Grhya Rituals of Samavedins

Vedic lore is the earliest literary expression of human mind. It has emerged through man’s earnest desire to achieve prosperity and complete happiness not only in this life but also to obtain heaven even after death. This peculiar aspect has proved Vedic lore as ever attractive through ages to the scholars all over the world. In the Samavedic literature the age-honoured authority Gautama is mentioned several times. ‘Gautama is known traditionally as one of the nine sub-divisioins of the Ranayaniya Samaveda. The present work endeavours to put forth the satisfactory answer to the often conjectured query bout the existence of Gautama’s school or sakha. As primary evidence, the author has systematically surveyed the available published literature ascribed to Gautama. Then as the main bulk she has provided the critical editions of the sofar unpublished but important treatises viz. ‘Gautama Ahnika Sutra’, ‘Gautama Grhya parisista’ (along with the Index of Samans employed in it) and ‘Gautami paddhati’. These works deal with the daily routine and with several supplementary Grhya rites, sacraments. Though. Ascribed to Gautama, these works are practically useful for all the Samavedins in general; who even today do perform the rites like Apamrtyusanti, Ayusyhoma etc. as prescribed by Gautama. It is the unique feature of the present work that it brings into light the comparatively neglected topic and evidently proves the so-called existence of the Samavedic school of Gautama or Gautamas.