Changes

==  परिचय || Introduction ==

==  परिचय || Introduction ==

The Vedas have been divided into four styles of texts – the Samhitas, the Aranyakas, the Brahmanas and the Upanishads.<ref name=":0222">A Bhattacharya (2006), Hindu Dharma: Introduction to Scriptures and Theology, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0595384556</nowiki>, pages 8-14</ref> The Samhitas are sometimes identified as कर्म खण्ड || ''karma-kanda'' (action/ritual-related section), while the Upanishads are identified as ज्ञान खण्ड || ''jnana-kanda'' (knowledge/spirituality-related section).<ref name=":0222" /> The Aranyakas and Brahmanas are variously classified, sometimes as the ceremonial ''karma-kanda'', other times (or parts of them) as the ''jnana-kanda''.

The Vedas have been divided into four styles of texts – the Samhitas, the Aranyakas, the Brahmanas and the Upanishads.<ref name=":0222">A Bhattacharya (2006), Hindu Dharma: Introduction to Scriptures and Theology, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0595384556</nowiki>, pages 8-14</ref>. The subject matter of the whole Veda is divided into Karma-Kanda, Upasana-Kanda and Jnana-Kanda. The Karma-Kanda or Ritualistic section deals with various sacrifices and rituals. The Upasana-Kanda or Worship section deals with various kinds of worship or meditation. The Jnana-Kanda or Knowledge-Section deals with the highest knowledge of Nirguna Brahman. The Samhitas and the Brahmanas constitute Karma-Kanda; the Aranyakas constitute Upasana-Kanda; and the Upanishads constitute Jnana-Kanda<ref>Swami Sivananda, All About Hinduism, Page 30-31</ref>. 

Another opinion states: "The ''Samhitas'' and the ''Brahmanas'' form the ''Karma''-''Kanda'' segment of the Vedas. They are apparently concerned with the ceremonial rites and rituals. The ''Aranyakas'' and the Upanishads form the Jnana-''Kanda'' segment of the Vedas. They explicitly focus on the philosophy and spiritualism.<ref name=":1222"><nowiki>http://indianscriptures.50webs.com/partveda.htm</nowiki>, 6th Paragraph</ref>

Another opinion states: "The ''Samhitas'' and the ''Brahmanas'' form the ''Karma''-''Kanda'' segment of the Vedas. They are apparently concerned with the ceremonial rites and rituals. The ''Aranyakas'' and the Upanishads form the Jnana-''Kanda'' segment of the Vedas. They explicitly focus on the philosophy and spiritualism.<ref name=":1222"><nowiki>http://indianscriptures.50webs.com/partveda.htm</nowiki>, 6th Paragraph</ref>

Swami Sivananda says: The Aranyakas are the forest books, the mystical texts which give philosophical interpretations of the rituals. The Aranyakas are intended for the vanaprasthas or hermits who prepare themselves for taking Sannyasa<ref>Swami Sivananda, All About Hinduism, Page 30-31</ref>.

Swami Sivananda says: The Aranyakas are the forest books, the mystical texts which give philosophical interpretations of the rituals. The Aranyakas are intended for the vanaprasthas or hermits who prepare themselves for taking Sannyasa<ref>Swami Sivananda, All About Hinduism, Page 30-31</ref>.

Shri K. S. Narayanacharya says: The Aranyaka portions are to be recited and meditated upon in lonely hermitages, in forests, in seclusion for receiving their true imports<ref name=":2222" />.  

Shri K. S. Narayanacharya says: The Aranyaka portions are to be recited and meditated upon in lonely hermitages, in forests, in seclusion for receiving their true imports<ref name=":2222" />.

==  Etymology ==

==  Etymology ==