Changes

According to Sankara also Aranyaka is so called because it is to be learnt or studied in the forest.  The Brahmanas advocating the actual observances of the sacrifices are meant for गृहस्थ || ''Grihastha'' and the आरण्यक || Aranyakas containing explanations of the rituals and allegorical speculations thereon are meant for वानप्रस्थ || ''Vanprasthas'', who renounce family life residing in the forests for tapas and other religious activities.  

According to Sankara also Aranyaka is so called because it is to be learnt or studied in the forest.  The Brahmanas advocating the actual observances of the sacrifices are meant for गृहस्थ || ''Grihastha'' and the आरण्यक || Aranyakas containing explanations of the rituals and allegorical speculations thereon are meant for वानप्रस्थ || ''Vanprasthas'', who renounce family life residing in the forests for tapas and other religious activities.  

Alternately, the reason might be that these texts were propounded by the Rishis who resided in the forests and thought upon the secrets of the ''Yajnas''. Aranyakas describe the actions of life and also acquisition of knowledge. These works form the basis of the ''Rahasya'' (secrets) discussed in the Upanishads, therefore, another name of the Aranyakas was ‘''Rahasya''‘ as well. This name is mentioned in the Gopatha Brahmana (2.10, Purvabhaga) and Manusmriti (2.140) Pg No 280 of Ref 5).

Alternately, the reason might be that these texts were propounded by the Rishis who resided in the forests and thought upon the secrets of the ''Yajnas''. Aranyakas describe the actions of life and also acquisition of knowledge. These works form the basis of the ''Rahasya'' (secrets) discussed in the Upanishads, therefore, another name of the Aranyakas was ‘''Rahasya''‘ as well. This name is mentioned in the Gopatha Brahmana (2.10, Purvabhaga) and Manusmriti (2.140) and Vasishta Dharmasutras. <ref name=":1">Raghunadhacharya, S. B. (1992) ''Aarshavijnana Sarvasvamu, Volume Three : Aranyakalu.'' Tirupati: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Press</ref><blockquote>तस्या भर्तुरभिचार उक्तं प्रायश्चित्तं रहस्येषु || (Vash. Dham. Sutr. 4.4)</blockquote><blockquote>''tasyā bharturabhicāra uktaṁ prāyaścittaṁ rahasyeṣu || (Vash. Dham. Sutr. 4.4)''</blockquote>

 

==  Contents ==

==  Contents ==

The major contents of the Aranyakas are ''Brahmavidya'' (ब्रह्मविद्या । theosophy), ''Upasana'' (उपासना । meditation) and ''Pranavidya'' (प्राणविद्या । knowledge of breath). They describe the secret meaning of the sacrifice and the concept of Brahma as well. They constitute a natural transition to the Upanishads.  

The major contents of the Aranyakas are ''Brahmavidya'' (ब्रह्मविद्या । theosophy), ''Upasana'' (उपासना । meditation) and ''Pranavidya'' (प्राणविद्या । knowledge of breath). They describe the secret meaning of the sacrifice and the concept of Brahma as well. They constitute a natural transition to the Upanishads.