Which of the following are known as Brahmanas?a)The original texts of ...
The Brahmanas, it is well known, form our chief, if not our only, source of information regarding one of the most important periods in the social and mental development of India. They represent the intellectual activity of a sacerdotal caste which, by turning to account the religious instincts of a gifted and naturally devout race, had succeeded in transforming a primitive worship of the powers of nature into a highly artificial system of sacrificial ceremonies, and was ever intent on deepening and extending its hold on the minds of the people, by surrounding its own vocation with the halo of sanctity and divine inspiration.
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Which of the following are known as Brahmanas?a)The original texts of ...
Explanation:
The Brahmanas are a category of ancient Indian texts that are associated with the Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism. They are considered to be the second layer of Vedic literature, following the Samhitas (the hymns of the Vedas). The Brahmanas are written in prose and provide instructions and explanations related to the rituals and ceremonies described in the Vedas.
Key Points:
The following options are given:
a) The original texts of the Vedas.
b) Explanatory prose manuals relating to prayer and sacrificial ceremony.
c) Commentaries appended to the Aranyakas dealing with philosophical questions.
d) Books dealing with worship and contemplation meant for wood-dwelling hermits.
Option a: The original texts of the Vedas are not considered to be Brahmanas. The Vedas themselves are composed of four main collections: Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda.
Option b: Explanatory prose manuals relating to prayer and sacrificial ceremony are indeed known as Brahmanas. These texts provide detailed instructions on how to perform various rituals and ceremonies, including the correct pronunciation of mantras, the arrangement of the sacrificial altar, the offerings to be made, and the significance of each ritual action.
Option c: Commentaries appended to the Aranyakas dealing with philosophical questions are actually known as Upanishads, not Brahmanas. The Upanishads are philosophical texts that explore the nature of reality, the self, and the ultimate truth (Brahman).
Option d: Books dealing with worship and contemplation meant for wood-dwelling hermits are known as Aranyakas, not Brahmanas. The Aranyakas are a group of texts that were studied and practiced by hermits who lived in the forest and were in the final stage of their Vedic education.
Therefore, the correct answer is option b) Explanatory prose manuals relating to prayer and sacrificial ceremony. These texts are considered to be Brahmanas and provide detailed instructions for performing Vedic rituals and ceremonies.
Which of the following are known as Brahmanas?a)The original texts of ...
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