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Vedanga is a class of works regarded as auxiliary to the four Vedas and designed to aid in the correct pronunciation and interpretation of the text and the right employment of the Mantras in ceremonials. The Vedangas are six in number—Shiksha (the science of proper articulation and pronunciation), Chandas (the science of prosody), Vyakarana (grammar), Nirukta (etymological explanation of difficult Vedic words), Jyotish (astronomy) and Kalpa (ritual or ceremonial)<ref>V S Apte (2000), The Student's Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Delhi: MLBD</ref>. This Kalpasutra is fourfold namely, Shrautasutra, Grihyasutra, Dharmasutra and Shulvasutra. This Dharmasutra containing the Do's and Dont's of the social life got enlarged as the Dharmashastra or Smrti literature in later years. The Trimuni of Indian Nyaya (Law and Order) are: Narada, Brihaspati and Katyayana.<ref>Uma Sankara Sarma 'Rsi' (2004), Samskrta Sahitya ka Itihasa, Varanasi: Chaukhamba Bharati Academy</ref>

[[Shad Vedangas (षड्वेदाङ्गानि)|Vedanga]] is a class of works regarded as auxiliary to the [[The Four Vedas (चतुर्वेदाः)|four Vedas]] and designed to aid in the correct pronunciation and interpretation of the text and the right employment of the [[Mantra (मंत्र)|Mantras]] in ceremonials. The Vedangas are six in number—[[Shiksha (शिक्षा)|Shiksha]] (the science of proper articulation and pronunciation), [[Chandas (छन्दस्)|Chandas]] (the science of prosody), [[Vyakarana Vedanga (व्याकरणवेदाङ्गम्)|Vyakarana]] (grammar), [[Nirukta (निरुक्तम्)|Nirukta]] (etymological explanation of difficult Vedic words), [[Vedanga Jyotisha (वेदाङ्गज्योतिषम्)|Jyotish]] (astronomy) and [[Kalpa Vedanga (कल्पवेदाङ्गम्)|Kalpa]] (ritual or ceremonial)<ref>V S Apte (2000), The Student's Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Delhi: MLBD</ref>. This Kalpasutra is fourfold namely, [[Shrautasutras (श्रौतसूत्राणि)|Shrautasutra]], [[Grhyasutras (गृह्यसूत्राणि)|Grhyasutra]], [[Dharmasutras (धर्मसूत्राणि)|Dharmasutra]] and [[Shulbasutras (शुल्बसूत्राणि)|Shulvasutra]]. This Dharmasutra containing the Do's and Dont's of the social life got enlarged as the [[Dharmashastras (धर्मशास्त्राणि)|Dharmashastra]] or [[Smrti (स्मृतिः)|Smrti literature]] in later years. The Trimuni of Indian [[Nyaya (न्यायः)|Nyaya]] (Law and Order) are: [[Narada (नारदः)|Narada]], Brihaspati and Katyayana.<ref>Uma Sankara Sarma 'Rsi' (2004), Samskrta Sahitya ka Itihasa, Varanasi: Chaukhamba Bharati Academy</ref>

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

According to Swami Harshananda<ref>Swami Harshananda (2008), A Concise Encyclopaedia of Hinduism (Volume 3), Bangalore: Ramakrishna Math</ref>, Yajnavalkya was one of the wisest and the most illustrious among the Vedic sages. He was the son of the sage Brahmarata and a nephew cum disciple of Vaishampayana.  

According to Swami Harshananda<ref>Swami Harshananda (2008), A Concise Encyclopaedia of Hinduism (Volume 3), Bangalore: Ramakrishna Math</ref>, [[Yajnavalkya (याज्ञवल्क्यः)|Yajnavalkya]] was one of the wisest and the most illustrious among the Vedic sages. He was the son of the sage Brahmarata and a nephew cum disciple of Vaishampayana.  

Krishna Dvaipayana Vedavyasa had taught the four Vedas to his four students: Rgveda to Paila, Yajurveda to Vaishampayana, Samaveda to Jaimini and Atharvaveda to Sumantu. Vaishampayana also taught it to his students but once Yajnavalkya incurred the wrath of his Guru and was expelled by him, after surrendering the Yajurveda to him. Later he pleased Surya and got a new lyrical Veda, which came to be known as the Shukla Yajurveda or Vajasaneyi Samhita.

Krishna Dvaipayana [[Maharshi Vyasa (महर्षि व्यास)|Vedavyasa]] had taught the four Vedas to his four students: [[Rigveda (ऋग्वेदः)|Rgveda]] to Paila, [[Yajurveda (यजुर्वेदः)|Yajurveda]] to Vaishampayana, [[Samaveda (सामवेदः)|Samaveda]] to Jaimini and [[Atharvaveda (अथर्ववेदः)|Atharvaveda]] to Sumantu. Vaishampayana also taught it to his students but once Yajnavalkya incurred the wrath of his [[Guru (गुरुः)|Guru]] and was expelled by him, after surrendering the Yajurveda to him. Later he pleased [[Surya (सूर्यः)|Surya]] and got a new lyrical Veda, which came to be known as the [[Yajurveda Shakhas (यजुर्वेदस्य शाखाः)|Shukla Yajurveda or Vajasaneyi Samhita]].

In the scholarly debates on Brahman arranged by the king Janaka Vaideha, he emerged as the best and the most brilliant of all the scholarly Rishis, as recorded in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (Chapter Three).<ref>Swami Devarupananda (2003), Mantrapushpam, Mumbai: Ramakrishna Math.</ref> He taught spiritual wisdom to his first wife Maitreyi who was a seeker of truth and his second wife was Katyayani.

In the scholarly debates on [[Brahman (ब्रह्मन्)|Brahman]] arranged by the king [[Janaka (जनक)|Janaka]] Vaideha, he emerged as the best and the most brilliant of all the scholarly Rishis, as recorded in the [[Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (बृहदारण्यक उपनिषद्)|Brihadaranyaka Upanishad]] (Chapter Three).<ref>Swami Devarupananda (2003), Mantrapushpam, Mumbai: Ramakrishna Math.</ref> He taught spiritual wisdom to his first wife Maitreyi who was a seeker of truth and his second wife was Katyayani.

Two more works are attributed to him: Yoga-yajnavalkya and Yajnavalkya Smrti. Yajnavalkya Smrti is a well-known Smrti belonging to the Dharmashastra literature. It is said to be a composition of the famous sage Yajnavalkya, the promulgator of the Shukla Yajurveda Samhita. Its style and ideas seem to be close to this Veda. The present edition as available now was probably finalised by 700 CE, though the original might be placed between 100 BCE and 300 CE. Passages from it are found on inscriptions in every part of India dated in the tenth and eleventh centuries  (CE) and also in the Panchatantra.

Two more works are attributed to him: Yoga-yajnavalkya and Yajnavalkya Smrti. Yajnavalkya Smrti is a well-known Smrti belonging to the Dharmashastra literature. It is said to be a composition of the famous sage Yajnavalkya, the promulgator of the Shukla Yajurveda Samhita. Its style and ideas seem to be close to this [[Vedas (वेदाः)|Veda]]. The present edition as available now was probably finalised by 700 CE, though the original might be placed between 100 BCE and 300 CE. Passages from it are found on inscriptions in every part of India dated in the tenth and eleventh centuries  (CE) and also in the [[Panchatantra (पंचतंत्र)|Panchatantra]].

== भाष्याणि ॥ Commentaries ==

== भाष्याणि ॥ Commentaries ==

It has more than 1000 verses in the Anushtubh metre and has five standard commentaries:   

It has more than 1000 verses in the Anushtubh metre and has five standard [[Bhashya (भाष्यम्)|commentaries]]:   

* Dharma-shastra-nibandha by Apararka (1200 CE)  

* Dharma-shastra-nibandha by Apararka (1200 CE)  

== अध्यायसारः  ॥ Chapter Contents ==

== अध्यायसारः  ॥ Chapter Contents ==

Rishi Yajnavalkya's institutes are regarded as second in importance to those of Manu. Its contents<ref name=":1">Narayana Ram Acharya ‘Kavyatirtha’ (1985), Yajnavalkyasmrti, Delhi: Nag Publishers</ref> may be briefly described as follows:

Rishi Yajnavalkya's institutes are regarded as second in importance to those of [[Manu (मनु)|Manu]]. Its contents<ref name=":1">Narayana Ram Acharya ‘Kavyatirtha’ (1985), Yajnavalkyasmrti, Delhi: Nag Publishers</ref> may be briefly described as follows:

=== प्रथमाध्याय: आचार: ॥ First Adhyaya: Achara ===

=== प्रथमाध्याय: आचार: ॥ First Adhyaya: Achara ===

(13 Prakaranas – 368 verses)

The first chapter of the Yajnavalkya Smrti has 13 Prakaranas or sections with 368 verses.

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

!Prakarana

!Prakarana

|-

|-

|3

|3

|Vivaha  

|[[Vivaha (विवाहः)|Vivaha]]

|The eight forms of marriage

|The eight forms of marriage

|-

|-

|4

|4

|Varna-jati-viveka

|[[Varna Dharma (वर्णधर्मः)|Varna]]-jati-viveka

|Description of various classes

|Description of various classes

|-

|-

|-

|-

|6

|6

|Snataka-dharma  

|[[Snataka Dharma (स्नातकधर्मः)|Snataka-dharma]]

|The proper time for Vedic study and its Consecration

|The proper time for Vedic study and its Consecration

|-

|-

|-

|-

|9

|9

|Dana

|[[Dana (दानम्)|Dana]]

|On giving gifts

|On giving gifts

|-

|-

|10

|10

|Shraddha

|[[Shraddha (श्राद्धम्)|Shraddha]]

|Shraddha and its varieties

|Shraddha and its varieties

|-

|-

|-

|-

|13

|13

|Raja-dharma

|[[Raja Dharma (राजधर्मः)|Raja-dharma]]

|The characteristics and duties of a King

|The characteristics and duties of a King

|}

|}

=== द्वितीयाध्याय: व्यवहार: ॥ Second Adhyaya: Vyavahara ===

=== द्वितीयाध्याय: व्यवहार: ॥ Second Adhyaya: Vyavahara ===

(25 Prakaranas – 307 verses)

The second chapter of the Yajnavalkya Smrti has 25 Prakaranas or sections with 307 verses.

 

Sadharana-vyavahara-matrika – Laws and regulations in general

 

Asadharana-vyavahara-matrika – Specific Laws and regulations

 

Rnadana - Debts, interest and repayment

 

|Sadharana-vyavahara-matrika

Upanidhi – Sealed deposit

|Laws and regulations in general

 

Sakshi – The Law of Evidence

 

|Asadharana-vyavahara-matrika

Lekhya – Written Document

|Specific Laws and regulations

 

Divya – Divine Tests

 

|[[Rna (ऋणम्)|Rnadana]]

Daya-vibhaga - Partition of property among heirs

|Debts, interest and repayment

 

Sima-vivada - Boundary disputes

 

|Upanidhi

Svami-pala-vivada – Disputes of the keepers

|Sealed deposit

 

Svami-vikraya – Unlawful sale of articles

 

|Sakshi

Dattapradanika – Non-delivery or resumption of gifts

|The Law of Evidence

 

Krita-anushaya

 

|Lekhya

Abhyupetyashyshrusha – Breach of contract or engagement between master and servant

|Written Document

 

Samvit-vyatikrama – Violation of a contract

 

|Divya

Vetanadana – Non-payment of wages

|Divine Tests

 

Dyuta-samahvaya - Gambling

 

|Daya-vibhaga

Vak-parushya – Defamation  

|Partition of property among heirs

 

Danda-parushya - Crimes and punishment

 

|Sima-vivada

Sahasa – Criminal act

|Boundary disputes

 

Vikriyasampradana – Non-delivery of sold articles  

 

|Svami-pala-vivada

Sambhuya-samutthana – Joint stock companies

|Disputes of the keepers

 

Steya - Theft

 

|Svami-vikraya

Stri-samgrahana – Adultery, seduction

|Unlawful sale of articles

 

Prakirna - Miscellaneous

|Dattapradanika

|Non-delivery or resumption of gifts

|Krita-anushaya

|Abhyupetyashyshrusha

|Breach of contract or engagement between master and servant

|Samvit-vyatikrama

|Violation of a contract

|Vetanadana

|Non-payment of wages

|Dyuta-samahvaya

|-

|Vak-parushya

|Defamation

|Danda-parushya

|Crimes and punishment

|Sahasa

|Criminal act

|Vikriyasampradana

|Non-delivery of sold articles

|Sambhuya-samutthana

|Joint stock companies

|Steya

|-

|Stri-samgrahana

|Adultery, seduction

|Prakirna

|Miscellaneous

=== तृतीयाध्याय: प्रायश्चितम्॥ Third Adhyaya: Prayashchitta  ===

=== तृतीयाध्याय: प्रायश्चितम्॥ Third Adhyaya: Prayashchitta  ===

(6 Prakaranas – 334 verses)

The third chapter of the Yajnavalkya Smrti has 6 Prakaranas or sections with 334 verses.

 

Aashaucha - On cremation and burial

 

Aapad-dharma - Rules of conduct in distress

 

Vanaprastha-dharma – Regulations relating to Vanaprastha

 

|Aashaucha

Yati-dharma – Duties of a person who has renounced the world

|On cremation and burial

 

Prayashchitta - Sins and expiations

 

|[[Apaddharma (आपद्धर्मः)|Aapad-dharma]]

Prakirnaka-prayashchittani – Miscellaneous Expiatory rites

|Rules of conduct in distress

|[[Vanaprasthashrama (वानप्रस्थाश्रमः)|Vanaprastha-dharma]]

|Regulations relating to Vanaprastha

|Yati-dharma

|Duties of a person who has renounced the world

|Prayashchitta

|[[Pataka (पातकम्)|Sins]] and expiations

|Prakirnaka-prayashchittani

|Miscellaneous Expiatory rites

== उपसंहार: ॥ Conclusion ==

== उपसंहार: ॥ Conclusion ==

The text begins with:<blockquote>योगीश्वरं याज्ञवल्क्यं संपूज्य मुनयोsब्रुवन् । वर्णाश्रमेतराणां नो ब्रूहि धर्मानशेषत: ॥<ref name=":1" /> yogīśvaraṃ yājñavalkyaṃ saṃpūjya munayo'bruvan । varṇāśrametarāṇāṃ no brūhi dharmān aśeṣatah ॥</blockquote>Meaning: Having adored Yajnavalkya, the lord of Yogins (ascetics), the Munis (anchorites) said: “Do you describe unto us in full, the religious rites of Varnas (four castes), ashramas (four orders), and (those of) other inferior castes.”<ref name=":0">Manmatha Nath Dutt (1906), Yajnawalkya Samhita, Calcutta: Elysium Press</ref>  

The text begins with:<blockquote>योगीश्वरं याज्ञवल्क्यं संपूज्य मुनयोsब्रुवन् । वर्णाश्रमेतराणां नो ब्रूहि धर्मानशेषत: ॥<ref name=":1" /> yogīśvaraṃ yājñavalkyaṃ saṃpūjya munayo'bruvan । varṇāśrametarāṇāṃ no brūhi dharmān aśeṣatah ॥</blockquote>Meaning: Having adored Yajnavalkya, the lord of Yogins (ascetics), the Munis (anchorites) said: “Do you describe unto us in full, the religious rites of Varnas (four castes), [[Ashrama Dharma (आश्रमधर्मः)|ashramas]] (four orders), and (those of) other inferior castes.”<ref name=":0">Manmatha Nath Dutt (1906), Yajnawalkya Samhita, Calcutta: Elysium Press</ref>  

It concludes with:<blockquote>श्रुत्वैतद् याज्ञवाल्क्योsपि प्रीतात्मा मुनि-भाषितम् । एवमस्त्विति होवाच नमस्कृत्य स्वयंभुवे ॥<ref name=":1" /> śrutvaitad yājñavālkyo'pi prītātmā muni-bhāṣitam । evam astviti hovāca namaskṛtya svayaṃbhuve ॥</blockquote>Meaning: He, who will make the twice-born listen to it on every Parva-day, will reap the fruits of a Horse-Sacrifice. Do thou accede to this our request. Hearing the speech of the ascetics and being delighted, Yajnavalkya, too, saluting the Self-sprung Brahma, said “so be it.”<ref name=":0" />

It concludes with:<blockquote>श्रुत्वैतद् याज्ञवाल्क्योsपि प्रीतात्मा मुनि-भाषितम् । एवमस्त्विति होवाच नमस्कृत्य स्वयंभुवे ॥<ref name=":1" /> śrutvaitad yājñavālkyo'pi prītātmā muni-bhāṣitam । evam astviti hovāca namaskṛtya svayaṃbhuve ॥</blockquote>Meaning: He, who will make the twice-born listen to it on every Parva-day, will reap the fruits of a [[Ashvamedha Yajna (अश्वमेधयज्ञः)|Ashvamedha Yajna]]. Do thou accede to this our request. Hearing the speech of the ascetics and being delighted, Yajnavalkya, too, saluting the Self-sprung Brahma, said “so be it.”<ref name=":0" />

Thus, Yajnavalkya Smrti provides a thorough and chronological insight into the then societal fabric along with its local customs, law and order and expiation traditions.  

Thus, Yajnavalkya Smrti provides a thorough and chronological insight into the then societal fabric along with its local customs, law and order and expiation traditions.  

== References ==

== References ==