A History of Sanskrit Literature c12.20

c12.20

The Gṛihya Sūtras give the rules for the numerous ceremonies applicable to the domestic life of a man and his family from birth to the grave. For the performance of their ritual only the domestic (*āvasathya* or *vaivāhika*) fire was required, as contrasted with the three sacrificial fires of the Çrauta Sūtras. They describe forty consecrations or sacraments (*saṃskāras*) which are performed at various important epochs in the life of the individual. The first eighteen, extending from conception to marriage, are called "bodily sacraments." The remaining twenty-two are sacrifices. Eight of these, the five daily sacrifices (*mahāyajna*) and some other "baked offerings" (*pākayajna*), form part of the Gṛihya ceremonies, the rest belonging to the Çrauta ritual.