Reflections on The Taittiriya Brahmana

We are pleased to bring out this book "Reflections on the Taittiriya Brahmana", a collection of research papers related to the Taittiriya Brahmana.

Vaidika Samsodhana Mandala had arranged a seminar on the Taittiriya Brahmana, in 2000. Many scholars presented their papers. The papers were discussed. It was noticed then, that all-sided study on a brahmana is necessary as well, as interesting.

Dr. C. G. Kashikar has inaugurated the seminar by delivering keynote address, which we thought9 apt to incorporate in this volume. Dr. C. G. Kashikar died on 28th December 2004, leaving his article with us. Since the Vaidika Samsodhana Mandala holds very special relationship with Dr. C. G. Kashikar, we take this article as the blessings for us.

The aspects discussed during the seminar can be generalized as follows- history, structure, language and contents of the Taittiriya Brahmana.

The Taittiriya Brahmana, being one of the prominent texts on the rituals, is not one time literary production. The composition of this text was an ongoing literary attempt lasting for several years (Late) Dr. C. G. Kashikar has put an effort to establish the fluidity of this Vedic text. I am quite sure that the readers will agree if I say that his article is The Model of the research work. Mr. Parashuram Paranjape has also shaded the light on this point of the Taittiriya Brahmana.

The traditional Srnkhala device has I contributed a lot to maintain the text intact, once it was fixed. (An article by Mrs. Shraddha Paranjpe).

The Taittiriya Brahmana being one of the 1oldest accented prose texts the study of the language carries much more importance. The denominatives are very peculiar characteristics of the language. Mrs. Pataskar has discussed all the denominatives in the Taittiriya Brahmana in detail.

The narratives, p myths, symbolism, philosophy and the ritualistic details form the contents of the text. Dr. Indu Deshpande, Dr. Nirmala Kulkami, Dr. Manjushree Deshpande, Dr. P. C. Sahoo, and Dr. Manik Thakar have taken the satellite view from those angles.

Dr. Bhagyashree Bhagwat, Dr. Jayashree Sathe, Dr. Kanchan Mande and Dr. Sunanda Abhyankar have concentrated on •a particular point and examined it thoroughly.

Dr. Shripad Bhat has established a link between this ritual text and the Mimamsa.

Thus this book throws light on all important aspects of the Vedic work n general and those of the Taittiriya Brahmana in Particular.

We are very much thankful to the scholars who contributed to this volume. Despite of their busy schedule and other commitments they spare time to revise their papers in the light of discussion held thereon.

We take this opportunity to express our deep sense of gratitude towards Dr. N.K. Bhide (Pune) Dr. Vasudev Bhide (Washington) Mr. Gopalro Sabale (Alandi, Trustee of the of the Late Mrs. Maitreyye Sabale Trust), Mr. R.G. Wable (Pune Trusteee of the Prof. V.D. Rishi trust) for their generous donations to bring out this volume.

We also thank Ms. Ketaki Gokhale and Mr. Bhushan Deshmukh for perfect and speedy typing of this volume.

MS. Vaijanti Dhole Patil and Ms. Surekha Wagle of step in Services Pune Deserve our thanks for the timely printing of this volume.