A History of Ancient Sanskrit Literature, so far as it illustrates the Primitive Religion of the Brahmans c8.85

c8.85

It might therefore be best to distinguish between Smṛiti or tradition in general, and the Smṛitis or law-books in particular. We might then speak of śrauta- and smârta-sûtras, comprehending by the former name all Sûtras, the source of which can be traced in the Śruti; by the latter those of which no such source exists, or at least, is known to exist.¹ The title of Smṛitis in the plural (or Smṛiti-prabandhâs) might be left, for convenience sake, to such works as Sâyaṇa is speaking of, which are composed not in Sûtras but in Ślokas. It ought to be remembered, however, that the same subjects which are treated in the metrical Smṛitis of Manu and others, had similarly been treated in Sûtras (śrauta, gṛihya, and sâmayâchârika), and that the principal difference between the two lies, not in their matter, but in their age, and their style.