Contents of the Brahmanas

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Apastamba defines Brahmanas as ‘Karmacodana Brahmanani’ meaning Brahmanas are injunctions for the performance of sacrificial rites. According to him, these texts deal with the following six topics:Vidhi Arthavada , Ninda, Prashansha , Purakalpa and Parakriti.
  1. Vidhi means injunctions for the performance of particular rites.
  2. Arthavada comprises the numerous explanatory remarks on the meaning of Mantras and particular rites.
  3. Ninda or censure consists in criticism and, refutation of the opponents’ views.
  4. Prashansha means eulogy, recommendation.
  5. Purakalpa refers to the performance of sacrificial rites in former times.
  6. Parakriti means the achievements of others.
The main subject of the Brahmanas is injunction (Vidhi), all other topics being subservient to it. They may be classified differently. Shabara, in his commentary, has summed up their subjects into ten following heads:
  1. Hetu – reasons
  2. Nirvacana – etymology
  3. Ninda – censure ,condemn
  4. Prashansha – eulogy, praise
  5. Sanshaya – doubt,uncertainty
  6. Vidhi – injunction,sanction
  7. Parakriya – feats/deeds of others
  8. Purakalpa – legendary background
  9. Vyavadharana– Kalpana – managerial application
  10. Upamana – illustration.
Yajna is not only sacrifice. In Brahmanas we find it as symbolic also. Here it often represents the knowledge of creation and thus describes the secrets of creation.
 
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