Important Vedic Texts: Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads, Vedanta, and Vedanga

Brahmanas

• They describe the rules for the performance of sacrificial ceremonies and explain the hymns of the Vedas in an orthodox manner. 
• Each Veda has several Brahmanas attached to it. 
• The most important and exhaustive Brahmana is the Satapatha Brahmana (attached to the Yajur Veda).

Aranyakas

• They are called the ‘forest books’ as they were written mainly by hermits living in the forests for their pupils. They deal with mysticism and philosophy and oppose sacrifice. 
• They were composed during the later Vedic period.
• They emphasise meditation and philosophically interpret rituals.

Upanishads

• The literal meaning of ‘Upanishad’ is ‘to sit near someone’. They are records of philosophical dialogues and discourses between teachers (Gurus) and students (Shishyas).  
• There are 108 Upanishads, of which 13 are the most prominent.
  • Mandukyopanishad, the largest of all Upanishads, mentioned “Satyamev Jayate ”. [UPSC 2014]
  • Chhandogya Upanishad – Refers to the first three ashrams.

Dara Shukoh, the Mughal prince, translated the Upanishads into Persian in 1657, much before the colonial scholars developed any interest in ancient Indian literature.

• Jabala Upanishad mentions a 4-fold ashram (stages) for 4 Purusharthas (goals). It was not applicable to women or Shudras.
• Brahmacharya (Celibate Student) for knowledge, i.e. Dharma.
• Grihastha (Householder) for wealth and progeny, i.e. ‘Artha’ and ‘Kama’.
• Vanaprastha (hermit in retreat) for spiritual wisdom.
• Sanyasa (Renunciation) for liberation i.e. Mukti/Moksha.

• These are the philosophical and spiritual traditions that evolved from the Upanishads, the concluding part of the Vedas, which signifies the final objective of the Vedas.
• It criticises sacrifices and rituals, representing the concluding phase of the Vedic era.

Vedanga

• They translate to ‘limbs of the Vedas,’ serving as supplementary Vedic Texts to aid in proper recitation and comprehension of the Vedas.
• They are not classified as Shruti since they are considered to be of human origin, not revealed by Gods, and are in the form of Sutra or condensed statements conveying various ideas.
• These are 6 in number:
  • Siksha: Pronunciation of the words; education.
  • Nirukta: Origin of the words.
  • Chhanda: Metrics used in Sanskrit verses.
  • Jyotish: Astrology
  • Vyakaran: Sanskrit grammar.
  • Kalpa: Knowledge of rituals (Dharma sutras).

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