While researching texts written about Indian ritual tradition, I found a few articles which state the difference between the public rituals detailed in the Veda (called “shrauta’) and many other ritual practices in Hinduism.
Shrauta tradition is based on the Vedas, and attaches great importance to ritual practices, which mostly consist of Yajna. Yajna are divided into two categories: Nitya-karma, Kama chi, Nitya-karma - these are the Yajna to be carried out every day or on special occasions. Kama-chi is a form of Yajna are committed with a purpose - rainmaking, multiply the number of cattle, gaining a high position in society, or the birth of a son.
Scientists state that: "The Brahmanical system had never been static. The Vedic texts reflect a dynamic process of growth and innovation from the early hymn collections through the Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and Upanishads."(Hopkins). So, the shrauta tradition has also developed a lot.
There are two kinds of Kalpa Sutra, or guidelines for the Vedic rituals: Shrauta Sutra, based on the training and conduct of shruti great sacrifices, requiring three to five lights; and smart-sutras, or rules based on the traditions of Smriti. Smart sutras belong to the other two categories of texts: grha Sutra, containing an explanation of domestic rituals (wedding, birth of a child, and so on. N.); and Dharma Sutras, which are explained by social customs and duties, and which are the main sources of the Hindu right. Part Shrauta Sutras "Yajur Veda" is the so-called "Shulba Sutra", which explains how to measure with the help of ropes, statues of deities’ rules and structures of various kinds of altars for sacrifices.
Works cited
Hopkins, Thomas J. The Hindu Religious Tradition.Belmont: Dickenson Publications. 1971
