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Aranyakas (Samskrit : आरण्यकम्) are generally the concluding portions of the several Brahmanas, but on account of their distinct character, contents and language deserve to be reckoned as a distinct category of literature. The term Aranyaka (आरण्यक) is derived from the word Aranya (अरण्यम्) meaning ‘forest’. The Aranyaka texts are so-called because ‘they were works to be read in the forest’ as against the Brahmanas, which were to be used by those in grihastha ashrama.
Aranyakas (Samskrit : आरण्यकम्) are generally the concluding portions of the several Brahmanas, but on account of their distinct character, contents and language deserve to be reckoned as a distinct category of literature. The term Aranyaka (आरण्यक) is derived from the word Aranya (अरण्यम्) meaning ‘forest’. The Aranyaka texts are so-called because ‘they were works to be read in the forest’ as against the Brahmanas used by those in grihastha ashrama.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":0" />
== परिचयः || Introduction ==
== परिचयः || Introduction ==
The major contents of the Aranyakas apart from the description of Karma-kanda related yajnas include the ''Brahmavidya'' (ब्रह्मविद्या । theosophy), ''Upasana'' (उपासना । meditation) and [[Pranavidya (प्राणविद्या)]] the knowledge of breath or life force. They describe the secret meaning of the yajnas and the concept of Brahma as well, thus constitute a natural transition to the Upanishads.
The major contents of the Aranyakas apart from the description of Karma-kanda related yajnas include the ''Brahmavidya'' (ब्रह्मविद्या । theosophy), ''Upasana'' (उपासना । meditation) and [[Pranavidya (प्राणविद्या)]] the knowledge of breath or life force. They describe the secret meaning of the yajnas and the concept of Brahma as well, thus constitute a natural transition to the Upanishads.
In the Aranyakas we find certain important aspects regarding nature, geographical, historical, social and cultural points.
In the Aranyakas we find certain important aspects regarding nature, geographical, historical, social and cultural points. A few of the following such aspects are listed below<ref name=":1" />
=== देशः । Geographical Locations ===
=== देशः || Geographical Locations ===
In the Aranyakas we find the names of the countries such as Kuru, Panchala, Matsya, Videha, and Kashi. Kurushetra is described as a sacred place where devatas namely Indra, Agni, Soma, Vishnu, and Visvedevas conducted yajnas, hence is also called as Devayajana (Brha. Aran. 1.1.2).
In the Aranyakas we find the names of the countries such as Kuru, Panchala, Matsya, Videha, and Kashi. Kurushetra is described as a sacred place where devatas namely Indra, Agni, Soma, Vishnu, and Visvedevas conducted yajnas, hence is also called as Devayajana (Brha. Aran. 1.1.2).
=== नद्यः । Rivers ===
=== नद्यः || Rivers ===
Taittriya Aranyaka (10.1.13) mentions the names of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Sarasvati, Sindhu, Varuna, Gomati, Trishtami, Supartu, Rasa, Sveta, Kubha and Mehamna. Of these Sarasvati river was personified as a devata and worshipped. In the present days, this river has dried up and known to flow underground.
Taittriya Aranyaka (10.1.13) mentions the names of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Sarasvati, Sindhu, Varuna, Gomati, Trishtami, Supartu, Rasa, Sveta, Kubha and Mehamna. Of these Sarasvati river was personified as a devata and worshipped. In the present days, this river has dried up and known to flow underground.
=== ऋतवः । Rtu-s (Seasons) ===
=== ऋतवः || Rtu-s (Seasons) ===
The chief among seasons is personified as the Samvatsara (a year). He controls all seasons which follow his orders. Names of seasons mentioned in Aranyakas and the corresponding seasons in the present day are given below.
The chief among seasons is personified as the Samvatsara (a year). He controls all seasons which follow his orders. Names of seasons mentioned in Aranyakas and the corresponding seasons in the present day are given below.
Of all the seasons the most important is Vasanta, when all yajnas and yagas can be initiated and performed.
Of all the seasons the most important is Vasanta, when all yajnas and yagas can be initiated and performed.
=== धान्यानि । Grains ===
=== धान्यानि || Grains ===
In the Aranyakas we find the mention of different grains such as - Vrihi (व्रीहिः), Priyangu (प्रियङ्गुः) Mudga (मुद्गः) Masha (माषः) Shyamaka wheat (श्यामकः) Tila (तिलः) Yava (यवः) Anu (अणु) Khalva (खल्वः) Nivara (नीवारः) and Masura (मसूरः). Farmers and tillers used to worship 'Shunasira (शुनासीरः)' a class of devatas. 'Shuna' were the devatas who commanded rains and sunlight, while 'Sira' was the hala (plough) devata. Agricultural processes were well described.
In the Aranyakas we find the mention of different grains such as - Vrihi (व्रीहिः), Priyangu (प्रियङ्गुः) Mudga (मुद्गः) Masha (माषः) Shyamaka wheat (श्यामकः) Tila (तिलः) Yava (यवः) Anu (अणु) Khalva (खल्वः) Nivara (नीवारः) and Masura (मसूरः). Farmers and tillers used to worship 'Shunasira (शुनासीरः)' a class of devatas. 'Shuna (शुना)' were the devatas who commanded rains and sunlight, while 'Sira (सीरः)' was the hala (plough) devata. Agricultural processes were well described.
=== क्षीरद्रव्याणि || Milk Products ===
Cow and cow's milk were considered sacred and worshipped as a form of Bhudevi (earth) and Aditi (mother of devatas) in Aranyakas. Pratidhuk (warm freshly obtained milk), Shruta (boiled milk), Shara (cream on the milk), Dadhi (curds), Mastu (मस्तुः | watery part of the curd, whey), Atanchana (आतञ्चनम् | process of curdling), Navanita (नवनीतम् | butter), Ghrta (घृतम् | ghee), Amiksha (आमिक्षा | mix of boiled and coagulated milk), Vajina (वाजिनम् | scum of curdled milk), Payasya (पयस्या | curds), Prushad (पृषद्), Ajya (आज्यम् | melted or clarified butter), Shnta (षांटा) etc are included under the types of milk products mentioned in these texts.
=== सोमलता || Soma Plant ===
Soma rasa was the main havis mentioned in Aranyakas considered as the food for devatas, and represents Chandra (moon).
एष वै सोमो राजा देवानामन्नं यच्चन्द्रमाः (Shat. Brah. 1.6.4.5)<ref>Shatapatha Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AC/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%83 Kanda 1 Adhyaya 6 दर्शोपचारः])</ref>
In the hillslopes of Munjavat mountains, these plants are found, with 15 variegated leaves, developing one each till Purnima tithi and thereafter shedding one leaf everyday till Amavasya when it stands as a bare stem. Again it develops the leaves from Amavasya till Purnima tithi. Somarasa is said to lighten the senses, and hence rtviks and the yajamana consume Somarasa during the yajnas. It is bought using gold, clothes, animal hide, a she-goat and milk yielding cows. In its absence Arjuna, Phalguna and Putika (पूतिका) creepers.
=== वृक्षाः || Plants ===
An interesting account of the usage of plants has been observed in Aranyakas. Many plant leaves, bark, twigs, branches etc are used extensively and their usage in different yajnas have been clearly shown to give different kinds of results.
* Apamarga (अपामार्गः | Prickly chaff flower, Botanical name is Achyranthes aspera) is used in the Rajasuya yajna and performing the "Aparmarga homa' will aid in the destruction of rakshasas.
* Arka (अर्कः | Crown flower plant, Botanical name is Calotropis gigantea ) leaves are used in Chayana homas.
* Asvattha (अश्वत्थः | Peepul tree, Botanical name is Ficus religiosa) a very sacred tree, is the tree where Maruts and other devatas reside. It is used in Rajasuya yajna and chayana. Its use brings about destruction of enemies and victory to the yajamana.
Similarly many other plants such as Audumbara, Kadira, Sami, Kramuka (used for samidhas in yajnas), Nyagrodha, Palasa, Devadara, Varana etc are used extensively in rajasuya, vajapeya, yajnas and chayana apart from using them to make the seats, yupas, agnihotra vessals, ladles, shankus, rathas and many other things.<ref name=":1" />
Animals (forest and domesticated), snakes and birds of may kinds have also found mention in Aranyakas.
=== 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 with respect to yajnas and yagas mentioned in them.
* Aranyakas, similar to the brahmanas, explain the meanings of words (padartha nirvachana) found in the samhitas, along with vyutpatti (etymology) and hence they are the basis for the construction of various nighantus (dictionaries).<ref name=":1" />
* Aranyakas, similar to the brahmanas, explain the meanings of words (padartha nirvachana) found in the samhitas, along with vyutpatti (etymology) and hence they are the basis for the construction of various nighantus (dictionaries).<ref name=":1" />
* Aranyakas have ritualistic descriptions similar to the Brahmanas, with symbolism and mysticism.
* Aranyakas have ritualistic descriptions similar to the Brahmanas, with symbolism and mysticism.
* 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.
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 Arunaketuka fire. 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.
* 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 2 is about five Mahā-yajñas which include Svaadhyaya, Yagnopaveeta vidhi, sandhya and enumerate the mantras for Kushmanda homa.
* Prapathaka 2 is about five Mahā-yajñas which include Svaadhyaya, the Panchamahayajnas, Yagnopaveeta vidhi, sandhya and enumerate the mantras for Kushmanda homa.
Prapathaka 3, contains mantras for Chaturhitraasheeti homa and others.
* Prapathaka 3, contains mantras for Chaturhotra-asheeti homa and others.
Prapathaka 4, provides the mantras used in the [[pravargya]] yagna.
Prapathaka 4, provides the mantras used in the [[pravargya]] yagna.