Brihadaranyaka literally means "great wilderness or forest". The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad is credited to ancient sage Yajnavalkya, but likely refined by a number of ancient Vedic scholars. The Upanishad forms the last part, that is the fourteenth kānda of Śatapatha Brāhmana of "Śhukla Yajurveda".[11] The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad has six adhyayas (chapters) in total. There are two major recensions for the text – the Madhyandina and the Kanva recensions. It includes three sections: Madhu kānda (the 4th and 5th chapter of the fourteenth kānda of Satapatha Brahmana), Muni kānda (or Yajnavalkya Kanda, the 6th and 7th chapter of 14th kānda of Satapatha Brahmana) and Khila kānda (the 8th and 9th chapter of the fourteenth kānda of Satapatha Brahmana).[11][12]

The first and second chapters of the Upanishad's Madhu kānda consists of six brahmanas each, with varying number of hymns per brahmana. The first chapter of the Upanishad's Yajnavalkya kānda consists of nine brahmanams, while the second has six brahmanas. The Khila kānda of the Upanishad has fifteen brahmanas in its first chapter, and five brahmanas in the second chapter.

 

 

The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad is an ancient Hindu text that translates to "the Upanishad of the great forests". It's one of the oldest Upanishads, and is known for its philosophical statements. 

What it's about

• The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad focuses on the nature of reality and the identity of the Self, or Atman. 

• It includes the doctrine of "neti neti" (later understood as "neither this, nor that"). 

• It uses metaphors, symbolism, and imagery to describe reality. 

• It includes conversations between the sage Yajnavalkya and one of his wives, Maitreyi. 

Who wrote it - The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad is credited to the ancient sage Yajnavalkya, but likely refined by a number of ancient Vedic scholars. It's associated with the Shukla Yajurveda. 

When it was written - Most scholars estimate that it was written between 1000 and 700 B.C.E.

 

The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad is affiliated with the White (Shukla) Yajur-veda. Of its six sections, all except the third and fourth describe worship (upasana) associated with ritualistic action (karma). The third and fourth sections deal with the teachings of Yajnavalkya on spiritual truth, which he imparted to Janaka.

 

The number 33 according to the Brhadaranyaka Upanishad (1.9. 2) consists of eight Vasus, eleven Rudras, twelve Adityas, plus Indra and Prajapati. Yaska in his commentary on the Rigveda states that there are three deities, Agni (in the earth), Vayu or Indra (in the air), and Surya (in the sky).