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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 {{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.
* According to '''Shatapatha Braahmana''' the word "Brahma" means the samhita part of the four vedas (Shat. Brah. 7.1.1.5). The collection of mantras from these samhita parts of the four vedas are termed as Braahmanas.
* According to '''Shatapatha Braahmana''' the word "Brahma" means the samhita part of the four vedas (Shat. Brah. 7.1.1.5). The collection of mantras from these samhita parts of the four vedas are termed as Braahmanas.
* '''Apastamba''' defines Brahmanas as ‘कर्मचोदन ब्राह्मणानि Karmacodana Brahmanani’ meaning Brahmanas are injunctions for the performance of sacrificial rites (Apasthamba Shrau. Sut. 34 and 35).
* '''आरस्तम्ब Apastamba''' defines Brahmanas as ‘कर्मचोदना ब्राह्मणानि Karmacodana Brahmanani’ meaning Brahmanas are injunctions for the performance of sacrificial rites (Apasthamba Shrau. Sut. 34 and 35).
* '''Jaimini Purvameemamsa darshana''' says "what is not a mantra the rest of it is brahmana शेषे ब्राह्मण शब्दः " (2.1.33)
* '''Jaimini Purvameemamsa darshana''' says "what is not a mantra the rest of it is brahmana शेषे ब्राह्मण शब्दः " (2.1.33)
* '''Sayanaacharya''' has said in the introduction of his commentary on the Rigveda:
* '''Sayanaacharya''' has said in the introduction of his commentary on the Rigveda:
==Contents ==
==Contents ==
According to Apasthamba , these texts deal with the following six topics: Vidhi Arthavada , Ninda, Prashansha , Purakalpa and Parakriti.
Vidhi Arthavada , Ninda, Prashansha , Purakalpa and Parakriti.
# ''Vidhi'' means injunctions for the performance of particular rites.
# ''Vidhi'' means injunctions for the performance of particular rites.
# ''Arthavada'' comprises the numerous explanatory remarks on the meaning of Mantras and particular rites.
# ''Arthavada'' comprises the numerous explanatory remarks on the meaning of Mantras and particular rites.
# ''Purakalpa'' refers to the performance of sacrificial rites in former times.
# ''Purakalpa'' refers to the performance of sacrificial rites in former times.
# ''Parakriti'' means the achievements of others.
# ''Parakriti'' means the achievements of others.
The main subject of the Brahmanas is injunction (Vidhi), all other topics being subservient to it. They may be classified differently. Shabara, in his commentary, has summed up their subjects into ten following heads:
The main subject of the Brahmanas is injunction (Vidhi), all other topics being subservient to it. Sayana states that They may be classified differently. Shabara, in his commentary, has summed up their subjects into ten following heads:
# ''Hetu'' - reasons
# ''Hetu'' - reasons
# ''Nirvacana'' - etymology
# ''Nirvacana'' - etymology