Did Harita know the Tantras?
Summary
In this note the author examines a passage from Harita’s Dharma‑sūtra that has been interpreted as evidence that Harita recognised the Tantras as part of Vedic revelation. The contested phrase uses the term “tāntrikī śruti”. By analysing the context and terminology, the author argues that this term refers not to later Śaiva or Śākta Tantras but to the ritual portion of the Veda (tantra meaning ritual). Even the traditional commentator Kullūka Bhaṭṭa took it in this sense. The article concludes that Harita did not know the Tantric scriptures and that his reference simply distinguished between the jñāna‑kāṇḍa (knowledge section) and karma‑kāṇḍa (ritual section) of the Veda. It thus corrects a misunderstanding and shows the importance of contextual interpretation.
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Conclusion
Through close textual analysis, the author demonstrates that “tāntrikī śruti” in Harita’s work denotes the ritualistic portion of the Vedas rather than Tantric scriptures. This clarification dispels a common misconception and reinforces the need to interpret ancient terminology within its proper philological context.