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The origin of Kalpa was for the organization of all the extensive rituals described in Vedas (वैदिककर्मकाण्डः | Vaidika Karmakanda). Kalpas are texts classified under the [[Shad Vedangas (षड्वेदाङ्गानि)|Shad Vedangas]]. They include the contents directly mentioned in Brahmanas and Aranyakas, presented in a systematic manner, explaining those not mentioned explicitly in the Brahmanas and omitting others not directly related to a particular yajna or ceremony.  

The origin of Kalpa was for the organization of all the extensive rituals described in Vedas (वैदिककर्मकाण्डः | Vaidika Karmakanda). Kalpas are texts classified under the [[Shad Vedangas (षड्वेदाङ्गानि)|Shad Vedangas]]. They include the contents directly mentioned in Brahmanas and Aranyakas, presented in a systematic manner, explaining those not mentioned explicitly in the Brahmanas and omitting others not directly related to a particular yajna or ceremony.  

Since Kalpas generally presuppose the knowledge of Veda samhitas and Brahmanas, they are often placed after the Vedic time.   

Since Kalpas generally presuppose the knowledge of Veda samhitas and Brahmanas, they are often placed after the Vedic time. Unlike Brahmanas, the Kalpasutras are not included in Shrutis and bear the names of human authors.  Thus they are Paurusheyas whereas Vedas are Apaurusheya. However, Kalpasutras are not mere summaries of Brahmanas and they both differ in their aim and scope.   

They differ from Vedas as they are Paurusheyas whereas Vedas are Apaurusheya.  

 

The Kalpasutras are a veritable repository of ancient vedic traditions and amply augment and elucidate the cultural data derived from the Samhitas and Brahmanas. They are the "sutras" that interlink the Vedas and the modern day life.<ref name=":0" />

== Etymology ==

== Etymology ==

As we see the Vedas and their extensive associated literature needed to be preserved for the coming generations. In order to accomplish the task of preserving the precious mass of cultural traditions in a manageable and recollectable form, the seers of ancient Bharata invented the style of composition of texts characterized by utmost brevity and rigid systematization. A short sentence composed in this peculiar style is called Sutra, i.e., a thread. A diffuse and scattered precepts are succinctly systematized in a compact sentence called sutra, just as the loose fibres are compressed into a terse thread.

As we see the Vedas and their extensive associated literature needed to be preserved for the coming generations. In order to accomplish the task of preserving the precious mass of cultural traditions in a manageable and recollectable form, the seers of ancient Bharata invented the style of composition of texts characterized by utmost brevity and rigid systematization. A short sentence composed in this peculiar style is called Sutra, i.e., a thread. A diffuse and scattered precepts are succinctly systematized in a compact sentence called sutra, just as the loose fibres are compressed into a terse thread.

Among the different types of Sutras composed during Sutra period the Kalpasutras are by far the most important reflecting the cultural history of that period.  

Among the different types of Sutras composed during Sutra period the Kalpasutras are by far the most important reflecting the cultural history of that period.<ref name=":0" />

== Four Kinds of Kalpasutras ==

== Four classes of Kalpasutras ==

Kalpa Vedanga deals with four types of Sutragranthas.<ref>Malladi, Sri. Suryanarayana Sastry (1982) ''Samskruta Vangmaya Charitra, Volume 1 Vaidika Vangmayam'' Hyderabad : Andhra Sarasvata Parishad</ref><ref name=":42222">Gopal Reddy, Mudiganti and Sujata Reddy, Mudiganti (1997) ''Sanskrita Saahitya Charitra (Vaidika Vangmayam - Loukika Vangamayam, A critical approach)'' Hyderabad : P. S. Telugu University. (Pages 59-71)</ref>  

Kalpa Vedanga deals with four types of Sutragranthas, all closely allied and complementary to each other. Some of these four types of texts belonging to the same school were probably composed by one and the same author in some cases. All the Vedas possess their distinct Kalpasutras, their number being the largest for Yajurveda and the smallest being two for Atharvaveda. The kalpasutras belonging to the Yajurveda are complete (with all the four sutragranthas) whereas those belonging to other Vedas are deficient in one or the other type of Sutras.<ref name=":0" /><ref>Malladi, Sri. Suryanarayana Sastry (1982) ''Samskruta Vangmaya Charitra, Volume 1 Vaidika Vangmayam'' Hyderabad : Andhra Sarasvata Parishad</ref><ref name=":42222">Gopal Reddy, Mudiganti and Sujata Reddy, Mudiganti (1997) ''Sanskrita Saahitya Charitra (Vaidika Vangmayam - Loukika Vangamayam, A critical approach)'' Hyderabad : P. S. Telugu University. (Pages 59-71)</ref>  

# '''श्रौतसूत्राणि || Shrautasutras''' : They include procedures of Shrauta yajnas as per the veda shakas. They also include Paribhasha sutras which imply general rules and they applied in the interpretation of the Vedas. They detail the 14 yajnas (major) laid down in the Shrutis.   

# '''श्रौतसूत्राणि || Shrautasutras''' : They include procedures of great Shrauta yajnas as described in the Brahmanas of particular veda shakas. They also include Paribhasha sutras which imply general rules and their application in the interpretation of the Vedas. They detail the 14 yajnas (major) laid down in the Brahmana and thus Shrautasutras are highly related to Brahmanas. However, not all yajnas discussed in Shrautasutras are found in Brahmanas.   

# '''गृह्यसूत्राणि || Grhyasutras''' : They deal with the rules and regulations pertaining to the social and domestic activities and customs prescribed to a grhasta and his family. They detail the samskaras, 7 kinds of Grhyayajnas, and [[Panchamahayajnas (पञ्चमहायज्ञाः)|Panchamahayajnas]].  

# '''गृह्यसूत्राणि || Grhyasutras''' : They deal with the rules and regulations pertaining to the social and domestic activities and customs prescribed to a grhasta and his family. They detail the samskaras, 7 kinds of Grhyayajnas, and [[Panchamahayajnas (पञ्चमहायज्ञाः)|Panchamahayajnas]]. These texts have no relationship with the Brahmanas. The mantras that are recited in the performance of samskaras, such as Upanayana, are from the Veda samhitas of that particular shaka. Again just like the Shrautasutras, not all mantras given in the Grhyasutras are traceable to the extant Veda samhitas. 

# '''धर्मसूत्राणि || Dharmasutras''' : They are connected closely with the Grhyasutras in their contents but are elaborate with the social, religious, political and economic life of the people. They deal with Varna, Ashrama and Rajadharmas. Example : Baudhayana and Apastamba Dharmasutras  

# '''धर्मसूत्राणि || Dharmasutras''' : They are connected closely with the Grhyasutras in their contents but are elaborate with the laws of social, religious, political and economic life of the people. They deal with Varna, Ashrama and Rajadharmas. They take their concepts from the Vedas,  and  deal with social customs common to all the Veda shakas. Thus the concept is not confined to followers of one particular shaka whereas the ceremonies or yajnas described therein are undoubtedly inclined to follow the traditions of their own shakas. No Dharmasutra associated with Atharvaveda is available at present, though earlier works like Patanjali's Mahabhashya mentioned their existance. Example: Baudhayana and Apastamba Dharmasutras  

# '''शुल्बसूत्राणि || Sulbasutras''' : Associated mainly with Shrauta sutras, these sutras deal with measurements and construction of the yajna vedi to conduct shrauta yajnas. They are the earliest available texts of geometry given to the world by the Vedic era. Example : Baudhayana and Apastamba Sulbasutras.  

# '''शुल्बसूत्राणि || Sulbasutras''' : Associated mainly with Shrautasutras, these sutras deal with measurements and construction of the yajna vedi to conduct shrauta yajnas. They are the earliest available texts of geometry given to the world by the Vedic era. Example: Baudhayana and Apastamba Sulbasutras.  

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

|+Vedas and Associated Sutra Works<ref name=":42222" /><ref name=":4">Pt. Baldev Upadhyaya (1958) ''[https://archive.org/details/VaidikSahityaBaldevUpadhyaya1958 Vaidik Sahitya]''.</ref>

|+Vedas and Associated Sutra Works<ref name=":42222" /><ref name=":4">Pt. Baldev Upadhyaya (1958) ''[https://archive.org/details/VaidikSahityaBaldevUpadhyaya1958 Vaidik Sahitya]''.</ref>

|Ashvalayana

|Ashvalayana

| rowspan="2" |Vasishta  

| rowspan="2" |Vasishta  

|

| rowspan="3" |None available

|-

|-

|Shankhayana

|Shankhayana

|Shankhayana (शाङ्खायनः)

|Shankhayana (शाङ्खायनः)

|Shankhayana (By Suyajna)

|Shankhayana (By Suyajna)

|-

|-

|Kaushitaki

|Kaushitaki

|Kaushitaki (By Shambhavya)

|Kaushitaki (By Shambhavya)

|Vishnu dharmasutra

|Vishnu dharmasutra

|-

|-

!Shukla Yajurveda

!Shukla Yajurveda

|Gobhila (गोभिल)

|Gobhila (गोभिल)

|

|

|

| rowspan="3" |None available

|-

|-

|Ranayana

|Ranayana

|Drahyayana (द्राह्यायनः)

|Drahyayana (द्राह्यायनः)

|Khadira (खादिर)

|Khadira (खादिर)

|

|

|-

|-

|Jaiminiya, Gautama and Chandogya

|Jaiminiya, Gautama and Chandogya

|Gautama (गौतमः)

|Gautama (गौतमः)

|-

|-

!Atharvaveda

!Atharvaveda

|Vaitana (वैतानः)

|Vaitana (वैतानः)

|Kaushika (कौशिक)

|Kaushika (कौशिक)

|

|None available

|

|None available

 

 

 

|}

|}

== References ==

== References ==

[[Category:Vedangas]]

[[Category:Vedangas]]

<references />

<references />