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INTRODUCTION.
xiii
originally studied by and authoritative for the Bahvrikas, the Rigvedins alone, and afterwards became an authority for all Brâhmans. In the introduction to Gautama it has been shown that a similar assertion which Govinda niakes with regard to the Gautama Dharma-sútra can be corroborated by a considerable amount of external and internal evidence. It has been pointed out that not only the fact that the spiritual pedigrees of the Khandoga schools enumerate several Gautamas, but also the partiality for texts of the Sâma-veda, which the Institutes of Gautama show on several occasions, strongly support the tradition that the Gautamîya Dharmasastra originally was the exclusive property of a school of Sâmavedins. In the case of the Vâsishtha Dharmasastra indications of the latter kind are, if not entirely wanting, at least very faint. The number of Vedic passages quoted is, no doubt, large; but few among them belong to the class of Mantras which are recited during the performance of grihya rites, and must be taken from the particular recension of the Veda to which the performer belongs. Besides, the texts of this description which actually occur, do not bear the mark of a particular Veda or Sakha. The numerous texts, on the other hand, which are quoted in support or explanation of the rules, are taken im
partially from all the three ancient Vedas. For this reason it • would be dangerous to use the references to a dozen Rikas
in chapters XVII and XXVI, as well as to the legend of Sunahsepa, which is told only in works belonging to the Rig
1 See Sacred Books of the East, vol. ii, p. xlix, note 2. As Govindasvâmin's statements possess a considerable importance, I give here the whole commentary on Baudhayana I, 1, 2, 6, according to my two MSS., C. I. and C.T.: ननु किमिति व्यवस्था यावता मूल श्रुतिरेषामविशेषेण कल्प्यते यथा होलिकादीनां यथा वा बोधायनीयं धर्मशास्त्रं कैश्चिदेव पठ्यमानं सर्वाधिकारं भवति तथा गोतमीयगोभिलीये छन्दोगैरेव पठ्येते [पठ्यते C. I.; पठ्यते C. T.] वासिष्ठं तु बहः[] अथ च सर्वाधिकाराणि[1] यथा वा गृह्मशास्त्राणि सर्वाधिकाराणि account he stafa Harafa (halfa C. I.; WHILE C. T.]
HIAINETE I na na JUTATE RIIT 1&ll te afeतविषयैव मूलश्रुतिः । किं त्विमामनुपपतिं न कल्पयतीत्यभिप्रायः । तस्माद् व्यवस्थितविषयमेवानुष्ठानं तहर्जनं च ॥
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