Shatpatha Brahmana

The largest Vedic text is Satpath Brahman after Rigveda in the whole Vedic literarures. It contains elaborate description on Vedic religion, rituals, then customs, coming & expansion of Aryans, then political system etc. it is considered as an Eneyelopaedic. Text due to adequate amount of informations & its vivid desciptions. Satpath Brahman is considerd as most systematic & organised of all brahmical texts.

Traditionally, 100 chapters are believed to be in it and as such it is called Shatpath Brahman. It is associated with Madhyamdivi & Karma-both branches of shukla Yajurveda. it has been written in prise style & Rishi Yagyavakya is considered as its visionary.

The Madhyandivi branch of it has 100 chapters divided into 7624 shlokas. It has been compiled in 14 books. In Shatpath Brahman of Karma branch, there is four more chapters (as such, 104 chapters) then that of mandhyandivi branch. it consists of 6806 sections (Khandikayen) compiled in 17 books. In Both of the branches, a successive order & explanation of mantras of Yajurveda.

Shatpath Brahman is almost ancient one of all available Brahmanical texts. The period between 8th-7th century B.C. is beleived to be its time of composition. Vrihadaranyak Upnishad is the last part of at which was written in about 7th century B.C.

Shatpath Brahman focusses on almost every aspects associated with human life. it discusses regarding agriculture, origin of universe, different kinds of rituals, philosophical ideologies, then janpad system etc. in at. it is also an important source of informations of many stories associated with Mahabharata. Thats is why it is considered as cultural eneyclopaedic text.

Lord Vishnu has been regarded as the supreme God in this Brahman. This Brahmana consists of detailed explanations on kinds of yogyas, materiales related to Yagyas, Yagya-methods, & many rituals associated with them. it also tells about Arjuns & the significance of Yagyas in the life of Arjuns in that period of time.

It also mentions for the first time of about rebirth. Peoples were aware of cycle of life education cremation methods & construction of crematory over skeletous buried in soil.

It also throws light on the then political systems. it writes about the then existing ten Janapads –

Gandhar (Capital Taxila, on both sides of river sindhus)

Kaikeya (On both side of Jhelun)

Madra (both sides of river chenab)

Kushi Nagar (Uttranchal)

Matsya (near jaipur, both sides of saraswati river)

Kuru (Capital-Hastinapur)

Paanchal (region of Ruhelkhand)

Awadh (Capital-saket)

Kashi and Mithila (Janakpur)

‘Ratnin institution’ was in vogue to help the king in administrative affairs. This Brahman mentions about 12 Rations that time –

1.   Senani

2.   Raj Mahishi

3.   Muvraaj

4.   Purohit

5.   Kshata          

6.   Gramni

7.   Sangrahitri

8.   Bhagdugh    

9.   Akshavaals

10. Yut                             

11. Govikartan                

12. Paalagal

The differences were not arisen between the king & his pupils in this period.

It has been described in Shatpath Brahman that Agni & Brihaspati enters into the body of the king at the time of his coronation (rajjabhishek). When he performs Ashwamegha & Vaagpeya yagya, he attains Godly-form and, this, effort has been made for glorification of the king atain to God.

It also throws light on ‘Dev Mandal’, the then most recognised institution. While mentioning about God-demon battle it has been said that four groups of Gods had participated in it. Indra led Maruts, Agni leds Vaarus, Soma led Rudras & Varuna was the leader of Adityas. They all regarded Indra as their combined leader & used to fight in battle in accordance with his instructions.

Gegraphically, this Brahmanical text is of due significance. It provides informations regarding movement of Aryans towards east. It contains the story of ‘Madhav. Videh’. Madhav-Videh had mined to east with his teacher Gautam Rishi. Agni had come out of month of Videh as soon as he heart the word. Ghee near sadanira river (Gandale river). Thus, the region lying between Sadanira river & saraswati river became the land area inhabited by Aryans.

Literary, Shatpathd Brahman is also considered of much importance. All the stories that is found in Mahabharate this Satpath Brahman is the basic source of all. it finds mention of stories life jalplavaan lukatha (the story of over flood), s tory of Dushyanta-shakuntala, love stories of Puru-Vrvachi, Rama stories etc. it also mentions about story of ChyarVan rishi who was blessed with youthfulness by Ashwanikumarras. it also deeds with the God-demon battle in detail.

Scholars paid their attention towards Shatpath Brahman in 19th century. At this time, Julius Eggeling had translated Shatpath Brahman’s Madhyadin Branch in English language into 5 parts. W.E. calaud is credited for translating Kanva branch of Shatpath Brahman into English language. Presently, it has been already, translated into several languages in India. Its stories are quite popular among its readers while its several mantras are used during different kinds of rituals & their performances.