Question

Match List I (Vedas) with List II (Their respective Brahmanas) and choose the correct option:
List I (Veda)
A. Rigveda
B. Krishna Yajurveda
C. Shukla Yajurveda
D. Atharvaveda
List II (Brahmana)
I. Gopatha Brahmana
II. Shatapatha Brahmana
III. Taittiriya Brahmana
IV. Aitareya Brahmana

• A. A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV
• B. A-IV, B-III, C-II, D-I
• C. A-III, B-IV, C-I, D-II
• D. A-III, B-II, C-IV, D-I

Hint:

Remember the "Singletons" and the "Famous" ones first. Atharvaveda has ONLY the Gopatha. Shukla Yajurveda is always paired with the famous Shatapatha. Linking these two is usually enough to solve any Brahmana matching question.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Every Veda is divided into four chronological layers: Samhitas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and Upanishads. The Brahmanas are prose texts that explain the ritual application (Viniyoga) of the mantras, provide the mythology behind the rituals, and offer theological interpretations. Each Veda has its own specific Brahmanas, often associated with different Shakhas (recensions). Mastering these pairings is fundamental to Vedic studies.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation of the Pairings:
1. Rigveda (A): The most prominent Brahmana of the Rigveda is the Aitareya Brahmana (IV), traditionally attributed to Sage Mahidasa Aitareya. It focuses primarily on the duties of the Hota priest in the Soma sacrifice and the Rajasuya. (The other Rigvedic Brahmana is the Kaushitaki).
2. Krishna Yajurveda (B): The "Black" Yajurveda is associated with the Taittiriya Brahmana (III). This Brahmana is unique because, in the Taittiriya recension, the Samhita and Brahmana portions are often interspersed, making it a very integrated ritual text.
3. Shukla Yajurveda (C): The "White" Yajurveda is inseparable from the Shatapatha Brahmana (II), the "Brahmana of a Hundred Paths." This is the most voluminous, detailed, and historically significant of all Brahmanas. Attributed to Sage Yajnavalkya, it covers everything from creation myths to the Agnichayana (building the fire-altar).
4. Atharvaveda (D): The Atharvaveda has only one surviving Brahmana, the Gopatha Brahmana (I). It was composed later than the others and focuses on the duties of the Brahma priest and the significance of Atharvan rituals like the Ashvamedha from an Atharvan perspective.

Step 3: Synthesis:
The correct matching is A-IV, B-III, C-II, and D-I.

Step 4: Final Answer:
The correct sequence is (2).