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Apastamba
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The Dharmasutra of Apastamba forms a part of the larger Kalpasutra of Apastamba. It contains thirty prasnas, which literally means ‘questions’ or books. The subjects of this Dharmasutra are well organized and preserved in good condition. These prasanas comprise of the Srautasutra followed by Mantrapa?ha which is used in domestic rites and is a collection of ritual formulas, the G?hyasutra which deals with domestic rituals and lastly the Sulvasutra which are principles of geometry needed for vedic rituals.
tamba is from a family of Brahmins of the Taittiriya branch Vedic school dedicated to the study of the Black Yajurveda.
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Encyclopedia
The Dharmasutra of Apastamba forms a part of the larger Kalpasutra of Apastamba. It contains thirty prasnas, which literally means ‘questions’ or books. The subjects of this Dharmasutra are well organized and preserved in good condition. These prasanas comprise of the Srautasutra followed by Mantrapa?ha which is used in domestic rites and is a collection of ritual formulas, the G?hyasutra which deals with domestic rituals and lastly the Sulvasutra which are principles of geometry needed for vedic rituals.
Authorship and Dates
Apastamba is from a family of Brahmins of the Taittiriya branch Vedic school dedicated to the study of the Black Yajurveda. It is believed that the entire Kalpasutra was written by Apastamba, but, Kane states that there is difference of opinion among scholars regarding this issue. Kane assigns this Dharmasutra an approximate date between 450-350 BC
Commentaries
Several ancient commentaries were written on this Dharmasutra. Among the most famous and the only one that survives is that of Haradatta. He commented on the prasnas of Apastamba’s G?hyasutra and Mantrapa?ha and Gautama’s Dharmasutra. Haradatta belonged to South India, and Kane dates him to 1100-1300 CE.
Organization and contents
This Dharmasutra is well organized and is divided into two books. The first is devoted to the student and deals in related topics like general rules, initiation, studentship, a student who has returned home, the study of the Veda, saluting, purification, eating, and forbidden food, lawful livelihood, and penance. The second book is devoted to the householder tradition. It deals in topics like the duties of a householder, inheritance, funeral oblations, the four orders called asramas, and the king.
External links
- (Hindu scriptures website)
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