Historical and cultural significance of the Vedic philosophical text taittirīya āraṇyaka

Abstract

Modern western scholars both Sanskritists and linguists generally tend to ignore the hermeneutical value of the Vedic philosophical texts, pretending to be more knowledgeable about the Veda than the ancient Vedans themselves. They have assumed an erroneous attitude towards the Veda, being appreciative of the Rig-Vedic hymns only, while neglecting such important philosophical texts as the AÌ„ranyakas viz. “Forest Texts” which are indispensable for proper exegesis. Thus being unaware of the historical and doctrinal significance of the Aranyakas for the proper decipherment of the Vedic and common Indo-European tradition, western scholars not only mislead the academic community but actually deprive general public of the material data about the real achievements of the Vedic civilization.