Aytareya-aranyaka

“ Aytareya-aranyak ” is the sacred text of Hinduism in Sanskrit , one of Aranyak , belongs to the Shakala-shakha of the Rig Veda .

Consists of five sections, each of which is considered as complete Aranyaka. The first section is mainly devoted to the maha-vrata, the descriptions of which are ritualistic in nature. The second section consists of six chapters, of which the first three describe prana vidya - where “prana” means “life air” which is not only the vital energy of the body, but also the living spirit of all mantras and all Vedas . ^[1] In this part of Aranyaki, specific descriptions of how following the Vedic instructions and performing certain yajnas can be found in the next life can be born one of the virgins - Agni (god of fire), Surya (god of the Sun) or Vai (god of the wind), or in the case of violation of the Vedic regulations, embodied among the lower forms of life, such as birds or reptiles .

The fourth, fifth, and sixth chapters of the second section, “Aytareya-aranyaki,” make up the “ Aytareya-Upanishad .” The third section of this Aranyaki is also known as the Samhita Upanishad. It spells out various topics - such as pada-pathha, krama-pathha, and others - from the repetition of the hymns of the Vedas to the nuances of the sv. The fourth and fifth sections are purely technical and ritual in their content - respectively, they are devoted to mantras called “Mahanamni” and the yajna “Madhyandina”.

It is in “Aitarea-Aranyak” that the impersonal prana in the form of various virgins and rsis is recommended to be worshiped. The personification of prana is Viswamitra - because the whole Universe (vishva) is the object of the experience of this pranic god. Prana is also Vamadeva - because the word “Wama” (lit. “left” or “beautiful” Sk.) Indicates respect and possession of a position worthy of worship and service. She is also Atri , because the word Trayit in Atri indicates prana as protection from sins. Prana enters the body and supports it, therefore it is Bharadwaja - where the word bhara means “to support”, and the word waja is a mortal material body that is set in motion by prana. Vasishtha is also Prana, because the word of you indicates the same feelings that are present in the body due to prana.