Brahmana

The Brahmanas are important old books connected to the Vedas, which are sacred texts in Hinduism. These books help explain how to perform special ceremonies and rituals that were important to people long ago. They also talk about the meanings behind the words and songs used in these rituals.

Each of the four main Vedas—the Rig, Sama, Yajur, and Atharva Vedas—has its own Brahmana books. These books were passed down by word of mouth for many years before being written down. The oldest Brahmana book is thought to have been finished around 900 BCE, and the newest ones around 700 BCE.

Besides talking about rituals, Brahmanas also share ideas about the world and nature, such as how to measure things and watch the stars. Some parts of these books even explore deep thoughts and mysteries about life and the universe.

Nomenclature and etymology

Brahmana (or Brāhmaṇam, Sanskrit: ब्राह्मणम्) can be thought of as 'explanations of sacred knowledge or doctrine'. It helps us understand special meanings and rules used by priests called Brāhmans during their sacrifices.

The word Brahmana comes from brahman, which refers to a priest who knows all the Vedas and understands the meanings behind sacrifices. This priest’s important teachings are called a Brahmanam.

Overview

Brahmanas are old texts linked to the hymns of the Rig, Sama, Yajur, and Atharva Vedas. They give guidance to priests on how to perform sacred rituals and explain the meaning behind the hymns. These texts also share ideas about the universe and early science, such as observations of the stars and geometry used in building altars.

The Brahmanas focus on teaching the correct way to carry out rituals. They stress the importance of saying words perfectly, using the right rhythms, and making precise movements. This careful attention helped preserve the Vedas through oral tradition before writing was common. These texts also include stories and legends that explain the background of the rituals and their deeper meanings.

Rigveda

The Aitareya, Kausitaki, and Samkhyana Brahmanas are the main known works connected to the Rigveda. They help explain the meaning behind the hymns and guide how to perform ancient rituals.

The Aitareya Brahmana is linked to the Shakala school of the Rigveda and was likely written around 600-400 BCE. It has eight books with five chapters each, focusing on big ceremonies and royal events.

The Kausitaki Brahmana, also known as the Samkhyana Brahmana, is tied to the Baskala school of the Rigveda. It has thirty chapters and discusses many types of sacrifices. Scholars think it was also written around 600–400 BCE and is seen as more organized than the Aitareya Brahmana.

Samaveda

The Samaveda has three main schools or branches: the Kauthumas, the Ranayaniyas, and the Jaiminiyas.

The Panchavimsha Brahmana is one of the oldest and most important texts of the Kauthuma school. It has 25 books and includes many old stories. It also talks about a special ceremony called Vratyastoma, which allowed people from outside Aryan groups to join Aryan traditions.

The Samavidhana Brahmana aims to explain how chanting certain hymns can achieve different goals. It is likely very old, possibly older than some other important texts.

The Daivata Brahmana focuses on the gods that the hymns are addressed to. It gives rules for deciding which gods the hymns are meant for and even mentions colors to help with memory or meditation.

The Samhitopanishad Brahmana discusses the effects of chanting, the relationship between the hymns and the words used, and gifts given to teachers during religious events.

The Jaiminiya Brahmana describes daily offerings to the sacred fire and was compiled by Jaimini, a well-known teacher of the Samaveda. Many of its sentences are similar to other important texts.

The Chandogya Brahmana is divided into ten books. The first two books are called the Mantra Brahmana and contain hymns for important life events like birth and marriage. The remaining books form the Chandogya Upanishad, which explores deeper spiritual ideas.

Yajurveda

Śukla (White) Yajurveda: Shatapatha Brahmana

Main article: Shatapatha Brahmana

The Shatapatha Brahmana is an ancient text that explains the meaning behind rituals and ceremonies. It also shares early ideas about science, like studying the stars and shapes used in building. Scholars think it was written down around 1000–800 BCE, even though it talks about events from much earlier times.

Krishna (Black) Yajurveda: Taittiriya Brahmana

Main article: Taittiriya Brahmana

The Taittiriya Brahmana is another text that helps people understand how to perform special ceremonies. It also talks about the stars and tales about gods. This text is linked to a group of teachings called the Taittiriya Shakha.

Atharvaveda

The Atharvaveda has nine schools or branches, each with its own name and history. One of these schools is called the Gopatha Brahmana. This text is special because it talks about the Atharvaveda and its priests. It has two parts: the first part has five chapters and the second part has six chapters. The Gopatha Brahmana is the only Brahmana text for the Atharvaveda that works for two different ways of reciting the verses. It helps connect the Atharvaveda to the rituals of the other Vedas.

Main article: Gopatha Brahmana

Lost Brahmanas

M Haug mentions that there were likely many more Brahmanas connected to each Veda than we have today. Writers like Panini and Patanjali in his Mahabhasya suggest this too. Even a scholar named Sayana, who lived hundreds of years ago, knew of more Brahmanas than exist now.

S. Shrava explains that many important Vedic manuscripts were lost over time. This happened because of damage, neglect, and difficult times with rulers and invaders. Because these manuscripts are gone, it is harder to understand some of the old Vedic hymns correctly. Shrava names many of these lost works based on mentions in other old texts.

Rigveda

Samaveda

Yajurveda

Unknown

The Brahmanas listed below are only named in other texts, with no extra details about which Veda they belong to.

Manuscripts and translations

Rigveda

Yajurveda

Atharvaveda

Lost Brahmanas (fragments)