Changes

According to Pt Gajanan Shastri - the word yajus is derived by the combination of यज and उसि.<ref name=":13222">Singh, Ahilya. (2010) PhD Thesis Title: [http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/180070/3/03_chapter%201.pdf Pracheen bharat mein aarthik jeevan prarambh se vaidik kaal tak]. V. B. S. Purvanchal University.</ref>

According to Pt Gajanan Shastri - the word yajus is derived by the combination of यज and उसि.<ref name=":13222">Singh, Ahilya. (2010) PhD Thesis Title: [http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/180070/3/03_chapter%201.pdf Pracheen bharat mein aarthik jeevan prarambh se vaidik kaal tak]. V. B. S. Purvanchal University.</ref>

अनियताक्षरावसानो यजुः meaning that which has no regulation (metrical) of letters is called Yajus.   

अनियताक्षरावसानो यजुः meaning that which has no regulation (metrical) of letters is called Yajus.<ref name=":223222" />  

गद्यात्मको यजुः meaning Yajus are (the mantras) in prose form.  

गद्यात्मको यजुः meaning Yajus are (the mantras) in prose form.<ref name=":1" />

=== Yajurveda Vibhajana ===

=== Yajurveda Vibhajana ===

The divisions of the texts for Shukla Yajurveda are slightly different and include a combination of these as given below (See Page xviii of the Introduction in Reference 6)<ref>Swaminathan, C. R. (1997) ''Kanvasatapathabrahmanam Vol 2.'' New Delhi : Indra Gandhi National Centre For the Arts and Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd.</ref> However, variations of these divisions is seen according to other scholars.  

The divisions of the texts for Shukla Yajurveda are slightly different and include a combination of these as given below (See Page xviii of the Introduction in Reference 6)<ref>Swaminathan, C. R. (1997) ''Kanvasatapathabrahmanam Vol 2.'' New Delhi : Indra Gandhi National Centre For the Arts and Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd.</ref> However, variations of these divisions is seen according to other scholars.  

!<nowiki>| Anuvakas      ►</nowiki>

!<nowiki>| Anuvakas      ►</nowiki>

!<nowiki>| Mantras or Kandikas      </nowiki>

!<nowiki>| Mantras or Kandikas      </nowiki>

|}In some southern Indian parts where this shaka is widely followed there are other terms such as Panasa and Prashna (ex: Rudrasya prasha) which are in usage. Saraswat and Arsheya system of classification is also seen for Krishna Yajurveda.  

|}In some southern Indian parts where this shaka is widely followed there are other terms such as Panasa and Prashna (ex: Rudrasya prasha) are in usage. Saraswat and Arsheya system of classification is also seen for Krishna Yajurveda.<ref name=":0223222" />

* Taittriya Shaka - 7 kandas, 44 Prapathakas, 651 Anuvakas (631 according to Page 9 of Reference<ref name=":13222" /> ), 2198 Kandikas are present.<ref name=":022" />

* Taittriya Shaka - 7 kandas, 44 Prapathakas, 651 Anuvakas (631 according to Page 9 of Reference<ref name=":13222" /> ), 2198 Kandikas are present.<ref name=":022" />

* Maitrayani Shaka - 4 kandas, 11 Prapatakas, 3144 mantras.<ref name=":022" />

* Maitrayani Shaka - 4 kandas, 11 Prapatakas, 3144 mantras.<ref name=":022" />

In the present day five Shakas of Yajurveda are seen namely Taittriya, Katha or Kapisthala, Maitrayani, Vajasaneyi  and Kanva according to some scholars.<ref name=":13222" />

In the present day five Shakas of Yajurveda are seen namely Taittriya, Katha or Kapisthala, Maitrayani, Vajasaneyi  and Kanva according to some scholars.<ref name=":13222" />

Many scholars view the classification into two major groups or शाखा || Shakhas<ref name=":0223222" /><ref>Yajurveda Introduction by [http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/yajurveda/ Vedic Heritage Portal]</ref> :   

Many scholars view the classification into two major groups or शाखा || Shakhas<ref name=":0223222" /><ref name=":1">Yajurveda Introduction as given in [http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/yajurveda/ Vedic Heritage Portal]</ref> :   

* '''Krishna Yajurveda'''   

* '''Krishna Yajurveda'''   

* '''Shukla Yajurveda'''  

* '''Shukla Yajurveda'''  

# Mandukya Upanishad  

# Mandukya Upanishad  

== Sub Classification of Vedas ==

== Sub Classification of Vedas ==

Different texts of Vedic literature is further classified as follows<ref>Mani, Vettam. (1975). ''[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature.]'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass.</ref>.

Different texts of Vedic literature is further classified as follows<ref>Vettam, Mani. (1975). ''[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature.]'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass.</ref>.

=== संहिता || Samhitas ===

=== संहिता || Samhitas ===

Samhitas (Samskrit : ), are collections of mantras in praise of Deities for attaining prosperity in the world and happiness hereafter. There are four "Vedic" Samhitas: the Rig-Veda, Sama-Veda, Yajur-Veda, and Atharva-Veda, most of which are available in several shakas (recensions).  

Samhitas (Samskrit : ), are collections of mantras in praise of Deities for attaining prosperity in the world and happiness hereafter. There are four "Vedic" Samhitas: the Rig-Veda, Sama-Veda, Yajur-Veda, and Atharva-Veda, most of which are available in several shakas (recensions).  

This portion of a Veda guides people in the performance of Vedic Karmas or sacrificial rituals; they are the prose explanations of the method of using the mantras in the Yajnas and other rituals. Brahmana is suitable for the गृहस्थ || Grihasthas (the householders), those belonging to the second stage in life.

This portion of a Veda guides people in the performance of Vedic Karmas or sacrificial rituals; they are the prose explanations of the method of using the mantras in the Yajnas and other rituals. Brahmana is suitable for the गृहस्थ || Grihasthas (the householders), those belonging to the second stage in life.

=== अरण्यक || Aranyakas ===

=== अरण्यक || Aranyakas ===

Aranyakas, "wilderness texts" or "forest treaties", were composed by people who meditated in the woods as recluses and are the third part of the Vedas. The texts contain discussions and interpretations of ceremonies, from ritualisitic to symbolic meta-ritualistic points of view. It is frequently read in secondary literature.

Aranyakas, "wilderness texts" or "forest treatisies", were composed by people who meditated in the woods as recluses and are the third part of the Vedas. The texts contain discussions and interpretations of ceremonies, from ritualisitic to symbolic meta-ritualistic points of view. It is frequently read in secondary literature.

Aranyakas, however, neither are homogeneous in content nor in structure. They are a combination of instructions and ideas, and some include chapters of Upanishads within them. Two theories have been proposed on the origin of the word Aranyakas. One theory holds that these texts were meant to be studied in a forest, while the other holds that the name came from these being the manuals of allegorical interpretation of sacrifices, for those in वानप्रस्थ || Vanaprastha (retired, forest-dwelling) stage of their life, according to the historic age-based Ashrama system of human life.  

Aranyakas, however, neither are homogeneous in content nor in structure. They are a combination of instructions and ideas, and some include chapters of Upanishads within them. Two theories have been proposed on the origin of the word Aranyakas. One theory holds that these texts were meant to be studied in a forest, while the other holds that the name came from these being the manuals of allegorical interpretation of sacrifices, for those in वानप्रस्थ || Vanaprastha (retired, forest-dwelling) stage of their life, according to the historic age-based Ashrama system of human life.