The Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa: The Great Yajurvedic Text of Rituals, Creation, and Philosophy.

The Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa: The Great Yajurvedic Text of Rituals, Creation, and Philosophy

Introduction:

Its author is believed to be Yājñavalkya, the son of Vājasaneyi. Being Vājasaneyi's son, he is called " Vājasaneya." The Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa clearly states that Yājñavalkya, the Vājasaneya, interpreted the Śukla Yajurveda, received by the grace of the Sun. Sāyaṇa has written about Yajnavalya's father Vājasaneyi that he was famous as the giver of food (Vaj-food, Sani-giver), hence his name was Vājasaneyi.

      There are 100 chapters in the Śatapatha. Hence, it is called 'Śatapatha'. This has been explained by 'Ganaratna Mahodadhi,' etc. 'Shatam Panthano Marga Namadhyaya Yasya Tat Śatapatham,' which has a hundred chapter-like paths, is called Shatapath. Although there are 104 chapters in Kāṇva Shatpath, yet due to the importance of the number of hundred, it is called Shatpath. It is available in both Mādhyandin and Kāṇva Śakhā (branches). There are 100 chapters in Mādhyandin and 104 chapters in Kāṇva.

Subject matter of Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa(Mādhyandin Śakhā)

The Mādhyandin (Śukla Yajurvedic) Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa contains 14 cantos, 100 chapters, 438 Brāhmaṇas, and 7,624 cantos. The entire text is divided into 14 parts, called cantos. The cantos are subdivided into chapters, and the subdivisions of chapters are Brāhmaṇas. These Brāhmaṇas also have subdivisions, called cantos. Thus, it has four numbers for reference: 1. canto, 2. chapter, 3. Brāhmaṇa, and 4. canto. Its subject matter is as follows:

Chapter 1 - Darśa and Purnimāsa Yajña.

Chapter 2: Agnihotra, Piṇḍapitṛyajña, Dakṣāyaṇa Yajña, Navātreṣṭi, Cāturmāsya Yajña.

Chapters 3 and 4: Somayāga.

Chapter 5: The Vājapeya and Rājasuya sacrifices.

Chapter 6: Creation, Selection, and Description.

Chapters 7 and 8: Selection and construction of the altar.

Chapter 9: Chāyānṛpaṇa, Śatarudriya Homa, Rāṣṭrabhṛt Homa.

Chapter 10: Selection and construction of small and big altars.

Chapter 11: Darśa–Paurṇamāsa, Dakṣāyaṇa Yajña, Upanayana, Pañca Mahāyajña, Svādhyāya–Appreciation

Chapter 12: Dvādaśāha, Saṃvatsara Satra, Jyotiṣṭoma, Sautrāmaṇī Yajña, Prāyaścitta.

Chapter 13: Aśvamedha, Puruṣamedha, Sarvamedha, Daśarātra, Pitṛmedha.

Chapter 14: Pravargyayāga, Brahmavidyā, Bṛhadāraṇyaka

Propound the subject of Śatapatha Brahmin (Kāṇva)

The Kāṇva Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa differs somewhat in its chronological arrangement from the Mādhyandin Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa. The subject matter is largely the same, but the order differs. It contains 17 cantos, 904 chapters, 435 Brāhmaṇas, and 6,806 canticles. The subject matter of Mādhyandin's Kāṇda 2 has been moved to Kāṇda 1, and the subject matter of its Kāṇda 1 is now in Kāṇda 2. The subject matter is as follows:

Chapter 1: Agnihotra, Navānna Iṣṭi (Āgrayaṇa Iṣṭi), Dakṣāyaṇa, Cāturmāsya.

Chapter 2: Darśa–Paurṇamāsa Yajña

Chapter 3: Meaning of Agnihotra and Darśa–Paurṇamāsa Yajña.

Chapters 4 and 5: Soma Yajña.

Cantos 6 and 7: Vājapeya and Rājasūya

Chapter 8: Uprooting.

Chapters 9 to 12: Different types of Yajña.

Chapter 13: Ādhānākāla, Pathikṛt, Śamyuvāk, Brahmacarya, Darśa–Paurṇamāsa

Chapter 14: Sautrāmaṇi, Atonement.

Chapter 15: Aśvamedha.

Chapter 16: Pravargya Yajña

Chapter 17: Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad, Brahmavidyā.

Although the subject matter of both Brāhmaṇas is the same, there is a difference in the order in which they are presented. The Mādhyandin Śatapatha is more systematic in its presentation. Another distinctive feature of the Śatapatha is that it first provides a systematic explanation of the 18 chapters of the Vājasaneyī Samhitā. Speciality of Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa

Some of the main special features of Śatapatha Brāhmaṇā are:

1. Yājñavalkya and Sāṇidīya Samvāda: Evidence of sage Yājñavalkya from Kand 1 to 5,

It is presented in the form of a Sāṇidīya, and in chapters 6 through 10, Sage Śāndilya is considered the author. This indicates that both sages contributed to the composition of the Śātapatha. No first Sāṇidīya is described as the exponent of the "secret of fire" in the 10th chapter. It is also noteworthy that chapters 6 through 10, dedicated to Sāṇidīya, mention the Gandhar, Kekaya, and Shalva regions of northwestern India. Other chapters mention the Kuru-Panchala, Kosala, Sunjaya, and Videha regions of central and eastern India. Overall, Yājñavalkya is considered the author of the Śatapatha.

2. Importance of Yajña:

Yajña has been described as the best deed in Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa‘यज्ञ वै श्रेष्ठतमं कर्म’. Yajña has been called Viṣṇu and Prajāpati “यज्ञ वै विष्णु। प्रजापतिर्यज्ञ”. There is a comprehensive description of the rituals of Yajñas in Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa. Hence, Dr. MacDonnell has described the Śatapatha Brāhmaṇaas the best book of Vedic literature after the Rigveda and the Atharvaveda. Yajña has been called the protector and guardian of the world. Yajña is related to the five elements, like earth, water, etc. It purifies all five elements; hence, it is called 'Panktā'. The word 'Panktā' is derived from the word 'Pankti' and 'Pankti' from the word 'Paňch'. The coordination of the five elements is 'Pankta Yajña'. There are two forms of Yajña: natural and artificial. Yajña is continuously going on in nature. In this, there is spring ghee, summer samidha, and autumn oblation. Due to this, the year cycle, the cycle of creation is going on. Every molecule is moving; due to this, there is creation, which is natural Yajña. This is what is indicated here.

3. Spiritual form of Yajña:

External Yajña is symbolic, actually in nature. This Yajña is going on continuously. There is a provision for external Paňca Yajñas to explain it. In fact, Yajña is spiritual. It is a means of self-purification, dedication, and attainment of Brahma. This has been discussed in detail in the Bṛhadāraṇyaka, the last section of the Śatapath. The attainment of Brahma and the knowledge of Brahma is the goal of Yajña; hence, Brahma is called Yajña. Brahma is attained only by the purification of the ear and purity of mind; hence, speech and mind are called Yajña.

4. Praise for Self-Study:

The Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa extols the immense importance of self-study (Veda study). Self-study is more important than donating to the three worlds. All the desires of those who practice self-study are fulfilled.

Conclusion:

The beginning of the Śatapatha Brahmin starts with the promise of speaking the truth – “इदं अहम् अनृतात् सत्यमु पामि” (I give up untruth and adopt the truth). It is mandatory for Yajña to be a devotee of Satya. This is speaking truth bestows divinity on a person; hence it is said – “स वै सत्यमेव वदेत् ' i.e., speak only the truth.

References

1. Eggeling, Julius. The Śatapatha-Brāhmaṇa: According to the Text of the Mādhyandina School. 5 vols. Sacred Books of the East, Vols. 12, 26, 41, 43, 44. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1882–1900.

Part I (Vol. 12) — सैक रेड-टेक्स्ट्स: Internet Sacred Text Archive+1

Part II (Vol. 26) — सैक रेड-टेक्स्ट्स: Internet Sacred Text Archive

Part III (Vol. 41) — सैक रेड-टेक्स्ट्स: Internet Sacred Text Archive+1

Part IV (Vol. 43) — सैक रेड-टेक्स्ट्स: Internet Sacred Text Archive+1

Part V (Vol. 44) — सैक रेड-टेक्स्ट्स: Internet Sacred Text Archive - Full (Part V PDF): Internet Archive

1. Caland, Willem. Śatapatha-Brāhmana. Lahore: Motilal Banarsidass (reprint), 1926.
2. Keith, Arthur Berriedale. Religion and Philosophy of the Veda and Upanishads. Vol. 1. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1925. (Contains detailed references to Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa)

Internet Archive (Vol. 1) PDF: Internet Archive

Digital Library of Punjab version: digitallibrary.punjab.gov.pk

Open Library entry: Open Library

1. Hillebrandt, Alfred. Vedische Mythologie. Breslau: Koebner, 1891–1902. (Discusses many passages from the Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa)

Internet Archive (Vol. I) PDF: Internet Archive

Internet Archive (Vol. II) PDF: Internet Archive

1. Renou, Louis. Études sur le Śatapatha-Brāhmaṇa. Paris: E. de Boccard, 1947. PhilPapers इनपुट (लेख की जानकारी): PhilPapers
2. Weber, Albrecht. Indische Studien (Indian Studies). Vol. 1–10. Berlin: Ferd. Dümmler, 1850–1869. (Contains numerous textual discussions on Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa)