Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c8.29

c8.29

A part of the Brāhmaṇa literature is distinguished by the name of *Āraṇyaka*. Brahmachārīs, who wanted to continue as such, without marrying, in pursuit of knowledge, were called *Araṇas* or *Araṇamānas*. These *Araṇas* lived in hermitages in the forests outside the villages or centres of population. The forests where these *Araṇa* ascetics lived were called *Araṇyas*. The philosophical speculations of these learned ascetics regarding such ultimate problems as Brahma, Creation, Soul, or Immortality are embodied in works called *Āraṇyakas*.