Changes

== ऋचां क्रमविन्यासः ॥ Arrangement of Rks (Mantras) ==

== ऋचां क्रमविन्यासः ॥ Arrangement of Rks (Mantras) ==

There are many versions about the total number of richa-s and suktas in the Rgveda. Both ancient and modern scholars have put forth explanations about the differences in shakas of Rgveda. These differences are primarily due to the variations of the same richa-s during usage (प्रयोगकाल) and study times (अध्ययन-काल). Some richa-s have 4 padas during study but only two padas (द्विपदाः) during usage of the mantra.  

There are many versions about the total number of richa-s and suktas in the Rgveda. Both ancient and modern scholars have put forth explanations about the differences in shakas of Rgveda. These differences are primarily due to the variations of the same richa-s during usage (प्रयोगकाल) and study times (अध्ययन-काल). Some richa-s have 4 padas during study but only two padas (द्विपदाः) during usage of the mantra.  

Each mantra of the Rgveda is associated with a Rshi, a Chandas, and a Devata.<blockquote>अथ ऋषयः ॥१॥ यस्य वाक्यं स ऋषिः ॥४॥ या तेनोच्यते सा देवता ॥५॥ यदक्षरपरिमाणं तच्छंदः ॥६॥ तिस्त्र एव देवता: क्षित्यंतरिक्षद्युस्थाना, अग्निर्वायुः सूर्य इति ॥८॥ (Rig. Ved. Katy. Sarv. 2.3)<ref>''Rgveda Samhita, Katyayana Sarvanukramanika'' (2011 Reprint edition) Varanasi: Choukhambha Samskrit Pratisthan (Page 809)</ref></blockquote>Mantras were revealed by mantra-drstha rshis. The subject matter of a mantra is the devata. The number of aksharas (syllables) in a mantra is given by the chandas. It has a definite number of syllables. There are three types of devatas belonging to kshiti (earth), antariksha, and dyu places of Agni, Vayu and Surya respectively. The list of rshis who revealed the mantras are given below in the Mandala krama table.  Apart from them twenty-four mantra-drashta rshikas are also mentioned in the Rgveda. <blockquote>गोधा धोषा विश्ववाराऽपालोपनिषन्निषत् ॥ ब्रह्मजाया जुहूर्नामागस्त्यस्य स्वसादितिः ॥ इद्राणी चंद्रमाता च सरमा रोमशोर्वशी ॥ लोपामुद्रा च नद्यश्च यमी नारी च शश्वती। श्रीर्लाक्षा सार्पराज्ञी वाक् श्रद्धा मेधा च दक्षिणा ॥ रात्री सूर्या च सावित्री ब्रह्मवादिभ्य ईरिताः॥ (Rig. Ved. Shau. Anuk)<ref name=":5" /></blockquote>Godha (गोधा), Ghosha (धोषा), Vishvavaara (विश्ववारा), Apaala (अपाला), Juhu (जुहू), Agastyasvasaa (अगस्त्यस्वसा), Aditi (अदिति), Indrani (इद्राणी), Sarama (सरमा), Romashaa (रोमशा), Urvashi (ऊर्वशी), Lopamudra (लोपामुद्रा), Nadi (नदी), Yami (यमी), Shashvati (शश्वती), Saarparaajni (सार्पराज्ञी), Vaak (वाक्), Shraddha (श्रद्धा), Dakshina (दक्षिणा), Savitri (सावित्री) are the brahmavadinis who contributed towards the mantras of the Rigveda.

Each mantra of the Rgveda is associated with a Rshi, a Chandas, and a Devata.<blockquote>अथ ऋषयः ॥१॥ यस्य वाक्यं स ऋषिः ॥४॥ या तेनोच्यते सा देवता ॥५॥ यदक्षरपरिमाणं तच्छंदः ॥६॥ तिस्त्र एव देवता: क्षित्यंतरिक्षद्युस्थाना, अग्निर्वायुः सूर्य इति ॥८॥ (Rig. Ved. Katy. Sarv. 2.3)<ref>''Rgveda Samhita, Katyayana Sarvanukramanika'' (2011 Reprint edition) Varanasi: Choukhambha Samskrit Pratisthan (Page 809)</ref></blockquote>Mantras were revealed by mantra-drstha rshis. The subject matter of a mantra is the devata. The number of aksharas (syllables) in a mantra is given by the chandas. It has a definite number of syllables. There are three types of devatas belonging to kshiti (earth), antariksha, and dyu places of Agni, Vayu and Surya respectively. The list of rshis who revealed the mantras are given below in the Mandala krama table.  Apart from them twenty-four mantra-drashta rshikas are also mentioned in the Rgveda. <blockquote>गोधा धोषा विश्ववाराऽपालोपनिषन्निषत् ॥ ब्रह्मजाया जुहूर्नामागस्त्यस्य स्वसादितिः ॥ इद्राणी चंद्रमाता च सरमा रोमशोर्वशी ॥ लोपामुद्रा च नद्यश्च यमी नारी च शश्वती। श्रीर्लाक्षा सार्पराज्ञी वाक् श्रद्धा मेधा च दक्षिणा ॥ रात्री सूर्या च सावित्री ब्रह्मवादिभ्य ईरिताः॥ (Rig. Ved. Shau. Anuk)<ref name=":5" /></blockquote>Godha (गोधा), Ghosha (धोषा), Vishvavaara (विश्ववारा), Apaala (अपाला), Juhu (जुहू), Agastyasvasaa (अगस्त्यस्वसा), Aditi (अदिति), Indrani (इद्राणी), Sarama (सरमा), Romashaa (रोमशा), Urvashi (ऊर्वशी), Lopamudra (लोपामुद्रा), Nadi (नदी), Yami (यमी), Shashvati (शश्वती), Saarparaajni (सार्पराज्ञी), Vaak (वाक्), Shraddha (श्रद्धा), Dakshina (दक्षिणा), Savitri (सावित्री) are the brahmavadinis who contributed towards the mantras of the Rigveda.

=== छन्दः ॥ Chandas ===

=== छन्दस् ॥ Chandas ===

As mentioned in the previous sections, Rks are those mantras which are set in a shloka format (Padyatmaka) having a definite number of syllables in each pada of the mantra. Thus, they are said to be bound by the rules of Chandas. In the Rgveda although 20 different metres have been used, seven of them were used extensively. They are Gayatri (24 aksharas) Ushnik (28 aksharas) Anushtup (32 aksharas) Brhati (36 aksharas) Pankti (40 aksharas) Trishtup (44 aksharas) and Jagati (48 aksharas).

As mentioned in the previous sections, Rks are those mantras which are set in a shloka format (Padyatmaka) having a definite number of syllables in each pada of the mantra. Thus, they are said to be bound by the rules of Chandas. In the Rgveda although 20 different metres have been used, seven of them were used extensively. They are Gayatri (24 aksharas) Ushnik (28 aksharas) Anushtup (32 aksharas) Brhati (36 aksharas) Pankti (40 aksharas) Trishtup (44 aksharas) and Jagati (48 aksharas).

=== देवता ॥ Deity ===

=== देवता ॥ Deity ===

According to Riksarvanukramani, a devata is defined as 'या स्तूयते सा देवता, येन स्तूयते स ऋषिः।' It means one who performs a stuti is a Rshi and to whom it is intended is a devata.<ref name=":32">Vedom mein devata tattva. Ved-katha Kalyan Ank, Gorakhpur: Gita Press (Pages 317-323)</ref>  

According to Riksarvanukramani, a devata is defined as 'या स्तूयते सा देवता, येन स्तूयते स ऋषिः।' It means one who performs a stuti is a Rshi and to whom it is intended is a devata.<ref name=":32">Vedom mein devata tattva. Ved-katha Kalyan Ank, Gorakhpur: Gita Press (Pages 317-323)</ref>  

Mantras devatas are determined by four characteristics, viz., name, relationship, activity, and physical appearance. For example, in the mantras where Indra, Agni etc are mentioned by their name, physical appearance or referenced by their relationship with other deities, or praised for their activities, those deities are determined to be the  devata for that particular mantra. However, in certain mantras, none of the four characteristics are used to describe a devata. In such cases the devata for that mantra is determined by the [[Yajna (यज्ञः)|Yajna]] mentioned. Yaska clarifies<ref name=":32" /> <blockquote>यद्देवतः स यज्ञो वा यज्ञाङ्गं वा, तद्देवता भवति।     

Mantras devatas are determined by four characteristics, viz., name, relationship, activity, and physical appearance. For example, in the mantras where Indra, Agni etc are mentioned by their name, physical appearance or referenced by their relationship with other deities, or praised for their activities, those deities are determined to be the  devata for that particular mantra. However, in certain mantras, none of the four characteristics are used to describe a devata. In such cases the devata for that mantra is determined by the [[Yajna (यज्ञः)|Yajna]] mentioned. Yaska clarifies<ref name=":32" /> <blockquote>यद्देवतः स यज्ञो वा यज्ञाङ्गं वा, तद्देवता भवति।     

तद् येऽनादिष्टदेवता मन्त्रास्तेषु देवतोपपरीक्षा (Nirukta 7.1.4)  </blockquote>The yajna-devata becomes the devata for those mantras where the devata is not indicated (अनादिष्ट-देवताक मन्त्र). For example, in Agnistoma Yajna, Agni is the primary deity. The deity for the अनादिष्ट-देवताक मन्त्र used in this yajna is determined as Agni. Based on the context the deity is determined. <blockquote>प्रकरणाद्धि संदिग्धदेवतेषु देवता नियमः (Explanation of Nirukta 7.1.4) </blockquote>Based on the timing (kala namely pratah, madhyana, sayam) of the yajna (Yajna-anga) the deity is said to be Agni, Indra and Aditya respectively. In some scholarly opinions the deity for the अनादिष्ट-देवताक मन्त्र is '''Prajapati''' as per प्राजापत्या इति याज्ञिका: (Nirukta 7.1.4). Some others opine that it is '''Vishnu''' or '''Agni''' based on the reference यज्ञो वै विष्णुः। Agni is said to represent all devatas, all devas reside in him. Yaska further mentions, अपि वा सा कामदेवता स्यात्। as an other option, where the deity can be decided as per the wish of the yajmana.<ref name=":32" />

तद् येऽनादिष्टदेवता मन्त्रास्तेषु देवतोपपरीक्षा (Nirukta 7.1.4)  </blockquote>

The yajna-devata becomes the devata for those mantras where the devata is not indicated (अनादिष्ट-देवताक मन्त्र). For example, in Agnistoma Yajna, Agni is the primary deity. The deity for the अनादिष्ट-देवताक मन्त्र used in this yajna is determined as Agni. Based on the context the deity is determined. <blockquote>प्रकरणाद्धि संदिग्धदेवतेषु देवता नियमः (Explanation of Nirukta 7.1.4) </blockquote>Based on the timing (kala namely pratah, madhyana, sayam) of the yajna (Yajna-anga) the deity is said to be Agni, Indra and Aditya respectively. In some scholarly opinions the deity for the अनादिष्ट-देवताक मन्त्र is '''Prajapati''' as per प्राजापत्या इति याज्ञिका: (Nirukta 7.1.4). Some others opine that it is '''Vishnu''' or '''Agni''' based on the reference यज्ञो वै विष्णुः। Agni is said to represent all devatas, all devas reside in him. Yaska further mentions, अपि वा सा कामदेवता स्यात्। as an other option, where the deity can be decided as per the wish of the yajmana.<ref name=":32" />

=== मण्डलक्रमः ॥ Mandala krama ===

=== मण्डलक्रमः ॥ Mandala krama ===