Sankhayana Aranyaka is the second Aranyaka belonging to Rig Veda. It consists of fifteen chapters. The first two chapters deal with the adhidaivika significance of mahavrata. The subject matter of the first two chapters is the same as that of the Aitareya Aranyaka. But the treatment of the subject is different.
In the third chapter of Sankhayana Aranyaka an exposition of
the elevation of man from the mortal world to the world of Brahman is given
through a dialogue between King Chitra Gangyayani on the one side and Aruni
Gotama and his Svetaketu on the other. Chapter IV deals with the exposition of
prana and uktha as Brahman and the adhyatmika significance of the rituals such
as Ekadhanamavarodhina Daiva Smara Samyamana Pratardana, i.e., instilling of
the adhyatmika powers in the son by the father.’
Chapter five deals with the supremacy of prana over all the
organs as proclaimed by Indra to king Pratardana. Chapter VI deals with the
nature, understanding and realization of Brahman through a dialogue between
Sage Balaki and Ajatashatru, the king of Kashi, the latter presenting the
correct view in answer to the incorrect practices observed by the former.
Chapters VII-VIII of Sankhayana Aranyaka form Samhita
Upanishad, dealing with the adhidaivika and adhyatmika significance of Samhita.
The subject dealt with in these two chapters corresponds, with small
variations, to the subject dealt with in Aitareya Aranyaka (Ar. III). It is
worth mentioning that this Aranyaka refers to four types of purusha, viz.,
sarira-purusha, chanda-purusha, veda-purusha and maha-purusha (VIII-3).
Chapter IX deals with the supremacy of prana over all organs
and prescribes a ritual to be performed by one who wishes to become the ‘Greatest’.
Chapter X deals with antaragnihotra, sublimating the ritual of agnihotra to the
adhyatmika plane. Chapter XI deals with an adhyatimika and adhidaivika
interpretation of man. Chapter XII deals with securing protection and warding
off enemies by putting on an amulet prepared from the bilva tree.
Chapters XIII and XIV deal with some of the highest
principles of the Upanishads, such as, idam sarvam yadayamatma (the Self is all
this), tattvamasi (that thou art), aham Brahmasmi (I am the supreme self). This
very expression (i.e. aham Brahmasmi) is the highest of riks, yajus, samans and
the atharvans. Chapter XV deals with the guru-shishya tradition of the Sankhayana
recession, starting from the disciples of Sankhayana and going back to the
Svayambhu, the first acharya of this tradition.