Sootra
see also
Darshan
Yog Sootra of Patanjali;
(1) Thread. (2) Mathematical or chemical formula.
(3) Aphorism
According to Padm Puraan, "A Sootra is "a Sootra should have few
alphabets (Alpha = Akshar or letters) of an unambiguous meaning, be full of
essence (Saar-yukt - said only after considering all arguments for and against
it, infallible and without blemish). Or in other words, Aphorism or a book of
instructions in the style of aphorism. A condensed work which carries meaning
of immeasurable strength without mistake or fault. Numerous Hindu religious
and secular books subsidiary to main Ved Sanhitaa were written in Sootra style.
These Sootra can be for any subject. Read below ome Sootra which are on various
subjects --
(1) Kalp Sootra
One set of such books is called Kalp Sootra. Kalp
Sootra can be divided in four types - Shraut Sootra, Shulva Sootra, Grihya
Sootra, and Dharm Sootra. The first two have ceased to be of any significant
value. Grihya Sootra describes procedure for Sanskaar
(sacraments) throughout the life of a person - see
Sanskaar. The other one, Dharm Sootra, prescribes the law and rules of social
and moral behavior and include some 20+ works.
(2) Vedaang Sootra
Besides Kalp Sootra, the other famous Sootra style compositions are Baadaraayan's
"Vedaant Sootra" (also called "Brahm Sootra") and Paanini's
"Ashtaadhyaayee" Sootra composed in prose. The reason for this style of
composition was that in the absence of printing facilities, everything was to be
memorized and therefore was needed to be condensed in as few words as possible.
Sometimes this condensation made it difficult for a reader to understand what the
author really meant. Baadaraayan's "Vedaant Sootra" is a typical example
of this difficulty.
[Aangiras, p 396-397]
Some Other Sootra
Aagam Sootra
-
Aagam Sootra is related to Shaivites.
Ashwalaayan Grihya Sootra -
Ved rituals Sootra for Grihasth - read
Ashwalaayan Grihya Sootra
Ashwalaayan's Shraut Sootra
-
a Vaidik manual of sacrificial ceremonies composed for the use of the class of
priests called Hotaa, or Hotar, or Hotri,
whose main function was to invoke the gods.
Baadaraayan's Vedaant Sootra (Brahm Sootra)
Grihya Sootra
There are many Grihya
Sootra - social laws.
Kaatyaayan's Sulabhaa Sootra
Written by Kaatyaayan.
One of the later Sootra - a series of nine texts on the geometry of altar
constructions, dealing with rectangles, right-sided triangles, rhombuses, etc.
Paanini's Ashtaadhyaayee Sootra
-
Sootra for Sanskrit grammar
Patanjali's Yog Sootra
-
Patanjali text contains 195 Sootra - brevity and conciseness (Laghutar), for
example - The pain which is yet to come is to be avoided. Patanjali is believed
to be the incarnation of Anant serpent Bhagavaan. When he decided to teach Yog
to world, he fell from sky and fell into the open palms of Anjalee (Pat mean fall
and when two open palms are joined together side by side, it is called Anajalee),
that is why he is known as Patanjali. Read a
Story About
Patanjali)
Vaatsyaayan's Kaam Sootra
This Sootra is for art and practice of love.