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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=":1222222222">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 Chaturhotr - 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=":1222222222">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 Chaturhotr - the four priests (Hota, Adhvaryu, Udgaata, Brahma).     

=== कल्पः ॥ Kalpa ===

== कल्पः ॥ Kalpa ==

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

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

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

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 in the 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 in the 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, many individual sutras being couched in the very language of the Brahmanas.<ref name=":0">Kane, Pandurang Vaman. (1941) ''History of Dharmasastra (Ancient and Medieval Religious and Civil Law) Volume 2, Part 2.'' Poona : Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute</ref>

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, many individual sutras being couched in the very language of the Brahmanas.<ref name=":0">Kane, Pandurang Vaman. (1941) ''History of Dharmasastra (Ancient and Medieval Religious and Civil Law) Volume 2, Part 2.'' Poona : Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute</ref>

|Atharvaveda

|Atharvaveda

|Vaitana  

|Vaitana  

|}Besides these above mentioned Srautasutras, there are many others but their texts are not available at present.

|}Besides these above mentioned Srautasutras, there are many others but their texts are not available at present. The present article is based on the references of Shrauta sutras of Asvalayana, Apastamba, Katyayana, Baudhayana with occasional references to Samhitas and Brahmanas.  

The present article is based on the references of Shrauta sutras of Asvalayana, Apastamba, Katyayana, Baudhayana with occasional references to Samhitas and Brahmanas.  

 

== Srauta Yajnas Classification ==

== Srauta Yajnas Classification ==

Srauta Yajnas are 14 in number. They are divided into two main groups of seven each : Haviryajnas and Somayajnas<ref name=":1222222222" /><ref>Introduction to Rituals ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/rituals/# Vedic Heritage Portal])</ref>.   

Srauta Yajnas are 14 in number. They are divided into two main groups of seven each : Haviryajnas and Somayajnas<ref name=":1222222222" /><ref>Introduction to Rituals ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/rituals/# Vedic Heritage Portal])</ref>.   

The most common of these yajnas is the Agnihotra, where daily havis of milk is given in the three fires, every morning and evening. Apart from Agnihotra, Darsapurnamasa (performed on New and Full Moon days) and Chaturmasya (performed at the beginning of three seasons) are also important and conducted by few people even in the present days.   

The most common of these yajnas is the Agnihotra, where daily havis of milk is given in the three fires, every morning and evening. Apart from Agnihotra, Darsapurnamasa (performed on New and Full Moon days) and Chaturmasya (performed at the beginning of three seasons) are also important and conducted by few people even in the present days.   

== General Rules in Shrauta Yajnas ==

== General Rules in Shrauta Yajnas ==

Some of the general rules applicable in all shrauta karmas, from the Asvalayana Srautasutras (1.1.8 to 22) summarized in pages 982 - 983 of reference<ref name=":0" /> are given below.<blockquote>तस्य नित्याः प्राञ्चश्चेष्टाः ८ अङ्कधारणा च ९ यज्ञोपवीतशौचे च १० विहारादव्यावृत्तिश्च तत्र चेत् कर्म ११ एकाङ्गवचने दक्षिणं प्रतीयात् १२ अनादेशे १३ कर्मचोदनायां होतारं १४ ददातीति यजमानं १५ जुहोति-जपतीति प्रायश्चित्ते ब्रह्माणं १६ ऋचं पादग्रहणे १७ सूक्तं सूक्तादौ हीने पादे १८ अधिके तृचं सर्व्वत्र १९ जपानुमन्त्रणाप्यायनोपस्थानान्युपांशु २० मन्त्राश्च कर्म्मकरणाः २१ प्रसङ्गादपवादो बलीयान् २२ (Asva. Shra. 1.1.8 to 22)<ref>Asvalayana Shrautasutras ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8_%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8C%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7 Adhyaya 1])</ref></blockquote>

Some of the general rules applicable in all shrauta karmas, from the Asvalayana Srautasutras (1.1.8 to 22) summarized in pages 982 - 983 of reference<ref name=":0" /> are given below.<blockquote>तस्य नित्याः प्राञ्चश्चेष्टाः ८ अङ्कधारणा च ९ यज्ञोपवीतशौचे च १० विहारादव्यावृत्तिश्च तत्र चेत् कर्म ११ एकाङ्गवचने दक्षिणं प्रतीयात् १२ अनादेशे १३ कर्मचोदनायां होतारं १४ ददातीति यजमानं १५ जुहोति-जपतीति प्रायश्चित्ते ब्रह्माणं १६ ऋचं पादग्रहणे १७ सूक्तं सूक्तादौ हीने पादे १८ अधिके तृचं सर्व्वत्र १९ जपानुमन्त्रणाप्यायनोपस्थानान्युपांशु २० मन्त्राश्च कर्म्मकरणाः २१ प्रसङ्गादपवादो बलीयान् २२ (Asva. Shra. 1.1.8 to 22)<ref>Asvalayana Shrautasutras ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8_%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8C%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7 Adhyaya 1])</ref></blockquote>