Development of Domestic Rites (Satyasadha School)

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Foreword

The domestic (grhya) rituals form the basis of Vedic religious and cultural life. Even the solemn Srauta ritual also requires the performance of domestic ritual. The reason is as follows: A man belonging to three upper classes (Brahmana, Ksatriya and Vaisa) has first to be initiated (i.e. undergo an Upanayana ceremony) and study Veda. After the study over, he returns from the house of the teacher. Then he gets married. The fire used at the time of marriage is to be preserved and maintained by the married man, throughout his life. This married man has to perform numerous domestic rituals with the help of that domestic fire. Afterwards if he like, he may establish three solemn fires (viz. Garhapatya, Ahavaniya and Daksina) and thus become an Ahitagni. Then he becomes qualified to perform the Srauta rituals. Even then he cannot leave aside the domestic rituals. Thus the domestic rituals are an essential part of a Vedic householder. Initiation (Upanayana) and marriage (Vivaha) are the two most important domestic rituals.

The domestic rituals are described in the texts called Grhyasupas. There are numerous branches of the Veda which is often metaphorically described as a tree. Satyasadha or Hiranyakesin is a sub-branch of the Black Yajurveda. The Srautasutra of this branch is ascribed to Satyasadha and the Grhyasutra is ascribed to Hiranyakesin. The Black Yajurveda is prevalent in the Southern India while White Yajurveda is prevalent mainly in the Northern India. Among the various sub-branches of the Black Yajurveda, Satyasadha or Hiranyakesin sub-branch is limited mainly to the Maharashtra. At present this sub-branch is comparatively less studied (than Apastamba which is more popular in Andhra). So this school is rather neglected one.

Dr. Ranjana Date has undertaken a study of Hiranyakesin Grhyasutra in this work. White doing it she has also used commentary-literature on the text. She has taken into consideration Prayogavaijayanti, Hiranyakesi-Brahmakarma, Samskararatnamala and Hiranyakesi-smarta-prayoga while studying the domestic rituals of Hiranyakesin sub-branch of the Black Yajurveda. This study is, therefore, very important and deserves to be appreciated by the reader.

About the Book

The domestic (Grhya) rituals form the basis of Vedic religious and cultural life and it is essential for a Vedic householder to perform them.

The rites prescribed in Grhya-Sutras underwent changes and development which are recorded in various commentaries, prayogas and Nibandhas composed in various commentaries, prayogas and Nibandhas composed in the period ending with the 18th Century A. D. A comprehensive, comparative and analytical study of a single Vedic school in its historical perspective is useful for the history of religion.

The study of Grhya Sutra of Satyasadha Hiranyakesin is taken up with the help of entire available exegetical literature on it. It will throw light on the developing Grhya tradition.

About the Author

The author is Jagannatha Shankarsheta Scholarship holder. Also won prizes and scholarships in Sanskrit at all exams of University of Pune, stood Ist class First at B. A. (1971), University of Pune. Had the experience of post-doctoral work at Nagoya, Japan. Attend many seminars and all India Oriental Conferences and presented papers. Written and participated in many lessons and talks on All India Radio. Written for Encyclopedia of Hinduism. Written eight guides and grammar book (jointly) for students of 8th – 12th std. At present Asstt. Editor of World-focus Sanskrit Dictionary Project of Deccan College, Pune -6.