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16) What do the Mantras talk about?
The Mantras are in praise of God and prayers to God. The Yajur Mantras give detailed formulas for the rituals. The sama Mantras are only Rik Mantras, set to music.
17) Are these mantras in prose form or poetry form?
The Rik Mantras are in poetry form. Yajur Mantras are in prose form. Sama Mantras are Riks, set to musical tones. The Atharva Veda contains both verses (poetry) and prose. This much idea is enough for the present regarding Mantras.
18) please explain the other part, namely Brahmana.
The Brahmanas are in prose form. Their main aim is to prescribe the rituals in details and also praise the glory of the Devas.
19) How are the Brahmanas divided?
Brahmanas are again divided into two parts: Vidhi and Arthavada.
20) What do these talk about?
Vidhi portions give command to do a thing, to perform rituals. Arthavada generally praises the rituals, the glory of Devas and also points out their weaknesses. They also contain stories to illustrate the points.
21) What is the relative importance of these different portions?
Portions connected with rituals are called Karmakanda. Generally, they teach how rituals like various yagas are to be done. They are also called Purvakanda. Portions dealing with philosophy and knowledge of Brahman are called Jnanakandra or Brahma kanda. So, Mantras and Brahmanas come under Karmakanda. Upanishads are called Jnanakanda. But, knowledge of Brahman and Philosophy are also discussed in Mantras and Brahmanas.
22) What is the meaning of the word Sastra?
Sastra in Sanskrit means that which gives teaching, instruction or command.
23) What are the Sastras?
The Vedas are the most important sastras. There is no sastra higher than the Veda. Then we have Smiriti, Itihasa, Purana and Agama,
Jai Srimannaryana !
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