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Samhita (Sanskrit: सम्हिता, ''saṁhitā'') literally means "put together, joined" and "a methodically, rule-based combination of text or verses".

Samhita (Sanskrit: सम्हिता, ''{{IAST|saṁhitā}}'') literally means "put together, joined" and "a methodically, rule-based combination of text or verses".  

Each Veda has been subclassified into four major text types – the [[Samhita]]s (mantras and benedictions), the [[Brahmana|Brahmanas]] (explanation of Mantras and rituals)<ref name=":0">Swami Sivananda, All About Hinduism, Page 29</ref> the [[Aranyaka|Aranyakas]] (mystical texts which give philosophical interpretation of the rituals. These are intended for the Vanaprasthas or hermits, who prepare themselves for taking Sanyasa)<ref name=":0" />,  and the [[Upanishads]] (text discussing meditation, philosophy and spiritual knowledge).

Each Veda has been subclassified into four major text types – the [[Samhita]]s (mantras and benedictions), the [[Brahmana|Brahmanas]] (explanation of Mantras and rituals)<ref name=":0">Swami Sivananda, All About Hinduism, Page 29</ref> the [[Aranyaka|Aranyakas]] (mystical texts which give philosophical interpretation of the rituals. These are intended for the Vanaprasthas or hermits, who prepare themselves for taking Sanyasa)<ref name=":0" />,  and the [[Upanishads]] (text discussing meditation, philosophy and spiritual knowledge).

The Samhitas are considered to be basic revealed texts. These are recited in chain like arrangements of words, with no break, no punctuation, and order not be disturbed by arbitrary human meddling<ref name=":2222" /> A collective study of Vedas and later text suggests that the compendium of ''Samhitas'' and associated Vedic texts were far larger than currently available. However, most have been lost at some point or over a period of Indian history.  

The Samhitas are considered to be basic revealed texts. These are recited in chain like arrangements of words, with no break, no punctuation, and order not be disturbed by arbitrary human meddling<ref name=":2222" /> A collective study of Vedas and later text suggests that the compendium of ''Samhitas'' and associated Vedic texts were far larger than currently available. However, most have been lost at some point or over a period of Indian history.  

==  परिचय || Introduction ==

==  परिचय || Introduction ==

The Vedas have been divided into four styles of texts – the Samhitas, the Aranyakas, the Brahmanas and the Upanishads.<ref name=":0222">A Bhattacharya (2006), Hindu Dharma: Introduction to Scriptures and Theology, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0595384556</nowiki>, pages 8-14</ref>. The subject matter of the whole Veda is divided into Karma-Kanda, Upasana-Kanda and Jnana-Kanda. The Karma-Kanda or Ritualistic section deals with various sacrifices and rituals. The Upasana-Kanda or Worship section deals with various kinds of worship or meditation. The Jnana-Kanda or Knowledge-Section deals with the highest knowledge of Nirguna Brahman. The Samhitas and the Brahmanas constitute Karma-Kanda; the Aranyakas constitute Upasana-Kanda; and the Upanishads constitute Jnana-Kanda<ref name=":1">Swami Sivananda, All About Hinduism, Page 30-31</ref>. 

The Vedas have been divided into four styles of texts – the Samhitas, the Aranyakas, the Brahmanas and the Upanishads.<ref name=":0222">A Bhattacharya (2006), Hindu Dharma: Introduction to Scriptures and Theology, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0595384556</nowiki>, pages 8-14</ref>. The subject matter of the whole Veda is divided into Karma-Kanda, Upasana-Kanda and Jnana-Kanda. The Karma-Kanda or Ritualistic section deals with various sacrifices and rituals. The Upasana-Kanda or Worship section deals with various kinds of worship or meditation. The Jnana-Kanda or Knowledge-Section deals with the highest knowledge of Nirguna Brahman. The Samhitas and the Brahmanas constitute Karma-Kanda; the Aranyakas constitute Upasana-Kanda; and the Upanishads constitute Jnana-Kanda<ref name=":1">Swami Sivananda, All About Hinduism, Page 30-31</ref>. 

Swami Sivananda says: The Mantra-Samhitas are hymns in praise of the Vedic God for attaining material prosperity here and happiness hereafter. They are metrical poems comprising prayers, hymns and incantations addressed to various deities, both subjective and objective. The Mantra portion of the Vedas is useful for the Brahmacharins.<ref name=":0" />

Swami Sivananda says: The Mantra-Samhitas are hymns in praise of the Vedic God for attaining material prosperity here and happiness hereafter. They are metrical poems comprising prayers, hymns and incantations addressed to various deities, both subjective and objective. The Mantra portion of the Vedas is useful for the Brahmacharins.<ref name=":0" />

==  व्युत्पत्तिः || Etymology ==

==  व्युत्पत्तिः || Etymology ==

''Samhita'' is a Sanskrit word from the roots, sam (सं) and hita (हित), which mean "correct, proper" and "wholesome, arranged" respectively. The combination word thus means "put together , joined, compose, arrangement, place together, union" and "combination of letters according to euphonic rules, any methodically arranged collection of texts or verses".

''Samhita'' is a Sanskrit word from the roots, sam (सं) and hita (हित), which mean "correct, proper" and "wholesome, arranged" respectively. The combination word thus means "put together , joined, compose, arrangement, place together, union" and "combination of letters according to euphonic rules, any methodically arranged collection of texts or verses".

==  Four Samhitas ==

==  Four Samhitas ==

The Samhitas form the first part of each of the Vedas. A Samhita is a collection of mantras, so the Samhitas are sometimes also referred to as the ‘mantras’. Most of the mantras were concerned with the nature and the deities. Generally, the mantras are addressed to the Gods and Goddesses.

The Samhitas form the first part of each of the Vedas. A Samhita is a collection of mantras, so the Samhitas are sometimes also referred to as the ‘mantras’. Most of the mantras were concerned with the nature and the deities. Generally, the mantras are addressed to the Gods and Goddesses.

The Samhitas are named after the Vedas they belong to. For example, the Samhita of the Rig Veda is called the Rig-Veda-Samhita or the Rig-Samhita. The Rig-Samhita contains the mantras known as ‘rks’, while those of Yajur veda are called 'yajus', Sama Veda mantras are called 'saman'. These mantras are structured metered verses in Rig veda while prose form is seen in Yajurveda mantras.

The Samhitas are named after the Vedas they belong to. For example, the Samhita of the Rig Veda is called the Rig-Veda-Samhita or the Rig-Samhita. The Rig-Samhita contains the mantras known as ‘rks’, while those of Yajur veda are called 'yajus', Sama Veda mantras are called 'saman'. These mantras are structured metered verses in Rig veda while prose form is seen in Yajurveda mantras.

=== Rig Samhita ===

=== Rig Samhita ===

The Rigveda is the oldest, biggest of the four Vedas and the most highly valued work of the Hindus. This Samhita (Collection) is unique in its nature. The present form of this Samhita clearly indicates that the collection is not a single work, but consists of multiple elements, thus, intact through thousands of years are the seeds of India's religious and philosophical development. Various indications of language, style and ideas prove this point.   

The Rigveda is the oldest, biggest of the four Vedas and the most highly valued work of the Hindus. This Samhita (Collection) is unique in its nature. The present form of this Samhita clearly indicates that the collection is not a single work, but consists of multiple elements, thus, intact through thousands of years are the seeds of India's religious and philosophical development. Various indications of language, style and ideas prove this point.   

* Mantras are revealed to several rishis called Mantra Drashtas including some brahmavaadinis like Lopamudra and Vak Ambhrni.  

* Mantras are revealed to several rishis called Mantra Drashtas including some brahmavaadinis like Lopamudra and Vak Ambhrni.  

* The Samhita of the Rigveda thus comprises of 10 ''Mandalas'', 85 ''Anuvakas'', 1028 ''Suktas'' and 10552 ''Mantras''. Usually ''Anuvaka'' is not mentioned for the reference of a Mantra of the Rigveda. For example RV 3.16.7 simply means the seventh Mantra of the sixteenth ''Sukta'' of the third ''Mandala'' of the Rigveda.

* The Samhita of the Rigveda thus comprises of 10 ''Mandalas'', 85 ''Anuvakas'', 1028 ''Suktas'' and 10552 ''Mantras''. Usually ''Anuvaka'' is not mentioned for the reference of a Mantra of the Rigveda. For example RV 3.16.7 simply means the seventh Mantra of the sixteenth ''Sukta'' of the third ''Mandala'' of the Rigveda.

* It begins with a sukta to Agni and concludes with a sukta to the same deity. Agni sukta (01.01.01) by Rushi : Madhucchanda Visvamitra, Devata : Agni, Chandas: Gayatri goes as follows

* It begins with a sukta to Agni and concludes with a sukta to the same deity. Agni sukta (01.01.01) by Rushi : Madhucchanda Visvamitra, Devata : Agni, Chandas: Gayatri goes as follows<blockquote>"''अग्निसूक्तम् in प्रथमं मण्डलम्।''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''९ मधुच्छन्दा वैश्वामित्रः । अग्निः।  गायत्री।'' "</blockquote><blockquote>"''अ॒ग्निमी॑ळे पु॒रोहि॑तं य॒ज्ञस्य॑ दे॒वमृ॒त्विज॑म् । होता॑रं रत्न॒धात॑मम् ॥१''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''अ॒ग्निः पूर्वे॑भि॒र्ऋषि॑भि॒रीड्यो॒ नूत॑नैरु॒त । स दे॒वाँ एह व॑क्षति ॥२''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''अ॒ग्निना॑ र॒यिम॑श्नव॒त् पोष॑मे॒व दि॒वेदि॑वे । य॒शसं॑ वी॒रव॑त्तमम् ॥३''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''अग्ने॒ यं य॒ज्ञम॑ध्व॒रं वि॒श्वत॑: परि॒भूरसि॑ । स इद् दे॒वेषु॑ गच्छति ॥४''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''अ॒ग्निर्होता॑ क॒विक्र॑तुः स॒त्यश्चि॒त्रश्र॑वस्तमः । दे॒वो दे॒वेभि॒रा ग॑मत् ॥५''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''यद॒ङ्ग दा॒शुषे॒ त्वमग्ने॑ भ॒द्रं क॑रि॒ष्यसि॑ । तवेत् तत् स॒त्यम॑ङ्गिरः ॥६''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''उप॑ त्वाग्ने दि॒वेदि॑वे॒ दोषा॑वस्तर्धि॒या व॒यम् । नमो॒ भर॑न्त॒ एम॑सि ॥७''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''राज॑न्तमध्व॒राणां॑ गो॒पामृ॒तस्य॒ दीदि॑विम् । वर्ध॑मानं॒ स्वे दमे॑ ॥८''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''स न॑: पि॒तेव॑ सू॒नवे ऽग्ने॑ सूपाय॒नो भ॑व । सच॑स्वा नः स्व॒स्तये॑ ॥९''"</blockquote>As seen in the above example, the Vedic mantras are notated with lines above and below the letters which indicate the svara or tone of the particular letter in which it has to be uttered. The information about Vedic Language, the tones and accents used are explained in Siksha part of the [[Shad Vedangas (षड्वेदाङ्गानि)|Vedaangas]]. This division of the Rigveda is most popular and systematic. There is also the ashtaka system of dividing the contents of the Rigveda, but today that is uncommon among the students of the Veda.The value of the Rigveda today is not confined to India, for its well-preserved language and mythology have helped a better understanding of languages, literatures and cultures of the whole world.  

<blockquote>"''अग्निसूक्तम् in प्रथमं मण्डलम्।''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''९ मधुच्छन्दा वैश्वामित्रः । अग्निः।  गायत्री।'' "</blockquote><blockquote>"''अ॒ग्निमी॑ळे पु॒रोहि॑तं य॒ज्ञस्य॑ दे॒वमृ॒त्विज॑म् । होता॑रं रत्न॒धात॑मम् ॥१''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''अ॒ग्निः पूर्वे॑भि॒र्ऋषि॑भि॒रीड्यो॒ नूत॑नैरु॒त । स दे॒वाँ एह व॑क्षति ॥२''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''अ॒ग्निना॑ र॒यिम॑श्नव॒त् पोष॑मे॒व दि॒वेदि॑वे । य॒शसं॑ वी॒रव॑त्तमम् ॥३''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''अग्ने॒ यं य॒ज्ञम॑ध्व॒रं वि॒श्वत॑: परि॒भूरसि॑ । स इद् दे॒वेषु॑ गच्छति ॥४''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''अ॒ग्निर्होता॑ क॒विक्र॑तुः स॒त्यश्चि॒त्रश्र॑वस्तमः । दे॒वो दे॒वेभि॒रा ग॑मत् ॥५''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''यद॒ङ्ग दा॒शुषे॒ त्वमग्ने॑ भ॒द्रं क॑रि॒ष्यसि॑ । तवेत् तत् स॒त्यम॑ङ्गिरः ॥६''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''उप॑ त्वाग्ने दि॒वेदि॑वे॒ दोषा॑वस्तर्धि॒या व॒यम् । नमो॒ भर॑न्त॒ एम॑सि ॥७''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''राज॑न्तमध्व॒राणां॑ गो॒पामृ॒तस्य॒ दीदि॑विम् । वर्ध॑मानं॒ स्वे दमे॑ ॥८''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''स न॑: पि॒तेव॑ सू॒नवे ऽग्ने॑ सूपाय॒नो भ॑व । सच॑स्वा नः स्व॒स्तये॑ ॥९''"</blockquote>As seen in the above example, the Vedic mantras are notated with lines above and below the letters which indicate the svara or tone of the particular letter in which it has to be uttered. The information about Vedic Language, the tones and accents used are explained in Siksha part of the [[Shad Vedangas (षड्वेदाङ्गानि)|Vedaangas]]. This division of the Rigveda is most popular and systematic. There is also the ashtaka system of dividing the contents of the Rigveda, but today that is uncommon among the students of the Veda.The value of the Rigveda today is not confined to India, for its well-preserved language and mythology have helped a better understanding of languages, literatures and cultures of the whole world.  

The concluding sukta of the Rgveda (10.191) also has Agni as Devata and should be regarded as having a higher significance than the national anthem of any country: it is a prayer for amity among all nations, a true international anthem. Rushi : Samvanana Angirasa, Devata : Agni, Chandas: Anusthub and Tristubh<blockquote>"''संगठन सूक्त''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''४ संवनन आङ्गिरसः। १ अग्निः,२-४ संज्ञानम्। अनुष्टुप्, ३ त्रिष्टुप्।''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''संस॒मिद्यु॑वसे वृष॒न्नग्ने॒ विश्वा॑न्य॒र्य आ । इ॒ळस्प॒दे समि॑ध्यसे॒ स नो॒ वसू॒न्या भ॑र ॥१''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''सं ग॑च्छध्वं॒ सं व॑दध्वं॒ सं वो॒ मनां॑सि जानताम् । दे॒वा भा॒गं यथा॒ पूर्वे॑ संजाना॒ना उ॒पास॑ते ॥२''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''स॒मा॒नो मन्त्र॒: समि॑तिः समा॒नी स॑मा॒नं मन॑: स॒ह चि॒त्तमे॑षाम् । स॒मा॒नं मन्त्र॑म॒भि म॑न्त्रये वः समा॒नेन॑ वो ह॒विषा॑ जुहोमि ॥३''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''स॒मा॒नी व॒ आकू॑तिः समा॒ना हृद॑यानि वः । स॒मा॒नम॑स्तु वो॒ मनो॒ यथा॑ व॒: सुस॒हास॑ति ॥४''"</blockquote>Meaning : "May mankind be of one mind, " it goes. "May it have a common goal. May all hearts be united in love. And with the mind and the goal being one may all of us live in happiness".

The concluding sukta of the Rgveda (10.191) also has Agni as Devata and should be regarded as having a higher significance than the national anthem of any country: it is a prayer for amity among all nations, a true international anthem. Rushi : Samvanana Angirasa, Devata : Agni, Chandas: Anusthub and Tristubh<blockquote>"''संगठन सूक्त''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''४ संवनन आङ्गिरसः। १ अग्निः,२-४ संज्ञानम्। अनुष्टुप्, ३ त्रिष्टुप्।''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''संस॒मिद्यु॑वसे वृष॒न्नग्ने॒ विश्वा॑न्य॒र्य आ । इ॒ळस्प॒दे समि॑ध्यसे॒ स नो॒ वसू॒न्या भ॑र ॥१''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''सं ग॑च्छध्वं॒ सं व॑दध्वं॒ सं वो॒ मनां॑सि जानताम् । दे॒वा भा॒गं यथा॒ पूर्वे॑ संजाना॒ना उ॒पास॑ते ॥२''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''स॒मा॒नो मन्त्र॒: समि॑तिः समा॒नी स॑मा॒नं मन॑: स॒ह चि॒त्तमे॑षाम् । स॒मा॒नं मन्त्र॑म॒भि म॑न्त्रये वः समा॒नेन॑ वो ह॒विषा॑ जुहोमि ॥३''"</blockquote><blockquote>"''स॒मा॒नी व॒ आकू॑तिः समा॒ना हृद॑यानि वः । स॒मा॒नम॑स्तु वो॒ मनो॒ यथा॑ व॒: सुस॒हास॑ति ॥४''"</blockquote>Meaning : "May mankind be of one mind, " it goes. "May it have a common goal. May all hearts be united in love. And with the mind and the goal being one may all of us live in happiness".

Besides this, there are ''Suktas'' offered to different deities, such as, Indra, Marut, Rudra, Varuna, Ushas, Surya, Bhumi, Soma, and Agni.  

Besides this, there are ''Suktas'' offered to different deities, such as, Indra, Marut, Rudra, Varuna, Ushas, Surya, Bhumi, Soma, and Agni.  

=== Yajus Samhita ===

=== Yajus Samhita ===

In its character Yajurveda is quite different from the Rigveda & Samaveda Samhitas. It is principally in prose form. The Yajur-Veda Samhita is meant to be used by the Adhvaryu, the Yajur-Vedic priest, for explanation of rites, supplementing the Rig Vedic Mantras<ref name=":2">Swami Sivananda, All About Hinduism, Page 32</ref>.

In its character Yajurveda is quite different from the Rigveda & Samaveda Samhitas. It is principally in prose form. The Yajur-Veda Samhita is meant to be used by the Adhvaryu, the Yajur-Vedic priest, for explanation of rites, supplementing the Rig Vedic Mantras<ref name=":2">Swami Sivananda, All About Hinduism, Page 32</ref>.

* Krishna yajurveda has four Samhitas : '''मैत्रायणि || Maitrayani, कथा || Katha, कपिस्थल-कथा || Kapisthala-Katha, तैत्रिय || Taittiriya'''

* Krishna yajurveda has four Samhitas : '''मैत्रायणि || Maitrayani, कथा || Katha, कपिस्थल-कथा || Kapisthala-Katha, तैत्रिय || Taittiriya'''

* The Vajasaneyi-Samhita gives a vivid description of many important sacrifices such as - Darsha-purnamasa,  Somayaga, Chaturmasya, Agnihotra, Vajapeya, Ashvamedha, Sarva-medha, Brahma-yajna, Pitrimedha, Sautramani, and so on. For a general idea the contents can be divided into three sections. The first section comprises the ''Darshapurnamasa'', the second section deals with the ''Somayaga'' and the third section comprises the ''Agnicayanas''. The last section of the Vajasaneyi-Samhita contains the popular Ishavasya-Upanishad.

* The Vajasaneyi-Samhita gives a vivid description of many important sacrifices such as - Darsha-purnamasa,  Somayaga, Chaturmasya, Agnihotra, Vajapeya, Ashvamedha, Sarva-medha, Brahma-yajna, Pitrimedha, Sautramani, and so on. For a general idea the contents can be divided into three sections. The first section comprises the ''Darshapurnamasa'', the second section deals with the ''Somayaga'' and the third section comprises the ''Agnicayanas''. The last section of the Vajasaneyi-Samhita contains the popular Ishavasya-Upanishad.

=== Sama samhita ===

=== Sama samhita ===

The Sama Samhita contains mantras in the form of songs meant for liturgy or public worship. The Samaveda is shortest of all the four Vedas. It is closely connected with the Rigveda.  is meant to be sung by the Udgatri, the Sama-Vedic priest<ref name=":2" />.  

The Sama Samhita contains mantras in the form of songs meant for liturgy or public worship. The Samaveda is shortest of all the four Vedas. It is closely connected with the Rigveda.  is meant to be sung by the Udgatri, the Sama-Vedic priest<ref name=":2" />.  

Thus major theme of the Samaveda can be regarded as worship and devotion (''Upasana'').

Thus major theme of the Samaveda can be regarded as worship and devotion (''Upasana'').

=== Atharva Samhita ===

=== Atharva Samhita ===

The Atharva-Samhita contains mantras meant for routine rites and rituals.   

The Atharva-Samhita contains mantras meant for routine rites and rituals.   

* There are a series of Mantras related to cure various physical and mental diseases. Another class of hymns includes prayers for protection from the bite of snakes or injurious insects. We find mention and application of medicines and medicinal herbs. This feature distinguishes the Atharvaveda from the rest of the Vedas.

* There are a series of Mantras related to cure various physical and mental diseases. Another class of hymns includes prayers for protection from the bite of snakes or injurious insects. We find mention and application of medicines and medicinal herbs. This feature distinguishes the Atharvaveda from the rest of the Vedas.

* It contains numerous Mantras, which according to their subject-matter, can be broadly divided into three categories: 1. Related to the cure of diseases and destruction of adverse forces. 2. Related to establish peace, protection, health, wealth, friendship and long life. 3. Related to the nature of Supreme Reality, time, death and immortality.

* It contains numerous Mantras, which according to their subject-matter, can be broadly divided into three categories: 1. Related to the cure of diseases and destruction of adverse forces. 2. Related to establish peace, protection, health, wealth, friendship and long life. 3. Related to the nature of Supreme Reality, time, death and immortality.

Swami Dayananda Saraswati made extraordinary efforts to bring out the significance of the mantras of the Vedas. Shri Aurobindo also challenged the Western philosophers and opined that the mantras are found to express esoteric truths which the Westerners can not grasp. He strove hard to elucidate the cryptic meanings of the Vedic words and the hymns.

Swami Dayananda Saraswati made extraordinary efforts to bring out the significance of the mantras of the Vedas. Shri Aurobindo also challenged the Western philosophers and opined that the mantras are found to express esoteric truths which the Westerners can not grasp. He strove hard to elucidate the cryptic meanings of the Vedic words and the hymns.

== Famous Examples ==

== Famous Examples ==

=== Rig veda ===

=== Rig veda ===

The [[Gayatri mantra]] is among the famous Hindu mantras. It is found in Rig Veda Samhita.

The [[Gayatri mantra]] is among the famous Hindu mantras. It is found in Rig Veda Samhita.

# Sri Sri Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi MahaSwamiji. (). ''[http://www.kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part5/chap27.htm Hindu Dharma, Part 5 ,Chapter 27].'' Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.

# Sri Sri Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi MahaSwamiji. (). ''[http://www.kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part5/chap27.htm Hindu Dharma, Part 5 ,Chapter 27].'' Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.

# ''[http://ignca.nic.in/vedic_portal_rigveda.htm Rigveda Samhita,Overview.]''

# ''[http://ignca.nic.in/vedic_portal_rigveda.htm Rigveda Samhita,Overview.]''