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| In the Aranyakas we find certain important aspects regarding nature, geographical, historical, social and cultural points. | | In the Aranyakas we find certain important aspects regarding nature, geographical, historical, social and cultural points. |
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− | Geographical Locations | + | === देशः । Geographical Locations === |
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| In the Aranyakas we find the names of the countries such as Kuru, Panchala, Matsya, Videha, and Kashi. Kurushetra is described as a sacred place where devatas namely Indra, Agni, Soma, Vishnu, and Visvedevas conducted yajnas, hence is also called as Devayajana (Brha. Aran. 1.1.2). | | In the Aranyakas we find the names of the countries such as Kuru, Panchala, Matsya, Videha, and Kashi. Kurushetra is described as a sacred place where devatas namely Indra, Agni, Soma, Vishnu, and Visvedevas conducted yajnas, hence is also called as Devayajana (Brha. Aran. 1.1.2). |
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− | Rivers | + | === नद्यः । Rivers === |
| + | Taittriya Aranyaka (10.1.13) mentions the names of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Sarasvati, Sindhu, Varuna, Gomati, Trishtami, Supartu, Rasa, Sveta, Kubha and Mehamna. Of these Sarasvati river was personified as a devata and worshipped. In the present days, this river has dried up and known to flow underground. |
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− | Taittriya Aranyaka (10.1.13) mentions the names of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Sarasvati, Sindhu, Varuna, Gomati, Trishtami, Supartu, Rasa, Sveta, Kubha and Mehamna. Of these Sarasvati river was personified as a devata and worshipped. In the present days, this river has dried up and known to flow underground.
| + | === ऋतवः । Rtu-s (Seasons) === |
| + | The chief among seasons is personified as the Samvatsara (a year). He controls all seasons which follow his orders. Names of seasons mentioned in Aranyakas and the corresponding seasons in the present day are given below. |
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− | Rtus (Seasons)
| + | Of all the seasons the most important is Vasanta, when all yajnas and yagas can be initiated and performed. |
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− | The chief among seasons is personified as the Samvatsara (a year). He controls all seasons which follow his orders. Names of seasons mentioned in Aranyakas and the corresponding seasons in the present day are given below.
| + | === धान्यानि । Grains === |
| + | In the Aranyakas we find the mention of different grains such as - Vrihi (व्रीहिः), Priyangu (प्रियङ्गुः) Mudga (मुद्गः) Masha (माषः) Shyamaka wheat (श्यामकः) Tila (तिलः) Yava (यवः) Anu (अणु) Khalva (खल्वः) Nivara (नीवारः) and Masura (मसूरः). Farmers and tillers used to worship 'Shunasira (शुनासीरः)' a class of devatas. 'Shuna' were the devatas who commanded rains and sunlight, while 'Sira' was the hala (plough) devata. Agricultural processes were well described. |
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| === Comparison of Aranyakas and Brahmanas === | | === Comparison of Aranyakas and Brahmanas === |