Contents of the Brāhmaṇas of the Ṛgveda

[Full title: A brief description of the contents of the Brāhmaṇa literature of the four Veda: (1): Brāhmaṇas of the Ṛgveda]

i) The Aitareya Brāhmaṇa—

The Aitareya Brāhmaṇa belongs to the Ṛgveda occupies an important place in the history of Indian literature and religion as the Bible in the world of Christianity. Traditionally its authorship goes to one Mahidāsa Aitareya, believed to be the only son of a woman named Itarā. It consists of eight books or pañcikās, again each pañcikā consists of five chapters or adhyāyas making a total of forty (40) chapters. Each chapter is again divided into many sub chapters called khaṇḍas. The total numbers of khaṇḍas are 285. This Brāhmaṇa is mostly written in prose style and occasionally scatter with poetic compositions.

The first sixteen chapters of this Brāhmaṇa deals with Somayāga or Soma sacrifice also called Agniṣṭoma or jyostiṣṭoma which is the model (pakṛti) of all Soma sacrifices. This ceremony generally consists of five days. The first four days of this ceremony consisting the election of priests (Hotṛ Varanaṃ), the initiation of the sacrifice or Yajamāna called Dikṣaniyeṣṭi, the Prāyaniyeṣṭi (opening sacrifice), the purchase of Soma, the ceremony of doing hospitality to king Soma, the Pravargya, Upaṣad, taking away of Agni and Soma, the taking away of the vehicle carrying sacrificial offerings, the animal sacrifice, the three pressings and the libations of Soma juice called Soma Savana and finally the concluding ceremony (udayaniya iṣṭi) i.e. the ablution known as Avabhṛtha.

From the seventeenth chapter to the end of the eighteenth, the duties of the Ṛgvedic priest is enumerated. The last two chapters of the fourth book deals with the duties of the Hotṛ, regarding the performance of Dvādasāha, Ahina and others.

The last chapter of the fifth book i.e. twenty fifth chapter deals with various matters including expiatory rites to be performed by the superintending priest for mistakes committed by any one of the performing priests.

The entire sixth book deals with the duties of the minor priest at Sadāha sacrifice. The seventh and eighth book deals mainly with the sacrifices concerning with the ruling class (Kṣatriya) and the relationship in which the princes stand to the priestly class i.e. Brāhmaṇas. Therefore, these two books bear great importance from a historical point of view. And the remaining chapters deals with royal inauguration or consecration termed ‘Abhiṣeka’ which literally means sprinkling with holy waters collected from different sources on the head of the king. The coronation ceremony of ancient India is fully discussed in connection with Rājasūya sacrifice. In Aitareya Brāhmaṇa the great consecration ceremony (Aindra-Mahābhiṣeka) is the model for the inauguration of all earthly kings. In the thirteenth chapter the interesting story of Śunaḥ-śepa is discussed.

The last chapter of this Brāhmaṇa deals with the appointment of a qualified Brāhmaṇa by the king to the office of the domestic priest (Purahita). Various interesting short stories of kings gained paramount sovereignty through the great consecration ceremony are also narrated.

The concluding Khaṇḍa of this Brāhmaṇa deals with some magical performances called kṛtya, through the practise of which a king can secretly do away with his enemies.

The Aitareya Brāhmaṇa occupies a very important place in the history of Indian culture and civilization. Moreover, innumerable myths and legends narrated in connection with various rites, supply materials for the development of later literature.

ii) The kauṣitaki Brāhmaṇa–

The kauṣitaki Brāhmaṇa also known as Sānkyāyaṇa Brāhmaṇa belongs to the Ṛgveda. It consists of 30 chapters (Adhyāyas or lessons). Each of thirty Adhyāyas of this Brāhmaṇa is again divided in to khaṇḍas. The first six Adhyāyas deals with the fire-alter, daily sacrifices (Agnihotra), new and full moon sacrifices (Darśapaurnamāsa), and the seasonal sacrifice (Cāturmāsya) e.g. on the full moon day of Āṣāḍa, kārtika and Fālguna respectively in summer, rainy and winter seasons. The remaining Adhyāyas i.e. (VII-XXX) deals with Somas acrifice which fairly agrees with the Airareya Brāhmaṇa. The Kauṣitaki Brāhmaṇa is later than Aitareya Brāhmaṇa. But it is difficult to say any exact date about it.

The subject matter of it is arranged in logical and systematic way. Its style is secret or hidden, compress and sometimes similar to the sutra style. The narratives are very short. Explanatory passages are avoided to a great extent (limit). Many references are there to the views of authorities like Paingya and Kauṣitaki. In case of debate or discussion, the view of Kauṣitakī is supported. In some respects this Brāhmaṇa bears harmony with the Śatapatha.