Changes

* '''Saunaka''' compiled the fifth.   

* '''Saunaka''' compiled the fifth.   

Aitareya Aranyaka says ‘The same Real is worshiped as उक्थ || Uktha in the Rk, as Agni in the Yajuh and as Mahavrata in the Sama.’ (Aitareya Aranyaka, 3. 2. 3. 12). Thus the Aranyaka introduces the concept of unifying the different aspects given in Vedas thus paving way to philosophical considerations.  

Aitareya Aranyaka says ‘The same Real is worshiped as उक्थ || Uktha in the Rk, as Agni in the Yajuh and as Mahavrata in the Sama.’ (Aitareya Aranyaka, 3. 2. 3. 12). Thus the Aranyaka introduces the concept of unifying the different aspects given in Vedas thus paving way to philosophical considerations.  

* The First Aranyaka : The importance of ‘Maha-vrata’ (which is a part of the Gavaamayana sattra, described in Aitareya Brahmana), a form of Agnistoma yajna (one of the Haviryajnas). The most important constituent of Mahavrata, is the pressing of soma plant and the chanting of Mahavrata stotra made up of five Samans, and the day it is chanted is called Mahavrata Day.<ref name=":0" /> There are eulogies about Indra getting the power to kill Vrtrasura because of Somapana by conducting Mahavrata.<ref name=":1" /> Because of the power of these mantras, they should not be heard by pregnant women.<ref name=":42" />  

* '''The First Aranyaka''' : The importance of ‘Maha-vrata’ (which is a part of the Gavaamayana sattra, described in Aitareya Brahmana), a form of Agnistoma yajna (one of the Haviryajnas). The most important constituent of Mahavrata, is the pressing of soma plant and the chanting of Mahavrata stotra made up of five Samans, and the day it is chanted is called Mahavrata Day.<ref name=":0" /> There are eulogies about Indra getting the power to kill Vrtrasura because of Somapana by conducting Mahavrata.<ref name=":1" /> Because of the power of these mantras, they should not be heard by pregnant women.<ref name=":42" />  

* The Second Aranyaka : It has six adhyayas of which the first three are about Uktha, and ‘[[Pranavidya (प्राणविद्या)|Pranavidya]]’ – meaning, Prana, the Vital Air that constitutes the life-breath of a living body is also the life-breath of all mantras, all vedas and all vedic declarations (cf. 2.2.2 of Aitareya Aranyaka). It is in this portion of the Aranyaka that one finds specific statements about how one who follows the vedic injunctions and performs the yajnas goes to become the Agnidevata, Fire, or the Sun or Air and how one who transgresses the Vedic prescriptions is born into lower levels of being, namely, as birds and reptiles. Adhyayas 4 to 6 constitute the [[Aitareya Upanishad]].<ref name=":4" />

* '''The Second Aranyaka''' : It has six adhyayas of which the first three are about Uktha, and ‘[[Pranavidya (प्राणविद्या)|Pranavidya]]’ – meaning, Prana, the Vital Air that constitutes the life-breath of a living body is also the life-breath of all mantras, all vedas and all vedic declarations (cf. 2.2.2 of Aitareya Aranyaka). It is in this portion of the Aranyaka that one finds specific statements about how one who follows the vedic injunctions and performs the yajnas goes to become the Agnidevata, Fire, or the Sun or Air and how one who transgresses the Vedic prescriptions is born into lower levels of being, namely, as birds and reptiles. Adhyayas 4 to 6 constitute the [[Aitareya Upanishad]].<ref name=":4" />

* The Third Aranyaka : It is also known as ‘Samhitopanishad’. This elaborates on the various ways – like samhita, pada-paatha (पद पाठ), krama-paatha (क्रम पाठ), etc. – of reciting the Vedas and the nuances of the svaras (स्वर-s), division of vowels and consonants. It also contains the references of Shakalya and Mandukeya and describes the usage of technical words like निर्भुज (samhita) प्रतृष्ण (pada), sandhi, etc.<ref name=":4" />   

* '''The Third Aranyaka''' : It is also known as ‘Samhitopanishad’. This elaborates on the various ways – like samhita, pada-paatha (पद पाठ), krama-paatha (क्रम पाठ), etc. – of reciting the Vedas and the nuances of the svaras (स्वर-s), division of vowels and consonants. It also contains the references of Shakalya and Mandukeya and describes the usage of technical words like निर्भुज (samhita) प्रतृष्ण (pada), sandhi, etc.<ref name=":4" />   

* The Fourth Aranyaka : A small aranyaka containing the collection of ‘Mahaanaamni richaas (महानाम्नी ऋचाः)’ that are chanted on the 5th day of Mahavrata. These are also available in Samaveda.

* '''The Fourth Aranyaka''' : A small aranyaka containing the collection of ‘Mahaanaamni richaas (महानाम्नी ऋचाः)’ that are chanted on the 5th day of Mahavrata. These are also available in Samaveda.

* The Fifth Aranyaka : It is devoted to the nishkevalya sastra. This is in sutra style and recited during the afternoon ceremony of the Mahavrata.<ref name=":4" />  

* '''The Fifth Aranyaka''' : It is devoted to the nishkevalya sastra. This is in sutra style and recited during the afternoon ceremony of the Mahavrata.<ref name=":4" />  

Aitareya Aranyaka presents highest level of spiritual thoughts, explains about universality and mentions the vyutpatti or etymology of a large number of rishi names.<ref name=":1" />

Aitareya Aranyaka presents highest level of spiritual thoughts, explains about universality and mentions the vyutpatti or etymology of a large number of rishi names.<ref name=":1" />

=== Taittiriya Aranyaka ===

=== Taittiriya Aranyaka ===

Consists of 10 Prapathakas or Aranas or chapters which are divided into anuvakas (अनुवाक).  The first two prapathakas are known as Kaathaka, which were not native to the tradition of the Taittiriya shakha. There is a disagreement about the number of anuvakas and interpolations, as per the different commentators of the Tattiriya Aranyaka.

Consists of 10 Prapathakas or Aranas or chapters which are divided into anuvakas (अनुवाक).  The first two prapathakas are known as Kaathaka, which were not native to the tradition of the Taittiriya shakha. There is a disagreement about the number of anuvakas and interpolations, as per the different commentators of the Tattiriya Aranyaka.

* Prapathaka 1 discusses the upasana of Arunaketuka fire and Istaka-chayana. Suryopasakas (those who worship Surya) call this Aruna. The practice of chanting these mantras while performing Suryanamaskaras to prevent all diseases is seen in the present days also. This prapathaka also discusses the tattva of Surya, Saptasuryas, formation and nature of a year, seasons.<ref name=":42" />  

* Prapathaka 1 (called as Bhadram) discusses the upasana of Arunaketuka fire and Istaka-chayana. Suryopasakas (those who worship Surya) call this Aruna. The practice of chanting these mantras while performing Suryanamaskaras to prevent all diseases is seen in the present days also. This prapathaka also discusses the tattva of Surya, Saptasuryas, formation and nature of a year, seasons.<ref name=":42" />  

* Prapathaka 2 is about five Mahā-yajñas which include Svaadhyaya, the Panchamahayajnas, Yagnopaveeta vidhi, sandhya and enumerate the mantras for Kushmanda homa.  

* Prapathaka 2 (Sahavai) is about five Mahā-yajñas which include Svaadhyaya, the Panchamahayajnas, Yagnopaveeta dharana vidhi (ceremonially wearing the upaveeta) and its importance, arghyapradana (offering of water), sandhya and enumerate the mantras for Kushmanda homa.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":42" />

* Prapathaka 3, contains mantras for Chaturhotra-asheeti homa and others.

* Prapathaka 3 (Chitti), contains mantras for Chaturhotra-chiti, Brahmamedha and Purushamedha.  

Prapathaka 4, provides the mantras used in the [[pravargya]] yagna.

* Prapathaka 4 (Yunjate), provides the mantras used in the [[pravargya]] yajna. Here there is a description of Kurukshetra and geographical location of Khandava vana. There is a description of 'Abhichara' mantras also in this section to defeat the enemies.<ref name=":4" />

 

* Prapathaka 5 (Devavai), contains the brahmana or the explanation of the Pravargya-yajna.  

Prapathaka 5, contains the brahmana or the explanation of the Pravargya-yajña.

* Prapathaka 6 (Pare), contains the पित्रमेध || ‘pitṛmedha’ mantras, recited during the rituals for the disposal of the dead body.  

 

* Prapathakas 7 (Shiksha) a grammatical treatise, 8 (Brahmavidya) and 9 (Bhrgu), are the three vallis of the well-known [[Taittiriya Upanishad]].  

Prapathaka 6, contains the पित्रमेध || ‘pitṛmedha’ mantras, recited during the rituals for the disposal of the dead body.

* Prapathaka 10 (Narayaniya), is also known as the "[[Mahanarayana Upanishad]]" also considered as Khila kanda. The number of anuvakas in this section are varied and scholars have divergent views.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":0" />

 

Chapters 7, 8 and 9, are the three vallis of the well-known [[Taittiriya Upanishad]].

 

Chapter 10, is also known as the "[[Mahanarayana Upanishad]]".  

 

Other important parts of this Aranyaka include

Other important parts of this Aranyaka include

Four types of waters are mentioned - चत्वारि व अपाम् रूपाणि | मेघो विद्युत स्तनयित्नुर्वृष्टिः || Chatvari va apaam rupaani. Megho vidyut stanayitnurvrishtih (1.24.1)

Four types of waters are mentioned - चत्वारि व अपाम् रूपाणि | मेघो विद्युत स्तनयित्नुर्वृष्टिः || Chatvari va apaam rupaani. Megho vidyut stanayitnurvrishtih (1.24.1)

The यज्ञोपवीत || yajnopavita (sacred tread) is found mentioned for the first time in this aranyaka. It is stated that a yajna performed by a person wearing the sacred thread was well recognised and brahmana reciting the vedas while wearing the sacred thread performs actually a yajna: प्रसृतो ह यज्ञोपवीतिनो यज्ञ. (2.1.1)

The यज्ञोपवीत || yajnopavita (sacred thread) is found mentioned for the first time in this aranyaka. It is stated that a yajna performed by a person wearing the sacred thread was well recognised and brahmana reciting the vedas while wearing the sacred thread performs actually a yajna: प्रसृतो ह यज्ञोपवीतिनो यज्ञ. (2.1.1)

Boudha bhikshus were designated as sramanas (श्रमणाः) in this aranyaka; the same word refers to a person who performs penance (2.7.1). It is the most useful aranyaka for explanations of many mantras.

Boudha bhikshus were designated as sramanas (श्रमणाः) in this aranyaka; the same word refers to a person who performs penance (2.7.1). It is the most useful aranyaka for explanations of many mantras.

=== Brhadaaranyaka of Shukla Yajurveda ===

=== Brhadaaranyaka of Shukla Yajurveda ===

Brhadaranyaka of Madhyandina shaka

Brhadaranyaka of Madhyandina shaka