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Line 111: − + − In this section, details of the individual dharmasutras the divisions therein, their characteristics, special features are discussed briefly. − {| class="wikitable" − |+Details of Dharmasutras<ref name=":0" /> − !Dharmasutra − !Veda and Shaka − !Book Division − !Some aspects − |- − |Gautama − |Samaveda, Rananiyashaka according to Charanavyuha − |28 Adhyayas (composed in sutra format) − |Widely accepted as the earliest DS text. Commentary by Haradatta. − |- − |Baudhayana − |Yajurveda − |Four prasnas (only two are regarded as original) − |Commentary by Govindasvamin − |- − |Apastamba − |Yajurveda − |28th and 29th Prashnas of Apastamba Kalpa (1364 Sutras and 30 shlokas) − |Commentary by Haradatta. Does not mention mixing of varnas. − |- − |Vasishta − |Rigveda − |30 Adhyayas both in sutra and shloka format − |In close agreement with the Shankhayana, Asvalayana and Kaushitaki grhyasutras. − |- − |Vaikhanasa − | − |3 Prasnas of the Vaikhanasa Smartasutra − |Thorough information on the Ashramas and Varnas unknown to other Dharmasutras. − |- − |Vishnu − | − |100 Adhyayas − |Unique in mentioning the custom of ''suttee,'' the word ''Pustaka'' for a book, days of a week, Trimurtis and many tirthas in the South of India. Close identity with Manusmrti. − |} Line 107:
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Many scholars opine that there is no means to determine the exact number of texts composed as part of the Kalpa Sutragranthas. Neither the number nor the time of composition can be determined and it is highly debatable by many. The dharmasutras of Gautama, Baudhayana, Apastamba, Vashistha, Vaikhanasa and Vishnu are included into the major works, as per S. C. Banerji. He also quotes law books of Atri, Ushanas, Kanva, Kaanva, Kashyapa, Kaasyapa, Kaatyayana, Gaargya, Chyavana, Jamadagni, Jaatukarnya, Devala, Javali, Prajapati, Brhaspati, Bharadvaja, Sataatapa, Harita and many others, known only from quotations found in later Smrti digests and have been designated as minor works by him.<ref name=":1">Sarma, Ratul (2013) Ph.D. Thesis Title : ''The Gautamadharmasutra, A Study. [https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/115204/9/09_chapter%201.pdf Chapter 1]. Gauhati University''</ref>
Many scholars opine that there is no means to determine the exact number of texts composed as part of the Kalpa Sutragranthas. Neither the number nor the time of composition can be determined and it is highly debatable by many. The dharmasutras of Gautama, Baudhayana, Apastamba, Vashistha, Vaikhanasa and Vishnu are included into the major works, as per S. C. Banerji. He also quotes law books of Atri, Ushanas, Kanva, Kaanva, Kashyapa, Kaasyapa, Kaatyayana, Gaargya, Chyavana, Jamadagni, Jaatukarnya, Devala, Javali, Prajapati, Brhaspati, Bharadvaja, Sataatapa, Harita and many others, known only from quotations found in later Smrti digests and have been designated as minor works by him.<ref name=":1">Sarma, Ratul (2013) Ph.D. Thesis Title : ''The Gautamadharmasutra, A Study. [https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/115204/9/09_chapter%201.pdf Chapter 1]. Gauhati University''</ref>
The Dharmasutras are named after their authors, the four prominent being Apastamba, Baudhayana, Gautama and Vashistha. A significant issue of authorship of these texts is complicated by the fact that, they contain numerous spurious additions made at later times as determined by the scholarly community based on certain linguistic studies. Apastamba Kalpasutra is said to be best preserved with least amount of interpolations and intervention. Geographical references, inscriptional evidence, textual references, linguistic archaism, personal views of the authors themselves are aspects of extensive discussions in the scholarly community.
The Dharmasutras are named after their authors, the four prominent being Apastamba, Baudhayana, Gautama and Vashistha. A significant issue of authorship of these texts is complicated by the fact that, they contain numerous spurious additions made at later times as determined by the scholarly community based on certain linguistic studies. Apastamba Kalpasutra is said to be best preserved with least amount of interpolations and interventions. Geographical references, inscriptional evidence, textual references, linguistic archaism, personal views of the authors themselves are aspects of extensive discussions in the scholarly community.
=== Textual Divisions ===
=== Textual Divisions ===
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.
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.
List of Dharmasutra texts and a few peculiarities are given below<ref name=":0" /><ref>Pt. Baldev Upadhyaya (1997) ''Samskrit Vangmay ka Brhad Itihas, Dvitiya Khand - Vedang.'' Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Samskrit Sansthan (Page 187-212)</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
!Vedas
!Shaka
!Dharmasutra
!Contents
!Commentators
|-
! rowspan="2" |'''Rigveda'''
|Shakala
|Vashista
|30 Adhyayas both in sutra and shloka format
|Commentary by Krishna Pandita Dharmadhikari (named Vidvanmedini)
|-
|Kaushitaki
|Vishnu
|100 Adhyayas
|Nanda Pandit's (Vyjayanti vyakhya), Bharuchi
|-
!Shukla Yajurveda
|Maitrayani?
|Harita
|30 Adhyayas <ref name=":12">Pt. Baldev Upadhyaya (1997) ''Samskrit Vangmay ka Brhad Itihas, Dvitiya Khand - Vedang.'' Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Samskrit Sansthan (Page 208-209)</ref>
|Associated with Laghu Harita Smrti and Vrddha Harita Smrti.
|-
! rowspan="4" |Krishna Yajurveda
| rowspan="4" |Taittriya
|Baudhayana
|Four prasnas (only two are regarded as original)
|Commentary by Govindasvami (Vivarana)
|-
|Apastamba
|28th and 29th Prashnas of Apastamba Kalpa (1364 Sutras and 30 shlokas)
|Commentaries by Haradatta (Ujjvalavritti), Dhurtasvami and Shankar.
|-
|Hiranyakeshi
|26th and 27th Prashnas of Hiranyakeshi Kalpa
|Mahadeva Dikshit (Ujjvala vrtti)
|-
|Vaikhanasa
|3 Prasnas of the Vaikhanasa Smartasutra (51 Kandas and 365 sutras)
|No commentaries available
|-
!Samaveda
|Rananiyashaka
|Gautama according to Charanavyuha
|28 Adhyayas (composed in sutra format)
|Haradatta (Mitakshara), Asahaya, Bharthyajna, Maskari
|-
!Atharvaveda
| colspan="4" |None Available
|}
=== समयाचारधर्मः ॥ Samayachara Dharmas ===
=== समयाचारधर्मः ॥ Samayachara Dharmas ===
The central theme of three main sutragranthas of the Kalpa Vedanga is Dharma; Shrauta sutras comprehend the dharmik activities for the larger welfare of the society, the Grhyasutras lay down the dharmas (in relation to yajnas) governing the individual in particular. Dharmasutras are set of treatises, which often confused with the Dharmashastras, are precursors to personal law codes and include the details of prevalent samayacharas (traditional practices prevalent at the time of their composition) in their discourse.<ref name=":0" />
The central theme of three main sutragranthas of the Kalpa Vedanga is Dharma; Shrauta sutras comprehend the dharmik activities for the larger welfare of the society, the Grhyasutras lay down the dharmas (in relation to yajnas) governing the individual in particular. Dharmasutras are set of treatises, which often confused with the Dharmashastras, are precursors to personal law codes and include the details of prevalent samayacharas (traditional practices prevalent at the time of their composition) in their discourse.<ref name=":0" />
'''Other Topics:''' Apart from the above topics which form a major portion of these treatises, Dharmasutras dwell on Naimittika dharma, enumerate various types of papakarmas (sins) and atonement for them by performing penances. They also explain about Saucha and Asaucha (impurities related to events of birth and death) and the process of cleansing after asaucha.<ref name=":1" /> General rules of life showcasing the bharatiya jivana vidhana are best visible in these texts. They include a discussion about rules for taking food, drinking, daily cleansing activities, habits, menstruation time in women, observing vows among other things.
'''Other Topics:''' Apart from the above topics which form a major portion of these treatises, Dharmasutras dwell on Naimittika dharma, enumerate various types of papakarmas (sins) and atonement for them by performing penances. They also explain about Saucha and Asaucha (impurities related to events of birth and death) and the process of cleansing after asaucha.<ref name=":1" /> General rules of life showcasing the bharatiya jivana vidhana are best visible in these texts. They include a discussion about rules for taking food, drinking, daily cleansing activities, habits, menstruation time in women, observing vows among other things.
== Individual Dharmasutras ==
== विशेषाशः ॥ Special Points in Dharmasutras ==
A few contrasting points about certain topics in various dharmasutras.
A few contrasting points about certain topics in various dharmasutras.
* Upavita of a Brahmin (an upper garment worn in the style of yajnopavita, looped over the left shoulder and under the right arm) is a term used by Apastamba and Gautama. Apastamba (2.4.21-2) allows the use of a yajnopavita to substitute for the upper garment during some rituals, while Baudhayana (1.8.5) mentions it as a yajnopavita itself.
* Upavita of a Brahmin (an upper garment worn in the style of yajnopavita, looped over the left shoulder and under the right arm) is a term used by Apastamba and Gautama. Apastamba (2.4.21-2) allows the use of a yajnopavita to substitute for the upper garment during some rituals, while Baudhayana (1.8.5) mentions it as a yajnopavita itself.
* 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).
* Apastamba does not mention mixed varnas. Vaikhanasa enumerates a large number of mixed varnas. Silent on Shraddhas and administration rules.
* Apastamba does not mention mixed varnas. Vaikhanasa enumerates a large number of mixed varnas. Silent on Shraddhas and administration rules.
* Harita first defined Upakurvana and Naisthik Brahmacharis. He also introduced two kinds of marriages namely Kshatra and Manushya vivaha which are not seen in any other dharmasutras. Brahmavadinis and vedic study was discussed by him.<ref name=":12" />
* Vishnu dharmasutras mention the custom of ''suttee,'' the word ''Pustaka'' for a book, days of a week, Trimurtis and many tirthas in the South of India.
== Discussion ==
== Discussion ==