनेति वा . इति दुर्गादासः .. is the व्युत्पत्ति-अर्थः || vyutpatti artha or the subjective definition of word according to Durgadasa in Shabdakalpadruma</blockquote>Shabdakalpadruma also gives deliberates on the content matter of Vyakarana as "तत्र साध्यसाधनकर्त्तृकर्म्मक्रिया-समासादिनिरूपणम् ." One where all grammatical aspects (vibhaktis, samasas etc are shown or derived)

Vyakarana is described as the Veda purusha's face.<blockquote>व्याक्रियन्ते शब्दाः अनेन इति व्याकरणम् । vyākriyante śabdāḥ anena iti vyākaraṇam । </blockquote><blockquote>व्याक्रियन्ते व्युत्पाद्यन्ते साधुशब्दा अस्मिन् अनेनेति वा . इति दुर्गादासः .. is the व्युत्पत्ति-अर्थः || vyutpatti artha or the subjective definition of word according to Durgadasa in Shabdakalpadruma</blockquote>Shabdakalpadruma also gives deliberates on the content matter of Vyakarana as "तत्र साध्यसाधनकर्त्तृकर्म्मक्रिया-समासादिनिरूपणम् ." One where all grammatical aspects (vibhaktis, samasas etc are shown or derived)

This shastra only deliberates on the शुद्धि-अशुद्धि || shuddhi-ashuddhi (accurate and inaccurate) usages of words in संस्कृतवाङ्मयम् || Sanskrita vangmaya (sanskrit literature). It is the grammar of संस्कृतश्लोकाः || sanskrit shlokas and it deals with the formation of words, different forms of the words and their combination, usage and semantic nuances. Although, ऋगवेद || Rigvedic references to grammar are available, it is only the तैत्तिरीयसंहिता || Taittireeya samhita that outlines the story of origin of grammar. In महर्षि यास्क || Maharshi Yaska's निरुक्तम् || Nirukta, different technical or conventional terms related to grammar are available in abundance.   

This shastra only deliberates on the shuddhi-ashuddhi (accurate and inaccurate) usages of words in Sanskrita vangmaya (sanskrit literature). It is the grammar of sanskrit shlokas and it deals with the formation of words, different forms of the words and their combination, usage and semantic nuances. Although, Rigvedic references to grammar are available, it is only the Taittireeya samhita that outlines the story of origin of grammar. In Maharshi Yaska's Nirukta, different technical or conventional terms related to grammar are available in abundance.   

It was महर्षिः पाणिनिः || Maharshi Panini who has given [[Astadhyayi|अष्टाध्यायी ''<nowiki>|| Ashtadhyayi</nowiki>'']] the most profound and brilliant treatise on grammar to the intellectual world, wherein he describes all the previous grammarians belonging to a time period before him.  Also called शब्दानुशासनम् || Shabdanushasana, it was the Astadhyayi which brought about the regularization of grammatical rules of the vedic usages also.  

It was Maharshi Panini who has given [[Astadhyayi|अष्टाध्यायी ''<nowiki>|| Ashtadhyayi</nowiki>'']] the most profound and brilliant treatise on grammar to the intellectual world, wherein he describes all the previous grammarians belonging to a time period before him.  Also called Shabdanushasana (शब्दानुशासनम्), it was the Astadhyayi which brought about the regularization of grammatical rules of the vedic usages also.  

Vyakarana is divided into प्राचीनव्याकरणम् || Pracheena vyakarana and नव्यव्याकरणम् || navya vyakarana. Later age grammarians recognize the eight व्याकरणशास्त्रप्रवर्तकाः || vyakarana shastra pravartakas as follows<blockquote>इन्द्रश्चन्द्रः काशकृत्स्नापिशली शाकटायनः  । पाणिन्यमरजैनेन्द्राः जयन्त्यष्टौ च शाब्दिकाः ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>indraścandraḥ kāśakṛtsnāpiśalī śākaṭāyanaḥ । pāṇinyamarajainendrāḥ jayantyaṣṭau ca śābdikāḥ ॥</blockquote>इन्द्रः || Indra, चन्द्रः || Chandra, काशः || Kasha, कृत्स्नापिशली || krtsnapishali, शाकटायनः || shakatayana, पाणिनिः || panini, अमरजैनेन्द्रः || amarajainendra, जयन्तिः || jayanti are the eight preachers of शब्दः || shabda (word) or grammar.

Vyakarana is divided into Pracheena vyakarana (प्राचीनव्याकरणम्) and navya vyakarana (नव्यव्याकरणम्). Later age grammarians recognize the eight vyakarana shastra pravartakas (व्याकरणशास्त्रप्रवर्तकाः) as follows<blockquote>इन्द्रश्चन्द्रः काशकृत्स्नापिशली शाकटायनः  । पाणिन्यमरजैनेन्द्राः जयन्त्यष्टौ च शाब्दिकाः ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>indraścandraḥ kāśakṛtsnāpiśalī śākaṭāyanaḥ । pāṇinyamarajainendrāḥ jayantyaṣṭau ca śābdikāḥ ॥</blockquote>Indra (इन्द्रः), Chandra (चन्द्रः), Kasha (काशः), krtsnapishali (कृत्स्नापिशली), shakatayana (शाकटायनः), panini (पाणिनिः), amarajainendra (अमरजैनेन्द्रः), jayanti (जयन्तिः) are the eight preachers of shabda (word) or grammar.

=== निरुक्तम् ॥ Nirukta ===

=== निरुक्तम् ॥ Nirukta ===

Maharshi Yaska's Nirukta is another treasure that has been produced in Bharatavarsha and given to the world. It is an excellent treatise that deals with etymology or the objective definition of words. Nirukta is written in prose form while all other shastras are built in the sutra format. [[Sayanacharya (सायनाचार्यः)|Sayanacharya]] (सायणाचार्यः) while giving the preface of Rigveda Bhashya (ऋग्वेदभाष्यम्) speaks thus about Nirukta :  <blockquote>अर्थावबोधे निरपेक्षतया पदजातं यत्रोक्तं तन्निरुक्तम् ।</blockquote><blockquote>arthāvabodhe nirapekṣatayā padajātaṃ yatroktaṃ tanniruktam ।</blockquote>When other Vedangas extol the tattvas (तत्त्वानि | material aspects) of Vedas, Nirukta propounds the supernatural or the uncommon aspects or tattvas of the Vedas.   

Maharshi Yaska's Nirukta is another treasure that has been produced in Bharatavarsha and given to the world. It is an excellent treatise that deals with etymology or the objective definition of words. Nirukta is written in prose form while all other shastras are built in the sutra format. [[Sayanacharya (सायनाचार्यः)|Sayanacharya]] (सायणाचार्यः) while giving the preface of Rigveda Bhashya (ऋग्वेदभाष्यम्) speaks thus about Nirukta :  <blockquote>अर्थावबोधे निरपेक्षतया पदजातं यत्रोक्तं तन्निरुक्तम् ।</blockquote><blockquote>arthāvabodhe nirapekṣatayā padajātaṃ yatroktaṃ tanniruktam ।</blockquote>When other Vedangas extol the tattvas (तत्त्वानि | material aspects) of Vedas, Nirukta propounds the supernatural or the uncommon aspects or tattvas of the Vedas.