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editing atharvanaveda
=== देवताः छन्दसः ऋत्विक् च ॥ Devatas, Chandas and Rtvik ===
=== देवताः छन्दसः ऋत्विक् च ॥ Devatas, Chandas and Rtvik ===
The devatas are the same as in Rigveda because a majority of mantras in Yajurveda are drawn from there. The Yajurvedic procedural details are recited and conducted by '''[[Adhvaryu (अध्वर्युः)|अध्वर्युः || Adhvaryu]]''' priest for the proper performance of Yajnas. In Shukla Yajurveda, the mantras have the same chandas as in Rigveda from where they have been taken.
The devatas praised in Yajurveda are the same as in Rigveda because a majority of mantras in Yajurveda are drawn from there. The Yajurvedic procedural details are recited and conducted by '''[[Adhvaryu (अध्वर्युः)|अध्वर्युः || Adhvaryu]]''' for the proper performance of Yajnas. In Shukla Yajurveda, the mantras have the same chandas as in Rigveda from where they have been taken.
In the context of Rishis in Yajurveda, 3 types of categories are seen
In the context of Rishis in Yajurveda, 3 types of categories are seen
# आदिद्रष्टा ॥ Adidrasta is the first rishi to whom the veda was revealed to. It was महर्षिः वेदव्यासः ॥ Maharshi Vedavyasa who received Vedas in a single form but later codified them and gave the ऋग्वेदः ॥ Rigveda to पैलः ॥ Paila, यजुर्वेदः ॥ Yajurveda to वैशम्पायनः ॥ Vaishampayana. From Vaishampayana, his students याज्ञवल्क्यः ॥ Yajnavalkya and others received the knowledge. It is also said that since Shukla Yajurveda was received later from आदित्य Aditya or विवस्वान् ॥ Vivasvan, he is also considered as the मन्त्रद्रष्टा ॥ mantra drashta.<ref name=":32">Yajurveda Samhita ([https://archive.org/stream/Yajurved/Yagurved#page/n7/mode/2up Hindi Translation])</ref>
# आदिद्रष्टा ॥ Adidrasta is the first rishi to whom the veda was revealed to. It was महर्षिः वेदव्यासः ॥ Maharshi Vedavyasa who received Vedas in a single form but later codified them and gave the ऋग्वेदः ॥ Rigveda to पैलः ॥ Paila, यजुर्वेदः ॥ Yajurveda to वैशम्पायनः ॥ Vaishampayana. From Vaishampayana, his students याज्ञवल्क्यः ॥ Yajnavalkya and others received the knowledge. It is also said that since Shukla Yajurveda was received later from आदित्य Aditya or विवस्वान् ॥ Vivasvan, he is also considered as the मन्त्रद्रष्टा ॥ mantra drashta.<ref name=":32">Yajurveda Samhita ([https://archive.org/stream/Yajurved/Yagurved#page/n7/mode/2up Hindi Translation])</ref>
# प्रकरणऋषिः ॥ Prakaranarishi is one who is associated with each प्रकरणम् ॥ prakarana or section of the यजुर्वेदः ॥ Yajurveda. For example, for दर्शपूर्णमासप्रकरणम् ॥ Darsapurnamasa prakarana, the rishi is प्रजापतिः ॥ Prajapati.
# प्रकरणऋषिः ॥ Prakaranarishi is one who is associated with each प्रकरणम् ॥ prakarana or section of the Yajurveda. For example, for दर्शपूर्णमासप्रकरणम् ॥ Darsapurnamasa prakarana, the rishi is प्रजापतिः ॥ Prajapati.
# वैयक्तिकऋषिः॥ Vaiyaktikarishi is the category which includes all the rishis who praised the deities and practiced particular rituals to attain मन्त्रसिद्धिः ॥ mantrasiddhi.<ref name=":32" />
# वैयक्तिकऋषिः॥ Vaiyaktikarishi is the category which includes all the rishis who praised the deities and practiced particular rituals to attain मन्त्रसिद्धिः ॥ mantrasiddhi.<ref name=":32" />
* The 40th Adhyaya is the Ishavasyopanishad (ईशावास्योपनिषद्); this is the only instance where an Upanishad is associated with the Samhita.
* The 40th Adhyaya is the Ishavasyopanishad (ईशावास्योपनिषद्); this is the only instance where an Upanishad is associated with the Samhita.
== सामवेदः || Samaveda ==
== सामवेद-संहिता ॥ Samaveda 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. It is meant to be sung by the Udgatri, the Sama-Vedic priest<ref name=":22" />.
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. It is meant to be sung by the Udgatri, the Sama-Vedic priest<ref name=":22" />.
All the mantras of the Samaveda are sung by the [[Udgatri|'''उद्गाता''' || '''Udgata''']] priest during Somayajna. Unlike Rigveda, deities of Samaveda are predominantly Agni, Indra and [[Soma]].<ref name=":0" />
All the mantras of the Samaveda are sung by the [[Udgatri|'''उद्गाता''' || '''Udgata''']] priest during Somayajna. Unlike Rigveda, deities of Samaveda are predominantly Agni, Indra and [[Soma]].<ref name=":0" />
=== विषयम् || Vishayam (Content) ===
=== विषयम् || Vishayam (Content) ===
It is said in Brhaddevata that those who know the Samaveda knows the secret of Vedas.<ref name=":4" /> <blockquote>सामानि यो वेत्ति स वेद तत्त्वम् । sāmāni yō vētti sa vēda tattvam ।</blockquote>In Chandogya Upanishad, proclaims that Udgita is the gist of all of Samaveda. Udgita is the other name of Omkar. Thus, Samaveda proclaims the reveredness of Omkar given in all Vedas.<blockquote>साम्न उद्गीथो रसः । sāmna udgīthō rasaḥ ।</blockquote>It is also said here that अङ्गिरस-महर्षिः ॥ Angirasa maharshi, while teaching Vedas to SriKrishna, first taught सामगान-विधिः ॥ Samagana vidhi called "Chalikhya" to Him, in which He attained perfection and played it on His flute.<ref name=":22322222">Gopal Reddy, Mudiganti and Sujata Reddy, Mudiganti (1997) ''[https://archive.org/stream/SAMSKRUTAKAVIJEEVITAMULUByMALLADISURYANARAYANASASTRIGARU/SAMSKRUTA%20SAHITYA%20CHARITRA%20BY%20MUDUGANTI%20GOPALA%20REDDI%26SUJATA%20REDDI%20#page/n33/mode/2up Sanskrita Saahitya Charitra] (Vaidika Vangmayam - Loukika Vangamayam, A critical approach)'' Hyderabad : P. S. Telugu University</ref>
It is said in Brhaddevata that those who know the Samaveda knows the secret of Vedas.<ref name=":4" /> <blockquote>सामानि यो वेत्ति स वेद तत्त्वम् । sāmāni yō vētti sa vēda tattvam ।</blockquote>In Chandogya Upanishad, proclaims that Udgita is the gist of all of Samaveda. Udgita is the other name of Omkar. Thus, Samaveda proclaims the reverence to Omkar given in all Vedas.<blockquote>साम्न उद्गीथो रसः । sāmna udgīthō rasaḥ ।</blockquote>It is also said here that अङ्गिरस-महर्षिः ॥ Angirasa maharshi, while teaching Vedas to SriKrishna, first taught सामगान-विधिः ॥ Samagana vidhi called "Chalikhya" to Him, in which He attained perfection and played it on His flute.<ref name=":2232222" />
Similarly, in the ललिता सहस्रनामम् ॥ Lalita Sahasranama, one of the epithets used to describe the Divine Mother is सामगानप्रिये || Sama Gana Priye (one who is pleased with the recital of Saman).
Similarly, in the ललिता सहस्रनामम् ॥ Lalita Sahasranama, one of the epithets used to describe the Divine Mother is सामगानप्रिये || Sama Gana Priye (one who is pleased with the recital of Saman).
According to सारङ्गदेवः ॥ Sarangadeva, the author of सङ्गीत-रत्नाकरम् ॥ Sangeeta Ratnakara, musical notes in words arose from Samaveda texts.<ref name=":22224" />
According to सारङ्गदेवः ॥ Sarangadeva, the author of सङ्गीत-रत्नाकरम् ॥ Sangeeta Ratnakara, musical notes in words arose from Samaveda texts.<ref name=":22224" />
== Atharva Samhita ==
== अथर्ववेद-संहिता ॥ Atharvaveda Samhita ==
The Atharva-Veda Samhita is meant to be used by the Brahma, the Atharva-Vedic priest, to correct the mispronunciations and wrong performances that may be accidentally be committed by the other three priests<ref name=":22" />. The Atharva-Samhita contains mantras meant for routine rites and rituals. ''Atharvan'' denotes directions and mantras especially in connection to ward off evil and hardship and also contains philosophical thoughts. '''Atharvan''<nowiki/>' originally means 'priest' and the Mantras in the Atharvaveda-Samhita were brought to light by Rishi Atharva.
The Atharvaveda Samhita is meant to be used by the Brahma, the Atharva-Vedic priest, to correct the mispronunciations and wrong performances that may be accidentally be committed by the other three priests<ref name=":22" />.
The Atharva-Samhita, contains mantras meant for routine rites and rituals. ''Atharvan'' denotes directions and mantras especially in connection to ward off evil and hardship and also contains philosophical thoughts. '''Atharvan''<nowiki/>' originally means 'priest' and the Mantras in the Atharvaveda-Samhita were brought to light by Rishi Atharva.
=== Structure of Atharvaveda ===
=== Structure of Atharvaveda ===
* It is the Shaunaka-Samhita that is frequently meant when the Atharvaveda is mentioned in ancient and modern literature. It is a collection of 730 hymns containing 5987 Mantras, divided into 20 books (''Kandas''). Some 1200 verses are derived from the Rigveda. About one sixth of the text of the Atharvaveda including two entire books (15 and 16) is written in prose, similar in style and language to the Brahmanas, the rest of the text is in poetic verses.
* It is the Shaunaka-Samhita that is frequently meant when the Atharvaveda is mentioned in ancient and modern literature. It is a collection of 730 Suktas containing 5987 Mantras, divided into 20 books (''Kandas'') with 36 Prapathakas. Some 1200 verses are derived from the Rigveda.<ref name=":1" />
* According to Patanjali, Atharvaveda had nine Shakhas, but the Samhita of the Atharvaveda is today available only in two rescensions - '''the Shaunaka and the Paippalada'''.
* About one sixth of the text of the Atharvaveda including two entire books (15 and 16) is written in prose, similar in style and language to the Brahmanas, the rest of the text is in metered structure.
* According to Patanjali, Atharvaveda had nine Shakhas, but the Samhita of the Atharvaveda is today available only in two recensions - '''the Shaunaka and the Paippalada'''.
=== देवताः छन्दसः ऋत्विक् च ॥ Devatas, Chandas and Rtvik ===
=== देवताः छन्दसः ऋत्विक् च ॥ Devatas, Chandas and Rtvik ===
Like Rigveda from where अथर्वणवेदः ॥ Atharvanaveda takes a significant part, the chandas here includes अनुष्टुप् ॥ Anustup, त्रिष्टुभप् ॥ Tristup along with many other new छन्दस् ॥ chandas or metrical forms. Worship of many devatas is also seen along with the acceptance of the Supreme Being. The ऋत्विक् ॥ rtvik of Atharvaveda is '''ब्रह्मा || Brahma''' who supervises the conduct of the Yajnas.
Like Rigveda from where Atharvanaveda takes a significant part, the chandas here includes अनुष्टुप् ॥ Anustup, त्रिष्टुभप् ॥ Tristup along with many other new chandas or metrical forms.
Worship of many devatas is also seen along with the acceptance of the '''ब्रह्मा''' as Supreme Being. No other vedic text has such extensive yet minute description of Him as seen in the Atharvasamhita.
The rtvik of Atharvaveda is '''ब्रह्मा || Brahma''' who supervises the conduct of the Yajnas.
=== विषयम् || Vishayam (Content) ===
=== विषयम् || Vishayam (Content) ===
As the Atharvaveda Samhita (अथर्ववेदसंहिता ) has some special features, it stands apart from the other three Vedas. It deals more with worldly things than with the other worlds and the yajnas mentioned here are utilized as a means to acquire them. Amidst mundane subjects high philosophical ideas are also found in this Veda.
As the Atharvaveda Samhita (अथर्ववेदसंहिता ) has some special features, it stands apart from the other three Vedas. It deals more with worldly things than with the other worlds and the yajnas mentioned here are utilized as a means to acquire them. Amidst mundane subjects high philosophical ideas are found in this Veda.
* The Atharvaveda is the oldest literary monument of Indian medicine. It is believed to be the origin of Ayurveda, the Indian science of medicine.
* The Atharvaveda is the oldest literary monument of Indian medicine. It is believed to be the origin of Ayurveda, the Indian science of medicine.
* 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.
*# Related to establish peace, protection, health, wealth, friendship and long life.
*# Related to establish peace, protection, health, wealth, friendship and long life.
*# Related to the nature of Supreme Reality, time, death and immortality.
*# 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>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=":1">Introduction to Atharva Veda Samhita from [http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/atharvaveda-samhitas/ Vedic Heritage Portal]</ref>
* To ward off evils and hardship, snakes, and supernatural forces such as demons.
* To ward off evils and hardship, snakes, and supernatural forces such as demons.
* To destroy enemies
* To destroy enemies
* पृथ्वीसूक्तम् || Prthvi Sukta
* पृथ्वीसूक्तम् || Prthvi Sukta
* मधुविद्यासूक्तम् ॥ Madhuvidya Sukta
* मधुविद्यासूक्तम् ॥ Madhuvidya Sukta
* काण्ड ॥ Kanda 15 is called व्रात्यकाण्डः || Vratya kanda. It deals about people whose origin and nature is debated by many scholars, and they did not follow any kind of वैदिकक्रियाः ॥ vaidika kriyas, nor had respect for any rituals.<ref name=":22322223">Gopal Reddy, Mudiganti and Sujata Reddy, Mudiganti (1997) ''[https://archive.org/stream/SAMSKRUTAKAVIJEEVITAMULUByMALLADISURYANARAYANASASTRIGARU/SAMSKRUTA%20SAHITYA%20CHARITRA%20BY%20MUDUGANTI%20GOPALA%20REDDI%26SUJATA%20REDDI%20#page/n33/mode/2up Sanskrita Saahitya Charitra] (Vaidika Vangmayam - Loukika Vangamayam, A critical approach)'' Hyderabad : P. S. Telugu University</ref>
* काण्ड ॥ Kanda 15 is called व्रात्यकाण्डः || Vratya kanda. It deals about people whose origin and nature is debated by many scholars, and they did not follow any kind of वैदिकक्रियाः ॥ vaidika kriyas, nor had respect for any rituals.<ref name=":2232222" />
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.