History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c93.353

v7.c93.353

That many Vedic texts were lost or are unavailable now was the view even before the days of the Āp. Dh. S (I. 4. 12. 10), which states 'rites were promulgated in the Brāhmaṇa texts, but the exact words (of the Brāhmaṇa texts) are lost and have to be inferred from the performance of the rites (or from procedure prescribed in Smṛtis)'.²⁰⁴⁸ There was danger in relying on the theory that Smṛtis were based on Vedic texts that are lost (or disappeared), because that very argument might be urged by heterodox sects like the Bauddhas.²⁰⁴⁹ Therefore, Kumārila put forward the other theory viz. the basis of smṛtis are texts that are not found in the existing vedic texts because the Vedic śākhās are scattered about (as said in the verse quoted above)