A History of Ancient Sanskrit Literature, so far as it illustrates the Primitive Religion of the Brahmans c8.89

c8.89

An objection against this division and terminology, not unknown to the Brahmans themselves, is that it is difficult to say whether certain Smârta-sûtras may not be based upon some lost Sâkhâ of the Veda. The Śrauta portions of the Kalpa-sûtras, there can be no doubt, are founded on Śruti, if by this name we understand not only the hymns, but also the Brâhmaṇas of the Veda. But there are only few allusions, even in the Brâhmaṇas, to the ceremonies described in the Gṛihya-sûtras; and the few passages which are quoted from the Śruti in their support, are chiefly taken from the Âraṇyakas and Upanishads, the latest branches of Vedic literature. As to the Âchâras, or the established rules of conduct with regard to particular temporal duties, even Indian writers admit that there are only very vague allusions to them in the Śruti, and they try to prove that these laws are based on parts of the Veda which no longer exist. This is a view which is taken for instance by Haradatta in his Commentary on Âpastamba’s Sâmayâchârika-sûtras, and it deserves to be examined more closely. On the first Sûtra¹, “Therefore let us now explain the Sâmayâchârika duties,” he makes the following observations.