A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.309

c5.309

BRĀHMANA. ‘Belonging to Brāhmans.’ Works composed by and for Brāhmans. That part of the Veda which was intended for the use and guidance of Brāhmans in the use of the hymns of the Mantra, and therefore of later production; but the Brāhmana, equally with the Mantra, is held to be *Sruti* or revealed word. Excepting its claim to revelation, it is a Hindu Talmud. The Brāhmana collectively is made up of the different Brāhmanas, which are ritualistic and liturgical writings in prose. They contain the details of the Vedic ceremonies, with long explanations of their origin and meaning; they give instructions as to the use of particular verses and metres; and they abound with curious legends, divine and human, in illustration. In them are found “the oldest rituals we have, the oldest linguistic explanations, the oldest traditional narratives, and the oldest philosophical speculations.” As literary productions they are not of a high order, but some “striking thoughts, bold expressions, sound reasoning, and curious traditions are found among the mass of pedantry and grandiloquence.” Each of the Sanhitās or collection of hymns has its Brāhmanas, and these generally maintain the essential character of the Veda to which they belong. Thus the Brāhmanas of the Rig are specially devoted to the duties of the Hotri, who recites the richas or verses, those of the Yajur to the performance of the sacrifices by the Adhwaryu, and those of the Sāman to the chaunting by the Udgātri. The Rig has the Aitareya Brāhmana, which is perhaps the oldest, and may date as far back as the seventh century B.C. This is sometimes called Āswalāyana. It has another called Kaushītaki or Sānkhāyana. The Taittirīya Sanhitā of the Yajur-veda has the Taittirīya Brāhmana, and the Vājasāneyī Sanhitā has the Satapatha Brāhmana, one of the most important of all the Brāhmanas. The Sāma-veda has eight Brāhmanas, of which the best known are the Praudha or Pancha-vinsa, the Tāndya, and the Shad-vinsa. The Atharva has only one, the Gopatha Brāhmana. In their fullest extent the Brāhmanas embrace also the treatises called Āranyakas and Upanishads.