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The '''Brahmanas''' (Sanskrit: {{lang|sa|ब्राह्मणम्}}, ''Brāhmaṇa'') are a collection of ancient texts with commentaries on the mantras of the four [[Vedas]]. They are attached to each Veda, and form a part of the [[Hindu texts|Hindu]] ''[[śruti]]'' literature composed to explain the difficult meaning and secret knowledge of the Vedic Samhitas.

The '''Brahmanas''' (Sanskrit: {{lang|sa|ब्राह्मणम्}}, ''Brāhmaṇa'') are a collection of ancient texts with commentaries on the mantras of the four [[Vedas]]. They are attached to each Veda and are composed to explain the difficult meaning and secret knowledge of the Vedic Samhitas.

== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

== Etymology ==

== Etymology ==

The word 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 {{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.  

Sayanaacharya has only said in the introduction of his commentary on the Rigveda:  

Sayanaacharya has only said in the introduction of his commentary on the Rigveda: <blockquote>''"Which in tradition is not a hymn or a Mantra is a Brahmana and which is not Brahmana is a Mantra".''</blockquote>The term 'Brahmana' has been variously interpreted by the scholars. It comes from the word ब्रह्मन् ''Brahman'' which means both the Veda and the Mantra - "''Brahma Vai Mantrah''." Thus the word Brahmana means 'that which relates to ''Brahman'' or the Veda'. It is derived from the root brih 'to grow', 'to expand'.

 

"Which in tradition is not a hymn or a Mantra is a Brahmana and which is not Brahmana is a Mantra".  

 

The term 'Brahmana' has been variously interpreted by the scholars. It comes from the word ''Brahman'' which means both the Veda and the Mantra - "''Brahma Vai Mantrah''." Thus the word Brahmana means 'that which relates to ''Brahman'' or the Veda'. It is derived from the root brih 'to grow', 'to expand'.

In other words, the name 'Brahmana' means the explanation of a ritual by a learned priest. Later this word came to mean a collection of such explanations by the priest on the science of sacrifice. The Brahmanas are thus the ritual text-books on the details of sacrifice or ''Yajna''.

In other words, the name 'Brahmana' means the explanation of a ritual by a learned priest. Later this word came to mean a collection of such explanations by the priest on the science of sacrifice. The Brahmanas are thus the ritual text-books on the details of sacrifice or ''Yajna''.

The ''Brahmanas'' are particularly noted for their instructions on the proper performance of rituals, as well as explain the original symbolic meanings- translated to words and ritual actions in the main text.<ref name="ebri2">[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/77126/Brahmana Brahmana] Encyclopædia Britannica (2013)</ref> ''Brahmanas'' lack a homogeneous structure across the different Vedas, with some containing chapters that constitute [[Aranyaka|Aranyakas]] or [[Upanishad|Upanishads]] in their own right.<ref name="winter32">[[Moriz Winternitz]] (2010), A History of Indian Literature, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120802643, pages 178-180</ref>

''Brahmanas'' lack a homogeneous structure across the different Vedas, with some containing chapters that constitute [[Aranyaka|Aranyakas]] or [[Upanishad|Upanishads]] in their own right. Each Vedic ''[[shakha]]'' (school) has its own ''Brahmana''. Numerous ''Brahmana'' texts existed in ancient India, many of which have been lost. A total of 19 Brahmanas are extant at least in their entirety.

Each Vedic ''[[shakha]]'' (school) has its own ''Brahmana''. Numerous ''Brahmana'' texts existed in ancient India, many of which have been lost.<ref name="winter4">Moriz Winternitz (2010), A History of Indian Literature, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120802643, pages 175-176</ref> A total of 19 Brahmanas are extant at least in their entirety.

== Dating of Brahmanas ==

 

The dating of the final codification of the ''Brahmanas'' and associated Vedic texts is controversial, which occurred after centuries of verbal transmission.<ref>Klaus Klostermaier (2007), A Survey of Hinduism, Third Edition, State University of New York Press, ISBN 978-0791470824, page 47</ref> The oldest is dated to about 900 [[BCE]], while the youngest Brahmanas (such as the [[Shatapatha Brahmana]]), were complete by about 700 BCE.<ref name="ebri2">[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/77126/Brahmana Brahmana] Encyclopædia Britannica (2013)</ref><ref name="mw2">[[Michael Witzel]], "Tracing the Vedic dialects" in ''Dialectes dans les litteratures Indo-Aryennes'' ed. Caillat, Paris, 1989, 97–265.</ref><ref name="bcp2">Biswas et al (1989), Cosmic Perspectives, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 978-0521343541, pages 42-43</ref> According to [[Jan Gonda]], the final codification of the four Vedas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas and early Upanishads took place in pre-Buddhist times (ca. 600 BCE).<ref name="kklo2">Klaus Klostermaier (1994), A Survey of Hinduism, Second Edition, State University of New York Press, ISBN 978-0791421093, page 67</ref>

The dating of the final codification of the ''Brahmanas'' and associated Vedic texts is controversial, which occurred after centuries of verbal transmission.<ref>Klaus Klostermaier (2007), A Survey of Hinduism, Third Edition, State University of New York Press, ISBN 978-0791470824, page 47</ref> The oldest is dated to about 900 [[BCE]], while the youngest Brahmanas (such as the [[Shatapatha Brahmana]]), were complete by about 700 BCE.<ref name="ebri2" /><ref name="mw2">[[Michael Witzel]], "Tracing the Vedic dialects" in ''Dialectes dans les litteratures Indo-Aryennes'' ed. Caillat, Paris, 1989, 97–265.</ref><ref name="bcp2">Biswas et al (1989), Cosmic Perspectives, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 978-0521343541, pages 42-43</ref> According to [[Jan Gonda]], the final codification of the four Vedas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas and early Upanishads took place in pre-Buddhist times (ca. 600 BCE).<ref name="kklo2">Klaus Klostermaier (1994), A Survey of Hinduism, Second Edition, State University of New York Press, ISBN 978-0791421093, page 67</ref>

==Discussion==

==Discussion==

The ''Brahmanas'' are primarily a digest incorporating myths, legends, the exposition of rituals in the Vedas and in some cases philosophy.<ref name="ebri">[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/77126/Brahmana Brahmana] Encyclopædia Britannica (2013)</ref><ref name="klkl">[[Klaus Klostermaier]] (1994), A Survey of Hinduism, Second Edition, State University of New York Press, ISBN 978-0791421093, pages 67-69</ref> For example, the first chapter of the Chandogya Brahmana, one of the oldest Brahmanas, includes eight ''suktas'' (hymns) for the ceremony of marriage and rituals at the birth of a child.<ref name="maxmullercb" /><ref name="pauldeussencb">Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120814684, page 63</ref> The first hymn is a recitation that accompanies offering a [[Yajna]] oblation to deity [[Agni]] (fire) on the occasion of a marriage, and the hymn prays for prosperity of the couple getting married.<ref name="pauldeussencb" /> The second hymn wishes for their long life, kind relatives, and a numerous progeny.<ref name="maxmullercb" /> The third hymn is a mutual marriage pledge, between the bride and groom, by which the two bind themselves to each other, as follows (excerpt),

The ''Brahmanas'' are primarily a digest incorporating myths, legends, the exposition of rituals in the Vedas and in some cases philosophy.<ref name="ebri">[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/77126/Brahmana Brahmana] Encyclopædia Britannica (2013)</ref><ref name="klkl">[[Klaus Klostermaier]] (1994), A Survey of Hinduism, Second Edition, State University of New York Press, ISBN 978-0791421093, pages 67-69</ref> For example, the first chapter of the Chandogya Brahmana, one of the oldest Brahmanas, includes eight ''suktas'' (hymns) for the ceremony of marriage and rituals at the birth of a child.<ref name="maxmullercb" /><ref name="pauldeussencb">Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120814684, page 63</ref> The first hymn is a recitation that accompanies offering a [[Yajna]] oblation to deity [[Agni]] (fire) on the occasion of a marriage, and the hymn prays for prosperity of the couple getting married.<ref name="pauldeussencb" /> The second hymn wishes for their long life, kind relatives, and a numerous progeny.<ref name="maxmullercb" /> The third hymn is a mutual marriage pledge, between the bride and groom, by which the two bind themselves to each other, as follows (excerpt),

The next two hymns of the first chapter of the Chandogya Brahmana invoke deities ''Agni'', ''Vayu'', ''Kandramas'', and ''Surya'' to bless the couple and ensure healthful progeny.<ref name=maxmullercb/> The sixth through last hymn of the first chapter in Chandogya Brahmana are not marriage-related, but related to hymns that go with ritual celebrations on the birth of a child, and wishes for health, wealth and prosperity with a profusion of milch-cows and [[artha]].<ref name=maxmullercb/>

The next two hymns of the first chapter of the Chandogya Brahmana invoke deities ''Agni'', ''Vayu'', ''Kandramas'', and ''Surya'' to bless the couple and ensure healthful progeny.<ref name=maxmullercb/> The sixth through last hymn of the first chapter in Chandogya Brahmana are not marriage-related, but related to hymns that go with ritual celebrations on the birth of a child, and wishes for health, wealth and prosperity with a profusion of milch-cows and [[artha]].<ref name=maxmullercb/>