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Brahmanas (Samskrit: {{lang|sa|ब्राह्मणम्}}) are a collection of ancient texts with commentaries on the mantras of the four Vedas. They are attached to each Veda and contain the explanation for the difficult meanings and associated usage in vaidika kriyas.

Brahmanas (Samskrit : ब्रह्मणम्) are a collection of ancient texts with commentaries on the mantras of the four Vedas. They are attached to each Veda and contain the explanation for the difficult meanings and associated usage in vaidika kriyas.

== परिचयः॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः॥ Introduction ==

The Vedas have been divided into four styles of texts – the Samhitas, the Aranyakas, the Brahmanas and the Upanishads.<ref name=":0222">A Bhattacharya (2006), Hindu Dharma: Introduction to Scriptures and Theology, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0595384556</nowiki>, pages 8-14</ref>. The subject matter of the whole Veda is divided into Karma-Kanda, Upasana-Kanda and Jnana-Kanda. The Karma-Kanda or Ritualistic section deals with various sacrifices and rituals. The Upasana-Kanda or Worship section deals with various kinds of worship or meditation. The Jnana-Kanda or Knowledge-Section deals with the highest knowledge of Brahman. The Samhitas and the Brahmanas constitute Karma-Kanda; the Aranyakas constitute Upasana-Kanda; and the Upanishads constitute Jnana-Kanda<ref>Swami Sivananda, All About Hinduism, Page 30-31</ref>. 

The Vedas have been divided into four styles of texts – the Samhitas, the Aranyakas, the Brahmanas and the Upanishads.<ref name=":0222">A Bhattacharya (2006), Hindu Dharma: Introduction to Scriptures and Theology, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0595384556</nowiki>, pages 8-14</ref>. The subject matter of the whole Veda is divided into Karma-Kanda, Upasana-Kanda and Jnana-Kanda. The Karma-Kanda or Ritualistic section deals with various sacrifices and rituals. The Upasana-Kanda or Worship section deals with various kinds of worship or meditation. The Jnana-Kanda or Knowledge-Section deals with the highest knowledge of Brahman. The Samhitas and the Brahmanas constitute Karma-Kanda; the Aranyakas constitute Upasana-Kanda; and the Upanishads constitute Jnana-Kanda<ref>Swami Sivananda, All About Hinduism, Page 30-31</ref>. 

== व्युत्पत्तिः || Etymology ==

== व्युत्पत्तिः || Etymology ==

The word {{lang|2=ब्राह्मणम्}} || Brahmana in neuter gender means Brahmana texts. One wonders why these literary compositions are given this name even though the authors of Brahmanas and their commentators have not offered any definition of this word.  

The word Brahmana (ब्रह्मणम्) in neuter gender means Brahmana texts. One wonders why these literary compositions are given this name even though the authors of Brahmanas and their commentators have not offered any definition of this word.  

* According to '''Shatapatha Brahmana''' the word Brahma (ब्रह्म) means the samhita part of the four vedas. The commentaries which formed by collection of mantras from the samhita parts of the four vedas and adding the injunctions for their usage are termed as Brahmanas.<ref name=":1">Raghunadhacharya, S. B. (1985) ''Aarshavijnana Sarvasvamu, Volume Two : Brahmanalu.'' Tirupati: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Press</ref>  

* According to '''Shatapatha Brahmana''' the word Brahma (ब्रह्म) means the samhita part of the four vedas. The commentaries which formed by collection of mantras from the samhita parts of the four vedas and adding the injunctions for their usage are termed as Brahmanas.<ref name=":1">Raghunadhacharya, S. B. (1985) ''Aarshavijnana Sarvasvamu, Volume Two : Brahmanalu.'' Tirupati: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Press</ref>  

<blockquote>ब्रह्म वै मन्त्रः (Shat. Brah. 7.1.1.5)</blockquote><blockquote>सप्ताक्षरं वै ब्रह्मर्गित्येकमक्षरं यजुरितिद्वे सामेति द्वे अथ यदतोऽन्यद्ब्रह्मैव तद्द्व्यक्षरं वै ब्रह्म तदेतत्सर्वंसप्ताक्षरं ब्रह्म। (Shat. Brah. 10.2.4.6)</blockquote>The term 'Brahmana' has been variously interpreted by the scholars. It comes from the word ब्रह्मन् || Brahman which means ब्रह्म वै मन्त्रः || "Brahma Vai Mantrah"(both the Veda and the Mantra). Thus the word Brahmana means 'that which relates to Brahman or the Veda'. It is derived from the root बृः || brih 'to grow', 'to expand'. The Brahmanas are thus the ritual text-books on the details of sacrifice or ''Yajna''.<ref name=":2">''[http://vedicheritage.gov.in/brahmanas/ Introduction to Brahmanas]'' By Dr.Shashi Tiwari (Retd.), Delhi University From Vedic Heritage Portal</ref>  

<blockquote>ब्रह्म वै मन्त्रः (Shat. Brah. 7.1.1.5)</blockquote><blockquote>सप्ताक्षरं वै ब्रह्मर्गित्येकमक्षरं यजुरितिद्वे सामेति द्वे अथ यदतोऽन्यद्ब्रह्मैव तद्द्व्यक्षरं वै ब्रह्म तदेतत्सर्वंसप्ताक्षरं ब्रह्म। (Shat. Brah. 10.2.4.6)</blockquote>The term 'Brahmana' has been variously interpreted by the scholars. It comes from the word ब्रह्मन् || Brahman which means ब्रह्म वै मन्त्रः || "Brahma Vai Mantrah"(both the Veda and the Mantra). Thus the word Brahmana means 'that which relates to Brahman or the Veda'. It is derived from the root बृः || brih 'to grow', 'to expand'. The Brahmanas are thus the ritual text-books on the details of sacrifice or ''Yajna''.<ref name=":2">''[http://vedicheritage.gov.in/brahmanas/ Introduction to Brahmanas]'' By Dr.Shashi Tiwari (Retd.), Delhi University From Vedic Heritage Portal</ref>