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Grhyasutras (Samskrit: गृह्यसूत्राणि) belonging to Kalpa of the Vedangas, as their title suggests, deal with grhya-karmani (गृह्यकर्माणि), i.e., the domestic activities. Written in the sutra style, these treatises systematically describe the grhyakarmas as practiced in their respective schools. The number and order of these activities vary from one Grhyasutra to another. Since most of the ceremonies prescribed in the Grhyasutras are to be performed with the help of the Grhyaagni, i.e., grhya fire, the domestic fire, the description of the setting up of this fire finds an important place in the Grhyasutras.<ref name=":0">Gopal, Ram. (1959) ''India of Vedic Kalpasutras.'' Delhi : National Publishing House</ref>

Grhyasutras (Samskrit: गृह्यसूत्राणि) belonging to Kalpa of the Vedangas, as their title suggests, deal with grhya-karmani (गृह्यकर्माणि), i.e., the domestic activities. Written in the sutra style, these treatises systematically describe the grhyakarmas as practiced in their respective schools. The number and order of these activities vary from one Grhyasutra to another. Since most of the ceremonies prescribed in the Grhyasutras are to be performed with the help of the Grhyaagni, i.e., grhya fire, the domestic fire, the description of the setting up of this fire finds an important place in the Grhyasutras.<ref name=":0">Gopal, Ram. (1959) ''India of Vedic Kalpasutras.'' Delhi : National Publishing House</ref>

== Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

Grhyasutras belong to the class of Kalpasutra texts. Kalpas are important texts of [[Shad Vedangas (षड्वेदाङ्गानि)|six vedangas]], the ancilliary subjects which are required to understand Vedas and hence are one among the Chaturdasha Vidyas. They pertain to domestic rituals as known from the word Grhya. Thus the subject matter of grhyasutras involves the domestic life of a person. They are the oldest manuals on the samskaras and in the whole set of [[Kalpa Vedanga (कल्पवेदाङ्गम्)|Kalpa Vedanga]] texts, the Dharmasutras as a rule follow the Grhyasutras.  

Grhyasutras belong to the class of Kalpasutra texts. Kalpas are important texts of [[Shad Vedangas (षड्वेदाङ्गानि)|six vedangas]], the ancilliary subjects which are required to understand Vedas and hence are one among the Chaturdasha Vidyas. They pertain to domestic rituals as known from the word Grhya and involve the grhyaagni. Thus the subject matter of grhyasutras involves the domestic life of a person and they are the texts most pertinent to  people in [[Grhasthashrama (गृहस्थाश्रमः)|Grhasthashrama]]. They are the oldest manuals on the [[Samskaras (संस्काराः)|samskaras]] and in the whole set of [[Kalpa Vedanga (कल्पवेदाङ्गम्)|Kalpa Vedanga]] texts, the Dharmasutras as a rule follow the Grhyasutras.  

The origin of the Grhyasutras appear to be traceable to an oral tradition prevalent among the people of ancient times which preserved them till date. They employ many mantras from the veda samhita parts while performing the domestic rituals. So one can understand the antiquity of these ceremonies which are traced back to the time of the Vedas.  

The origin of the Grhyasutras appear to be traceable to an oral tradition prevalent among the people of ancient times which preserved them till date. They employ many mantras from the veda samhita parts while performing the domestic rituals. So one can understand the antiquity of these ceremonies which are traced back to the time of the Vedas.  

== Subject-matter of Grhyasutras ==

== Subject-matter of Grhyasutras ==

The importance of traditions and social conditions came to be highlighted in the Grhyasutra texts. Until then the Shrauta sutras paid complete attention to the yajnas that were prevalent with less importance to the existing domestic rites. Grhyasutras brought out the Loka-dharmas (socio-economic traditions) in the village and town environment of that society. Apastamba, and Paraskara have compiled various such prevalent laukika traditions, and such information should be collected from the elderly women in the villages. Ashvalayana ghyasutras mention this point as follows<ref name=":1">Pt. Baldev Upadhyaya (1997) ''Samskrit Vangmay ka Brhad Itihas, Dvitiya Khand - Vedang.'' Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Samskrit Sansthan (Page 42-44)</ref><blockquote>अथ खलूच्चावचा जनपदधर्मा ग्रामधर्माश्च तान्विवाहे प्रतीयात् १ (Asvh. Grhy. Sutr. 1.7.1)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>During marriage, the various dharmas followed in the villages and towns have to be adhered to.

The importance of traditions and social conditions came to be highlighted in the Grhyasutra texts. Until then the Shrauta sutras paid complete attention to the yajnas that were prevalent with less importance to the existing domestic rites. Grhyasutras brought out the Loka-dharmas (socio-economic traditions) in the village and town environment of that society. Apastamba, and Paraskara have compiled various such prevalent laukika traditions, and such information should be collected from the elderly women in the villages. Ashvalayana ghyasutras mention this point as follows<ref name=":1">Pt. Baldev Upadhyaya (1997) ''Samskrit Vangmay ka Brhad Itihas, Dvitiya Khand - Vedang.'' Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Samskrit Sansthan (Page 41-44)</ref><blockquote>अथ खलूच्चावचा जनपदधर्मा ग्रामधर्माश्च तान्विवाहे प्रतीयात् १ (Asvh. Grhy. Sutr. 1.7.1)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>During marriage, the various dharmas followed in the villages and towns have to be adhered to.

Broadly the subject of Grhyasutras can be listed out as follows.

Broadly the subject of Grhyasutras can be listed out as follows.

# Social Organization (Varnas and Ashrama Systems)

# Social Organization (Varnas and Ashrama Systems)

Special attention is given to kamyakarmas done for fulfillment of certain desires, such as desire for prosperity of cattle, achievement of glory, gaining favour of certain people, appease an angry person, and desire to become a king.   

Special attention is given to kamyakarmas done for fulfillment of certain desires, such as desire for prosperity of cattle, achievement of glory, gaining favour of certain people, appease an angry person, and desire to become a king.   

== गृह्यकर्माणि ॥ Grhyakarmas ==

== गृह्यकर्माणि स्मार्तकर्माणि वा॥ Grhyakarmas or Smarta Karmas ==

While the Shrauta sutras are based on the Shrutis, the Grhyasutras are said to rest on the Smrti texts, thus these grhya-karmani are said to be "Smartha" karmas. The authors of the Grhyasutras treat the subject matter of "grhya" very specifically denoted by their typical expressions such as those of   

While the Shrauta sutras are based on the Shrutis, the Grhyasutras are said to rest on the Smrti texts, thus these grhya-karmani are said to be "Smartha" karmas. Now arises the question, whether Smarta karmas guided by Vedas, or are they Avaidik (not based on Veda) in nature. The answer to this is that - while the Shrauta karmas are have a direct association with the Shrutis (Vedas), Smarta karmas have an "indirect" association with the Vedas, nevertheless are rooted in the Vedas. Karkacharya's Bhashya for the Paraskara Grhyasutras clarifies this point under the first sutra.  <blockquote>प्रत्यक्षा हि श्रुतयः श्रौतेषु स्मार्तेषु च पुनः कर्तृसामान्यादनुमेयाः श्रुतयः । स्मार्तानामपि हि वेदमूलत्वमुक्तम्। (Kark. Bhas for Paras. Grhy 1.1.1)<ref name=":1" /></blockquote>Scholars opine that since Smrtis are "remembered" texts. 

The authors of the Grhyasutras treat the subject matter of "grhya" very specifically denoted by their typical expressions such as those of   

* Ashvalayana starts with उक्तानि वैतानिकानि गृह्याणि वक्ष्यामः १<ref name=":2">Ashvalayana Grhyasutras ([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%97%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Full Text])</ref> meaning "the grhyani as distinguished from the vaitanikani (shrauta) are said"  

* Ashvalayana starts with उक्तानि वैतानिकानि गृह्याणि वक्ष्यामः १<ref name=":2">Ashvalayana Grhyasutras ([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%97%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Full Text])</ref> meaning "the grhyani as distinguished from the vaitanikani (shrauta) are said"  

* Tattriya and Sathapatha Brahmanas discuss the [[Panchamahayajnas (पञ्चमहायज्ञाः)|Panchamahayajnas]], and [[Upanayana (उपनयनम्)|Upanayana]], Garbhadhana, Namakarana (of the samskaras) and others such as Soshyantikarman, Ayushyakarman, and Medhajanana.

* Tattriya and Sathapatha Brahmanas discuss the [[Panchamahayajnas (पञ्चमहायज्ञाः)|Panchamahayajnas]], and [[Upanayana (उपनयनम्)|Upanayana]], Garbhadhana, Namakarana (of the samskaras) and others such as Soshyantikarman, Ayushyakarman, and Medhajanana.

=== List of Grhyakarmani ===

=== List of Grhyakarmas ===

Grhyakarmas are described elaborately in a the sutras but with a varied terminology from across sutras. In this section an attempt has been made to put together a list of Grhyakarmas and a brief description of the equivalent terms from various grhyasutras where possible. Some of these activities are described as periodical as well as special yajnas both in grhya and shrauta sutras. The broad categories include Samskaras, Panchamahayajnas, Pakayajnas which constitute a whole set of yajnas, Grhapravesa and other house related rites, agricultural operations including cattle related rites and finally Prayaschittas.  

Grhyakarmas are described elaborately in a the sutras but with a varied terminology from across sutras. In this section an attempt has been made to put together a list of Grhyakarmas and a brief description of the equivalent terms from various grhyasutras where possible. Some of these activities are described as periodical as well as special yajnas both in grhya and shrauta sutras. The broad categories include Samskaras, Panchamahayajnas, Pakayajnas which constitute a whole set of yajnas, Grhapravesa and other house related rites, agricultural operations including cattle related rites and finally Prayaschittas.