Page:History of India Vol 1.djvu/132

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94
THE BRAHMANIC PERIOD AND LITERATURE

Next after the Brahmanas come the Aranyakas, which may indeed be considered the last portions of the Brahmanas. They were so designated because they had to be read in the forest, while the Brahmanas were

OVERLOOKING INDRAPAT, THE ANCIENT PANDU CAPITAL.

for use in sacrifices performed by householders in their homes.

The Rig-Veda has its Kaushitaki Aranyaka and its Aitareya Aranyaka, the latter ascribed to Mahidasa Aitareya. The Black Yajur-Veda has its Taittiriya Aranyaka, and the last book of the Satapatha Brah-