Aranyaka

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A page of the Jaiminiya Aranyaka Gana found embedded in the Samaveda palm leaf manuscript (Sanskrit, Grantha script).
Hindu texts
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Śruti

Smriti

The Aranyakas (/ɑːˈrʌnjəkə/; Sanskrit: āraṇyaka आरण्यक) is the philosophy behind sacrifice of the ancient Hindu sacred texts, the Vedas.[1] They are usually part of the later parts of Vedas, and are one of many layers of the Vedic text.[2] The other parts of Vedas are the Samhitas (benedictions, hymns), Brahmanas (commentary), and the Upanishads (spirituality and abstract philosophy).[3][4]

References

  1. "Aranyaka". Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary.
  2. In post-Vedic classifications by text types, the Aranyakas are one of five, with other four being Samhita, Brahmana, Upasana and Upanishad; see A Bhattacharya (2006), Hindu Dharma: Introduction to Scriptures and Theology, ISBN 978-0595384556, pages 5-17
  3. A Bhattacharya (2006), Hindu Dharma: Introduction to Scriptures and Theology, ISBN 978-0595384556, pages 8-14
  4. Barbara A. Holdrege (1995), Veda and Torah: Transcending the Textuality of Scripture, State University of New York Press, ISBN 978-0791416402, pages 351-357

Other reading

  • Jan Gonda (1975), A History of Indian Literature: Volume 1, Vedic Literature: (Saṃhitās and Brāhmaṇas), Otto Harrassowitz Verlag, ISBN 978-3447016032, Chapter IX: The Āraṇyakas (For context, see other chapters as well).

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