Changes

The broadest division of the texts of Apastamba and Baudhayana is termed "Prashna". Each prashna is divided into sections called "kandika" and "khanda" respectively. Further divisions are called "patala" in Apastamba sutras and "adhyayas" in Baudhayana. Texts of Gautama and Vasishta are divided simply into "adhyayas". The smallest division of all these documents is into "sutras".

The broadest division of the texts of Apastamba and Baudhayana is termed "Prashna". Each prashna is divided into sections called "kandika" and "khanda" respectively. Further divisions are called "patala" in Apastamba sutras and "adhyayas" in Baudhayana. Texts of Gautama and Vasishta are divided simply into "adhyayas". The smallest division of all these documents is into "sutras".

The word dharmasutra means the sutras dealing with dharma. Given the brevity of each sutra, it is mostly impossible to understand the meaning without the context and required an oral explanation (as in the early days) or commentary.<ref name=":1" />

The word dharmasutra means the sutras dealing with dharma. A sutra which means a short or concise technical sentence (condensing a large meaning within), is the characteristic style if writing in which many ancient texts were composed. Brevity of the subject-matter is the important feature of the sutragranthas. However, these sutras are not the same as the vyakarana sutras such as those in Maharshi Panini's Ashtadhyayi. Given the brevity of each sutra, it is mostly impossible to understand the meaning without the context and required an oral explanation (as in the early days) or commentary.<ref name=":1" />

Shlokas are interspersed among the sutras in all dharmasutra texts except Gautama, hence the sutra style of writing is not strictly adopted in them. In Baudhayana and Vasishta Dharmasutras, an increasing use of metrical shlokas as integral parts of the composition, reflects their being precursors to the genre of the later day Smrtis which are exclusively consisting of shlokas.   

Shlokas are interspersed among the sutras in all dharmasutra texts except Gautama, hence the sutra style of writing is not strictly adopted by them. In Baudhayana and Vasishta Dharmasutras, an increasing use of metrical shlokas as integral parts of the composition, reflects their being precursors to the genre of the later day Smrtis which exclusively consist of shlokas.   

=== समयाचारधर्मः ॥ Samayachara Dharmas ===

=== समयाचारधर्मः ॥ Samayachara Dharmas ===

|Yajurveda

|Yajurveda

|28th and 29th Prashnas of Apastamba Kalpa (1364 Sutras and 30 shlokas)

|28th and 29th Prashnas of Apastamba Kalpa (1364 Sutras and 30 shlokas)

|Commentary by Haradatta

|Commentary by Haradatta. Does not mention mixing of varnas.

|-

|-

|Vasishta

|Vasishta

|

|

|3 Prasnas of the Vaikhanasa Smartasutra

|3 Prasnas of the Vaikhanasa Smartasutra

|Thorough information on the Ashramas and Varnas unknown to other Dharmasutras. Enumerates a large number of mixed varnas. Silent on Shraddhas and administration rules.

|Thorough information on the Ashramas and Varnas unknown to other Dharmasutras.  

|-

|-

|Vishnu

|Vishnu

* Apastamba's views about women is progressive - A man is not allowed to abandon his wife (2.11.12-13). He allows daughters to have a share in inheritance (2.14.4). He restricts the division of property between a husband and wife and allows joint custody of the property (2.29.3).  

* Apastamba's views about women is progressive - A man is not allowed to abandon his wife (2.11.12-13). He allows daughters to have a share in inheritance (2.14.4). He restricts the division of property between a husband and wife and allows joint custody of the property (2.29.3).  

* Apastamba rejects remarriage of widows and strongly supports monogamy. Vasishta, not only encourages remarriage of widows, but also permits a woman whose husband is abroad to visit a male relative of her husband or even a stranger (Va. 17.75-80).

* Apastamba rejects remarriage of widows and strongly supports monogamy. Vasishta, not only encourages remarriage of widows, but also permits a woman whose husband is abroad to visit a male relative of her husband or even a stranger (Va. 17.75-80).

== Discussion ==

== Discussion ==