Ashvalayana-shrauta-sutra

work by Ashvalayana

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Last updated

June 18, 2026

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The Ashvalayana-shrauta-sutra is a Vedic manual of sacrificial ceremonies authored by Ashvalayana, who likely lived around 400 BCE. This text was intended for the hotar priests, whose primary role was to invoke the gods during rituals.1

The Shrauta-sutras, including Ashvalayana's work, are Hindu ritual manuals based on Vedic literature, considered revealed texts (shruti). They guide priests in performing grand Vedic sacrifices that require three fires and multiple specialized priests. These manuals cover ceremonies like the full and new moon rituals, animal sacrifices, and soma sacrifices. Ashvalayana's work is part of the Kalpa-sutras, which also include texts on domestic ceremonies (Grihya-sutras) and rules of conduct (Dharma-sutras).2

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Ashvalayana
…was the author of the Ashvalayana-shrauta-sutra, a Vedic manual of sacrificial ceremonies composed for the use of the class of priests called hotar, or hotri, whose main function was to invoke the gods. Belonging to the “forest tradition” of hermits and wandering holy men yet still a member of the…
Read More
…was the author of the Ashvalayana-shrauta-sutra, a Vedic manual of sacrificial ceremonies composed for the use of the class of priests called hotar, or hotri, whose main function was to invoke the gods. Belonging to the “forest tradition” of hermits and wandering holy men yet still a member of the…
Read More