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| #[[Kalpa (Vedanga)|Kalpas]] are the texts that deal with the methods of [[Yagya (यज्ञ)|yajna]] and other rituals. This field focused on standardizing procedures for Vedic Shrauta rituals, Smarta rituals associated with [[samskaras]] - major life events such as birth, wedding and death in family, as well as discussing [[Dharma|dharmas]] laid down for the personal conduct and proper duties of an individual in different stages of his life. | | #[[Kalpa (Vedanga)|Kalpas]] are the texts that deal with the methods of [[Yagya (यज्ञ)|yajna]] and other rituals. This field focused on standardizing procedures for Vedic Shrauta rituals, Smarta rituals associated with [[samskaras]] - major life events such as birth, wedding and death in family, as well as discussing [[Dharma|dharmas]] laid down for the personal conduct and proper duties of an individual in different stages of his life. |
| == सविस्तरविवरणम् ॥ Detailed Discussion == | | == सविस्तरविवरणम् ॥ Detailed Discussion == |
− | वेदाङ्गानि || Vedangas help us construct, chant and understand Veda mantras. These are called अङ्ग || Angas (ancillaries) to Vedas.<blockquote>शिक्षा कल्पो व्याकरणं निरुक्तं छन्दसां चयः । ज्योतिषामयनं चैव वेदाङ्गानि षडेव तु ॥</blockquote><blockquote>śikṣā kalpo vyākaraṇaṃ niruktaṃ chandasāṃ cayaḥ । jyotiṣāmayanaṃ caiva vedāṅgāni ṣaḍeva tu ॥</blockquote>According to the above shloka, Vedangas are six in number namely शिक्षा ॥ Shiksa, कल्पः || Kalpa, व्याकरणम् || Vyakarana, निरुक्तम् || Niruktam, छन्दस् || Chandas, and ज्योतिष् || Jyotish. | + | वेदाङ्गानि || Vedangas help us construct, chant and understand Veda mantras. These are called अङ्ग || Angas (ancillaries) to Vedas.<blockquote>शिक्षा कल्पो व्याकरणं निरुक्तं छन्दसां चयः । ज्योतिषामयनं चैव वेदाङ्गानि षडेव तु ॥</blockquote><blockquote>śikṣā kalpo vyākaraṇaṃ niruktaṃ chandasāṃ cayaḥ । jyotiṣāmayanaṃ caiva vedāṅgāni ṣaḍeva tu ॥</blockquote>According to the above shloka, Vedangas are six in number namely शिक्षा ॥ Shiksa, कल्पः || Kalpa, व्याकरणम् || Vyakarana, निरुक्तम् || Nirukta, छन्दस् || Chandas, and ज्योतिष् || Jyotish. |
| === शिक्षा ॥ Shiksha === | | === शिक्षा ॥ Shiksha === |
| शिक्षा ॥ Shiksha deals mainly with स्वरज्ञानम् ॥ svarajnana (phonetics) and it is the science disciplining the efforts of ear, nose and vocal cords to utter the accurate sound as defined by Vedic mantras. | | शिक्षा ॥ Shiksha deals mainly with स्वरज्ञानम् ॥ svarajnana (phonetics) and it is the science disciplining the efforts of ear, nose and vocal cords to utter the accurate sound as defined by Vedic mantras. |
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| Shiksha deals with the origin of sound and teaches one about the production of accurate sound शुध्दोच्चारणम् ॥ shuddhoccharana with ease. In Vedic literature, accurate pronunciation of sound (vowels and consonants) is of great importance else the meaning is completely altered, hence Vedas have '''स्वरप्राधान्यत्वम् ॥ svarapradhanyatva'''. | | Shiksha deals with the origin of sound and teaches one about the production of accurate sound शुध्दोच्चारणम् ॥ shuddhoccharana with ease. In Vedic literature, accurate pronunciation of sound (vowels and consonants) is of great importance else the meaning is completely altered, hence Vedas have '''स्वरप्राधान्यत्वम् ॥ svarapradhanyatva'''. |
| | | |
− | The earliest reference to Shiksha attached to तैत्तिरीय-आरण्यकम् || Taittireeya Aranyaka, extends the applicability as follows : <blockquote>अथ शिक्षां व्याख्यास्यामः । वर्णः स्वरः । मात्रा बलम् । साम सन्तान। इत्युक्तः शिक्षाध्यायः ॥ (Tait. Aran. 7.2)<ref name=":0">Taittirya Aranyakam [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D(%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0)/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AD Prapathaka 7]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>atha śikṣāṃ vyākhyāsyāmaḥ । varṇaḥ svaraḥ । mātrā balam । sāma santāna। ityuktaḥ śikṣādhyāyaḥ ॥ (Tait. Aran. 7.2)<ref name=":0">Taittirya Aranyakam [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D(%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0)/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AD Prapathaka 7]</ref></blockquote>Meaning : Let us comment about Shiksha. Shiksha study involves Varna, Svara, Matra, Bala, Sama, Santana. Where, | + | The earliest reference to Shiksha attached to तैत्तिरीय-आरण्यकम् || Taittireeya Aranyaka, extends the applicability as follows : <blockquote>अथ शिक्षां व्याख्यास्यामः । वर्णः स्वरः । मात्रा बलम् । साम सन्तान। इत्युक्तः शिक्षाध्यायः ॥ (Tait. Aran. 7.2)<ref name=":0">Taittirya Aranyakam [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D(%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0)/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AD Prapathaka 7]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>atha śikṣāṃ vyākhyāsyāmaḥ । varṇaḥ svaraḥ । mātrā balam । sāma santāna। ityuktaḥ śikṣādhyāyaḥ ॥ (Tait. Aran. 7.2)<ref name=":0">Taittirya Aranyakam [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D(%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0)/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AD Prapathaka 7]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : Let us comment about Shiksha. Shiksha study involves Varna, Svara, Matra, Bala, Sama, Santana. </blockquote>Where, |
| # '''वर्णः ॥ Varna -''' वर्णः अकारादिः । varṇaḥ akārādiḥ । - Varnas are the letters including Vowels and Consonants. | | # '''वर्णः ॥ Varna -''' वर्णः अकारादिः । varṇaḥ akārādiḥ । - Varnas are the letters including Vowels and Consonants. |
| # '''स्वरः ॥ Svara -''' स्वरस्तु उदात्तादिः । svarastu udāttādiḥ । - Svaras (Accents) are of three kinds उदात्तः || udatta (acute accent), अनुदात्तः || anudatta (accentless), स्वरितः || svarita (normal accent). | | # '''स्वरः ॥ Svara -''' स्वरस्तु उदात्तादिः । svarastu udāttādiḥ । - Svaras (Accents) are of three kinds उदात्तः || udatta (acute accent), अनुदात्तः || anudatta (accentless), स्वरितः || svarita (normal accent). |
| # '''मात्रा ॥ Matra -''' मात्रा ह्रस्वादिकाः । mātrā hrasvādikāḥ । - Prosodically or metrically, ह्रस्व ॥ hrsva (short), दीर्घ || deergha (long), प्लुत || pluta (prolated) | | # '''मात्रा ॥ Matra -''' मात्रा ह्रस्वादिकाः । mātrā hrasvādikāḥ । - Prosodically or metrically, ह्रस्व ॥ hrsva (short), दीर्घ || deergha (long), प्लुत || pluta (prolated) |
− | # '''बलम् ॥ Bala''' - बलम् उच्चारणस्थानं ताल्वादिकम् । balam uccāraṇasthānaṃ tālvādikam । - Part of body from where sound is produced, such as तालु: ॥ talu, कन्ठः ॥ kantha, ओष्ठः ॥ ostha etc. | + | # '''बलम् ॥ Bala''' - बलम् उच्चारणस्थानं ताल्वादिकम् । balam uccāraṇasthānaṃ tālvādikam । - Part of body from where sound is produced, such as तालु: ॥ talu, कण्ठः ॥ kantha, ओष्ठः ॥ ostha etc. |
| # '''साम ॥ Sama -''' साम निषादादिः । sāma niṣādādiḥ । - 7 Musical notes enumerated as 1. निषादः || nishada; 2. रिषभः || ṛiṣhabha 3. गान्धारः || gandhara 4. सड्जः || Shadja 5. मध्यमः || madhyama 6. धैवतः || dhaivata 7. पञ्चमः || pancama | | # '''साम ॥ Sama -''' साम निषादादिः । sāma niṣādādiḥ । - 7 Musical notes enumerated as 1. निषादः || nishada; 2. रिषभः || ṛiṣhabha 3. गान्धारः || gandhara 4. सड्जः || Shadja 5. मध्यमः || madhyama 6. धैवतः || dhaivata 7. पञ्चमः || pancama |
| # '''सन्तानः ॥ Santana -''' सन्तानो विकर्षणादि । santāno vikarṣaṇādi । | | # '''सन्तानः ॥ Santana -''' सन्तानो विकर्षणादि । santāno vikarṣaṇādi । |
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| ==== '''वृत्रासुर जननम् || Vrttrasura Janana''' : ==== | | ==== '''वृत्रासुर जननम् || Vrttrasura Janana''' : ==== |
− | <blockquote>तत्त्वष्टाहवनीयमुप प्रावर्तयत्स्वाहेन्द्रशत्रुर्वर्धस्वेति यदवर्तयत्तद्वृत्रस्य वृत्रत्वं यदब्रवीत्स्वाहेन्द्रशत्रुर्वर्धस्वेति तस्मादस्येन्द्रः शत्रुरभवत् | (Tait. Samh. 2.5.2)<ref name=":1">Taittriya [http://parankusa.org/KrYajurBrowse.aspx Samhita] </ref></blockquote><blockquote>tattvaṣṭāhavanīyamupa prāvartayatsvāhendraśatrurvardhasveti yadavartayattadvṛtrasya vṛtratvaṃ yadabravītsvāhendraśatrurvardhasveti tasmādasyendraḥ śatrurabhavat | (Tait. Samh. 2.5.2)<ref name=":1">Taittriya [http://parankusa.org/KrYajurBrowse.aspx Samhita] </ref></blockquote><blockquote>त्वष्टा॥ Tvasta angered by Indra's killing of his son विश्वरूपः || Vishwaroopa, initiates an अभिचारिक-यागः || abhicharika yaga (a [[yaga]] performed to cause harm to an intended person) to procure a son to kill Indra. The ऋत्विज् || rtvijas were to utter the mantra "इन्द्रशत्रुर्वर्धस्व" with अन्त-उदात्तः ॥ Anta-Udatta or Udatta svara in the end of the mantra (to mean, Prosper Oh ! Enemy of Indra). Instead, they used the आद्य-उदात्तः ॥ Adya Udatta svara in the beginning of the mantra (meaning, Oh! Indra, one who has enemies, Prosper).So, instead of asking for the rise and prosperity of a son to take revenge on Indra, the Rtvijas asked for the prosperity and glory of Indra who destroyed असुर || Asuras. Thus, वृत्रासुर '''||''' Vrttrasura, the son of Tvasta was born, an enemy of Indra, but eventually Indra was rewarded with glory in killing Vrttrasura.</blockquote>Shiksha literature is very widely available based on the different शाखा || shakhas (divisions) of different vedas. They are पाणिनीयशिक्षा || Panineeya Shiksha, व्यासशिक्षा || Vyasashiksha, भारद्वाजशिक्षा || Bharadvaja shiksha, याज्ञवलक्यशिक्षा || Yajnavalkya Shiksha, पराशरशिक्षा || Parashara shiksha, वासिष्टीशिक्षा || Vasishtee shiksha, कात्यायनीशिक्षा || Katyayanee shiksha, माध्यन्दिनीशिक्षा || Madhyandinee shiksha, केशवीशिक्षा || Keshavee shiksha, अमोघानन्दिनीशिक्षा || Amoghanandinee shiksha, माण्डव्यशिक्षा || Mandavya shiksha, मल्लशर्मशिक्षा || Mallasharma shiksha, स्वराकुशशिक्षा || Svarakusha shiksha, षोडशशिक्षा || Shodasha shiksha, नारदीयशिक्षा || Naradeeya shiksha, माण्डुकीयशिक्षा || Mandukeeya shiksha, स्वरभक्तिलक्षणशिक्षा || Svarabhaktilakshana, अवसाननिर्णयशिक्षा || Avasananirnaya shiksha, वर्णरत्नप्रदीपिका शिक्षा || Varnaratna pradeepika shiksha among many others. | + | <blockquote>तत्त्वष्टाहवनीयमुप प्रावर्तयत्स्वाहेन्द्रशत्रुर्वर्धस्वेति यदवर्तयत्तद्वृत्रस्य वृत्रत्वं यदब्रवीत्स्वाहेन्द्रशत्रुर्वर्धस्वेति तस्मादस्येन्द्रः शत्रुरभवत् | (Tait. Samh. 2.5.2)<ref name=":1">Taittriya [http://parankusa.org/KrYajurBrowse.aspx Samhita] </ref></blockquote><blockquote>tattvaṣṭāhavanīyamupa prāvartayatsvāhendraśatrurvardhasveti yadavartayattadvṛtrasya vṛtratvaṃ yadabravītsvāhendraśatrurvardhasveti tasmādasyendraḥ śatrurabhavat | (Tait. Samh. 2.5.2)<ref name=":1">Taittriya [http://parankusa.org/KrYajurBrowse.aspx Samhita] </ref></blockquote><blockquote>त्वष्टा॥ Tvasta angered by Indra's killing of his son विश्वरूपः || Vishwaroopa, initiates an अभिचारिक-यागः || abhicharika yaga (a [[yaga]] performed to cause harm to an intended person) to procure a son to kill Indra. The ऋत्विज् || rtvijas were to utter the mantra "इन्द्रशत्रुर्वर्धस्व" with अन्त-उदात्तः ॥ Anta-Udatta or Udatta svara in the end of the mantra (to mean, Prosper Oh ! Enemy of Indra). Instead, they used the आद्य-उदात्तः ॥ Adya Udatta svara in the beginning of the mantra (meaning, Oh! Indra, one who has enemies, Prosper).So, instead of asking for the rise and prosperity of a son to take revenge on Indra, the Rtvijas asked for the prosperity and glory of Indra who destroyed असुराः || Asuras. Thus, वृत्रासुरः '''||''' Vrttrasura, the son of Tvasta was born, an enemy of Indra, but eventually Indra was rewarded with glory in killing Vrttrasura.</blockquote>Shiksha literature is very widely available based on the different शाखा || shakhas (divisions) of different vedas. They are पाणिनीयशिक्षा || Panineeya Shiksha, व्यासशिक्षा || Vyasashiksha, भारद्वाजशिक्षा || Bharadvaja shiksha, याज्ञवलक्यशिक्षा || Yajnavalkya Shiksha, पराशरशिक्षा || Parashara shiksha, वासिष्टीशिक्षा || Vasishtee shiksha, कात्यायनीशिक्षा || Katyayanee shiksha, माध्यन्दिनीशिक्षा || Madhyandinee shiksha, केशवीशिक्षा || Keshavee shiksha, अमोघानन्दिनीशिक्षा || Amoghanandinee shiksha, माण्डव्यशिक्षा || Mandavya shiksha, मल्लशर्मशिक्षा || Mallasharma shiksha, स्वराकुशशिक्षा || Svarakusha shiksha, षोडशशिक्षा || Shodasha shiksha, नारदीयशिक्षा || Naradeeya shiksha, माण्डुकीयशिक्षा || Mandukeeya shiksha, स्वरभक्तिलक्षणशिक्षा || Svarabhaktilakshana, अवसाननिर्णयशिक्षा || Avasananirnaya shiksha, वर्णरत्नप्रदीपिकाशिक्षा || Varnaratna pradeepika shiksha among many others. |
| === कल्पः ॥ Kalpa === | | === कल्पः ॥ Kalpa === |
| * एष वै प्रथमः कल्पः प्रदाने हव्यकव्ययोः । eṣa vai prathamaḥ kalpaḥ pradāne havyakavyayoḥ । [[Manu Smriti|Manusmriti]] (3.147)<ref>Manusmriti [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 (3.147)]</ref> defines Kalpa as विधिः । Vidhi to follow in the offering of हव्यकव्याः ॥ havyakavyas (yajna vidhis). | | * एष वै प्रथमः कल्पः प्रदाने हव्यकव्ययोः । eṣa vai prathamaḥ kalpaḥ pradāne havyakavyayoḥ । [[Manu Smriti|Manusmriti]] (3.147)<ref>Manusmriti [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 (3.147)]</ref> defines Kalpa as विधिः । Vidhi to follow in the offering of हव्यकव्याः ॥ havyakavyas (yajna vidhis). |
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| ==== '''श्रौतसूत्राणि ||''' '''Shrauta Sutras''' ==== | | ==== '''श्रौतसूत्राणि ||''' '''Shrauta Sutras''' ==== |
− | The श्रौतसूत्राणि || Shrauta Sutras vividly describe the procedures for दर्शपौर्णमासयज्ञः || Darshapournamasa yajna and other yajnas such as अग्निहोत्रः || Agnihotra, पशुयज्ञः || Pashu yajna, and सोमयज्ञः || Soma yajna among others as set forth in Shruti literature. Thus, it can be said that in Shrauta Sutras the explanations given in different वैदिकब्राह्मणानि || Vaidika Brahamanas regarding श्रौताग्नियज्ञाः || Shrautagni yajnas are dealt with in an orderly manner. | + | The श्रौतसूत्राणि || Shrauta Sutras vividly describe the procedures for दर्शपौर्णमासयज्ञः || Darshapournamasa yajna and other yajnas such as अग्निहोत्रम् || Agnihotra, पशुयज्ञः || Pashu yajna, and सोमयज्ञः || Soma yajna among others as set forth in Shruti literature. Thus, it can be said that in Shrauta Sutras the explanations given in different वैदिकब्राह्मणानि || Vaidika Brahamanas regarding श्रौताग्नियज्ञाः || Shrautagni yajnas are dealt with in an orderly manner. |
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| Of the available Shrauta sutras the important ones are - आश्वलायनः || Ashvalayana, शाङ्खायनः || Shankhayana , मानवः || Manava , बौधायनः || Baudhayana, आपस्तम्बः || Aapastamba, हिरण्यकेषी || Hiranyakeshi, जैमिनीयः || Jaimineeya, कात्यायनः || Katyayana, वैतानः || Vaitana, लाट्यायनः || Latyayana, द्राह्यायनः || Drahyayana Shrauta sutras. | | Of the available Shrauta sutras the important ones are - आश्वलायनः || Ashvalayana, शाङ्खायनः || Shankhayana , मानवः || Manava , बौधायनः || Baudhayana, आपस्तम्बः || Aapastamba, हिरण्यकेषी || Hiranyakeshi, जैमिनीयः || Jaimineeya, कात्यायनः || Katyayana, वैतानः || Vaitana, लाट्यायनः || Latyayana, द्राह्यायनः || Drahyayana Shrauta sutras. |
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| ==== '''धर्मसूत्राणि ||''' '''Dharma Sutras''' ==== | | ==== '''धर्मसूत्राणि ||''' '''Dharma Sutras''' ==== |
− | धर्मसूत्राणि || Dharma Sutras expound the rules of Dharma and the actions (activities) to be performed by a person in general as well as the king or the ruler. A complete set of rules to be followed by the different people of different occupations and for those in the four आश्रमाः || ashramas (ब्रह्मचार्यः || brahmacharya, गृहस्थः || grhastha, वानप्रस्थः || vanaprastha and सन्यासः || sanyasa) are described in these sutras. Thus it can be said that the topics related to the spiritual world, this material world, society and social activities, and all righteous activities are described in a holistic manner. Available important Dharma sutras include वासिष्ठः || Vasishta, गौतमः || Gautama, बौधायनः || Baudhayana, आपस्तम्बः || Apastamba, मानवः || Manava Dharma sutras. | + | धर्मसूत्राणि || Dharma Sutras expound the rules of Dharma and the actions (activities) to be performed by a person in general as well as the king or the ruler. A complete set of rules to be followed by the different people of different occupations and for those in the four आश्रमाः || ashramas (ब्रह्मचार्यः || brahmacharya, गृहस्थः || grhastha, वानप्रस्थः || vanaprastha and सन्यासः || sanyasa) are described in these sutras. Thus, it can be said that the topics related to the spiritual world, this material world, society and social activities, and all righteous activities are described in a holistic manner. Available important Dharma sutras include वासिष्ठः || Vasishta, गौतमः || Gautama, बौधायनः || Baudhayana, आपस्तम्बः || Apastamba, मानवः || Manava Dharma sutras. |
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| ==== '''गृह्यसूत्राणि ||''' '''Grhya Sutras''' ==== | | ==== '''गृह्यसूत्राणि ||''' '''Grhya Sutras''' ==== |
− | गृह्यसूत्राणि || Grhya Sutras extensively discuss the यज्ञाः || yajnas to be performed by the ब्राह्मणाः || brahmana, क्षत्रियाः || kshatriya and वैश्याः || vaishya people. Most importantly, the षोडशसंस्काराः || Shodasa samskaras (from गर्भाधानम् || Garbhadhana to अन्त्येष्टिः || Antyeshti) that are performed for a person from birth till death are expounded vividly in these sutras. Thus, how a ग्र्हस्थः || grhasta should lead his life and the procedure in which he has to conduct different dharmic activities are completely described here. The seven kinds of गृह्ययज्ञाः || Grhya yajnas to be performed are: | + | गृह्यसूत्राणि || Grhya Sutras extensively discuss the यज्ञाः || yajnas to be performed by the ब्राह्मणः || brahmana, क्षत्रियः || kshatriya and वैश्यः || vaishya people. Most importantly, the षोडशसंस्काराः || Shodasa samskaras (from गर्भाधानम् || Garbhadhana to अन्त्येष्टिः || Antyeshti) that are performed for a person from birth till death are expounded vividly in these sutras. Thus, how a ग्र्हस्थः || grhasta should lead his life and the procedure in which he has to conduct different dharmic activities are completely described here. The seven kinds of गृह्ययज्ञाः || Grhya yajnas to be performed are: |
| # पितृयज्ञः || Pitru Yajna | | # पितृयज्ञः || Pitru Yajna |
| # पार्वणयज्ञः || Parvana Yajna | | # पार्वणयज्ञः || Parvana Yajna |