14. Arsheya Brahmana of Samaveda:
The text is merely a kind of an Arshanukramani, or an index of Sages connected with the Gramageya and Aranya Samans. A particular Saman might have more than one Rishi or Sage associated with it, and these might be different from the Sage linked to the underlying Rk on which the Saman is sung. It is divided into 3 Prapathakas.
15. Devatadhyaya Brahmana:
It lays down the criterion for deciding the deity of the Samaganas.
16. Chhandogya Brahmana –
The Chhandogya Brahmana is a work of ten divisions called ‘Prapathakas’ and comprises of two parts –
• Prapathakas 1-2 form the Mantra Brahmana or the Mantra Parvan and contain mantras used in Grhya rites.
• Prapathakas 3-10 constitute the famous Chhandogya Upanishad.
Coming to the Mantra Brahmana, each of the two Prapathakas is further subdivided into eight khandas, or sections. The entire text has 268 mantras, including the 11 additional formulae noted in the most ancient extant commentary by Gunavishnu. These mantras are pre-supposed by the Grhyasutras of Khadira and Gobhila, which prescribe them for various Grhya rites. In fact, the order of the mantras on the Mantra Brahmana parallels the corresponding rites in the Grhyasutras, in the same order. It is as if the Grhyasutras and the Mantra Brahmana complement each other.
A discussion of the Chhandogya Upanishad is beyond the scope of the present webpage.
17. Samhitopanishad Brahmana:
This text deals with the ‘secret’ aspect of the Samhitas. The collections of verses are grouped together for various purposes. It emphasizes the responsibilities of the great tradition of the Samaveda and the correct doctrine reflected therein, through the chosen line of disciples. It also discusses the fee that ought to be given to one’s religious teachers.
18. Vamsa Brahmana:
This is a very short Brahmana, containing lists of ancient Samavedic teachers.
19. Jaiminiya Brahmana:
After the Shatapatha Brahmana, this is perhaps the second most important Brahmanas because it is a fairly long text and because it is a storehouse of several Vedic legends and stories. The text is divided into three main divisions called the ‘kandas’. The main ritual sections of the text are – Agnihotra (1.1-1.65), Agnishtoma (1.65-1.364); Gavaayamaana (2.1-80); Ekaahas (2.81-234) or one day Soma sacrifices; Ahinas or sacrifices lasting upto 12 days (2.235-333); Sattras or longer sacrifices (2.334-370); Gavaayamaana (2.371-442), Dvadashaaha (kanda 3). The last kanda has very interesting geographical and historical information. The text as printed has several unclear words. Although it runs parallel to the Tandya Mahabrahmana, it is more detailed in its treatment than the latter. The other two Brahmanas of the Jaiminiya shakha are the Jaiminiya Arsheya Brahmana and the Jaiminiya Upanishad Brahmana.
20. Jaiminiya Arsheya Brahmana:
Its contents are similar to the Arsheya Brahmana of the Kauthuma shakha, but the specific names of the two texts differ a lot. This text names only 1 Sage per Saman, while the Kauthuma Arsheya Brahmana often lists more than one Sage.
21. Gopatha Brahmana:
This is the only extant Brahmana of the Atharvaveda. It is divided into two major parts – Purvabhaaga and Uttarabhaaga. These in turn are altogether divided into 11 sections called ‘Prapathakas’. The Purvabhaga of the Gopatha Brahman exhibits more originality of content in that it glorifies the Athavan and its priests. In contrast, the Uttarabhaga follows the other Brahmanas in its content, although it introduces legends related to other Atharvan teachers. Embedded in the Gopatha Brahmana are Upanishad texts like the Pranava Upanishad. According to the Atharvana Charanavyuha, the text originally had 100 Prapathakas and was therefore much larger in extent. Significantly, Gopatha Brahmana 1.1.29 quotes Vyasa to the effect that he who knows the Atharvaveda knows all.
22. Aitareya Aranyaka:
It comprises of 5 Aranyakas further divided into 18 chapters. The first three Aranyakas are ascribed to Mahidasa Aitareya, the 4th is merely a collection of Mahanamni verses, and the fifth Aranyaka is attributed to Ashvalayana (or sometimes, to Rishi Shaunaka).
• Aranyaka I deals with with the Mahavratas of the fundamental duties, and with Saman-stotras meant to be sung on particular days.
• Aranyaka II.1-3 explain the meaning of ‘uktha’ while Aranyaka II.4-6 are the famous Aitareya Upanishad.
• Aranyaka III is a ‘Samhita Upanishad’, i.e., it treats the Rigveda Samhita and its various mnemonic forms as objects of meditation and reflection. Numerous Vedic Sages are mentioned in this section.
• Aranyaka IV is merely a collection of Mahanamni verses.
• Aranyaka V is like a Sutra text, and deals mainly with the Nishkevalya shastra that is recited during the afternoon ceremony portion of the Mahavrata rite.
23. Shankhayana Aranyaka:
The text is divided into 15 chapters, and its contents are similar to the Aitareya Aranyaka. The famous Kaushitaki Upanishad is embedded in this text as sections III-VI.1-4. The first two chapters resemble Brahmanas, and the last chapter is often considered a later addition.
24. Taittiriya Aranyaka:
This work comprises of 10 Prapathakas. The first two are called ‘Kathakam’ because they are said to have been borrowed from the Kathaka shakha of Yajurveda.
Prapathaka 5 deals with the Pravargya rite.
Prapathakas 7-9 are the famous Taittiriya Upanishad.
Prapathaka 10 is the Mahanarayana Upanishad, or the Yajnika Upanishad. This Prapathaka is often considered an appendix because its extent and contents are unsettled and vary from region to region. It is a compilation of Upanishadic matter together with miscellaneous mantras for recitation at various occasions and for various purposes.