Pariśista
From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
By Swami Harshananda
Pariśista literally means ‘supplement’.
Origin of Pariśiṣṭas[edit]
The word pariśiṣṭa means ‘what is left over, unsaid’. Though the Kalpasutras is the last of the Vedāṅgas, they deal with Vedic sacrifices also. They often do not give all the necessary details. Perhaps, during the period of their composition, quite a few things had been taken for granted. However, when in course of time these details were being forgotten, it became necessary to put them in writing for the guidance of the future generations. This gave rise to:
- Pariśiṣṭas
- Anukramaṇīs
- Caraṇavyuhas
Forms of Pariśiṣṭas[edit]
The pariśiṣṭa works are generally in the form of ślokas in the anuṣṭubh meter. They deal with many details connected with the Vedic sacrifices.
Types of Pariśiṣṭas[edit]
- The Āśvalāyana-grhya-pariśista has four chapters and deals with subjects related to the Ṛgveda.
- The Gobhilasañgraha-pariśista belongs to the Sāmaveda. It deals with gṛhyakarmas or rites to be performed in one’s home and some kāmyakarmas or desire-motivated actions.
- Karmapradipa is the work attributed to either Gobhila or Kātyāyana. It is known by other names also such as Sāmagrhya, Chandoga-pariśista and Gobhilasmrti.
- The Nigamapariśista and the Pravarādhyāya of Kātyāyana are assigned to the Śukla Yajurveda tradition.
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore