performing the sacrifice, the Shrauta
Sutras also contained an appendix with
the exact measurements for the sacred
altar, known as the Sulva Sutras. In the-
ory, the Shrauta Sutras were the first part
of a Kalpa Sutra, which would also con-
tain prescriptions for domestic rites
(Grhya Sutras) and appropriate human
behavior (Dharma Sutras), with each
Kalpa Sutra being connected to one of
the four Vedas. But in practice the story
of the Shrauta Sutras is far more
complex, since aside from the three
complete Kalpa Sutras that have
survived, by Apastamba, Baudhayana,
and Hiranyakeshin, there are other
Shrauta Sutras, indicating a more
independent composition.
Shravan
According to the lunar calendar, by
which most Hindu religious festivals are
determined, Shravan is the fifth month
in the lunar year, usually falling within
July and August. In northern India
Shravan is associated with the rains, the
breaking of the heat and revival of the
land, and a general feeling of release.
The major holidays in Shravan are Nag
Panchami, Kamika Ekadashi, Tulsidas
Jayanti, Putrada Ekadashi, and Raksha
Bandhan. In addition, the entire
month is deemed sacred to the god
Shiva, with all Mondays and the
Shravan Vratmarked out as times for
particular observances.
Shravan Vrat
Religious vow (vrat) performed during
the entire lunar month of Shravan
( July–August), which is dedicated to the
god Shiva. During this month devotees
(bhakta) will perform various acts of
homage, abstinence, and worship,
although the strictness of this obser-
vance depends largely on individual
inclination. Some worshipers observe a
vow on each Mondayof Shravan to wor-
ship Shiva (Monday is the day of the
week over which he presides). The
observant will fast (upavasa) during the
day, worship Shiva and members of his
“family” (Ganesh, Parvati, and Nandi),
and sometimes stay up late into the
night reciting Shiva’s mythic deeds.
Some devotees will also refrain
from cutting their hairand shaving
their beards during this month, in
imitation of Shiva’s primary identity as
the great ascetic.
Another observance falling in
Shravan is the festival of kanvars, in
which devotees draw pots of waterfrom
the Ganges, suspend them from a bam-
boo pole (kanvar), and carry this water
to a Shiva temple, where it is offered to
Shiva. This practice occurs in many
places throughout northern India, but
the most famous place is at Deogharin
the state of Bihar. There Shiva is present
in his form as Vaidyanath (“Lord of
Physicians”), and the image of
Vaidyanath at Deoghar is one of the
twelve jyotirlingas(images considered
especially sacred). Pilgrims going to
Deoghar draw their water from the
Ganges at Sultanganj, and then walk to
Deoghar to offer the water, a distance of
over sixty miles. This particular obser-
vance combines devotion to God with
the willingness to suffer hardship; it is
often performed to fulfill a vow made
when asking for some divine favor. See
also Solah Somvar Vrat.Shri
(“auspicious,” “bringing good fortune”)
Epithet of the goddess Lakshmi, reflect-
ing her identification with luck, fortune,
and prosperity. See Lakshmi.Shri Aurobindo
Name taken by the Indian philosopher
and social activistAurobindo Ghoseafter
retiring from political life to become an
ascetic. SeeAurobindo Ghose.Shrichakra
Symbolic diagram (yantra) used in wor-
shipby the Shrividyaschool, a branch
of the secret, ritually based religious
practice known as tantra. TheShravan