Aranyaka

The Aranyakas (; Sanskrit:  )  is the philosophy behind sacrifice of the ancient Hindu sacred texts, the Vedas."Aranyaka". Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary. They are usually part of the later parts of Vedas, and are one of many layers of the Vedic text.In post-Vedic classifications by text types, the Aranyakas are one of five, with other four being Samhita, Brahmana, Upasana and Upanishad; see A Bhattacharya (2006), Hindu Dharma: Introduction to Scriptures and Theology, , pages 5-17 The other parts of Vedas are the Samhitas (benedictions, hymns), Brahmanas (commentary), and the Upanishads (spirituality and abstract philosophy).A Bhattacharya (2006), Hindu Dharma: Introduction to Scriptures and Theology, , pages 8-14Barbara A. Holdrege (1995), Veda and Torah: Transcending the Textuality of Scripture, State University of New York Press, , pages 351-357

 References 

Other reading
 Jan Gonda (1975), A History of Indian Literature: Volume 1, Vedic Literature: (Saṃhitās and Brāhmaṇas), Otto Harrassowitz Verlag, , Chapter IX: The Āraṇyakas (For context, see other chapters as well).

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Category:Hindu texts