Gruhya Sutrani

This document is a scholarly edition of the Grihya Sutra of Asvalayana, a significant text in Vedic ritualistic literature. The text is presented in Sanskrit with a commentary by Gargya Narayana, edited by Ramanarayana Vidyaratna and Anandachandra Vedantavagisa, and published in Calcutta in 1869 by the Baptist Mission Press. It is part of the Bibliotheca Indica, a collection of Oriental works.

Here's a breakdown of the key aspects and content, based on the provided pages:

1. Title and Authorship:

• Book Title: Grihya Sutrani (गृह्यसूत्राणि) - This indicates it deals with Grihya rituals, which are domestic and household ceremonies.
• Author(s): Asvalayana (आश्वलायनप्रणीतानि) is the original author of the sutras. The commentary is by Gargya Narayana (गार्यनारायणीयवृत्तिसहितानि). The editors are Ramanarayana Vidyaratna (रामनारायण-विद्यारत्नेन) and Anandachandra Vedantavagisa (श्री आनन्दचन्द्र-वेदान्तवागीश).
• Publisher: Calcutta Rajdhani (Calcutta) by C. B. Lewis, Baptist Mission Press, 1869.
• Catalog Link: jainqq.org/explore/020357/1 (This suggests the text might be available in Jain libraries or archives, or it's being cataloged within a Jain educational context, though the content itself is Vedic, not specifically Jain).

2. Editorial Notes and Preface:

• Page 6 (विज्ञापनम्): This page contains a preface by Anandachandra Vedantavagisa. He explains that Ramanarayana Vidyaratna passed away after completing the work up to the ninth Khandika of the third chapter. Vedantavagisa completed the remaining portion. He also mentions that not all the eight manuscripts he consulted were available to him during the finalization, and he consulted with Rajendralal Mitra for any doubts. He apologizes for any errors.
• Page 7 (संकेतनाम्नां स्फुटोकरणम्): This page clarifies the abbreviations used for different manuscript sources (e.g., टीकापु - commentary manuscript, मू.पु - original text manuscript, सं.पु. - collected text manuscript, सो.पु. - Asiatic Society manuscript, etc.).

3. Structure and Content Outline: The book is structured into four main Adhyayas (chapters), each divided into several Khandikas (sections). The Khandikas contain aphorisms (sutras) describing various rituals. The table of contents provided (starting from Page 8) gives a glimpse into the extensive coverage:

• Prathama Adhyaya (First Chapter): Deals with rituals from "Sthalipaka" (offering of cooked rice) up to "Pakanta" (end of cooking rituals). Subsequent Khandikas cover:

  • Khandika 1-24: Daily rituals, rites of passage (like naming, tonsure, upanayana, marriage), and specific ceremonies.
  • Specific topics mentioned include: description of cooking rituals, types of rituals, oblations, ceremonies for different life stages (like conception, birth, naming, tonsure, sacred thread ceremony, marriage), house-entry, and observances after marriage.

• Dwitiya Adhyaya (Second Chapter): Covers rituals from "Shravana Karma" (a ritual likely related to the star Shravana) to "Abhyudayika Karma" (auspicious rituals). Subsequent Khandikas detail:

  • Rituals related to observances, sacrifices (like Graha Yajna), offerings, and auspicious ceremonies performed for prosperity.
  • Specific topics include: rituals for specific lunar days or festivals (like Ashvayuji), sacrifices involving cattle, rituals for ancestors (Shraddha), house construction and consecration.

• Tritiya Adhyaya (Third Chapter): Covers rituals from "Panchayajna" (five great sacrifices) to "Sannahana" (preparation or binding). Subsequent Khandikas deal with:

  • Daily sacrifices, study of Vedas (Swadhyaya), rituals related to the teacher-student relationship (Upanayana, Samavartana), and rituals for dealing with omens or fears.
  • Specific topics include: the five daily sacrifices (Brahma Yajna, Deva Yajna, Pitru Yajna, Vaishva Deva, Manushya Yajna), Vedic study rules, observances for students (Brahmacharya), rituals upon returning home (Samavartana), and dealing with misfortunes.

• Chaturtha Adhyaya (Fourth Chapter): Deals with rituals for "Ahita-Agni" (those who maintain the sacred fire) and related matters like "Pidaprasamana" (alleviating suffering) and "Japa" (chanting). Subsequent Khandikas cover:

  • Rituals for the deceased, funeral rites, ancestral rites (Shraddha), and purification ceremonies.
  • Specific topics include: rituals for the sick, cremation rites, ceremonies for the departed, various forms of Shraddha, ceremonies for obtaining good fortune, and purification rituals.

4. Key Ritualistic Concepts Mentioned: The text meticulously details numerous rituals, including:

• Sthalipaka: Offering of cooked rice.
• Deva Yajna: Sacrifice to deities.
• Bali Harana: Offering of oblations to spirits or directions.
• Pitru Yajna: Rituals for ancestors.
• Brahma Yajna: Study of Vedas and scriptures.
• Manushya Yajna: Acts of kindness to fellow humans.
• Samskaras: Rites of passage (Garbhadhana, Pumsavana, Simantonnayana, Jatakarma, Namakarana, Annaprasana, Chaula, Upanayana, Vivaha, Samavartana).
• Agni Karyas: Rituals involving the sacred fire.
• Shraddha: Ancestral offerings.
• Vastu Puja: Rituals related to the consecration of buildings.
• Funeral Rites: Elaborate procedures for the deceased.
• Purification Rituals: Various methods for cleansing.

5. Overall Significance: This edition of the Asvalayana Grihya Sutra, with its commentary, serves as a foundational text for understanding the domestic rituals and religious practices prescribed in the Vedic tradition. The detailed commentary by Gargya Narayana and the meticulous editing by Vidyaratna and Vedantavagisa make it a valuable resource for scholars and practitioners interested in the intricacies of Vedic ceremonies.

While the catalog link suggests a Jain context, the primary content is distinctly Vedic. It's possible that Jain scholars studied and preserved these Vedic texts as part of their broader understanding of Indian religious history and philosophy, or that the text was part of a larger collection that also included Jain scriptures.