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== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

Grhyasutras belong to the class of Kalpasutra texts. Kalpas are important texts of [[Shad Vedangas (षड्वेदाङ्गानि)|six vedangas]], the ancilliary subjects which are required to understand Vedas and hence are one among the Chaturdasha Vidyas. They pertain to domestic rituals as known from the word Grhya. Thus the subject matter of grhyasutras involves the domestic life of a person.  

Grhyasutras belong to the class of Kalpasutra texts. Kalpas are important texts of [[Shad Vedangas (षड्वेदाङ्गानि)|six vedangas]], the ancilliary subjects which are required to understand Vedas and hence are one among the Chaturdasha Vidyas. They pertain to domestic rituals as known from the word Grhya. Thus the subject matter of grhyasutras involves the domestic life of a person. They are the oldest manuals on the samskaras and in the whole set of Kalpa texts, the Dharmasutras as a rule follow the Grhyasutras.  

The origin of the Grhyasutras appear to be traceable to an oral tradition prevalent among the people of ancient times which preserved them till date. They employ many mantras from the veda samhita parts while performing the domestic rituals. So one can understand the antiquity of these ceremonies which are traced back to the time of the Vedas.  

The origin of the Grhyasutras appear to be traceable to an oral tradition prevalent among the people of ancient times which preserved them till date. They employ many mantras from the veda samhita parts while performing the domestic rituals. So one can understand the antiquity of these ceremonies which are traced back to the time of the Vedas.  

== Subject-matter of Grhyasutras ==

== Subject-matter of Grhyasutras ==

[[Samskaras (संस्काराः)|Samskaras]] form an important subject of the Grhyasutras. Broadly topics treated in these texts include pre-birth ceremonies for the mother Pumsavana, Seemantonnayana etc) and post-birth ceremonies of the child starting from Namakarana, a detailed account of [[Upanayana (उपनयनम्)|Upanayana]], Upakarma, [[Samavartana (समावर्तनम्)|Samavartana]], [[Snataka (स्नातकः)|Snataka]] conduct up to Antyeshti or the funeral ceremonies. The Grhyasutras give a detailed account of the ceremony of Upanayana and other education related samskaras which a child undergoes starting from initiation into the study of Veda. Being the pivot of all domestic ceremonies, the marriage with its diverse and diffuse details occupies a great deal of explanation in the Grhyasutras.

[[Samskaras (संस्काराः)|Samskaras]] form an important subject of the Grhyasutras. They pertain to the activities surrounding an individual and fundamentally prescribe the procedural methods and specifical mantras to be recited at different stages of a particular samskara. Dharmasutras on the other hand rarely describe the procedural aspects of a ritual and delve upon the code of conduct of an individual. Broadly the topics treated in these texts include pre-birth ceremonies for the mother Pumsavana, Seemantonnayana etc) and post-birth ceremonies of the child starting from Namakarana, a detailed account of [[Upanayana (उपनयनम्)|Upanayana]], Upakarma, [[Samavartana (समावर्तनम्)|Samavartana]], [[Snataka (स्नातकः)|Snataka]] conduct, marriage followed by Antyeshti or the funeral ceremonies. The Grhyasutras give a detailed account of the ceremony of Upanayana and other education related samskaras which a child undergoes starting from initiation into the study of Veda. Being the pivot of all domestic ceremonies, the marriage with its diverse and diffuse details occupies a great deal of explanation in the Grhyasutras.

The daily obligatory activities of a grhastha such as [[Panchamahayajnas (पञ्चमहायज्ञाः)|Panchamahayajnas]], Pakayajnas and the periodical yajnas, [[Shraddha (श्राद्धम्)|shraddha]], monthly rituals to be performed on the new-moon and full-moon days, annual rituals among other information. The yajnas that are performed annually include Sravana, the Indrayajna, the Asvayuji, the Agrahayani, the Ashtakas, the Phalguni, and the Chaitriyajna.

The daily obligatory activities of a grhastha such as [[Panchamahayajnas (पञ्चमहायज्ञाः)|Panchamahayajnas]], Pakayajnas and the periodical yajnas, [[Shraddha (श्राद्धम्)|shraddha]], monthly rituals to be performed on the new-moon and full-moon days, annual rituals among other information are extensively discussed. The yajnas that are performed annually include Sravana, the Indrayajna, the Asvayuji, the Agrahayani, the Ashtakas, the Phalguni, and the Chaitriyajna.

Apart from the above, these texts contain ceremonies connected with agricultural operations, cattle welfare and festivities associated with them. The ceremony of Vrshotsarga, wherein a stud-bull is stamped and left at liberty, is discussed, so also the Sulagava yajna for the prosperity of cattle. Mantras which are to be recited while driving cattle to and fro from pasture. Ploughing the field is started with special ceremonies as is the Sita (which literally means a furrow) worshipped. Agrayana yajna is connected with agriculture wherein the first fruits of the crop are to be offered to the deities.  

Apart from the above, these texts contain ceremonies connected with agricultural operations, cattle welfare and festivities associated with them. The ceremony of Vrshotsarga, wherein a stud-bull is left at liberty, is discussed, so also the Sulagava yajna for the prosperity of cattle. Mantras which are to be recited while driving cattle to and from from pasture find a mention. Ploughing the field is started with special ceremonies as is the method of worshipping the Sita (which literally means a furrow). Agrayana yajna is connected with agriculture wherein the first fruits of the crop are to be offered to the deities. All these activities have marginally reduced but are still followed by our farmers in the present day.  

Next topic of importance discussed in the Grhyasutras includes the choice of land for building a house, the rites to be performed for laying the foundation and the main door or gate of the house, and when the pujas to be performed when the owner first enters the house after its completion.  

Next topic of importance discussed in the Grhyasutras includes the choice of land for building a house, the rites to be performed for laying the foundation and the main door or gate of the house, and when the pujas to be performed when the owner first enters the house after its completion.  

== References of Grhyasutras ==

== References of Grhyasutras ==

Like the Vedas, Grhyasutras are also handed down and preserved since ancient times through oral tradition. Transmission of what was studied, memorized and practiced manifested as the tradition or custom, which, was regarded as an authority of these rituals. This was the foundation of Sampradayas which are the existing authorities in matters pertaining to Bharatiya culture and dharmas.  

Like the Vedas, Grhyasutras are also handed down and preserved since ancient times through oral tradition. Transmission of what was studied, memorized and practiced manifested as the tradition or custom, which, was regarded as an authority of these rituals. This was the foundation of [[Sampradayas (सम्प्रदायाः)|Sampradayas]] which are the existing authorities in matters pertaining to Bharatiya culture and dharmas.  

 

=== Vedic References ===

=== Vedic References ===

The grhyasutras completely depend on the mantras from the [[Samhita (संहिता)|Samhitas]] of [[The Four Vedas (चतुर्वेदाः)|the four vedas]] on the occasion of the performance of the Grhya rituals.  

The grhyasutras completely depend on the mantras from the [[Samhita (संहिता)|Samhitas]] of [[The Four Vedas (चतुर्वेदाः)|the four vedas]] on the occasion of the performance of the Grhya rituals.  

* Mantras recited during marriage are seen from Rigveda (10.85).

* Mantras recited during marriage are seen from Rigveda (10.85).

* The term "Pakayajna" is referred to in Yajurveda samhita.

* The term "Pakayajna" is referred to in Taittriya samhita.

* Atharvaveda gives copious information about Grhya ritual described in Grhyasutras - marriage, Pumsavana, Jatakarma, Upanayana, Antyeshti, Godana, Astaka and so on.

* Atharvaveda gives copious information about Grhya ritual described in Grhyasutras - marriage, Pumsavana, Jatakarma, Upanayana, Antyeshti, Godana, Astaka and so on.

* Brahmana texts mention a number of rites and rituals found in Grhyasutras.

* Brahmana texts mention a number of rites and rituals found in Grhyasutras.

* The Grhyagni - the grhya fire, is mentioned in Aitereya Brahmana (8.10) <ref>Aitareya Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%90%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%AF_%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE_%E0%A5%AE_(%E0%A4%85%E0 Panchika 8])</ref>गृहान्पश्चा'''द्गृह्यस्याग्ने'''रुपविष्टायान्वातब्धाय ऋत्विगन्ततः कंसेन चतुर्गृहीतस्तिस्र...।

* The Grhyagni - the grhya fire, is mentioned in Aitereya Brahmana (8.10) <ref>Aitareya Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%90%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%AF_%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE_%E0%A5%AE_(%E0%A4%85%E0 Panchika 8])</ref>गृहान्पश्चा'''द्गृह्यस्याग्ने'''रुपविष्टायान्वातब्धाय ऋत्विगन्ततः कंसेन चतुर्गृहीतस्तिस्र...।

* The Agrayana ceremony that finds description in the Grhyasutra is mentioned in the Brahmanas

* The Agrayana ceremony that finds description in the Grhyasutra is mentioned in the Brahmanas (Ait. Brah. 7.9, Kaus. Brah. 4.12, Tait. Samh. 5.7.2)

* Sathapatha Brahmana discusses the Panchamahayajnas, Upanayana and Garbhadhana, Namakarana (of the samskaras) and others such as Soshyantikarman, Ayushyakarman, and Medhajanana.

* Sathapatha Brahmana discusses the [[Panchamahayajnas (पञ्चमहायज्ञाः)|Panchamahayajnas]], and [[Upanayana (उपनयनम्)|Upanayana]], Garbhadhana, Namakarana (of the samskaras) and others such as Soshyantikarman, Ayushyakarman, and Medhajanana.

 

 

== References ==

== References ==

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