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#* ''निन्दा  || Ninda'' or censure consists in criticism and refutation of the opponents' views.<ref name=":2" /> However, according to another version, Ninda indicates the actions which should not be performed and prevents one from doing them. Example : निन्दा, उपवीता वा एतस्याग्नयः।(Shab. Bhas. 2.1.33)<ref name=":3">Shabara Bhasyam ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%BD%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 2 Pada 1])</ref> <ref name=":1" />  

#* ''निन्दा  || Ninda'' or censure consists in criticism and refutation of the opponents' views.<ref name=":2" /> However, according to another version, Ninda indicates the actions which should not be performed and prevents one from doing them. Example : निन्दा, उपवीता वा एतस्याग्नयः।(Shab. Bhas. 2.1.33)<ref name=":3">Shabara Bhasyam ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%BD%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 2 Pada 1])</ref> <ref name=":1" />  

#* ''परकृतिः || Parakriti'' indicates the antagonistic injunctions  followed by others. Example : परकृतिः माषानेव मह्यं पचतीति। <ref name=":1" /> <ref name=":3" />

#* ''परकृतिः || Parakriti'' indicates the antagonistic injunctions  followed by others. Example : परकृतिः माषानेव मह्यं पचतीति। <ref name=":1" /> <ref name=":3" />

#* ''पुराकल्पः || Puraakalpa'' refers to the performance of sacrificial rites in former times.<ref name=":2" /> According to another version, purakalpa refers to the historical record.<ref name=":1" />  

#* ''पुराकल्पः || Puraakalpa'' refers to the performance of sacrificial rites in former times.<ref name=":2" /> According to another version, purakalpa refers to the historical record. Example : पुरा ब्राह्मणाअभैषुः इति पुराकल्पः ।<ref>Vachaspatyam ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A7 See Brahmana])</ref> <ref name=":1" />

The main subject of the Brahmanas is injunction (Vidhi), all other topics being subservient to it.<ref name=":2" />  

Thus the main subject of the Brahmanas is injunction (Vidhi), all other topics being subservient to it.<ref name=":2" /> Shabara, in his commentary, has summed up their subjects into ten following heads:<ref name=":3" /><blockquote>हेतुर्निर्वचनं निन्दा प्रशंसा संशयो विधिः। परक्रिया पुराकल्पो व्यवधारणकल्पना।।</blockquote><blockquote>उपमानं दशैते तु विधयो ब्राह्मणस्य तु। एतद्वै सर्ववेदेषु नियतं विधिलक्षणम्।।</blockquote>

 

Shabara, in his commentary, has summed up their subjects into ten following heads:<ref name=":3" />

 

हेतुर्निर्वचनं निन्दा प्रशंसा संशयो विधिः। परक्रिया पुराकल्पो व्यवधारणकल्पना।।

 

उपमानं दशैते तु विधयो ब्राह्मणस्य तु। एतद्वै सर्ववेदेषु नियतं विधिलक्षणम्।।

# ''हेतु || Hetu'' - reasons

# ''हेतु || Hetu'' - reasons

# ''निर्वचन || Nirvacana'' - etymology

# ''निर्वचन || Nirvacana'' - etymology

# ''निन्दा || Ninda'' - censure ,condemn

# ''निन्दा || Ninda'' - censure ,condemn

# ''प्रशन्सा || Prashansha'' - eulogy, praise

# ''प्रशंसा'' ''|| Prashansha'' - eulogy, praise

# ''संशय || Sanshaya'' - doubt,uncertainty

# ''संशय || Samshaya'' - doubt,uncertainty

# ''विधि || Vidhi'' - injunction,sanction

# ''विधि || Vidhi'' - injunction,sanction

# ''पराक्रिया || Parakriya'' - feats/deeds of others

# ''परक्रिया || Parakriya'' - feats/deeds of others

# ''पुरकल्प || Purakalpa'' - legendary background

# ''पुरकल्प || Purakalpa'' - legendary background

# ''व्यवधारण कल्पना || Vyavadharana''- Kalpana - managerial application

# ''व्यवधारण कल्पना || Vyavadharana''- Kalpana - managerial application

# ''उपमान || Upamana'' - illustration.

# ''उपमान || Upamana'' - illustration.

''Yajna'' is not only sacrifice. In Brahmanas we find it as symbolic also. Here it often represents the knowledge of creation and thus describes the secrets of creation.

''Yajna'' is not only sacrifice. In Brahmanas we find it as symbolic also. Here it often represents the knowledge of creation and thus describes the secrets of creation.<ref name=":2" />

== Classification of Brahmanas ==

== Classification of Brahmanas ==

Each Brahmana is associated with one of the four Vedas, and within the tradition of that Veda with a particular [[shakha]] or school. Originally, there were numerous Brahmanas, of which only a few have survived to us. For each Samhita, there are corresponding Brahmanas which are listed here:

Each Brahmana is associated with one of the four Vedas, and within the tradition of that Veda with a particular [[shakha]] or school. Originally, there were numerous Brahmanas, of which only a few have survived to us. For each Samhita, there are corresponding Brahmanas which are listed here:

=== (A) Rigveda ===

=== Rig Samhita ===

There are two available brahamanas associated with Rig veda.

There are two available brahamanas associated with Rig veda.

# '''ऐतरेय ब्राह्मण || Aitareya Brahmana'''  :  It consists of 40 अध्याय || ''adhyayas'' (lessons, chapters), dealing with Soma sacrifice, and in particular the fire sacrifice ritual.   

# '''ऐतरेय ब्राह्मण || Aitareya Brahmana'''  :  It consists of 40 अध्याय || ''adhyayas'' (lessons, chapters), dealing with Soma sacrifice, and in particular the fire sacrifice ritual.   

# '''कौषितकी / सङ्खयन  ब्राह्मण || Kaushitaki / Sankhayana Brahmana''' : It consists of 30 chapters, the first six of which are dedicated to food sacrifice, and the remaining to Soma sacrifice in a manner matching the Aitareya Brahmana.   

# '''कौषितकी / सङ्खयन  ब्राह्मण || Kaushitaki / Sankhayana Brahmana''' : It consists of 30 chapters, the first six of which are dedicated to food sacrifice, and the remaining to Soma sacrifice in a manner matching the Aitareya Brahmana.   

Earlier Rig samhita was supposed to have 21 shakas and each shaka had an associated brahmana. Four of the Rig samhita brahmanas namely Paingi, Bahvrucha, Aashvalayana, Gaalava brahmanas are lost in time. Some say that Bahvrucha brahmana (बहुव्रुच ब्राह्मण) is the same as Aitareya brahmana.   

Earlier Rig samhita was supposed to have 21 shakas and each shaka had an associated brahmana. Four of the Rig samhita brahmanas namely Paingi, Bahvrucha, Aashvalayana, Gaalava brahmanas are lost in time. Some say that Bahvrucha brahmana (बहुव्रुच ब्राह्मण) is the same as Aitareya brahmana.<ref name=":1" />  

=== (B) Yajus Samhita ===

=== Yajus Samhita ===

Brahmanas of Yajur veda includes two important shakas.  

Brahmanas of Yajur veda includes two important shakas.  

# '''Shukla-yajurveda''' : (1) Maadhyandina Shatapatha Brahmana and (2) Kanva Shatapatha Brahmana are available.  

# '''Shukla-Yajurveda''' : (1) Madhyandina Shatapatha Brahmana and (2) Kanva Shatapatha Brahmana are available.  

# '''Krishna-Yajurveda''' : (1) Taittiriya Brahmana is available.  

# '''Krishna-Yajurveda''' : (1) Taittiriya Brahmana is available.  

The Satapatha Brahmana consists of a hundred अध्याय || ''adhyayas'' (chapters), and is the most cited and famous among the Brahmana texts. Much of the text is commentaries on Vedic rituals, such as the preparation of the fire altar. It also includes [[Upanayana]], a ceremony that marked the start of [[Brahmacharya]] (student) stage of life, as well as the Vedic era recitation practice of [[Svādhyāya|Svadhyaya]]. The text describes procedures for other important Hindu rituals such as a funeral ceremony. The old and famous [[Brhadaranyaka Upanishad]] form the closing chapters of Śatapatha Brahmana.

The Shatapatha Brahmana consists of a hundred अध्याय || ''adhyayas'' (chapters), and is the most cited and famous among the Brahmana texts. Much of the text is commentaries on Vedic rituals, such as the preparation of the fire altar. It also includes [[Upanayana]], a ceremony that marked the start of [[Brahmacharya]] (student) stage of life, as well as the Vedic era recitation practice of [[Svādhyāya|Svadhyaya]]. The text describes procedures for other important Hindu rituals such as a funeral ceremony. The old and famous [[Brhadaranyaka Upanishad]] form the closing chapters of Śatapatha Brahmana.

Twelve Yajus samhita related brahmanas have been lost in time.  They are Charaka, Svetasvatara, Kaathaka, or Shataadhyayana, Maitraayani, Jaabala, Khandikeya, Oukheya, Haridravika, Tumburu, Aavhvaraka, Kankati, Chaagaleya brahmanas.

Twelve Yajus samhita related brahmanas have been lost in time.  They are Charaka, Svetasvatara, Kaathaka, or Shataadhyayana, Maitraayani, Jaabala, Khandikeya, Oukheya, Haridravika, Tumburu, Aavhvaraka, Kankati, Chaagaleya brahmanas.<ref name=":1" />

=== (D) Samaveda ===

=== Sama Samhita ===

# '''जैमिनीय ब्राह्मण || Jaimineeya Brahmana''' or Talavakaara is the principal Brahmana of the Jaiminiya shakha, divided into three खण्ड || ''kanda''s (sections). One of the oldest Brahmanas, older than Tandya Mahabrahmana, but only fragments of manuscript have survived.

# '''जैमिनीय ब्राह्मण || Jaiminiya Brahmana''' or Talavakaara is the principal Brahmana of the Jaiminiya shakha, divided into three खण्ड || ''kanda''s (sections). One of the oldest Brahmanas, older than Tandya Mahabrahmana, but only fragments of manuscript have survived.

# '''तानद्य || Taandya''' (Proudha or {{IAST|Pañcaviṃśa Brāhmaṇa}}) is the principal Brahmana of both the Kauthuma and Ranayaniya shakhas. This is one of the oldest Brahmanas and includes twenty five books. It is notable for its important ancient legends and ''Vratyastomas''.

# '''तानद्य || Taandya''' (Proudha or {{IAST|Pañcaviṃśa Brāhmaṇa}}) is the principal Brahmana of both the Kauthuma and Ranayaniya shakhas. This is one of the oldest Brahmanas and includes twenty five books. It is notable for its important ancient legends and ''Vratyastomas''.

# '''छान्दोग्य || Chandogya''' (Mantra) Brahmana are the three primarily available brahmanas. Chandogya Brahmana is divided into ten प्रपथक || ''prapathaka''s (chapters). Its first two ''prapathaka''s (chapters) form the Mantra Brahmana and each of them is divided into eight ''khanda''s (sections). Prapathakas 3–10 form the [[Chandogya Upanishad]].

# '''छान्दोग्य || Chandogya''' (Mantra) Brahmana are the three primarily available brahmanas. Chandogya Brahmana is divided into ten प्रपथक || ''prapathaka''s (chapters). Its first two ''prapathaka''s (chapters) form the Mantra Brahmana and each of them is divided into eight ''khanda''s (sections). Prapathakas 3–10 form the [[Chandogya Upanishad]].

Four Upabrahmanas or Anubrahmanas for Samaveda include - (1) Saamavidhana Brahmana (2) Devatadhyaya or Daivata Brahmana (3) Vamsha Brahmana (4) Simhatopanishad brahmana  

Four Upabrahmanas or Anubrahmanas for Samaveda include - (1) Saamavidhana Brahmana (2) Devatadhyaya or Daivata Brahmana (3) Vamsha Brahmana (4) Simhatopanishad brahmana<ref name=":1" />

Four Saamaveda brahmanas that have been lost in time include Bhaallavi, Kaala, Rauruki, and Shaatyayana brahmanas.   

Four Saamaveda brahmanas that have been lost in time include Bhaallavi, Kaala, Rauruki, and Shaatyayana brahmanas.   

=== (E) Atharvaveda ===

=== Atharva Samhita ===

(1) Gopatha Bramana is the only available brahmana.  Names of other brahmanas are not available for this Veda samhita.  

(1) Gopatha Bramana is the only available brahmana.  Names of other brahmanas are not available for this Veda samhita.  

Apart from these many other brahmanas are mentioned in important books such as Nirukta and in Bhashya books of Patanjali, Sayana among others.   

Following is the summary of Brahmanas associated with the different vedic shakas.   

 

==References==

==References==

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