Changes

Here, थु्र्वी हिंसायाम् धातु || thurvī hiṃsāyām dhātu undergoes change into थर्व. अथर्व means that which is devoid of हिंसा ॥ himsa (harm to others).   

Here, थु्र्वी हिंसायाम् धातु || thurvī hiṃsāyām dhātu undergoes change into थर्व. अथर्व means that which is devoid of हिंसा ॥ himsa (harm to others).   

Other names of this Veda include ब्रह्मवेदः ॥ Brahmaveda, क्षत्रवेदः ॥ Kshtraveda (as it contains a information about राजनीतिः ॥ rajaneeti or statecraft and administration for kings), भिषग्वेदः ॥ Bhishagveda (as it contains information about diseases and their cure), अङ्गीरोवेदः ॥ Angiroveda and अथर्वाङ्गीरोवेदः ॥ Atharvangiroveda.<ref name=":02">Regmi, SriRishiramji. Article : ''[http://vedicheritage.gov.in/pdf/ved_vedang_gp_17.pdf Atharvaved ka sankshipth parichay]'' available at Vedic Heritage Portal</ref><ref>''[https://ia800209.us.archive.org/22/items/atharvavedasamhi014565mbp/atharvavedasamhi014565mbp.pdf Atharva Veda Samhita]'' (Telugu) Tirupati : Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam</ref> It is called as ब्रह्मवेदः ॥ Brahmaveda due to the following 3 reasons<ref name=":02" />

Other names of this Veda include ब्रह्मवेदः ॥ Brahmaveda, क्षत्रवेदः ॥ Kshtraveda (as it contains a information about राजनीतिः ॥ rajaneeti or statecraft and administration for kings), भिषग्वेदः ॥ Bhishagveda (as it contains information about diseases and their cure), अङ्गीरोवेदः ॥ Angiroveda and अथर्वाङ्गीरोवेदः ॥ Atharvangiroveda.<ref name=":02">Pt. Sri Rishiram Regmi. Article : ''[http://vedicheritage.gov.in/pdf/ved_vedang_gp_17.pdf Atharvaved ka sankshipth parichay]'' available at Vedic Heritage Portal</ref><ref>''[https://ia800209.us.archive.org/22/items/atharvavedasamhi014565mbp/atharvavedasamhi014565mbp.pdf Atharva Veda Samhita]'' (Telugu) Tirupati : Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam</ref> It is called as ब्रह्मवेदः ॥ Brahmaveda due to the following 3 reasons<ref name=":02" />

# In यज्ञकर्माणि ॥ Yajna karmas, ब्रह्मा ॥ [[Brahma (अथर्ववेद-होता)|Brahma]] is the ऋत्विक् ॥ [[Rtvik (ऋत्विक्)|Rtvik]] who oversees the यज्ञः ॥ yajna.   

# In यज्ञकर्माणि ॥ Yajna karmas, ब्रह्मा ॥ [[Brahma (अथर्ववेद-होता)|Brahma]] is the ऋत्विक् ॥ [[Rtvik (ऋत्विक्)|Rtvik]] who oversees the यज्ञः ॥ yajna.   

# Contains the knowledge of ब्रह्मन् ॥ Brahman   

# Contains the knowledge of ब्रह्मन् ॥ Brahman   

!प्रपाठकः ॥ Prapathaka      ►

!प्रपाठकः ॥ Prapathaka      ►

!मन्त्रः ॥ Mantra       

!मन्त्रः ॥ Mantra       

|}It has 20 काण्डाः ॥ Kandas, 760<ref name=":2232222" /> / 730<ref name=":02" /> / 731<ref name=":02232222" /> सूक्तानि ॥ Suktas, 36 प्रपाठकाः ॥ Prapathakas and 5987 (5977<ref name=":02232222" />)  मन्त्राः ॥ mantras. Most of the mantras are metrical, but some sections are in prose. About 20% of the mantras are from Rigveda.

|}It has 20 काण्डाः ॥ Kandas, 760<ref name=":2232222" /> / 730<ref name=":02" /> / 731<ref name=":02232222" /> सूक्तानि ॥ Suktas, 36 प्रपाठकाः ॥ Prapathakas and 5987 (5977<ref name=":02232222" />)  mantras. Most of the mantras are metrical, but some sections are in prose. About 20% of the mantras are from Rigveda.

=== शाखाः ॥ Shakhas ===

=== शाखाः ॥ Shakhas ===

According to अथर्वणपरिशिष्टम् ॥ Atharvana Parishista, चरणव्यूहम् ॥ Charanavyuha, प्रपञ्चहृदयम् ॥ Prapanchahrdaya, पतञ्जलेः महाभाष्यम् ॥ Patanjali's Mahabhashya and कूर्मपुराणम् ॥ Kurma Purana and सर्वानुक्रमणी ॥ Sarvanukramani, अथर्वणवेदः ॥ Atharvanaveda had 9 शाखाः ॥ shakhas. Another version of सर्वानुक्रमणी ॥ Sarvanukramani and मुक्तिकोपनिषद् ॥ Muktikopanishad mention the existence of 50 shakhas. The 9 shakhas according to चरणव्यूहम् ॥ Charanavyuha are, slightly different from other versions, given as follows:  

According to अथर्वणपरिशिष्टम् ॥ Atharvana Parishista, चरणव्यूहम् ॥ Charanavyuha, प्रपञ्चहृदयम् ॥ Prapanchahrdaya, पतञ्जलेः महाभाष्यम् ॥ Patanjali's Mahabhashya and कूर्मपुराणम् ॥ Kurma Purana and सर्वानुक्रमणी ॥ Sarvanukramani, अथर्वणवेदः ॥ Atharvanaveda had 9 शाखाः ॥ shakhas. Another version of सर्वानुक्रमणी ॥ Sarvanukramani and मुक्तिकोपनिषद् ॥ Muktikopanishad mention the existence of 50 shakhas. The 9 shakhas according to चरणव्यूहम् ॥ Charanavyuha are, slightly different from other versions, given as follows:  

# शौनकः ॥ Shaunaka  

# शौनकः ॥ Shaunaka  

=== ब्राह्मणानि आरण्यकानि उपनिषदः च ॥ Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads ===

=== ब्राह्मणानि आरण्यकानि उपनिषदः च ॥ Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads ===

Only one ब्राह्मणम् ॥ Brahmana called गोपथब्राह्मणम् ॥ Gopatha Brahmana has been discovered. No आरण्यकम् ॥ Aranyaka of this वेदः ॥ Veda has come to light so far.  

Only one Brahmana called Gopatha Brahmana (गोपथब्राह्मणम् ) has been discovered. No Aranyaka of this Veda has come to light so far.  

There are a number of Upanishads which are associated with this Veda. The well known Upanishads belonging to this Veda are :

There are a number of Upanishads which are associated with this Veda. The well known Upanishads belonging to this Veda are :

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>.

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>.

=== संहिताः || Samhitas ===

=== संहिताः || Samhitas ===

संहिता-s || Samhitas deal primarily with याग-s || yagas and are collections of मन्त्राः ॥ mantras in praise of deities for attaining prosperity in the world and happiness hereafter. There are four Vedic Samhitas: the ऋग्वेदः ॥ Rigveda, सामवेदः ॥ Samaveda, यजुर्वेदः ॥ Yajurveda, and अथर्ववेदः ॥ Atharvaveda, most of which are available in several शाखाः ॥ shakhas (recensions).  

[[Samhita (संहिता)]] deals primarily with yagas and are collections of mantras in praise of deities for attaining prosperity in the world and happiness hereafter. There are four Vedic Samhitas: the ऋग्वेदः ॥ Rigveda, सामवेदः ॥ Samaveda, यजुर्वेदः ॥ Yajurveda, and अथर्ववेदः ॥ Atharvaveda, most of which are available in several शाखाः ॥ shakhas (recensions).  

यागाः ॥ Yagas are of three types :   

Yagas are of three types :   

* एकाहः ॥ Ekaha: A yaga that is completed in one day is called Ekaha. Ex: ज्योतिष्टोमः ॥ Jyotishtoma.   

* एकाहः ॥ Ekaha: A yaga that is completed in one day is called Ekaha. Ex: Jyotishtoma (ज्योतिष्टोमः).   

* Ahina: A yaga that is lasts between 2 to 12 days is called Ahina or sutya. Ex: a 12 day Sutyaka is Poundarika  

* Ahina: A yaga that is lasts between 2 to 12 days is called Ahina or sutya. Ex: a 12 day Sutyaka is Poundarika  

* सत्रयागः ॥ Satrayaga: A यागः ॥ yaga that lasts from 12 days to a few years is called सत्रम् ॥ Satra. Ex : Gavamanas  

* सत्रयागः ॥ Satrayaga: A yaga that lasts from 12 days to a few years is called सत्रम् ॥ Satra. Ex : Gavamanas  

In these samhitas, all कर्म-s || karmas are described, they are of four types :   

In these samhitas, all karmas are described, they are of four types :   

* नित्यकर्म ॥ Nityakarma: actions that are prescribed to be performed on a daily basis  

* नित्यकर्म ॥ Nityakarma: actions that are prescribed to be performed on a daily basis  

* नैमित्तिककर्म ॥ Naimittika karma  

* नैमित्तिककर्म ॥ Naimittika karma  

This portion is mainly meant for [[Brahmacharya (walking on the path of the divine)|ब्रह्मचारी-s || Brahmacharis]], those who are in the first stage of their lives.

This portion is mainly meant for [[Brahmacharya (walking on the path of the divine)|ब्रह्मचारी-s || Brahmacharis]], those who are in the first stage of their lives.

=== ब्राह्मणानि || Brahmanas ===

=== ब्राह्मणानि || Brahmanas ===

आपस्तम्बः || Apastamba defines ब्राह्मण-s || Brahmanas as <blockquote>‘कर्मचोदना ब्राह्मणानि || karmacodanā brāhmaṇāni’ </blockquote>Meaning: ब्राह्मण-s || Brahmanas are injunctions for the performance of sacrificial rites (Apastamba Shrau. Sut. 34 and 35).  

Apastamba defines [[Brahmana (ब्राह्मणम्)|Brahmana (ब्राह्मण)]] as <blockquote>‘कर्मचोदना ब्राह्मणानि || karmacodanā brāhmaṇāni’ (Apas. Shrau. Sutr. 34 and 35) </blockquote>Meaning: Brahmanas are injunctions for the performance of sacrificial rites.  

Some believe that what are not mantras are ब्राह्मण-s || brahmanas (जैमिनीयपूर्वमीमांसा ॥ Jaimineeya Purvamimamsa 2.1.33)

Some believe that what are not mantras are brahmanas (जैमिनीयपूर्वमीमांसा ॥ Jaimineeya Purvamimamsa 2.1.33)

ब्राह्मण-s || Brahmanas though are not metrical like the Vedic mantras contain prose with पाठपद्धतिः ॥ patha paddhati (recitation methods) to chant them. They are commentaries or explanation of ceremonial श्रौतयज्ञाः ॥ Shrauta yajnas giving the meaning of मन्त्राः ॥ mantras in Vedic Samhitas of the four Vedas and depict the socio-economic conditions and religious aspects of the era. They also contain some legends and debates about a few differences in the rituals. Each Vedic shakha (school) has its own operating manual-like ब्राह्मण ॥ Brahmana text, most of which have been lost. A total of 19 Brahmana texts have survived into modern times: two associated with the Rigveda, six with the Yajurveda, ten with the Samaveda and one with the Atharvaveda.<ref name=":22" />

Brahmanas though are not metrical like the Vedic mantras contain prose with पाठपद्धतिः ॥ patha paddhati (recitation methods) to chant them. They are commentaries or explanation of ceremonial Shrauta yajnas (श्रौतयज्ञाः) giving the meaning of मन्त्राः ॥ mantras in Vedic Samhitas of the four Vedas and depict the socio-economic conditions and religious aspects of the era. They also contain some legends and debates about a few differences in the rituals. Each Vedic shakha (school) has its own operating manual-like Brahmana text, most of which have been lost. A total of 19 Brahmana texts have survived into modern times: two associated with the Rigveda, six with the Yajurveda, ten with the Samaveda and one with the Atharvaveda.<ref name=":22" />

Each of the Brahmanas is associated with one of the Samhitas or its recensions. The Brahmanas may either form separate texts or can be partly integrated into the text of the Samhitas. They may also include the आरण्यक-s || Aranyakas and उपनिषद्-s || Upanishads. The substance of the Brahmana text varies with each Veda.  

Each of the Brahmanas is associated with one of the Samhitas or its recensions. The Brahmanas may either form separate texts or can be partly integrated into the text of the Samhitas. They may also include the आरण्यक-s || Aranyakas and उपनिषद्-s || Upanishads. The substance of the Brahmana text varies with each Veda.