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(commentaries), while the Gnyankanda incorporates the knowledge embodied in the Aranykas and the Upanishads. A brief explanation of the four parts of the Vedas is given below: The Samhitas: The word Samhita means ‘collection’ in Sanskrit. These are primarily hymns, chants and mantras and are the main textual portion of the Vedas. The four Vedic Samhitas are the Rig-Veda; the Yajur-Veda; the Sama-Veda; and the Atharva-Veda. Quite often, the Samhita portion is referred to as the Veda i.e. the Rig-Veda Samhita is called the Rig-Veda (as in the paragraph above). Each of the Samhitas has several recensions.

The Brahmanas: These are explanatory text in prose for the rituals embodied in the hymns and poems in the Samhitas, particularly the sacrificial rituals. They serve as guides for the Brahman priests to understand and carry out the rituals properly. The text may either be partly incorporated in the Samhita (and partly separate) or may be totally separate. Each of the Samhitas or its recensions may have one or more corresponding Brahmanas. In effect, they are ritualistic teachings related to the Samhitas.

The Aranyakas: The word ‘Aranyaka’ literally translates to ‘forest text’ in Sanskrit. They incorporate theological discussions on the ritualistic aspects of the Vedas. They deal not with the rituals par se, but with the philosophical aspects of important rites and are effectively the concluding portion of the Brahmanas. The Aranyakas Page 22