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== श्रौतकर्माणि ॥ Shrauta Karmas ==

== श्रौतकर्माणि ॥ Shrauta Karmas ==

Shrauta karmas include the elaborate activities related to Shrauta yajnas and yagas meant for the well-being of mankind. These karmas are so called because their procedures are directly based on the Srutis or instructions given in Vedas. The brahmanas contain the description of yajnas (which last for many days) and different aakhyayikas as part of the Srauta karmas (for example Haviyagnakandam of Kanvasatapatha brahmana contains the details of Haviryajnas). However, in Kalpas the rules are methodically compiled in Sutra format without the aakhyayika part.<ref name=":122222222">Purkayastha, Dipanjona (2014) Ph. D Thesis from Assam University : ''[http://hdl.handle.net/10603/41946 A Study of the Asvalayana srauta sutra with reference to the principal sacrifices]''</ref> Usually, Srauta karmas involve the Chaaturhotr - the four priests (Hota, Adhvaryu, Udgaata, Brahma).     

Shrauta karmas include the elaborate activities related to Shrauta yajnas and yagas meant for the well-being of mankind. These karmas are so called because their procedures are directly based on the Srutis or instructions given in Vedas. The brahmanas contain the description of yajnas (which last for many days) and different aakhyayikas as part of the Shrauta karmas (for example Haviyagnakandam of Kanvasatapatha brahmana contains the details of Haviryajnas). However, in Kalpas the rules are methodically compiled in Sutra format without the aakhyayika part.<ref name=":122222222">Purkayastha, Dipanjona (2014) Ph. D Thesis from Assam University : ''[http://hdl.handle.net/10603/41946 A Study of the Asvalayana srauta sutra with reference to the principal sacrifices]''</ref> Usually, Srauta karmas involve the Chaaturhotr - the four priests (Hota, Adhvaryu, Udgaata, Brahma).     

== कल्पः ॥ Kalpa ==

=== कल्पः ॥ Kalpa ===

In the Vedangas, Kalpas (कल्पः) mainly deal with explaining Vedic Yajna procedures. The very name itself means ‘Kalpyate Samarthyate Yaga Prayogo Atra’ which means “The practice of Vedic ritual traditions are explained here”.     

Kalpas (कल्पः) mainly deal with elaborating the Vedic Yajna procedures and is classified under Vedangas. The very name itself means ‘Kalpyate Samarthyate Yaga Prayogo Atra’ which means “The practice of Vedic ritual traditions are explained here”.     

Kalpa Vedanga deals with four types of sutras namely,   

Kalpa Vedanga deals with four types of sutras namely,   

* '''Sulvasutras''' : Practical manuals with mathematical measurements necessary for construction of yagna vedi (sacrificial altar).   

* '''Sulbasutras''' : Practical manuals with mathematical measurements necessary for construction of yajna vedi (sacrificial altar).   

* '''Srautasutras''' : Contain rules for the conduct of great sacrifices lasting for many days.   

* '''Shrautasutras''' : Contain procedures for performing great Yajnas (sacrifices) lasting for many days.   

* '''Dharmasutras''' : Contain spiritual and worldly laws   

* '''Dharmasutras''' : Contain spiritual and worldly laws.  

* '''Grhyasutras''' : Lays down rules for the ceremonies and yajnas involved in everyday life.   

* '''Grhyasutras''' : Lay down rules for the ceremonies and yajnas involved in everyday life.   

The ‘Sulvasutras’ and ‘Srautasutras’ directly deal with the performance of Vedic rituals. These texts provide guidance for the performance of Vedic sacrifices. The performance of Vedic rituals is being continued even to modern period especially in South India.<ref name=":022" />   

The ‘Sulbasutras’ and ‘Srautasutras’ directly deal with the performance of Vedic rituals. These texts provide guidance for the performance of Vedic sacrifices. The performance of Vedic rituals is being continued even to modern period especially in South India.<ref name=":022" />   

== श्रौतसूत्राणि ॥ Shrauta Sutras ==

=== श्रौतसूत्राणि ॥ Shrauta Sutras ===

Shrauta, as the name suggest, refers to the texts which have been derived from the Shruti or the Vedas. The Shrauta sutras contain a very detailed, meticulously accurate and vivid description of the several sacrifices that were performed in ancient times. These works were manuals compiled for the practical purpose of giving directions to those who engaged in such sacrifices. They are based on ancient Brahmana texts, which they quote at every step.<ref name=":0" />   

Shrauta, as the name suggest, refers to the texts which have been derived from the Shruti or the Vedas. The Shrauta sutras contain a very detailed, meticulously accurate and vivid description of the several sacrifices that were performed in ancient times. These works were manuals compiled for the practical purpose of giving directions to those who engaged in such sacrifices. They are based on ancient Brahmana texts, which they quote at every step.<ref name=":0" />   

The Shrauta rituals cover a whole gamut of rituals from the simplest to the most complicated. Most of them are no more practiced, but their study is useful for historical reasons. According to Prof. Radhakrishna Bhat,  <blockquote>"Most of the ‘Haviryajnas’, ‘Agnihotra’, ‘Darsapurnamasa’ and ‘Caturmasya’ sacrifices, the basic ‘Somayajnas’, ‘Agnistomas’ and its varieties, and some culturally and historically important sacrifices like ‘Vajapeya’, “Asvamedha’, ‘Sarvamedha’ etc are found in ‘Yajurveda’ (Adhvaryuveda). Later in ‘Puranas’ the references to Vedic rituals and practices are found. In classical Sanskrit literature some references to Vedic rituals and practices are mentioned. This shows that the Vedic ritual tradition is continued to modern period too without any interruption". <ref name=":022">Radhakrishna Bhat, N. ''[http://vedicheritage.gov.in/pdf/Vedic_tradition_karnataka.pdf Vedic Ritual Tradition of Karnataka]'', Vedic Heritage Portal.</ref></blockquote>Such procedures for Srauta karmas are compiled in Srauta Sutras as given in the Kalpa Vedanga. Some of them are as follows<ref name=":122222222" />

The Shrauta rituals cover a whole gamut of rituals from the simplest to the most complicated. Most of them are no more practiced, but their study is useful for historical reasons. According to Prof. Radhakrishna Bhat,  <blockquote>"Most of the ‘Haviryajnas’, ‘Agnihotra’, ‘Darsapurnamasa’ and ‘Caturmasya’ sacrifices, the basic ‘Somayajnas’, ‘Agnistomas’ and its varieties, and some culturally and historically important sacrifices like ‘Vajapeya’, “Asvamedha’, ‘Sarvamedha’ etc are found in ‘Yajurveda’ (Adhvaryuveda). Later in ‘Puranas’ the references to Vedic rituals and practices are found. In classical Sanskrit literature some references to Vedic rituals and practices are mentioned. This shows that the Vedic ritual tradition is continued to modern period too without any interruption". <ref name=":022">Radhakrishna Bhat, N. ''[http://vedicheritage.gov.in/pdf/Vedic_tradition_karnataka.pdf Vedic Ritual Tradition of Karnataka]'', Vedic Heritage Portal.</ref></blockquote>The procedures for Shrauta karmas are compiled in Shrauta Sutras as given in the Kalpa Vedanga. Some of the Shrauta Sutras associated with particular vedas are as follows<ref name=":122222222" />

* Rig Veda : Aasvalayana and Shankhyayana Srautasutras.   

* Rig Veda : Aasvalayana and Shankhyayana Srautasutras.   

* Krishna Yajurveda :   

* Krishna Yajurveda :   

* Sama Veda : Aarsheyakalpa, Kshudrasutras, Jaimineeya, Laatyayana, and Draahyayana Srautasutras.   

* Sama Veda : Aarsheyakalpa, Kshudrasutras, Jaimineeya, Laatyayana, and Draahyayana Srautasutras.   

* Atharvana Veda : Vaitaana Srautasutras are the only available texts here.   

* Atharvana Veda : Vaitaana Srautasutras are the only available texts here.   

== Classsification of Yajnas ==

== Classsification of Yajnas ==

Another classification of Yajna or yaga based on principal and subsidiary actions of Yajna include

Another classification of Yajna or yaga based on principal and subsidiary actions of Yajna include

# Pradhana (Principal)

# Pradhana (Principal)

# Anga (Subsidiary)A ‘Yaga’ is made up of several rituals which has its own principal part (Pradhana). Those that form subsidiary or supplement to this are called ‘Angas’. Some of the rituals may be common to several ‘Yagas’.<ref name=":022" />

# Anga (Subsidiary)

A ‘Yaga’ is made up of several rituals which has its own principal part (Pradhana). Those that form subsidiary or supplement to this are called ‘Angas’. Some of the rituals may be common to several ‘Yagas’.<ref name=":022" />

Vedic yajnas/yaagas are divided into two  

Vedic yajnas/yaagas are divided into two<ref name=":122222222" />  

* Prakritiyaaga (Prinicipal)   

* Prakritiyaaga (Model)   

* Vikritiyaaga (Subsidiary)   

* Vikritiyaaga (Modified)   

Vikritiyaagas derive their procedures from the respective Prakritiyaagas<ref name=":122222222" />. 

Vikritiyaagas derive their procedures from the respective Prakritiyagas.     

 

 

3. ‘Isti’, ‘Pasubandha’ and ‘Saumika’      

=== प्रकृतियागम् ॥ Prakritiyaagas ===

=== प्रकृतियागम् ॥ Prakritiyaagas ===