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→विषयविभागः ॥ Vishayavibhaga: adding content and citations
== विषयविभागः ॥ Vishayavibhaga ==
== विषयविभागः ॥ Vishayavibhaga ==
=== Topics ===
According to Apasthamba , these texts deal with the following six topics: Vidhi, Arthavada, Ninda, Prashansha (same as Stuti), Purakalpa and Parakriti.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> Sayanacharya states that performance of vedic activities is inspired by vidhi and arthavada only:<ref name=":1" />
According to Apasthamba , these texts deal with the following six topics: Vidhi, Arthavada, Ninda, Prashansha (same as Stuti), Purakalpa and Parakriti.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> Sayanacharya states that performance of vedic activities is inspired by vidhi and arthavada only:<ref name=":1" />
# ''उपमान || Upamana'' - illustration.
# ''उपमान || Upamana'' - illustration.
''Yajna'' is not only sacrifice. In Brahmanas we find it as symbolic also. Here it often represents the knowledge of creation and thus describes the secrets of creation.<ref name=":2" />
''Yajna'' is not only sacrifice. In Brahmanas we find it as symbolic also. Here it often represents the knowledge of creation and thus describes the secrets of creation.<ref name=":2" />
=== Texual Design ===
Like Veda samhita Brahmanas are not metrically composed, yet they are treated as mantras having padapatha even though they contain prose. This is more pronounced in Taittriya and Shatapatha Brahmanas of Yajurveda where mantras are seen. Even though Brahmana texts agree with the Samhitas in the context of performing Yajnas, the difference in language style and description of social conditions indicate that all Brahmana texts did not arise in a single point of time. Tattriya Brahmana is said to be the oldest of all Brahmanas due to the following reasons.<ref name=":4">Pt. Suryanarayana Sastry Malladi. (1982) ''Samskruta Vangmaya Charitra, Volume 1, Vaidika Vangmayam.'' Hyderabad : Andhra Sarasvata Parishat</ref>
* Extensive usage of vedic words (प्राचीनप्रयोगबाहुल्यम्)
* Profound prose compositions (प्रढगद्यशैली)
* Rules for Svaras (स्वरनियमाः)
* Importance to Yajnas and yagas (यज्ञजीवत्वम्)
== Classification of Brahmanas ==
== Classification of Brahmanas ==
Each Brahmana is associated with one of the four Vedas, and within the tradition of that Veda with a particular [[shakha]] or school. Originally, there were numerous Brahmanas, of which only a few have survived to us. For each Samhita, there are corresponding Brahmanas which are listed here:
Each Brahmana is associated with one of the four Vedas, and within the tradition of that Veda with a particular [[shakha]] or school. Originally, there were numerous Brahmanas, of which only a few have survived to us. For each Samhita, there are corresponding Brahmanas which are listed here:
=== Rig Samhita ===
=== Rig Samhita ===
There are two available brahamanas associated with Rig veda.
There are two available brahamanas associated with Rig veda.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" />
# '''ऐतरेय ब्राह्मण || Aitareya Brahmana''' : It consists of 40 अध्याय || ''adhyayas'' (lessons, chapters), dealing with Soma sacrifice, and in particular the fire sacrifice ritual.
# '''ऐतरेय ब्राह्मण || Aitareya Brahmana''' : It consists of 8 Panchikas each containing 5 adhyayas thus a total of 40 ''adhyayas'' (अध्याय '''|''' lessons, chapters) are present. Some say that Bahvrucha brahmana (बहुव्रुच ब्राह्मण) is the same as Aitareya brahmana belonging to the Shakala shaka of Rig Samhita.<ref name=":1" /> In this brahmana the first 16 adhyayas deal with Soma sacrifice. Apart from this Agnistoma, Hotri krityas for yajnas like Jyotistoma, Atiratram, Gavamana and Agnihotra rituals are described.
# '''कौषितकी / सङ्खयन ब्राह्मण || Kaushitaki / Sankhayana Brahmana''' : It consists of 30 chapters, the first six of which are dedicated to food sacrifice, and the remaining to Soma sacrifice in a manner matching the Aitareya Brahmana.
# '''कौषितकि / सङ्खयन ब्राह्मण || Kaushitaki / Sankhayana Brahmana''' : It consists of 30 adhyayas and belongs to the Shankhyayana and Bashkala shakas of Rig Samhita. The first six adhyayas are dedicated to food sacrifice and the remaining to Soma sacrifice in a manner matching the Aitareya Brahmana. However, differences are seen with respect to Agnyadhana, Agnihotra, Darsapurnamasa istis, Chaturmasya yajnas.
Earlier Rig samhita was supposed to have 21 shakas and each shaka had an associated brahmana. Four of the Rig samhita brahmanas namely Paingi, Bahvrucha, Aashvalayana, Gaalava brahmanas are lost in time. Some say that Bahvrucha brahmana (बहुव्रुच ब्राह्मण) is the same as Aitareya brahmana.<ref name=":1" />
Earlier Rig samhita was supposed to have 21 shakas and each shaka had an associated brahmana.
Four of the Rig samhita brahmanas namely Paingi, Bahvrucha, Ashvalayana, Gaalava brahmanas are lost in time.<ref name=":1" />
=== Yajus Samhita ===
=== Yajus Samhita ===
Brahmanas of Yajur veda includes two important shakas.
Brahmanas of Yajur veda includes two important shakas.