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==  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 yajnas and the concept of Brahma as well. They constitute a natural transition to the Upanishads.  

=== प्राणविद्या  || Pranavidya ===

=== प्राणविद्या  || Pranavidya ===

The importance of Pranavidya is the special emphasis of Aranyakas. The quiet environment and solitude of the forests are the most apt locations to meditate on Pranavidya. Aitareya Aranyaka gives an exceptional account of this vidya

The importance of Pranavidya is the special emphasis of Aranyakas. The quiet environment and solitude of the forests are the most apt locations to meditate on Pranavidya. Aitareya Aranyaka gives an exceptional account of this vidya.  

 

 

Third to sixth Kandas of Kausitaki Aaranya forms the Kausitaki Upanishad.  

=== Comparison of Aranyakas and Brahmanas ===

=== Comparison of Aranyakas and Brahmanas ===

Following are the similarities between Aranyakas and Brahmanas.

Following are the similarities between Aranyakas and Brahmanas.

* Aranyakas have ritualistic descriptions similar to the Brahmanas, with symbolism and mysticism.

* Aranyakas have ritualistic descriptions similar to the Brahmanas, with symbolism and mysticism.

** Pravargya in Taitreya Aranyaka (Prapathakas 4 and 5) and Shatapataha Brahmana (Kanda 14)  

** Pravargya in Taitreya Aranyaka (Prapathakas 4 and 5) and Shatapataha Brahmana (Kanda 14)  

Thus, although yajnas 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 (प्रवर्ग्य ) ritual is described in the Taitreya Aranyaka identifies Pravargya with the sun or Aditya (Tait. Aran. 5.4.8) 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 (कालः).

Thus, although yajnas 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 (प्रवर्ग्य ) ritual is described in the Taitreya Aranyaka identifies Pravargya with the sun or Aditya (Tait. Aran. 5.4.8) 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 (कालः).

The creation of the universe, the power of the Supreme, Om, the soul and the cycle of birth and death are explained in Brihadaranyaka in a simple manner. No nation, no country, no culture in this age of science has been able to produce such great truths related to the knowledge of the Self and the Brahman as are mentioned in this Aranyaka. In this reference dialogue between Maitreyi and Yajnavalkya is often quoted.  

The creation of the universe, the power of the Supreme, Om, atma and the cycle of birth and death are explained in Brihadaranyaka in a simple manner. No nation, no country, no culture in this age of science has been able to produce such great truths related to the knowledge of the Self and the Brahman as are mentioned in this Aranyaka. In this reference dialogue between Maitreyi and Yajnavalkya is often quoted. Brihadaranyaka found in the Shatapatha Brahmana which is highly referred of all Upanishads, is regarded as the Brihadaranyaka-Upanishad also.  

 

Brihadaranyaka found in the Shatapatha Brahmana which is highly referred of all Upanishads, is regarded as the Brihadaranyaka-Upanishad also.

Aranyakas play the role of the middle path and help to bridge the gulf between the ''Karma- kanda'' and ''Jnana-kanda''. Questions began to be asked about topics such as Universe, creation, death, and moksha.  Thus the question answer format that we see in the Upanishads is by no means lacking in the Aranyakas.   

Aranyakas play the role of the middle path and help to bridge the gulf between the ''Karma- kanda'' and ''Jnana-kanda''. Questions began to be asked about topics such as Universe, creation, death, and moksha.  Thus the question answer format that we see in the Upanishads is by no means lacking in the Aranyakas.   

Today only seven Aranyakas are available. There is no Aranyaka which belongs to the Atharvaveda.<ref name=":42" /><ref>Dr. Shashi Tiwari (Retd.), Sanskrit Department, Delhi University in ''[http://vedicheritage.gov.in/aranyakas/ Introduction to Aranyakas]'' on Vedic Heritage Portal</ref>

Today only seven Aranyakas are available. There is no Aranyaka which belongs to the Atharvaveda.<ref name=":42" /><ref>Dr. Shashi Tiwari (Retd.), Sanskrit Department, Delhi University in ''[http://vedicheritage.gov.in/aranyakas/ Introduction to Aranyakas]'' on Vedic Heritage Portal</ref>

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

|+Available Aranyakas

|+Available and Lost Aranyakas<ref name=":1" />

! rowspan="2" |Rig Veda

! rowspan="2" |Rig Veda

|Aitareya Aranyaka

|Aitareya Aranyaka

|5 Aranyakas

|5 Aranyakas

|18 adhyayas

|18 adhyayas

|-

|-

|Kaushitaki/Shankhyayana

|Kaushitaki/Shankhyayana

|

|

|

|

|-

|-

|Maitrayaniya Aranyaka

|Maitrayaniya Aranyaka

|

|

|-

|-

!Shukla Yajurveda

! rowspan="2" |Shukla Yajurveda

|Brihadaranyaka

|Madhyandina Brhadaranyaka

|

|

|

|

|-

|-

! rowspan="2" |Samaveda

|Kanva Brhadaranyaka

|

|

|

|

|-

|-

|Chandogya- Aranyaka

|Talavakara or Jaiminiya-Upanishad Aranyaka

|

|

|

|

|-

|-

!Atharvaveda

!Atharvaveda

|None Available

| colspan="4" |May have existed but none are presently available

|

|}

|}

Among them Aitareya Aranyaka, Shatapatha Aranyaka and Taittiriya Aranyaka are most important for study.

Among them Aitareya Aranyaka, Shatapatha Aranyaka and Taittiriya Aranyaka are most important for study.

== सम्वादः|| Discussion ==

== सम्वादः|| Discussion ==

The ''Aranyakas'' form the third part of the Vedas, developed by the hermits, living in the forests they reflect an explicit transition in the philosophy of life of man. The speculative and intuitive thinking appears to be developing in that stage. Meditative thinking is conspicuous. The Vedic man seems to be turning from the gross to the subtle. His quest for knowledge seems to be intensified.<ref name=":122"><nowiki>http://indianscriptures.50webs.com/partveda.htm</nowiki>, 6th Paragraph</ref>

The ''Aranyakas'' form the third part of the Vedas, developed by the rishis living in the forests, and reflect an explicit transition in the philosophy of life of man. The speculative and intuitive thinking appears to be developing in that stage. Meditative thinking is conspicuous. The Vedic man seems to be turning from the gross to the subtle. His quest for knowledge seems to be intensified.<ref name=":122"><nowiki>http://indianscriptures.50webs.com/partveda.htm</nowiki>, 6th Paragraph</ref>  

Aranyakas teach methods of meditation based upon symbolical interpretations of sacrificial rites - a process of performing Yajnas and sacrifices at the mental level. For example Brihadaranyaka Upanishad starts with such analytical mental performance of अश्वमेध यज्ञ || Aswamedha Yajna.<ref>[http://www.esamskriti.com/essay-chapters/Vedas-and-Upanishads~-A-Structural-Profile-3.aspx http://www.esamskriti.com/essay-chapters/Vedas-and-Upanishads~-A-Structural-Profile-3.aspx, Part c] </ref>

Aranyakas teach methods of meditation based upon symbolical interpretations of sacrificial rites - a process of performing Yajnas and sacrifices at the mental level. For example Brihadaranyaka Upanishad starts with such analytical mental performance of अश्वमेध यज्ञ || Aswamedha Yajna.<ref>[http://www.esamskriti.com/essay-chapters/Vedas-and-Upanishads~-A-Structural-Profile-3.aspx http://www.esamskriti.com/essay-chapters/Vedas-and-Upanishads~-A-Structural-Profile-3.aspx, Part c] </ref>

Gopatha Brahmana is regarded as its Aranyaka, a remnant of a larger, lost Atharva (Paippalada) Brahmana.

Gopatha Brahmana is regarded as its Aranyaka, a remnant of a larger, lost Atharva (Paippalada) Brahmana.

=== Aitareya Aranyaka ===

=== Aitareya Aranyaka ===

Aitareya Aranyaka belongs to the Shakala shaka of the Rigveda and it consists of five books each of which is again called Aranyaka. The five books together contain 18 adhyayas subdivided into Kandas.

Aitareya Aranyaka belongs to the Shakala shaka of the Rigveda and it consists of five books each of which is again called Aranyaka. The five books together contain 18 adhyayas subdivided into Kandas.  

* '''Mahidasa Aitereya''', who had compiled and expounded the Aitereya Brahmana also expounded the first of the three (books) Aranyakas of the Aitereya Aranyaka.   

* '''Mahidasa Aitereya''', who had compiled and expounded the Aitereya Brahmana also expounded the first of the three (books) Aranyakas of the Aitereya Aranyaka.   

* '''Ashvalayana''' expounded the fourth Aranyaka   

* '''Ashvalayana''' expounded the fourth Aranyaka   

The first Aranyaka deals with Mahavrata, second Aranyaka about significance of the Ukthas and the Upanishadic text, third Aranyaka about spiritual meaning of various interpretation of the Samhitas including padapatha, kramapatha etc. for recitation of the Vedamantras along with the Svaras), fourth Aranyaka about collection of Mahanamni verses and the fifth Aranyaka deals about mystic Shastras.The Aranyaka signifies symbolic meaning of the Vedic sacrifices.

The first Aranyaka deals with Mahavrata, second Aranyaka about significance of the Ukthas and the Upanishadic text, third Aranyaka about spiritual meaning of various interpretation of the Samhitas including padapatha, kramapatha etc. for recitation of the Vedamantras along with the Svaras), fourth Aranyaka about collection of Mahanamni verses and the fifth Aranyaka deals about mystic Shastras.The Aranyaka signifies symbolic meaning of the Vedic sacrifices.

The fourth, fifth and sixth chapter of the Second Aranyaka is known as Aitareya Upanishad. The speculative thoughts, homogeneous body of doctrines and deeply absorbing concepts are established in this Aranyaka by Mahidasa Aitareya. Out of the five Aranyakas, first, second and third Aranyaka are attributed to Mahidasa Aitareya, fourth Aranyaka to Ashvalayana and fifth Aranyaka to sage Shaunaka.

The fourth, fifth and sixth adhyayas of the Second Aranyaka is known as Aitareya Upanishad. The speculative thoughts, homogeneous body of doctrines and deeply absorbing concepts are established in this Aranyaka by Mahidasa Aitareya. Out of the five Aranyakas, first, second and third Aranyaka are attributed to Mahidasa Aitareya, fourth Aranyaka to Ashvalayana and fifth Aranyaka to sage Shaunaka.

Aitareya Aranyaka presents highest level of spiritual thoughts and explains about universality.

Aitareya Aranyaka presents highest level of spiritual thoughts and explains about universality.