Logo

Synopsis The Vedas, the concrete foundations of the colossal edifice of Hinduism, are comprised of two independent collections, traditionally known as Samhitas and Brahmanas, depositories of the early genres, of poetry and prose of the human beings. Samhitas contain mantras - poems in praise of the deities- in the forms of hymns; while Brahmanas contain prose treatises presenting theological interpretations of the Vedic rites and ceremonies through scholastic discussions of the technical aspects of Vedic ritualism, or through charming myths, legends and tales. Furnishing manuals for sacrificial ceremonies, practically they serve the purpose of text books of Vedic rituals. They reflect the spirit of an intellectual age of India, which is solely engaged in ritualism - culmination of Brahmanical culture in ancient India. Despite theological importance, they may be regarded as the earliest treasures, human being ever possesses, of myths, legends and tales. Satapathabrahmana, the ˜Brahmana, of the hundred paths,' is the most important work in the whole range of Vedic literature. Besides its theological significance, it has enormous social, cultural and geographical importance. It belongs to the Vajasaneyi recension of the Yajurveda, generally called White Yajurveda. Its text has been handed down to us in two recensions, viz. Kanva and Madhyandina. In the recension of the Madhyandinas, it consists of 14 Kandas, while the Kanvas have distributed them into 17 Kandas. The edition in hand presents the Madhyandina recension. The Madhyandina recension of the Satapathabrahmana contains: I. Haviyajna; II. Ekapadika; III. Adhvara; IV. Grahanama; V. Sava; VI. Usasambharana; VII. Hastighat; VIII. Citi; IX. Sanciti; X. Agnirahasya Astadhyayi; XII. Madhyama; XIII. Asvamedha; XIV. Brhadaranyaka and Brhadaranyakopanisad. It has 100 adhyayas, 14 kandas, 68 prapathakas, 438 Brahmanas and 7624 kandikas. Practically it is an encyclopaedia of Vedic sacrifices dealing with their procedures, liturgical formulae, significances and efficacies. At the end of the XIV kanda, its authorship has been ascribed to Yajnavalkya. On the basis of six manuscripts and the printed editions of Dr. Weber, (1855) and Satyavrata Samasrami (1901), it is critically prepared by a team of traditional scholars. It contains the two different readings of the text: accentuated and non-accentuated. The edition presents orthodox accentuation and orthography with great authenticity. It includes the extant portions of the authoritative commentaries of Harisvamin and Sayanacarya, Vasudevabrahma's rarely available commentary on the Brhadaranyakopanisad, with commentaries, Pasvavadanaviveka, various readings, useful notes and illustrations.