Sutra Software

[Daiana Parthemore]

InHinduism, sutras are a distinct type of literary composition, a compilation of short aphoristic statements.[2][3] Each sutra is any short rule, like a theorem distilled into few words or syllables, around which teachings of ritual, philosophy, grammar, or any field of knowledge can be woven.[1][2] The oldest sutras of Hinduism are found in the Brahmana and Aranyaka layers of the Vedas.[4][5] Every school of Hindu philosophy, Vedic guides for rites of passage, various fields of arts, law, and social ethics developed respective sutras, which help teach and transmit ideas from one generation to the next.[3][6][7]

In Buddhism, sutras, also known as suttas, are canonical scriptures, many of which are regarded as records of the oral teachings of Gautama Buddha. They are not aphoristic, but are quite detailed, sometimes with repetition. This may reflect a derivation from Vedic or Sanskrit sūkta (well spoken), rather than from sūtra (thread).[8]

In the context of literature, sūtra means a distilled collection of syllables and words, any form or manual of "aphorism, rule, direction" hanging together like threads with which the teachings of ritual, philosophy, grammar, or any field of knowledge can be woven.[1][2]

A sūtra is any short rule, states Moriz Winternitz, in Indian literature; it is "a theorem condensed in few words".[2] A collection of sūtras becomes a text, and this is also called sūtra (often capitalized in Western literature).[1][2]

A sūtra is different from other components such as Shlokas, Anuvyakhayas and Vyakhyas found in ancient Indian literature.[14] A sūtra is a condensed rule which succinctly states the message,[15] while a Shloka is a verse that conveys the complete message and is structured to certain rules of musical meter,[16][17] an Anuvyakhaya is an explanation of the reviewed text, while a Vyakhya is a comment by the reviewer.[14][18]

Sutras first appear in the Brahmana and Aranyaka layer of Vedic literature.[5] They grow in number in the Vedangas, such as the Shrauta Sutras and Kalpa Sutras.[1] These were designed so that they can be easily communicated from a teacher to student, memorized by the recipient for discussion or self-study or as reference.[2]

A sutra by itself is condensed shorthand, and the threads of syllable are difficult to decipher or understand without associated scholarly Bhasya or deciphering commentary that fills in the "weft".[21][22]

The oldest manuscripts that have survived into the modern era that contain extensive sutras are part of the Vedas, dated from the late 2nd millennium BCE through to the mid 1st millennium BCE.[23] The Aitareya Aranyaka, for example, states Winternitz, is primarily a collection of sutras.[5] Their use and ancient roots are attested by sutras being mentioned in larger genre of ancient non-Vedic Hindu literature called Gatha, Narashansi, Itihasa, and Akhyana (songs, legends, epics, and stories).[24]

In the history of Indian literature, large compilations of sutras, in diverse fields of knowledge, have been traced to the period from 600 BCE to 200 BCE (mostly after Buddha and Mahavira), and this has been called the "sutras period".[24][25] This period followed the more ancient Chhandas period, Mantra period and Brahmana period.[26]

Some of the earliest surviving specimens of sutras of Hinduism are found in the Anupada Sutras and Nidana Sutras.[27] The former distills the epistemic debate whether Sruti or Smriti or neither must be considered the more reliable source of knowledge,[28] while the latter distills the rules of musical meters for Samaveda chants and songs.[29]

A larger collection of ancient sutra literature in Hinduism corresponds to the six Vedangas, or six limbs of the Vedas.[4] These are six subjects that said in the Vedas to be necessary for complete mastery of the Vedas. The six subjects with their own sutras were "pronunciation (Shiksha), meter (Chandas), grammar (Vyakarana), explanation of words (Nirukta), time keeping through astronomy (Jyotisha), and ceremonial rituals (Kalpa).[4] The first two, states Max Muller, were considered in the Vedic era to be necessary for reading the Veda, the second two for understanding it, and the last two for deploying the Vedic knowledge at yajnas (fire rituals).[4] The sutras corresponding to these are embedded inside the Brahmana and Aranyaka layers of the Vedas. Taittiriya Aranyaka, for example in Book 7, embeds sutras for accurate pronunciation after the terse phrases "On Letters", "On Accents", "On Quantity", "On Delivery", and "On Euphonic Laws".[30]

The compendium of ancient Vedic sutra literature that has survived, in full or fragments, includes the Kalpa Sutras, Shulba Sutras, Srauta Sutras, Dharma Sutras, Grhya Sutras, and Smarta traditions .[31] Other fields for which ancient sutras are known include etymology, phonetics, and grammar.

Sutra, without commentary:

Soul is, for there is no proof that it is not. (Sutra 1, Book 6) This different from body, because of heterogeneousness. (Sutra 2, Book 6) Also because it is expressed by means of the sixth case. (Sutra 3, Book 6)

With Vijnanabhiksu's commentary bhasya filled in:

Soul is, for there is no proof that it is not, since we are aware of "I think", because there is no evidence to defeat this. Therefore all that is to be done is to discriminate it from things in general. (Sutra 1, Book 6) This soul is different from the body because of heterogeneousness or complete difference between the two. (Sutra 2, Book 6) Also because it, the Soul, is expressed by means of the sixth case, for the learned express it by the possessive case in such examples as 'this is my body', 'this my understanding'; for the possessive case would be unaccountable if there were absolute non-difference, between the body or the like, and the Soul to which it is thus attributed as a possession. (Sutra 3, Book 6)

In Chinese, these are known as 經 (pinyin: jīng). These teachings are organized as part of the Tripiṭaka, specifically referred to as the Sutta Pitaka. Numerous significant or influential Mahayana texts, such as the Platform Sutra and the Lotus Sutra, are termed sutras despite being attributed to much later authors.[citation needed]

The Kalpa Sūtra is, for example, a Jain text that includes monastic rules,[53] as well as biographies of the Jain Tirthankaras.[54] Many sutras discuss all aspects of ascetic and lay life in Jainism. Various ancient sutras particularly from the early 1st millennium CE, for example, recommend devotional bhakti as an essential Jain practice.[9]

The surviving scriptures of Jaina tradition, such as the Acaranga Sutra (Agamas), exist in sutra format,[10] as is the Tattvartha Sutra, a Sanskrit text accepted by all four Jainism sects as the most authoritative philosophical text that completely summarizes the foundations of Jainism.[55][56]

Vigorous, sinewy dragons are frequently depicted on works produced during the reign of the Yongle emperor. This luxurious box, made to hold a sutra in the Chinese album format, was created for use at court.

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My father - now retired - was the Executive Vice President of Human Resources for a Fortune 500 company. He was revered by his employees; often compared to Yoda; and is wise as a Statesman. He used to ask: "If you were to start a company tomorrow, who would you rehire?" Over the years, I would meditate on this often and share his adage frequently. As I begin to embark upon my next business venture... my dad's question couldn't be more appropriate or timely.

One crucial ingredient in building world-class people-first organizations is understanding one's own limitations. (I wrote about the concept of Self-Awareness in this previous Start-up Sutra if interested.) Possessing clarity around your own strengths - but more importantly one's weaknesses - is fundamental in many ways including constructing the right building blocks for a kick ass team. Surrounding yourself with others stronger/more talented is the only way a company is able to truly be great... and scale.

I can distinctly remember during critical infliction points of building NIMBL - we knew immediately the need to leverage talent for areas where we had no clue. Key leadership positions in Finance, Delivery, and Talent were merely a subset of crucial roles we knew required "smarter" folks than the existing team including Mike and I. Those key hires empowered and accelerated our maturity, capabilities, and growth. It also showed the greater team that we - as Founders - understood our own limitations and were confident in leveraging others for their expertise.

Conversely, there were other moments when I believed I could handle the complexities, responsibilities, and workload of areas myself. As opposed to bringing in smarter folks and simply getting out the way, I felt I had it covered. (See: Egotism).

During a specific contractual negotiation with a prospective Client in the first few years of NIMBL - I got clouded with Founder Syndrome. (I got an A in Business Law during my five year collegiate career at Indiana!! Who could teach me anything regarding indemnification?? (Go Hoosiers.)) My lack of experience and knowledge cost NIMBL significant revenue and future opportunity. If I had "simply" leveraged other's expertise - this important opportunity would not have been lost. This deal was a whale! Who knows how NIMBL could have benefited?!?! I clearly wasn't the "smartest guy" in that room.

Having the clarity and self-awareness of knowing one's own limitations is powerful. While I have grown over the years because of amazing colleagues, mentors, and peer support - I wish I had this wisdom when first embarking upon creating NIMBL over a decade ago.

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