Katyayana Sulbasutra

Preface

I feel elated to give this book to the readers – students as well as the erudited scholars- and hope that this book will be helpful in understanding the geometry of the ritual. enclosures.
The Vedas played a pivotal role in maulding the Indian culture. The Yajurveda proved to be a fountain head for the Vedic ritualism and a vast literature in the form of the Śrautasūtras came into vogue to record the detailed procedure required for the performance of various yajñas. The Sulbasūtras being the part of the Śrautasūtras deal with the geometry of the ritual enclosures which are essential for the performance of various sacrifices. As the Adhvaryu makes arrangements for the paraphernalia required for the accomplishement of the sacrifices, hence, all the Sulbasūtras belong to the yajurveda – the Kā tyāyana Sulba belongs to the Śukla Yajurveda and the remaining Sulbasūtras to the Kṛṣṇa Yajurveda.
In the present book, the Sulba has been produced along with the two Sanskrit commentaries by Karka and Mahidhara; the Hindi commentry Vihärikā, English Translation and Geometrical figures. A sincere effort has been made to explain the sū tras in a simple way so that the purport of the Sulbakāra is conveyed to the readers. The rationale underlying the formulae given in the Sulba has been discussed threadbare in the light of the antiquity so that the justice may be meted out to the ancient seers of the ritual tradition.
I express my deep gratitude to Dr. Baldev Mehra, Department of Sanskrit, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, who inspired me to take this venture. I also convey my indebtedness to the Devesh Publications and Acharya Printing Press for their valuable service.
The valuable suggestions from the readers are invited so that the infirmities if any may be removed in future.