FOREWORD
The Vedas me acknowledged as the fountainhead of our culture and heritage. They have six auxiliaries or Vedangas viz., Siksha, Vyakarana, Chandas, Nirukta, Jyotisha and Kalpasutru. Among them, the Kalpa Sutra occupies a very prominent place as it deals extensively with Yajnas and Yagas and other rituals. The Kalpasutras are further divided into 1. Srautasutras, 2. dharma Sutras and 3. gṛhya sutras. Unlike other sutras, gṛhya Sutras pertain to the religious rites, daily as well as occasional, to be observed by the house-holders.
Though there are disparate gṛhya Sutras for those who follow different traditions and systems the gṛhya sutras of Sage Sri Vikhanasa are considered more ancient and authoritative. It is said the sage, an incarnation of Lord Brahma codified thern at the behest of Sriman Narayana. The gṛhya sutras of Sri Vikhanasa Maharshi have an added significance at Tirumala. The mode of rituals in the temple of Lord Venkateswara is done in accordance with the Vaikhnasa agamas. As such, the gṛhya Sutras of Sri Vikhanasa serve as a useful manual to the archakas for their daily worship.
The present publication in two volumes is a reprint of the books published in 1967. The text contains Srinivasa Dikshita's 'Sutra Tatparya Chintamani' as it sets at rest many divergent views with elaborate discussion and cogent arguments.
Executive officer,
T.T.Devasthanams, Tirupati
