Later Vedic Literature

Dr.Shashi Tiwari
Department of Sanskrit, Maitreyi College,
University of Delhi,
New Delhi-110021, India
Shashit_98@yahoo.com
 Introduction
• Vedic literature has texts of four types
• All are designated as 'Vedic'
• First are Samhita texts
• Each Samhita has corresponding:
1.Brahmanas,
2.Aranyakas, and
3. Upanishads

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 Four Vedic Priests
Vedic Priest is called Ritvij in a ritual
• The Rigveda - Hota Ritvij - invokes
deities
• Yajurveda – Adhvaryu Ritvij–
offers oblations in ritual fire
• Samaveda- Udgata Ritvij- sings Samans
• Atharvaveda- Brahma Ritvij –
overall in charge of ritual
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 Two Categories- Later Literature
1. Vedic Texts-
Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads

2. Vedangas (six subjects)-

Shiksha, Kalpa, Vyakarana, Nirukta ,Chanda,
Jyotisha
= Phonetics, Rituals, Grammar, Etymology,
Metrics and Astronomy.

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 Purpose of Later Vedic Literature
• “After the sacred and revealed Vedic
Mantra texts,
• there is another class of Vedic texts,
• which are closely connected with the
Vedic mantras,
• and are helpful for reading and
understanding them”.

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 Classification of Vedic Texts
VEDA >SAMHITA > BRAHMANA > ARANYAKA > UPANISHAD

1.Rigveda- RigvedaSamhita > Aitareya-Brahmana> Aitareya Aranyaka

>Aitareya Upanishad

2.Samaveda -Sama Samhita> Pancavisha- Brahmana>

TalavakaraAranyaka >Chandogya-Upanishad

3.Yajurveda 1.Shukla-Yajurveda>Shatapatha-Brahaman>Brihdanyaka
> Ishavasya-Upanishad
2.Krishna-Yajurveda>Taittiriya-Brahaman > Taittiriya Aranyaka-
Taittiriya Upanishad

4. Atharvaveda – Atharvaveda Samhita > Gopatha- Brahmana > X

>Mundaka Upanishad

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I. The Brahmanas (1)

'Veda' made up
of Mantra and

Brahmana

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 Brahmanas - Meaning (2)
• The word in neuter gender means
Brahmana texts.
• "Which in tradition is not a hymn or a
Mantra is a Brahmana and which is not
Brahmana is a Mantra".- Sayana
• "Brahma Vai Mantrah"
-'that which relates to Brahman or the Veda'.

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Brahmanas- Ritual books (3)

A Yajna being performed on Vedic Alter

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 Brahmanas -Contents (4)
Used for the performance of sacrificial rites
Six topics given by Apastamba :
• 1. Vidhi - injunctions for the performance of rites
• 2. Arthavada- explanatory remarks
• 3. Ninda - criticism, refutation of views
• 4. Prashansha- eulogy, praise
• 5. Purakalpa - performance of former times
• 6. Parakriti- achievements of others

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 Brahmanas -Contents (5)
• 1. Hetu - reasons
• 2. Nirvacana - etymology
• 3. Ninda - censure
• 4. Prashansha - eulogy
• 5. Sanshaya - doubt
• 6. Vidhi - injunction
• 7. Parakriya - deeds/feats of others
• 8. Purakalpa - legendary background
• 9. Vyavadharana-Kalpana - managerial application
• 10. Upamana - illustration. = 10 topics By Shabara

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 Brahmanas - Classification(6)
Sixteen Brahmanas available today
• Rigveda : Aitareya/Kaushitaki. = 2

• Shukla-yajurveda : Shatapatha =1
• Krishna-Yajurveda : Taittiriya =1

• Samaveda: (5) Tandya etc. =11

• Atharvaveda : Gopatha = 1

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 II. Aranyakas- Nature (1)
• The concluding portions of the several
Brahmanas,
• But distinct category of literature,
• Due to distinct character, contents and
language
• Aranyaka literature is rather small
• Deal with philosophical speculations
( Jnana-Kanda)
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 Aranyakas - Meaning (2)
Derived from the word 'Aranya' (forest)
• The texts to be read in forest
Aranyadhyayanad-etad –aranyakam-
itiryate - Sayana
• Brahmanas advocate sacrifices for
Grihastha
• Aranyakas describe rituals for
Vanprasthas
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 Aranyakas-Contents (3)
Main subjects :
• Theosophy (Brahmavidya)/ Meditation
(Upasana) /Knowledge of breath (Pranavidya)
• Secret meaning of the sacrifices
• Stories & dialogues - Maitreyi &Yajnavalkya
• Bridge between Karma-kanda (Br.)
& Jnana-kanda(Up.)
• Give geographical, historical, cultural points

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 Aranyakas- Classification(4)
Seven Aranyakas available.
• Rigveda : Aitareya/Kaushitaki -2

• Samaveda : Talavakara/ Chandogya -2

• Shukla Yajurveda : Brihadaranyaka -1
• Krishna Yajurveda : Taittiriya -2
• No Aranyaka of Atharvaveda

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 III. Upanishads - Nature (1)
• Concluding part of the Veda
• Called 'Vedanta'. - Vedasya antah,
- the conclusion (Anta), or
- the goal (Anta) of Vedas
• Upanishads are the ripe fruits of Vedas
• Jnana-Kanda dealing with knowledge
• Most popular Vedic texts in world

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 Upanishads -Meaning (2)
• Word derived from Upa+ Ni+ Sad (to sit)
• means 'sitting very near to a teacher devotedly'.
• secret teaching/ doctrine (Rahasya/ Guhya )
• Constant association of Guru with Antevasin
• High moral character of student
(Tapas/Yama/Niyama)
• High knowledge of Guru (Shrotriya &
Brahmanishtha)

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 Upanishads - Number (3)
• Old Upanishads & Later Upanishads
• Samhita Upanishad – Ishavasya- YU 40th
• Later additions by religious sects for scriptural
authority
• Allah Upanishad, 16th A.D., time of Akbar
• Generally 108 Upanishads
• Ten -Principal Upaniashads- 'Dashopanishad' :
• Isha, Kena, Katha , Prashna , Munda ,
Mandukya, Taittiriya, Aitareya, Chandogya and
Brihadaranyaka - states Muktikopanishad
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 Upanishads - Division (4)
Principal thirteen Upanishads:
• Rigveda : Aitareya , Kaushitaki -2
• Shukla-Yajur : Brihadaranyaka ,Isha -2
• Krishna-Yajur : Taittiriya , Katha,
Shvetashvatara, Maitrayaniya -4
• Samaveda: Chandogya, Kena -2
• Aharvaveda: Mundaka, Mandukya,
Prashna -3

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 Upanishads - Theme (5)
Brahma-Vidya /Jyana- kanda
• Religious and philosophical treatises

• Represent knowledge of Brahman

• Ekam sad vipra bahudha vadanti ' -RV

• Mark the culmination of Vedic wisdom

• Basically Anti-ritualistic.
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Upanishads - Importance (6)
Unique place in Indian philosophy
Foundation of Vedanta philosophy

Adi Shankara, Commentator of Upanishads

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 Upanishads - Importance (7)
Brahmavidya or the knowledge of Brahman
• Give importance to 'Knowledge' alone
• Any one with Jyana can be Guru or
Acarya, is GREAT
• Raikva instructed king Janashruti
-Chando.Up
• king Pravahana instructed to Gautama
• Ashvapati Kaikeya instructed to five
Brahmanas
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Upanishads - Great sayings (8)
Mahavakyas :
Establish the non-duality of Atman and
Brahman
• Prajnanam Brahma -Rigveda
• Aham Brahmasm -Yajurveda
• Tattvamasi  - Samveda
• Ayamatma Brahma  -Aharvaveda

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 IV.Vedangas –Nature (1)
Vedangas: last treatises of Vedic Literature
Veda Purusha have six limbs as six Vedangas :
• Chandas are His two feet,
• Kalpas are His two arms,
• Jyotisha are His eyes,
• Nirukta is His ears,
• Shiksha is His nose &
• Vyakarana is His mouth. -Paniniya Shiksha (41-42)

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 Vedangas –Purpose (2)
• (1)Shiksha or phonetics or
pronunciation
• (2)Kalpa or ritual
• (3)Vyakarana or grammar
• (4)Nirukta or etymology
• (5)Chandas or meter
• (6)Jyotisha or astronomy
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 Vedangas –Shiksha (3)
Shiksha -Nose of Veda Purusha
• It means instruction: Instruction in reciting,
correct pronunciation, accents
• Shiksha-Sutras - texts on phonetics
• Phonetics is important for Vedic language
• Some Pratishakhyas are :
Rigveda-Pratishakhya /Taittiriya-Pratishakhya /
Aharvaveda-Pratishakhya

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 Vedangas –Kalpa (4)
Kalpa (ritual) - Arms of Veda Purusha
• Systematic treatment or rituals, rules for
sacrifices
Four types of the Kalpasutras:—
• Shrauta-sutras, dealing with Shrauta sacrifices
• Grihya-sutras, dealing with domestic
ceremonies
• Dharma-sutras, dealing religious, social laws
• Shulba-sutras, dealing measurement of altars
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 Vedangas –Vyakarana (5)
Grammar- mouth of Veda Purusha
• Discuss (Prakriti) and suffix (Pratyaya)
• Old Vedanga-texts on Vyakarana are lost
• Aranyakas give some technical terms
• Ashtadhyayi of Panini( of later period), fourteen
Sutras called Maheswara Sutras, originated from
Nataraja's damuru sound
• Vararuci – Vartika, Patanjali- Bhashya

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 Vedangas –Nirukta (6)
Nirukta -ears of Veda Purusha
• 'Nirukta' means 'etymology'- helps to
know meaning of words
• Only work survived is Nirukta of Yaska
• Commentary on Nighantu - list of Vedic
words and name of Deities
• Yaska mentioned his predecessors
Galava, Shakapuni, Katthakya
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 Vedangas –Chandas (7)
Chandas - Feet of Veda Purusha

• Important to know Chandas of a Mantra, just as

Devata
• Term Chandas is derived from the root Chad
(to cover)
• Chandas covers the sense of the Mantra
• Some texts, dealing with Vedic meters:
Rikpratishakhya / Shankhayana Shrauta-sutra / Nidana-
sutra of Samaveda/ Chandas-sutras of Pingala

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 Vedangas –Jyotish (8)
Jyotisha - Eye, organ of sight of Veda Purusha
• It is not to teach astronomy but to fix days and
time of sacrifices
• It gives rules for calculating time for sacrifices
• No work available of Vedic astronomy (Jyotisha)
• Maharshi Lagadha is known as author Vedanga
Jyotisha
• Later Bhaskaracharya, Varahamihira and
Aryabhatta are well known in Jyotish
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 Conclusion
• The Anukramanis or systematic indices
and Prishishtas or appendices are the last
portion of Vedic Literature.

• Vedic Literature is compact in all sense.

• It presents varied and comprehensive

wisdom of Vedic seers.
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 OM

Thank You

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