Changes

The first group is in praise of the deities like [[Agni (आग्निः)|अग्निः || Agni]], [[Indra|इन्द्रः || lndra]], [[Varuna|वरुणः || Varuna]], [[Mitra (मित्रः)|मित्रः || Mitra]] and others. The Vedic deities numbering 33 are assigned to the three regions of the universe  viz. पृथ्वी || Prithvi (earth), द्यौस् || Dyaus (heaven) and अन्तरिक्षम् || Antariksha (intermediary space). Although these deities appear as personifications of forces of nature, they are actually different facets of Brahman, the Only One Supreme Reality. The famous mantra on this point occurs in this Samhita. <blockquote>एकम् सत् विप्रः बहुध वदन्ति ||  ekam sat viprah bahudha vadanti || (Rig. Ved. 1.164. 92)</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : Truth is one, learned call it by various names.</blockquote>

The first group is in praise of the deities like [[Agni (आग्निः)|अग्निः || Agni]], [[Indra|इन्द्रः || lndra]], [[Varuna|वरुणः || Varuna]], [[Mitra (मित्रः)|मित्रः || Mitra]] and others. The Vedic deities numbering 33 are assigned to the three regions of the universe  viz. पृथ्वी || Prithvi (earth), द्यौस् || Dyaus (heaven) and अन्तरिक्षम् || Antariksha (intermediary space). Although these deities appear as personifications of forces of nature, they are actually different facets of Brahman, the Only One Supreme Reality. The famous mantra on this point occurs in this Samhita. <blockquote>एकम् सत् विप्रः बहुध वदन्ति ||  ekam sat viprah bahudha vadanti || (Rig. Ved. 1.164. 92)</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : Truth is one, learned call it by various names.</blockquote>

==== '''उपासनाविभागम्''' ====

==== '''उपासनाविभागम्''' ====

The second group is concerned with philosophical speculations like the origin of the Universe and the real nature of human beings. Although the Samhita is a book of laudatory hymns still all the later ideas of Vedanta including Jnana and Bhakti are found therein at least in a rudimentary form. However, advocacy of worship of God with form and qualities - सगुणोपासन || Sagunopasana - is predominant.

The second group is concerned with philosophical speculations like the origin of the Universe and the real nature of human beings. Although the Samhita contains mantras in praise of the devatas, the concept of Vedanta is present at least in a rudimentary form. However, advocacy of worship of devatas with form and qualities - सगुणोपासन || Sagunopasana - is predominant. Various Rig veda mantras show एक देवता वद || eka-devata-vada or monotheism and not polytheism. For example, the Samhita states that Prajapati creates the world out of Himself and rules over it; He is omnipresent (present everywhere), omnipotent (all powerful) and omniscient (all knowing), He is ever perfect, infinitely compassionate, easily approachable by the devotees and He grants us immortality. But the idea about actual process of creation of the universe finds a place only in the later Vedantic  literature i.e. the Upanishads. The concept of Brahma is clearer in the Upanishad parts.

 

The proclamation contained in various mantras show that it teaches एक देवता वद || eka-devata-vada or monotheism and not polytheism. For example, the Samhita states that Prajapati creates the world out of Himself and rules over it; He is omnipresent (present everywhere), omnipotent (all powerful) and omniscient (all knowing), He is ever perfect, infinitely compassionate, easily approachable by the devotees and He grants us immortality. But the idea about actual process of creation of the universe finds a place only in the later Vedantic  literature i.e. the Upanishads.

==== '''इतिहासविभागम्''' ====

==== '''इतिहासविभागम्''' ====

The third group deals with several secular subjects like marriage, war etc., which show the nature of society of those times. A just and equitable social order existed. However, social life was conditioned by spiritual consciousness. There was समन्वय || Samanvaya or harmony of life here and hereafter. सत्य || Satya (truth) and धर्म || Dharma (righteousness) are glorified and अमृतत्व || Amritatva (immortality) as the goal of life was accepted.

The third group deals with several secular subjects like marriage, war etc., which show the nature of society of those times. A just and equitable social order existed. However, social life was conditioned by spiritual consciousness. There was समन्वय || Samanvaya or harmony of life here and hereafter. सत्य || Satya (truth) and धर्म || Dharma (righteousness) are glorified and अमृतत्व || Amritatva (immortality) as the goal of life was accepted.

=== Samvadas<ref name=":2232" /> ===

=== Famous Aspects <ref name=":2232" /> ===

* Urvashi Pururava (Rig. Veda. 10.85)

* Urvashi Pururava Samvada (Rig. Veda. 10.85)

* Yama Yami (Rig. Veda. 10.10)

* Yama Yami Samvada (Rig. Veda. 10.10)

* Sarama and Panis (Rig. Veda. 10.130)

* Sarama and Panis Samvada (Rig. Veda. 10.130)

Some of these discussions are presented in Puranas.

Some of these discussions are presented in Puranas.

* Nasadiya Sukta

* Nasadiya Sukta

* Purusha Sukta

* Purusha Sukta

=== Shakas ===

=== Shakas ===

Although this Veda is said to have 1000 Shakhas only three are available now.

According to Mahabhashya, Charanavyuha, Muktikopanishad, Atharvana Parishistham, Sarvanukramanika and Mahabharata, this Veda is said to have 1000 Shakhas. This aspect is also found to be mentioned in Puranas. There is an interesting ancedote mentioned by Pt. Ramshankar Bhattacharya that Samashakas were destroyed by Indra. Also a mention was made about the different Samashaka preachers being wiped out by a natural calamity (See Page 21 of Reference 1<ref name=":02232" />). However, there are different versions of scholars about the loss of shakas of Samaveda.

 

Presently only three are available.

 

 

 

Unlike the mantras of the other three Vedas, the mantras of Samaveda are simply known as Saman having seven svaras or musical scales. Therefore, Saama Gana or singing of hymns as per the rules of Sama Veda is said to be the basis and source of the seven svaras or notes fundamental to the Indian music systems.

The Samaveda Samhita consists of 1549 stanzas, taken almost entirely (except for 75 mantras) from the Rigveda.

=== विषयम् || Content ===

=== विषयम् || Content ===

The Samaveda Samhita consists of 1549 stanzas, taken almost entirely (except for 75 mantras) from the Rigveda. Just like Rigveda, the early sections of Samaveda typically begin with Agni and Indra hymns but shift to abstract, and their meters too shifts in a descending order. The later sections of the Samaveda have least deviation from substance of hymns they derive from the Rigveda into songs

Unlike the mantras of the other three Vedas, the mantras of Samaveda are simply known as Saman having seven svaras or musical scales. Therefore, Saama Gana or singing of mantras as per the rules of Sama Veda is said to be the basis and source of the seven svaras or notes fundamental to the Indian music systems.

The special virtue of Sama Veda is that although its mantras are from the Rig Veda they are set to music which is greatly conductive to the spiritual evolution of a human being and to qualify oneself for receiving the grace of the Gods. Hence, Sri Krishna says in the Gita (Ch.10 Verse 22) ‘vedaanaam saamavedosmi’ meaning ‘among the Vedas I am the Sama Veda’. Similarly, in the Lalita Sahasranama, one of the epithets used to describe the Divine Mother is साम गाण प्रिये || Saama Gaana Priye (one who is pleased with the recital of Saman).

The special virtue of Sama Veda is that although its mantras are from the Rig Veda they are set to music which is greatly conductive to the spiritual evolution of a human being and to qualify oneself for receiving the grace of the Gods. Hence, Sri Krishna says in the Gita (Ch.10 Verse 22) ‘vedaanaam saamavedosmi’ meaning ‘among the Vedas I am the Sama Veda’. Similarly, in the Lalita Sahasranama, one of the epithets used to describe the Divine Mother is साम गाण प्रिये || Saama Gaana Priye (one who is pleased with the recital of Saman).

=== Devatas, Chandas and Rtvik ===

=== Devatas, Chandas and Rtvik ===

All the mantras of the Samaveda are sung by the [[Udgatri|'''उद्गात्रि''' || '''Udgaatri''']] priest during the Yajnas to ensure the grace of the devatas.

All the mantras of the Samaveda are sung by the [[Udgatri|'''उद्गात्रि''' || '''Udgaatri''']] priest during Somayajna. Unlike Rigveda, deities of Samaveda are predominantly Agni, Indra

==  अथर्वण || Atharvana or अथर्व वेद || Atharva veda ==

==  अथर्वण || Atharvana or अथर्व वेद || Atharva veda ==

The Artharvaveda Samhita is the text 'belonging to the अथर्वण || Atharvan and [[Angirasa (अङ्गिरसः)|अङ्गिरस || Angirasa]] poets. It has about 760 hymns, and about 160 of the hymns are in common with the Rigveda. Most of the verses are metrical, but some sections are in prose.  This is also called Brahma Veda because it is assigned to the '''[[Brahma (ब्रह्मा)|ब्रह्मा || Brahma]]''' priest who supervises the conduct of the Yajnas. The mantras in this Veda are both in prose and verse forms.

The Artharvaveda Samhita is the text 'belonging to the अथर्वण || Atharvan and [[Angirasa (अङ्गिरसः)|अङ्गिरस || Angirasa]] poets. It has about 760 hymns, and about 160 of the hymns are in common with the Rigveda. Most of the verses are metrical, but some sections are in prose.  This is also called Brahma Veda because it is assigned to the '''[[Brahma (ब्रह्मा)|ब्रह्मा || Brahma]]''' priest who supervises the conduct of the Yajnas. The mantras in this Veda are both in prose and verse forms.