Ancient Indian Literature, their Period and Historical importance . Part - 3. - Brahman to Upnishada.

                                                                   Dharma Chakra.

2. Brahaman -

The meaning of Brahman is Yajana.  These Brahman are based on Veda. Aryan’s perform Yajana by chanting Vedic Mantra. Most Brahman books are in Prose, but some are in Poetry too.

As the time passes and the family life of Aryan settled, Yajana or Yajna – (a ritual sacrifice with a specific objective) and Rituals got more and more place and importance in their Social and Religious life.

Gradually Yajana and Rituals got more complicated. To know their legalization and Action in Yajana and Rituals a new literature came in light, which is known as “Brahaman or Brahma - literature”.  

To describe these Yajana separately there are many Brahman’s. This way each Veda has its own Brahman. They are –

Rigveda’s Brahman – Ateriya and Kausitki.

Yagurveda’s – Sathpath also known as Bajesnaya.

 Samveda’s – Panchvis, it is also known as Tandaya.
 

Atharva Veda’s – Gopath.

3. Aranayak –

In Vedic chronology the place of Aranayak comes after Brahmans.

The word Aranayak derives from ‘Arayan’, it means Forest. This way Aranayak is the book which is written in Forest and read too. Aranayakas changed the (chintan) contemplation and thought process of Aryan society or can say it gave a new ideology to Aryan society

In place of only Yajana they started giving place to (chintan) contemplation in their religious and social life. Aranayakas (Bijaropan) sowed the seeds of knowledge based ideological thought in the life of Aryans which germinated in the form of “Upnishadas” later on. This way Aranayakas comes in between Brahmans and Upnishadas.

At present there are 7 Aranayak – Atarya, Sankhayan, Tataraya, Matrayani, Yadhnandin, Brihadarayanak and Talvakar. 

4. Upnishad  -

They are also known as Brahmavidhaya and Vedant – This is the last part of Veda so also known as Vedanta (End of Veda).

The word Upnishad has 2 parts up + Nishad, up means Close and Nishad means ‘To Sit’. This way Upnishad means – “Sitting closely”. 

Some scholars say that in broad sense the word Upnishad came when Pupils came to their ‘Guru’s Ashram’ and sit closely to get knowledge of the ‘Mysticism’ (Rahasaya Vidya) or Mystic Knowledge. 

Some other Scholars say that Upnishada  means ‘the knowledge which people get after sitting close to Brahma’ means ‘come close to yourself’ and get ‘Self knowledge’ (Atmgyan). ‘Meeting of Spirit with Ether’ or ‘knowing of Ether by Spirit’ this is the knowledge of Upnishada.

No doubt in Upnishada there is pure knowledge and ‘Curiosity’ everywhere.  Upnishada shows the in-depth knowledge of Ancient Indian’s when rest of the world was not even fully civilized.

The Rigvedic people questions himself, his society and from his Rishi – Muni - 

1.       "को ददर्श प़थमा जायमानम्" ।       2. "कस्मै देवाय हविषा विधेम"।

In the first question he says - Who has seen the Life first. Or who had bore first?

In second question he says – To which God we will offer our Yajana (goods through fire, Yajana). 

This shows their curiosity about life, God and all the things. He wants to know them. He is not satisfied with only doing “Yajana”. He wants to know the Universe - Seen – Unseen.

Rigvedic Aryan was full of life. They were lover of dance, music and songs.  In their life there was no place of salvation (moksha). They were the follower of karma or gratification. Sanayasa was (being Monk) was not their ‘cup of tea’. Family life, its pleasure, happiness and sadness with family, race and society were part of Aryan’s life. 

Yajana, sloka, prayer was the medium through which they used to call god or make them happy.

Everywhere in Rigveda Aryan’s prayed god to give them 100 years of life, sons, wealth, cows, and victory, no where they wished salvation (moksha). They always wished development in life for them and for their coming generation. 

Aryan’s were not escapist (palayanvadi); they were lover of life and great fighter. They loved life. 

These Upanishad’s are not composed in a specific period or by one man.  These are composed by many people in a great length of time.

Scholar man and Women both from all cast Brahmin, Chatriya, and Vasya contributed in the making of Upnishada.

Gargi, Matraye is the ‘enlightened’   women who are remembered with great regard due to their contribution in making of Upnishada. Upnishada says “Ekam Satya Viprah Vaudha Badanti”, (Brahman says Truth is One).

There are 12 Upnishada – Ishayasya, Ken, Keth, Prasana, Mundak, Manduakaya, Atarya, Tatarya, Swateshwar, Chandyogya, Brihadarayanak, and Kausitik.