A History of Indian Literature v1.c8.s7.58

v1.c8.s7.58

As regards the actual contents of these works, a few examples will suffice to give the reader an idea. The Indians themselves usually arrange the contents of the Brāhmaṇas in two principal categories, which they call *Vidhi* and *Arthavāda*. Vidhi means "rule, precept," Arthavāda "explanation of meaning." For the Brāhmaṇas first give rules for the performance of the single ceremonies, and to these the interpretations and explanations of the purpose and meaning of the sacrificial acts and prayers are afterwards attached. Thus, for example, the Śatapatha-Brāhmaṇa begins with the precepts upon the vow of abstinence, which the sacrificer has to make on the day before the new-moon and full-moon sacrifice. There we read: