Kalpa (Vedanga)
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Kalpa is one of the six disciplines of Vedanga, treating ritual.
Tradition does not single out any special work as the Vedanga in this branch of Vedic science; but the sacrificial practice gave rise to a large number of systematic sutras for the several classes of priests. The most important of these works have come down to us, and they occupy by far the most prominent place among the literary productions of the sutra-period. The Kalpa-sutras, or rules of ceremonial, are of two kinds: (1) the Shrautasutras, which are based on the shruti, and teach the performance of the great sacrifices, requiring three sacrificial fires; and (2) the Smrtasutras, or rules based on the smrti or tradition. The latter class again includes two kinds of treatises: (1) the Grhyasutras, or domestic rules, treating of ordinary family rites, such as marriage, birth, namegiving, etc., connected with simple offerings in the domestic fire; and (2) the Dharmasutras, which treat of customs and temporal duties, and are supposed to have formed the chief sources of the later law-books. Besides, the Shrauta-sutras of the Yajurveda have usually attached to them a set of so-called Shulva-sutras, i.e. rules of the cord, which treat of the measurement by means of cords, and the construction, of different kinds of altars required for sacrifices. These treatises are of special interest as supplying important information regarding the earliest geometrical operations in India. Along with the Sutras may be classed a large number of supplementary treatises, usually called Parishishta (παραλιπομενα), on various subjects connected with the sacred texts and Vedic religion generally.
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[edit] Shrauta Sutras
The Shrautasutras (śrautasūtra) form a part of the corpus of Sanskrit Sutra literature. Their topic is the interpretation of the shruti corpus and instructions relating to 'kalpa, the correct performance of ritual sacrifice. The bulk of the Shrautasutras are roughly contemporary to the Grhya corpus of domestic sutras, their language being late Vedic Sanskrit, dating maybe to roughly the 6th century BC (the century predating Panini).
[edit] Grhya Sutras
The Grhya Sutras "domestic sutras" are a category of Sanskrit texts in the tradition of the Brahmanas, commenting on Vedic ritual. Their language is late Vedic Sanskrit, and they date to around roughly 500 BC, contemporary with the Shrautasutras. They are named after Vedic shakhas.
- Âsvalâyana-Grhyasûtra
- Hiraṇyakeśi-Grhya-Sūtra (Satyâsâdha-Grhyasûtra) [1]
- Śāṅkhāyana-Gr̥hyasūtra [2]
- Kausîtaki-Grhyasûtra
- Gobhila-Grhya-Sûtra
- Jaimini-Grhyasûtra
- Khâdira-Grhyasûtra (Drâhyâyana-Grhyasûtra)
- Kauthuma-Grhyasûtra
- Âgnivesya-Grhyasûtra
- Âpastamba-Grhyasûtra
- Baudhâyana-Grhyasûtra
- Bhâradvâja-Grhyasûtra
- Kâthaka-Grhyasûtra (Laugâksi-Grhyasûtra)
- Mânava-Grhyasûtra
- Vaikhânasa-Grhyasûtra
- Vârâha-Grhyasûtra
- Vâdhûla-Grhyasûtra
- Pâraskara-Grhyasûtra
- Kausika Grhyasûtra
- Kâtyâyana Grhyasûtra (different from Pâraskara-Grhyasûtra)
- Kapisthala-Katha Grhyasûtra (unpublished)
[edit] Dharma Sutras
The Dharmasutras are Sanskrit texts dealing with law and rituals. They include the four surviving written works of the ancient Indian tradition on the subject of dharma, or the rules of behavior recognized by a community. Unlike the later Dharmashastra, the dharmasutras are composed in prose. The oldest Dharmasutra is generally believed to have been that of Apastamba, followed by the dharmasutras of Gautama, Baudhayana, and Vasishtha. It is difficult to determine exact dates for these texts, but the dates between 500-300 BCE have been suggested for the oldest Dharmasutras. Later Dharmasutras include those of Kasyapa, Brhaspati, and Ushanas.
[edit] Shulba Sutras
The Shulba Sutras dealing with altar geometry are notably part of the Shrauta Sutras.
[edit] Reference
- Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dhallapiccola
This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.
[edit] See also
- Kalpasutra (Jain) - the Jain Scriptures
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