Brahmanas are text attached to the Samhitas of Rig, Sama,
Yajur and Atharva Vedas. They provide explanations of these and guidance for
the priests in sacrificial rituals. This is a collection of quotes and teachings from Satapatha Brahmana of Shukla Yajur Veda and Aitareya Brahmana of Rig Veda.
Aitareya Brahmana Quotes on Pilgrimage
Flower like are the heels of the wanderer
Thus his body grows and is fruitful
All his sins disappear
Slain by the toil of his journeying.
There is no happiness for him who does not travel!
Thus we have heard. Living in the society of men,
the best of men becomes a sinner.
Therefore, wander!
The feet of the wanderer are like the flower, his soul
is growing and reaping the fruit; and all his sins are
destroyed by his fatigues in wandering.
Therefore, wander!
The fortune of him who is sitting, sits; it rises when
he rises; it sleeps when he sleeps; it moves when he moves.
Therefore, wander!
Thus we have heard. Living in the society of men,
the best of men becomes a sinner.
Therefore, wander!
The feet of the wanderer are like the flower, his soul
is growing and reaping the fruit; and all his sins are
destroyed by his fatigues in wandering.
Therefore, wander!
The fortune of him who is sitting, sits; it rises when
he rises; it sleeps when he sleeps; it moves when he moves.
Therefore, wander!
Satapatha Brahmana Teachings
Purification with water is necessary before any holy
activity because man is impure on account of speaking or practicing untruth.
Through water internal purification is achieved.
Sinful work of past is erased with righteous work of
present.
The Gods (Devas) and the Asuras (Demons), both of them
sprung from Prajapati, entered upon their father’s inheritance – both truth and
untruth: both Gods and Asuras, spoke the truth, and they both spoke untruth;
and, indeed, speaking alike, they were alike. (9th Kanda, 5th Chapter, 1st
Brahmana, Verse 12)
The gods relinquished untruth, and held fast to truth, and
the Asuras relinquished truth, and held fast to untruth. (9th Kanda, 5th
Chapter, 1st Brahmana, Verse 13)
The gods spoke nothing but truth, and the Asuras nothing but
untruth. And the gods, speaking the truth diligently were very contemptible and
very poor: he who speaks the truth diligently, becomes indeed very contemptible
and very poor; but in the end he assuredly prospers, for the gods indeed
prospered. (9th Kanda, 5th Chapter, 1st Brahmana, Verse 16)
And the Asuras, speaking untruth diligently were very prosperous: he who speaks untruth diligently,
thrives indeed, and becomes very prosperous; but in the end he assuredly comes
to naught, for the Asuras indeed came to naught. (9th Kanda, 5th Chapter,
1st Brahmana, Verse 17)
One becomes what one meditates on (Satapatha Brahmana X. V. 2. 20)