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Similarly, in the Lalita Sahasranama (ललिता सहस्रनामम्), one of the epithets used to describe the Divine Mother is Sama Gana Priye (सामगानप्रिये । one who is pleased with the recital of Saman).
 
Similarly, in the Lalita Sahasranama (ललिता सहस्रनामम्), one of the epithets used to describe the Divine Mother is Sama Gana Priye (सामगानप्रिये । one who is pleased with the recital of Saman).
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''<nowiki/>''
    
Traditionally the three Vedas are spoken as''<nowiki/>'''Trayi (त्रयी), because they are composed of three kinds in mantras- Rks or verses, Yajus or prose, Saman or chants.
 
Traditionally the three Vedas are spoken as''<nowiki/>'''Trayi (त्रयी), because they are composed of three kinds in mantras- Rks or verses, Yajus or prose, Saman or chants.
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As the Atharvaveda Samhita (अथर्ववेदसंहिता) has some special features, it stands apart from the other three Vedas. It deals with worldly things and the yajnas mentioned here are utilized as a means to acquire them. Amidst mundane subjects high philosophical ideas are found in this Veda.   
 
As the Atharvaveda Samhita (अथर्ववेदसंहिता) has some special features, it stands apart from the other three Vedas. It deals with worldly things and the yajnas mentioned here are utilized as a means to acquire them. Amidst mundane subjects high philosophical ideas are found in this Veda.   
 
* It contains numerous Mantras, which according to their subject-matter, can be broadly divided into three categories:<ref name=":4" />  
 
* It contains numerous Mantras, which according to their subject-matter, can be broadly divided into three categories:<ref name=":4" />  
*# Adhidaivata (अधिदैवतम्) : Related to different deities, yajna and their timing.  
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*# '''Adhidaivata (अधिदैवतम्)''' : Related to different deities, yajna and their timing.  
*# Adhibhuta (अधिभूतम्) : Related to kings, wars, governance, protection.  
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*# '''Adhibhuta (अधिभूतम्)''' : Related to kings, wars, governance, protection.  
*# Adhyatma (अध्यात्मम्) : Related to the nature of Supreme Reality, time, death and immortality.
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*# '''Adhyatma (अध्यात्मम्)''' : Related to the nature of Supreme Reality, time, death and immortality.
 
This Veda contains many types of mantras for the following worldly or materialistic purposes <ref name=":4" /><ref name=":1">Introduction to Atharva Veda Samhita from [http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/atharvaveda-samhitas/ Vedic Heritage Portal]</ref>
 
This Veda contains many types of mantras for the following worldly or materialistic purposes <ref name=":4" /><ref name=":1">Introduction to Atharva Veda Samhita from [http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/atharvaveda-samhitas/ Vedic Heritage Portal]</ref>
* भैषज्यसूक्तानि || Medicinal Suktas- The Atharvaveda is the oldest literary monument of Indian medicine. It is believed to be the origin of Ayurveda, the Indian science of medicine. We find mention and application of medicines and medicinal herbs which distinguishes the Atharvaveda from the rest of the Vedas. There are a series of mantras  
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* '''भैषज्यसूक्तानि || Bhaishjyasuktas''' (Medicinal Suktas) - The Atharvaveda is the oldest literary monument of Indian medicine. It is believed to be the origin of Ayurveda, the Indian science of medicine. We find mention and application of medicines and medicinal herbs which distinguishes the Atharvaveda from the rest of the Vedas. There are a series of mantras  
 
** related to cure of various physical (fevers, poisons) and mental diseases
 
** related to cure of various physical (fevers, poisons) and mental diseases
 
** related to physical strength
 
** related to physical strength
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** to ward off evils and supernatural forces such as demons
 
** to ward off evils and supernatural forces such as demons
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* आयुष्यसूक्तानि || Longevity Suktas - For longevity many mantras are given in this veda. Chanted particularly during family festivities such as the head-shaving ceremony for children, upanayana etc. Mantras for long lifespan, preventing certain diseases, warding of apamrityu (अपमृत्यु । untimely death) and wearing amulets for protection (रक्षासूत्रम्) are described at length.
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* '''आयुष्यसूक्तानि || Ayushyasuktas''' (Longevity Suktas) - For longevity many mantras are given in this veda. Chanted particularly during family festivities such as the head-shaving ceremony for children, upanayana etc. Mantras for long lifespan, preventing certain diseases, warding of apamrityu (अपमृत्यु । untimely death) and wearing amulets for protection (रक्षासूत्रम्) are described at length.
* पौष्टिकानि सूक्तानि || Suktas for Abundance - In this section prayers for construction of house, bringing ploughs, sowing seeds and growing foodgrains, wellbeing of tradesmen who go overseas for trade and other such matters are dealt with. Example : a beautiful description of rain and for abundance of rains a prayer is given (वृष्टिसूक्तम्).  
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* '''पौष्टिकसूक्तानि || Paushtikasuktas''' (Suktas for Abundance) - In this section prayers for construction of house, bringing ploughs, sowing seeds and growing foodgrains, wellbeing of tradesmen who go overseas for trade and other such matters are dealt with. Example : a beautiful description of rain and for abundance of rains a prayer is given (वृष्टिसूक्तम्).  
* प्रायश्चित्तानि सूक्तानि || Suktas for Expiation- Expiatory measures for removal of sins accrued from wrong actions (known and unknown) is the major topic dealt in this section. Actions which are deviations from what is prescribed in dharmashastras, such as marriages outside the framework of the shastras, younger brother getting married before the older one etc are to be remedied. Remedies for bad omens, dreams, inflictions, mantras to dispel the inauspicious effects of birth in certain nakshatras are described.   
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* '''प्रायश्चित्तसूक्तानि || Prayaschittasuktas''' (Suktas for Expiation_ - Expiatory measures for removal of sins accrued from wrong actions (known and unknown) is the major topic dealt in this section. Actions which are deviations from what is prescribed in dharmashastras, such as marriages outside the framework of the shastras, younger brother getting married before the older one etc are to be remedied. Remedies for badP omens, dreams, inflictions, mantras to dispel the inauspicious effects of birth in certain nakshatras are described.   
* स्त्रीकर्मसूक्तानि || Suktas related to Women - Matters related to women, marriage, love, gaining male progeny, winning over husband's affection are narrated including mantras to ward of other women from eyeing her husband. Such actions that are performed with a negative intent and bring evil to another person is called Abhicharika kriya (आभिचारिक क्रिया) where even death of a person can also be brought about.   
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* '''स्त्रीकर्मसूक्तानि || Strikarmasuktas''' (Suktas related to Women) - Matters related to women, marriage, love, gaining male progeny, winning over husband's affection are narrated including mantras to ward of other women from eyeing her husband. Such actions that are performed with a negative intent and bring evil to another person is called Abhicharika kriya (आभिचारिक क्रिया) where even death of a person can also be brought about.   
* राजकर्मणि सूक्तानि || Suktas related to Rajas - Rajas and rajaneeti (राजनीतिः) including statecraft, defense systems of the country, training for soldiers, winning strategy in wars, building war vehicles such as chariots, instruments and effects of their sounds such as dundhubhhi (Dundubhi sukta 5.20.5), shanka (counch), elections of kings and chiefs are extensively given, hence this veda is named as Kshtraveda also. Sukta for the reinstatement of a banished king (Athar. Veda. 3.3) is described vividly.   
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* '''राजकर्मसूक्तानि || Rajakarmasukatas''' (Suktas related to Rajas) - Rajas and rajaneeti (राजनीतिः) including statecraft, defense systems of the country, training for soldiers, winning strategy in wars, building war vehicles such as chariots, instruments and effects of their sounds such as dundhubhhi (Dundubhi sukta 5.20.5), shanka (counch), elections of kings and chiefs are extensively given, hence this veda is named as Kshtraveda also. Sukta for the reinstatement of a banished king (Athar. Veda. 3.3) is described vividly.   
* भूमिसूक्तम् || Sukta related to Earth- Comprising of 63 mantras the greatness of the motherly earth is poetically described in this section. Details of the devatas protecting the earth are explained. Atharvana rishi extols the greatness of mother land in the following way  
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* '''भूमिसूक्तम् || Bhumisuktas''' (Sukta related to Earth) - Comprising of 63 mantras the greatness of the motherly earth is poetically described in this section. Details of the devatas protecting the earth are explained. Atharvana rishi extols the greatness of mother land in the following way  
 
<blockquote>माता भूमिः पुत्रोऽहं पृथिव्याः । mātā bhūmiḥ putrō'haṁ pr̥thivyāḥ (Athar. Veda. 12.1.12)</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : Earth (bhumi) is my mother and I am her son. </blockquote>
 
<blockquote>माता भूमिः पुत्रोऽहं पृथिव्याः । mātā bhūmiḥ putrō'haṁ pr̥thivyāḥ (Athar. Veda. 12.1.12)</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : Earth (bhumi) is my mother and I am her son. </blockquote>
* ब्रह्मण्यानि सूक्तानि || Suktas related to Brahman - Related to Supreme Reality, Immortality and other philosophical matters, this section outlines the process of Creation and emergence of the Universe. Brahma the Creator is praised in different forms namely Virat (विराट्) Brahma (ब्रह्मा) Skambh (स्कम्भ) Rohita (रोहित) Vratya (व्रात्य) Ucchishta (उच्छिष्ट) Prana (प्राण) Svargodan (स्वर्गौदन) in this samhita.
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* '''ब्रह्मण्यसूक्तानि || Brahmanyasuktas''' (Suktas related to Brahman) - Related to Supreme Reality, Immortality and other philosophical matters, this section outlines the process of Creation and emergence of the Universe. Brahma the Creator is praised in different forms namely Virat (विराट्) Brahma (ब्रह्मा) Skambh (स्कम्भ) Rohita (रोहित) Vratya (व्रात्य) Ucchishta (उच्छिष्ट) Prana (प्राण) Svargodan (स्वर्गौदन) in this samhita.
 
The अथर्ववेदः ॥ Atharvaveda was not considered as a Veda in the Vedic era, and was accepted as a Veda during later ages; though some schools do not consider it so even in modern era.
 
The अथर्ववेदः ॥ Atharvaveda was not considered as a Veda in the Vedic era, and was accepted as a Veda during later ages; though some schools do not consider it so even in modern era.
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* पृथ्वीसूक्तम् || Prthvi Sukta
 
* पृथ्वीसूक्तम् || Prthvi Sukta
 
* मधुविद्यासूक्तम् ॥ Madhuvidya Sukta
 
* मधुविद्यासूक्तम् ॥ Madhuvidya Sukta
* काण्ड ॥ Kanda 15 is called Vratya kanda (व्रात्यकाण्डः). It deals about people whose origin and nature is debated by many scholars, and they did not follow any kind of vaidika kriyas (वैदिकक्रियाः), nor had respect for any rituals.<ref name=":2232222" />
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* Kanda 15 is called Vratya kanda (व्रात्यकाण्डः). It deals about people whose origin and nature is debated by many scholars, and they did not follow any kind of vaidika kriyas (वैदिकक्रियाः), nor had respect for any rituals.<ref name=":2232222" />
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references /><nowiki/><nowiki/><nowiki/><nowiki/><nowiki/>''<nowiki/>''
 
<references /><nowiki/><nowiki/><nowiki/><nowiki/><nowiki/>''<nowiki/>''
 
[[Category:Vedas]]
 
[[Category:Vedas]]

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