Essay name: Vishnu Smriti (Study)
Author:
Minu Bhattacharjee
Affiliation: Gauhati University / Department of Sanskrit
This is an English study of the Vishnu-Smriti: an ancient Sanskrit Sutra dealing with the rules of various traditions and customs such as Dharmashastra, Caste, Monarchy, Law, Penances and Asceticism. The Vishnu-smriti in one hundred chapters is presented in the form of a dialogue between Vishnu and Prithvi (the goddess Earth).
Chapter 1 - Introduction
22 (of 24)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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The commentaries on the Grhyasutra, the Dharma
s奴tra and the smrtis give further and later informations ).
about the duties and customs of the people in general and
of the individual inparticular, The commentaries are more
important than the texts as the Hindus of different regions
follow different commentaries in deciding social and reli-
gious matters. Modern scholars reject even the authorities
of Vedic passages if they are not quoted by commentators.
The nibandhas or the mediaeval treatises in the
form of digests gave a new orientation to the Hindu ritua-
listic litanies. The Grhyas奴tras and the Dharmasutras have
close relationship with different Vedic schools and the
smrtis were connected with them to some extent.
nibandhas or digests do not owe allegience to any definite
Vedic school.
But the
It is seen that there is a close relation between
A particular time is
the works on Dharma and astronomy.
prescribed in the Grhyas奴tras and the Dharmasastras for
the performance of a particular ritual. Tithis, naksatras
and Muhurtas of different ceremonies are referred to in the
works on Dharma. The Paraskara Grhyasutra states that one
should marry a girl on an auspicious day of the bright
