A History of Ancient Sanskrit Literature, so far as it illustrates the Primitive Religion of the Brahmans c8.66

c8.66

It may also have been observed in this extract, that it is not quite in accordance with the language of Sâyaṇa to speak of Sûtra works as Smṛitis in the plural. He applies this term to metrical codes only, like Manu, Yâjnavalkya, and Parâśara, but not to Sûtras or Vedângas.¹ This, however, does not affect our present question, because even Sâyaṇa, though he does not call the Sûtras by the name of Smṛitis, places them notwithstanding in the same category with the codes of law, and separates them from the Śruti, upon which they are founded, but with which they are not to be confounded. The Kalpa-sûtras are called by him śrauta, *i. e.* based on revelation, but not Śruti (revelation), because although they treat of the same subjects as the Śruti, they are themselves extracts only from the sacred writings. They are arranged by authors whose names are given, while, according to Indian notions, Mantras and Brâhmaṇas were only seen by the Ṛishis, but neither composed nor arranged by them.¹