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Samhita (Sanskrit: सम्हिता, ''{{IAST|saṁhitā}}'') literally means "put together, joined" and "a methodically, rule-based combination of text or verses". Samhita has been used as a synonym for Vedas and hence used in exchange for each other. Though many western scholars, not unanimously though, have dated the Vedas to several thousands of years ago, till date many scholars and followers of Sanatana Dharma believe in the agelessness and timelessness of these ancient texts.  

Samhita (Sanskrit: सम्हिता, ''{{IAST|saṁhitā}}'') literally means "put together, joined" and "a methodically, rule-based combination of text or verses". Samhita has been used as a synonym for Vedas and hence used in exchange for each other. Though many western scholars, not unanimously though, have dated the Vedas to several thousands of years ago, till date many scholars and followers of Sanatana Dharma believe in the agelessness and timelessness of these ancient texts.  

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=":122" /> 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. 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 [[Aranyaka|Aranyakas]], the [[Brahmana|Brahmanas]] and the [[Upanishads]] <ref>A Bhattacharya (2006), Hindu Dharma: Introduction to Scriptures and Theology, ISBN 978-0595384556, pages 8-14</ref> The Samhitas are sometimes identified as ''karma-kanda'' (कर्म खण्ड, action/ritual-related section), while the Upanishads are identified as ''jnana-kanda'' (ज्ञान खण्ड, knowledge/spirituality-related section).The [[Aranyaka|Aranyakas]] and [[Brahmana|Brahmanas]] are variously classified, sometimes as the ceremonial ''karma-kanda'', other times (or parts of them) as the ''jnana-kanda''.

The [[Vedas]] have been divided into four styles of texts – the Samhitas, the [[Aranyaka|Aranyakas]], the [[Brahmana|Brahmanas]] and the [[Upanishads]]. The Samhitas are sometimes identified as ''karma-kanda'' (कर्म खण्ड, action/ritual-related section), while the Upanishads are identified as ''jnana-kanda'' (ज्ञान खण्ड, knowledge/spirituality-related section).The [[Aranyaka|Aranyakas]] and [[Brahmana|Brahmanas]] are variously classified, sometimes as the ceremonial ''karma-kanda'', other times (or parts of them) as the ''jnana-kanda''.

Another opinion states: "The ''Samhitas'' and the ''Brahmanas'' form the ''Karma''-''Kanda'' segment of the Vedas. They are apparently concerned with the ceremonial rites and rituals. The ''Aranyakas'' and the Upanishads form the ''Gyan''-''Kanda'' segment of the Vedas. They explicitly focus on the philosophy and spiritualism.<ref name=":022">[http://indianscriptures.50webs.com/partveda.htm http://indianscriptures.50webs.com/partveda.htm, 1st Para]</ref>

Another opinion states: "The ''Samhitas'' and the ''Brahmanas'' form the ''Karma''-''Kanda'' segment of the Vedas. They are apparently concerned with the ceremonial rites and rituals. The ''Aranyakas'' and the Upanishads form the ''Gyan''-''Kanda'' segment of the Vedas. They explicitly focus on the philosophy and spiritualism.

Another learned author says: These are four different modes of expressing the same truths, each as a cross check against others so that misrepresentations are avoided, a method used and valid even today.<ref name=":122">Insights Into the Taittiriya

Another learned author says: These are four different modes of expressing the same truths, each as a cross check against others so that misrepresentations are avoided, a method used and valid even today.

''Samhita'' also refers to the most ancient layer of text in the [[Veda|Vedas]], consisting of [[Mantra|mantras]] and slokas (a group of mantras or verses).  

''Samhita'' also refers to the most ancient layer of text in the [[Veda|Vedas]], consisting of [[Mantra|mantras]] and slokas (a group of mantras or verses).  

=== Atharva Samhita ===

=== Atharva Samhita ===

The Atharva-Samhita contains mantras meant for routine rites and rituals.<ref name=":022" /> ''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 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.  

* 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'''.  

* 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'''.  

* 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 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 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.<ref name=":022" />

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 ==