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Vedangas (Samskrit : वेदाङ्गम्) literally meaning 'limbs of the Veda' are the six angas or explanatory limbs to the Vedas. They include Shiksha (authored by various rishis), Vyakarana of [[Panini (पाणिनिः)|Panini]], the Chandas of [[Pingalacharya (पिङ्गलाचार्यः)|Pingalacharya]], the Nirukta of Maharshi [[Maharshi Yaska (महर्षिः यास्कः)|Yaska]], the Jyotish of [[Lagadha]] and the Kalpas (Shrauta, Grhya, Dharma and Shulba) belonging to the authorship of various Rishis.

Vedangas (Samskrit : वेदाङ्गम्) literally meaning 'limbs of the Veda' are the six angas or explanatory limbs to the Vedas. They include Shiksha (authored by various rishis), Vyakarana of Panini, the Chandas of Pingalacharya, the Nirukta of Maharshi Yaska, the Jyotish of [[Lagadha]] and the Kalpas (Shrauta, Grhya, Dharma and Shulba) belonging to the authorship of various Rishis.

It is said that Bhagavan Vishnu incarnated as Maharshi Veda [[Vyasa]] in Dvapara yuga and organized the [[Vedas (वेदाः)|Vedas]] in their present form. Maharshi Vyasa's efforts brought about uniformity in the religious observances thereby performance of rites and rituals, religious ceremonies, yajnas (sacrifices) and [[Vrata (व्रतम्)|vratas]] (vows) continued without any flaw. As Vedas have different aspects of understanding to them, various types of expositions on Vedas came into existence and each became a subject to be learnt for a comprehensive understanding of the Vedas to be achieved. Maharshi Yaska, who gave Nirukta to the world, also expounded [[Vedic Terminology|vedic terminology]] on the basis of legends and ancient lore. [[Manu (मनुः)|Manu]], the Law giver of ancient Bharatavarsha, laid down certain instructions as to how the teaching of Vedas should be conducted.

It is said that Bhagavan Vishnu incarnated as Maharshi Veda [[Vyasa]] in Dvapara yuga and organized the [[Vedas (वेदाः)|Vedas]] in their present form. Maharshi Vyasa's efforts brought about uniformity in the religious observances thereby performance of rites and rituals, religious ceremonies, yajnas (sacrifices) and vratas (vows) continued without any flaw. As Vedas have different aspects of understanding to them, various types of expositions on Vedas came into existence and each became a subject to be learnt for a comprehensive understanding of the Vedas to be achieved. Maharshi Yaska, who gave Nirukta to the world, also expounded [[Vedic Terminology|vedic terminology]] on the basis of legends and ancient lore. Manu, the Law giver of ancient Bharatavarsha, laid down certain instructions as to how the teaching of Vedas should be conducted.

==  Etymology ==

==  Etymology ==

Vedangas (वेदाङ्गानि) help us construct, chant and understand Veda mantras. These are called Angas (अङ्गानि | ancillaries) to Vedas. The word 'अङ्गम्' is used in the sense of "उपकारक' - 'अंग्यन्ते ज्ञायन्ते अमीभिरिति अङ्गानि' meaning Angas are those by using which one understands the nature of an object/subject (here Vedas). Vedas are by themselves profound both in language and concept. <blockquote>शिक्षा कल्पो व्याकरणं निरुक्तं छन्दसां चयः । ज्योतिषामयनं चैव वेदाङ्गानि षडेव तु ॥</blockquote><blockquote>śikṣā kalpo vyākaraṇaṃ niruktaṃ chandasāṃ cayaḥ । jyotiṣāmayanaṃ caiva vedāṅgāni ṣaḍeva tu ॥</blockquote>According to the above shloka, Vedangas are six in number namely Shiksa (शिक्षा), Kalpa (कल्पः), Vyakarana (व्याकरणम्), Nirukta (निरुक्तम्), Chandas (छन्दस्) and Jyotish (ज्योतिष्).<ref name=":2" />  

Vedangas (वेदाङ्गानि) help us construct, chant and understand Veda mantras. These are called Angas (अङ्गानि | ancillaries) to Vedas. The word 'अङ्गम्' is used in the sense of "उपकारक' - 'अंग्यन्ते ज्ञायन्ते अमीभिरिति अङ्गानि' meaning Angas are those by using which one understands the nature of an object/subject (here Vedas). Vedas are by themselves profound both in language and concept. <blockquote>शिक्षा कल्पो व्याकरणं निरुक्तं छन्दसां चयः । ज्योतिषामयनं चैव वेदाङ्गानि षडेव तु ॥</blockquote><blockquote>śikṣā kalpo vyākaraṇaṃ niruktaṃ chandasāṃ cayaḥ । jyotiṣāmayanaṃ caiva vedāṅgāni ṣaḍeva tu ॥</blockquote>According to the above shloka, Vedangas are six in number namely Shiksa (शिक्षा), Kalpa (कल्पः), Vyakarana (व्याकरणम्), Nirukta (निरुक्तम्), Chandas (छन्दस्) and Jyotish (ज्योतिष्).<ref name=":2" />  

Jyotish shastra is like the eye to the veda purusha. Without the knowledge of this shastra, kala (कालः | time) cannot be determined. For example - Auspiciousness of the Day, night, fortnight, month, season, and year cannot be determined. Auspicious time for the performance of yajnas and for travel, the time is determined by the knowledge of this shastra. Vaidika samhitas explicitly deal with the kala (time) as in जीवेम शरदं शतम् || jīvema śaradaṃ śatam.

Jyotish shastra is like the eye to the veda purusha. Without the knowledge of this shastra, kala (कालः | time) cannot be determined. For example - Auspiciousness of the Day, night, fortnight, month, season, and year cannot be determined. Auspicious time for the performance of yajnas and for travel, the time is determined by the knowledge of this shastra. Vaidika samhitas explicitly deal with the kala (time) as in जीवेम शरदं शतम् || jīvema śaradaṃ śatam.

Ancient treatises on Jyotish available are Suryasiddhanta (सूर्यसिद्धन्तः), Brihat Parasharahora (बृहत्पराशरहोरः) by [[Parashara Rishi (पराशरऋषिः)|Parashara rishi]] (पराशर-ऋषिः), Brihat Jataka (बृहज्जातकम्) by[[Varahamihira (वराहमिहिरः)|Varahamihira]] (वराहमिहिरः) among others.  

Ancient treatises on Jyotish available are Suryasiddhanta (सूर्यसिद्धन्तः), Brihat Parasharahora (बृहत्पराशरहोरः) by Parashara rishi (पराशर-ऋषिः), Brihat Jataka (बृहज्जातकम्) by Varahamihira (वराहमिहिरः) among others.  

== Notes ==

== Notes ==

Vyakarana and Nirukta are unique to each Veda. Whereas Shiksha, Chandas, Kalpa and Jyotish are common for all Vedas.

Vyakarana and Nirukta are unique to each Veda. Whereas Shiksha, Chandas, Kalpa and Jyotish are common for all Vedas.