Belonging to the forest. Since the Aranyaka texts
are a part of the Vedas, they too are considered shrub. They are religious and
philosophical writings that explain abstract concepts like the mystical aspects of
ceremonies and the nature of god.The Aranyakas were composed around 700 - 600 BC, much
later than the Brahmans. They are treaties for hermits and sages who concentrate on
meditation and asceticism, after having retired from worldly distractions to the forest
(see also Ashram). These texts interpret the sacrificial rites and rituals explained in
the Brahmanas in metaphysical and cosmic terms, giving the logical reasons for their
practice. Most Brahmans have one or more Aranyakas associated with them. For example, the
Aitareya and Kaushitaki Aranyakas are associated with the Aitareya and Kaushitaki Brahmans
of the Rig-Veda. There are no Aranyakas associated with the Atharva Veda it esoteric doctrine.
These philosophical writings are associated with the Brahmanas and are also Upanishad They explain the mystic aspects of the Vedas, and contain theories about the origin of the universe, the nature of god, the nature of the soul, and the connection between mind and matter. They are the basis of all Hindu philosophy. Most Upanishads are written in prose though a few are entirely in verse. There are 108 generally accepted Upanishads, but according to different sources, the number varies upto 200. The oldest of these works dates back to 600 BC. They are later works than the Sanhitas (see Mantra) and the Brahmanas and are a completely different category of texts. They contain a freedom of thought unknown in any of the earlier works, except the Rig-Veda. The Upanishads are more universal and can be read by all, unlike the others, which were supposed to be taught to and read by only the Brahmins.
