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=== Saamyam between Aranyakas and Upanishads ===
 
=== Saamyam between Aranyakas and Upanishads ===
The main characteristic bridging feature of the Aranyakas is the tendency of inwardisation or moving to the higher plane of mental faculties (symbolism and mental sacrifices) from rituals or actions.  Thus, the words Atma and Brahman are substituted for the word Prana in the Aranyakas. The aranya vaasis are trained to wean away from the performance of outer worldly formal sacrifices (consisting of oblations of rice or milk) to focus on the inner or mental sacrifices substituting them with simpler ceremonial items such as water.   
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The main characteristic bridging feature of the Aranyakas is the tendency of inwardisation or moving to the higher plane of mental faculties (symbolism and mental sacrifices) from rituals or actions.  Thus, the words Atma and Brahman are substituted for the word Prana in the Aranyakas. The aranya vaasis are trained to wean away from the performance of outer worldly formal sacrifices (consisting of oblations of rice or milk) and to focus on the inner or mental sacrifices substituting them with simpler ceremonial items such as water.   
    
Thus, although sacrificial rites are described in Aranyakas  they expound the symbolism and mysticism of these sacrifices rather than focus on the action of the ritual, the associated rules for performance of a ritual and the explanation of the rites connected with them.  For ex the Pravargya ritual is described in the Taitreya Aranyaka identifies Pravargya with the sun or Aditya (TA V.4.8) suggesting that the essence consists of meditating upon it as Aditya rather than in performing the actual ritual. Arunaketuka deals with Arunaketuka or fire, which begins with a highly philosophical description of kaala.
 
Thus, although sacrificial rites are described in Aranyakas  they expound the symbolism and mysticism of these sacrifices rather than focus on the action of the ritual, the associated rules for performance of a ritual and the explanation of the rites connected with them.  For ex the Pravargya ritual is described in the Taitreya Aranyaka identifies Pravargya with the sun or Aditya (TA V.4.8) suggesting that the essence consists of meditating upon it as Aditya rather than in performing the actual ritual. Arunaketuka deals with Arunaketuka or fire, which begins with a highly philosophical description of kaala.

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