Baudayana Sutra

[Guest guest]

Dear Bhagavatas:

Sri S. Ramachandran Swamy had sought a clarification on "Sutras".

As I believe that the topic may be of interest to others also,his query and

my answer are forwarded for information. If anyone has any more comments /

clarifications to offer, he/she may kindly do so in private mail directly

with Sri Ramachandran (s.ramachandran) and endorse a copy to my

personal id (Ramanbil). Thanks.

Dasoham

Anbil Ramaswamy

==============================================================

 

>s.ramachandran

>"Ram Anbil" <Ramanbil

>Baudayana Sutra

>Wed, 15 Oct 2003 13:46:10 +0530

>

>

>

>

>

>Respected Sir:

>

>With extreme respect and with a uncomfortable sense of having to

>inconvenience you in the midst of your monumental responsibilities, the

>writer seeks some clarificaitons and requests you to please provide details

>of the captioned topic. During Abhivadyam, many times this writer has

>heard that the person uttering the Abhivadyam saying

>"...abhivadyam....gotra....apasthamba sutra or asvalyanya sutra or

>Baudayana sutra....sarma...yajur /rik or Sama shakyadye.."

>

>What does the sutra refer to? and how many sutras are there?

>

>This is a personal query, since the writer has been told by his father that

>the family belongs to Baudayana Sutra and his father himself or other

>elders themselves are unable to explain in detail as to what these sutra

>concept means/implies.

>

>Trust you will forgive one taking up your valuable time and energy.

>

>Om tat Sat

>Tat tvam asi

>

===============================================

My reply:

 

Dear Swamin:

"Sutra" means "A thread or string". A rule or aphorism. A verse expressed in

brief and technical language - a very favourite form among our ancient gurus

of embodying and transmitting codes of conduct that hold together

everything, rule, direction etc.

 

There are "Sutras" upon almost every subject, but the "Sutras" generally

signify those that are connected with the Vedas like: kalpa Sutras, relating

to rituals; Grihya Sutras, to domestic ceremonies, conventional customs and

rites; Saamayachaarika Sutra, to conventional usages. The Kalpa Sutras,

having especial reference to Vedas or Sruti are called "Srauta Sutras". The

others are classed as "Smaarta Sutras", being derived from Smritis. The

Sutras are generally considered anterior to Manu and probably as old as 6th

Century BC Several have been published in the "Bibliotheca Indica". There

are numerous such Sutras but the most popular ones are the following:

 

APASTHAMBA:

An ancient writer on ritual law, author of Sutras connected with the Black

Yajurveda and of a Dharma saastra. He is often quoted in law books. Two

recensions of Taittriya Samhita are ascribed to him or his school. The

Sutras have been translated by Buhller and are being reprinted in the

"Sacred Books of the East" by Max Muller.

 

ASWALAYANA:

A celebrated writer of antiquity. He was a pupil of Saunaka, and was the

author of "Srauta Sutras", Grihya Sutra and other works upon ritual, as well

as the founder of a Saakhaa of the Rig. Veda. The Sutras have been published

by Dr. Stenzler and also in the "Bibliotheca Indica"

 

BAUDHAAYANA:

Another celebrated writer on Dharma Saastra or law. He was also the author

of a Sutra that goes by his name. Some of Baudhaayana works are: Baudhaayana

Vritti, Baudhaayana Charaka SautraamaNi, Baudhaayanatati, Baudhaayana

prayOga, Baudhaayana vidhi, Baudhaayana Siksha, Baudhaayana Srauta prayOga

Saara, Baudhaayana Samgraha, Baudhaayana Smriti, Baudhaayana neeparisishTa.

 

It is said that Bhagavad Ramanuja went all the way to Kashmir Sarada PeeTam

to acquire the "Baudhaayana Vritti", which formed the basis of his magnum

opus "Sri Bashyam". But for this, we would, perhaps, not have had this

monumental work of Bhagavad Ramanuja revealing that the purport of Vedas and

Vedantas is the attainment of mOksham through Dhyaana, Upaasana and Bhakti.

This goes to show the glory of Baudhaayana.

 

Though there are not much variations in the basic rules laid down in the

various Sutras, Achaaryas would advise everyone to follow the Sutras adopted

by their respective forebears. That is how, you call yourself as belonging

to Baudhaayana and I am supposed to belong to Aapasthambha.

 

PANINI:

HIs aphorisms in 8 books relate mostly to grammar or VyaakaraNa forming the

groundwork for a vast grammatical literature.

 

Hope this helps

Dasoham

Anbil Ramaswamy

===================================================

 

_______________

Want to check if your PC is virus-infected? Get a FREE computer virus scan

online from McAfee.

http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963