Changes

Different texts of Vedic literature is further classified as follows<ref>Vettam, Mani. (1975). ''[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature.]'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass.</ref>.

Different texts of Vedic literature is further classified as follows<ref>Vettam, Mani. (1975). ''[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature.]'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass.</ref>.

=== संहिताः || Samhitas ===

=== संहिताः || Samhitas ===

Samhitas (Samskrit : संहिता) deal primarily with yagas and are collections of mantras in praise of deities for attaining prosperity in the world and happiness hereafter. There are four Vedic Samhitas: the Rig-Veda, Sama-Veda, Yajur-Veda, and Atharva-Veda, most of which are available in several shakas (recensions).  

संहिता-s || Samhitas deal primarily with याग-s || yagas and are collections of मन्त्राः ॥ mantras in praise of deities for attaining prosperity in the world and happiness hereafter. There are four Vedic Samhitas: the ऋग्वेदः ॥ Rigveda, सामवेदः ॥ Samaveda, यजुर्वेदः ॥ Yajurveda, and अथर्ववेदः ॥ Atharvaveda, most of which are available in several शाखाः ॥ shakhas (recensions).  

Yagas are of three types :   

यागाः ॥ Yagas are of three types :   

* Ekaha: A yaga that is completed in one day is called Ekaha. Ex: Jyotishtoma.   

* एकाहः ॥ Ekaha: A yaga that is completed in one day is called Ekaha. Ex: ज्योतिष्टोमः ॥ Jyotishtoma.   

* Ahina: A yaga that is lasts between 2 to 12 days is called Ahina or sutya. Ex: a 12 day Sutyaka is Poundarika  

* Ahina: A yaga that is lasts between 2 to 12 days is called Ahina or sutya. Ex: a 12 day Sutyaka is Poundarika  

* Satrayagam : A yaga that lasts from 12 days to a few years is called Satra. Ex : Gavamanas  

* सत्रयागः ॥ Satrayaga: A यागः ॥ yaga that lasts from 12 days to a few years is called सत्रम् ॥ Satra. Ex : Gavamanas  

In these samhitas, all karmas are described, they are of four types :   

In these samhitas, all कर्म-s || karmas are described, they are of four types :   

* Nityakarma : actions that are prescribed to be performed on a daily basis  

* नित्यकर्म ॥ Nityakarma: actions that are prescribed to be performed on a daily basis  

* Naimittika karma  

* नैमित्तिककर्म ॥ Naimittika karma  

* Kamya karma   

* काम्यकर्म ॥ Kamya karma   

* Nishiddha karma  

* निषिद्धकर्म ॥ Nishiddha karma  

In some contexts, the term Veda is used to refer to these Samhitas. This is the oldest layer of Vedic texts, apart from the Rigveda, which is the oldest text in the world.<ref name=":2" />

In some contexts, the term Veda is used to refer to these Samhitas. This is the oldest layer of Vedic texts, apart from the Rigveda, which is the oldest text in the world.<ref name=":2" />

This portion is mainly meant for [[Brahmacharya (walking on the path of the divine)|ब्रह्मचारी || Brahmacharis]], those who are in the first stage of their lives.

This portion is mainly meant for [[Brahmacharya (walking on the path of the divine)|ब्रह्मचारी-s || Brahmacharis]], those who are in the first stage of their lives.

=== ब्राह्मणानि || Brahmanas ===

=== ब्राह्मणानि || Brahmanas ===

आपस्तम्ब || Apastamba defines Brahmanas as ‘कर्मचोदना ब्राह्मणानि || Karmacodana Brahmanani’ meaning Brahmanas are injunctions for the performance of sacrificial rites (Apasthamba Shrau. Sut. 34 and 35). Some believe that what are not mantras are brahmanas (Jaimineeya Purvamimamsa 2.1.33)

आपस्तम्बः || Apastamba defines ब्राह्मण-s || Brahmanas as <blockquote>‘कर्मचोदना ब्राह्मणानि || karmacodanā brāhmaṇāni’ </blockquote>Meaning: ब्राह्मण-s || Brahmanas are injunctions for the performance of sacrificial rites (Apastamba Shrau. Sut. 34 and 35). Some believe that what are not mantras are ब्राह्मण-s || brahmanas (जैमिनीयपूर्वमीमांसा ॥ Jaimineeya Purvamimamsa 2.1.33)

Brahmanas though are not metrical like the Vedic mantras contain prose with patha paddhati or recitation methods to chant them. They are commentaries or explanation of ceremonial Srauta yajnas giving the meaning of mantras in Vedic Samhitas of the four Vedas and depict the socio-economic conditions and religious aspects of the era. They also contain some legends and debates about a few differences in the rituals. Each Vedic shakha (school) has its own operating manual-like Brahmana text, most of which have been lost. A total of 19 Brahmana texts have survived into modern times: two associated with the Rigveda, six with the Yajurveda, ten with the Samaveda and one with the Atharvaveda.<ref name=":2" />

ब्राह्मण-s || Brahmanas though are not metrical like the Vedic mantras contain prose with पाठपद्धतिः ॥ patha paddhati (recitation methods) to chant them. They are commentaries or explanation of ceremonial श्रौतयज्ञाः ॥ Shrauta yajnas giving the meaning of मन्त्राः ॥ mantras in Vedic Samhitas of the four Vedas and depict the socio-economic conditions and religious aspects of the era. They also contain some legends and debates about a few differences in the rituals. Each Vedic shakha (school) has its own operating manual-like ब्राह्मण ॥ Brahmana text, most of which have been lost. A total of 19 Brahmana texts have survived into modern times: two associated with the Rigveda, six with the Yajurveda, ten with the Samaveda and one with the Atharvaveda.<ref name=":2" />

Each of the Brahmanas is associated with one of the Samhitas or its recensions. The Brahmanas may either form separate texts or can be partly integrated into the text of the Samhitas. They may also include the Aranyakas and Upanishads. The substance of the Brahmana text varies with each Veda.  

Each of the Brahmanas is associated with one of the Samhitas or its recensions. The Brahmanas may either form separate texts or can be partly integrated into the text of the Samhitas. They may also include the आरण्यक-s || Aranyakas and उपनिषद्-s || Upanishads. The substance of the Brahmana text varies with each Veda.  

This portion of a Veda guides people in the performance of Vedic Karmas or sacrificial rituals; they are the prose explanations of the method of using the mantras in the Yajnas and other rituals. Brahmana is suitable for the गृहस्थ || Grihasthas (the householders), those belonging to the second stage in life.

This portion of a Veda guides people in the performance of Vedic Karmas or sacrificial rituals; they are the prose explanations of the method of using the mantras in the Yajnas and other rituals. Brahmana is suitable for the गृहस्थ-s || Grihasthas (the householders), those belonging to the second stage in life.

=== अरण्यकानि || Aranyakas ===

=== अरण्यकानि || Aranyakas ===

Aranyakas, "wilderness texts" or "forest treatisies" अरण्येऽधीयूरान् meaning texts to be studied in forests as mentioned in Taittiriya Aranyaka, were composed by people who meditated in the woods as recluses and are the third part of the Vedas. The texts contain discussions and interpretations of ceremonies, from ritualisitic to symbolic meta-ritualistic points of view<ref name=":2">Malladi, Sri. Suryanarayana Sastry (1982) ''Samskruta Vangmaya Charitra, Volume 1 Vaidika Vangmayam'' Hyderabad : Andhra Sarasvata Parishad</ref>.  

Aranyakas, "wilderness texts" or "forest treatisies" अरण्येऽधीयूरान् meaning texts to be studied in forests as mentioned in Taittiriya Aranyaka, were composed by people who meditated in the woods as recluses and are the third part of the Vedas. The texts contain discussions and interpretations of ceremonies, from ritualisitic to symbolic meta-ritualistic points of view<ref name=":2">Malladi, Sri. Suryanarayana Sastry (1982) ''Samskruta Vangmaya Charitra, Volume 1 Vaidika Vangmayam'' Hyderabad : Andhra Sarasvata Parishad</ref>.