STRUCTURE OF THE VEDAS

STRUCTURE OF THE VEDAS

1.  Each Veda consists of four parts:

    (a)  The Samhitas (hymns)

    (b)  The Brahmanas (rituals)

    (c)  The Aranyakas (theologies)

    (d)  The Upanishads (philosophies)

2.  The collection of mantras or hymns is called the Samhita.

3.  The Brahmanas are ritualistic texts and include precepts and religious duties. Each Veda has several Brahmanas attached to it.

4.  The Upanishads form the concluding portions of the Veda and therefore called the Vedanta or the end of Veda and contains the essence of Vedic teachings.

5.  The Upanishads and the Aranyakas are the concluding portions of the Brahmanas, which discuss philosophical problems.

6.  The Aranyakas(forest texts) intend to serve as objects of meditation for ascetics who live in forests and deal with mysticism and symbolism.