− | It is said that Bhagavan Vishnu incarnated as Maharshi Veda Vyasa in Dvapara yuga and divided the Vedas. Maharshi Vyasa's brought about uniformity in the religious observances by performing rites and rituals, religious ceremonies, sacrifices and vratas (vows) without any flaw. As Vedas have different aspects of understanding to them, various types of expositions of Vedas came into existence and each became a subject to be learnt before understanding the Vedas. Maharshi Yaska, who gave Nirukta to the world, also expounded on the basis of legends and ancient lore. | + | It is said that Bhagavan Vishnu incarnated as Maharshi Veda Vyasa in Dvapara yuga and organized the Vedas in their present form. Maharshi Vyasa's efforts brought about uniformity in the religious observances thereby performance of rites and rituals, religious ceremonies, 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 before a comprehensive understanding the Vedas can be achieved. Maharshi Yaska, who gave Nirukta to the world, also expounded vedic terminology on the basis of legends and ancient lore. |
− | Classical Sanskrit literature differs from Vedic literature, as it is not highly regulated by the उच्चारणम् ॥ uccharanam (utterance). Hence शिक्षा ॥ '''Siksha''' is of vital importance as an ancillary for vedas, because अशुध्दोच्चारणम् ॥ ashuddhoccharanam (wrongly uttered) mantras bring about a meaning change which can cause great harm to the यजमणि || yajamani (the performer of the yagna). | + | Classical Sanskrit literature differs from Vedic literature, as it is not highly regulated by the उच्चारणम् ॥ uccharanam (utterance). Hence शिक्षा ॥ '''Siksha''' is of vital importance as an ancillary for vedas, because अशुध्दोच्चारणम् ॥ ashuddhoccharanam (wrongly uttered) of mantras bring about a meaning change which can cause great harm to the यजमणि || yajamani (the performer of the yagna). |
| An example of such wrong utterance is typically explained by the legend of Vritrasura's birth: <blockquote>"मन्त्रो हीनः स्वरतो वर्णतो वा मिथ्या प्रयुक्तो न तमर्थमाह ।"</blockquote><blockquote>"स वाग्वज्रो यजमानं हिनस्ति यथेन्द्रशत्रुः स्वरतोपराधात् ॥"</blockquote>If a mantra is devoid of a वर्ण || varna or letter, or has wrongly utterances or स्वर || swaras, then it does not the give the meaning it is intended to and produces a false meaning. This incorrectly and improperly uttered mantra becomes a वाक्वज्र || vakvajra (word weapon) and is capable of destroying the यजमणि || yajamani (performer of the yagna). Example is the famous story of Indra's enemy, Vrittrasura whose origin was due to स्वरापराध ॥ swarapradha (wrong swara utterance) of a mantra. <blockquote>"'''वृत्रासुर जननम् || Vrittrasura Jananam''' : त्वष्टा॥ Tvastha angered by Indra's killing of his son विश्वरूप || Vishwaroopa, initiates an आभिचारिकं यागं || aabhaicharikam yagam (a yagam performed to cause harm to an intended person) to procure a son to kill Indra. The ऋत्विज || ritvijas were to utter the mantra "इन्द्रशत्रुर्वर्धस्व" with अन्त उदात्तः ॥ Anta Udaatta or Udaatta swara in the end of the mantra (to mean Prosper Oh ! Enemy of Indra) instead they used the आद्य उदात्तः ॥ Aadya Udaatta swara in the beginning of the mantra (meaning Oh! Indra, one who has enemies, Prosper). So instead of asking for the rise and prosperity of a son to take revenge on Indra, the ऋत्विज || ritvijas asked for the prosperity and glory of Indra who destroyed असुर || Asuras. Thus वृत्रासुर '''||''' Vrittrasura the son of त्वष्टा ॥ Tvastha was born, an enemy of Indra, but eventually Indra was rewarded with glory in killing वृत्रासुर '''||''' Vrittrasura."</blockquote>Siksha literature is very widely available based on the different शाखा || shaka (divisions) of different vedas. They are पाणिनीयशिक्षा || Panineeya Siksha व्यासशिक्षा || Vyasasiksha, भारद्वाजशिक्षा || Bharadwaaja siksha, याज्ञवलक्यशिक्षा || Yaagnvalkya Siksha, पराशरशिक्षा || Paarasharee siksha, वासिष्टीशिक्षा || Vaasishtee siksha, कात्यायनीशिक्षा || Kaatyayanee siksha, माध्यन्दिनीशिक्षा || Maadhyandinee siksha, केशवीशिक्षा || Keshavee siksha, अमोघानन्दिनीशिक्षा || Amoghaanandinee siksha, माण्डव्यशिक्षा || Maandavya siksha, मल्लशर्मशिक्षा || Mallasharma siksha, स्वराकुशशिक्षा || Svaraakusha siksha, षोडशशिक्षा || Shodasha slokee siksha, नारदीयशिक्षा || Naaradeeya siksha, माण्डुकीयशिक्षा || Mandukeeya siksha, स्वरभक्तिलक्षणशिक्षा || Svarabhaktilaskhana siksha, अवसाननिर्णयशिक्षा || Avasaananirnaya siksha, वर्णरत्न प्रदीपिका शिक्षा || Varnaratna pradeepikaa siksha among many others. | | An example of such wrong utterance is typically explained by the legend of Vritrasura's birth: <blockquote>"मन्त्रो हीनः स्वरतो वर्णतो वा मिथ्या प्रयुक्तो न तमर्थमाह ।"</blockquote><blockquote>"स वाग्वज्रो यजमानं हिनस्ति यथेन्द्रशत्रुः स्वरतोपराधात् ॥"</blockquote>If a mantra is devoid of a वर्ण || varna or letter, or has wrongly utterances or स्वर || swaras, then it does not the give the meaning it is intended to and produces a false meaning. This incorrectly and improperly uttered mantra becomes a वाक्वज्र || vakvajra (word weapon) and is capable of destroying the यजमणि || yajamani (performer of the yagna). Example is the famous story of Indra's enemy, Vrittrasura whose origin was due to स्वरापराध ॥ swarapradha (wrong swara utterance) of a mantra. <blockquote>"'''वृत्रासुर जननम् || Vrittrasura Jananam''' : त्वष्टा॥ Tvastha angered by Indra's killing of his son विश्वरूप || Vishwaroopa, initiates an आभिचारिकं यागं || aabhaicharikam yagam (a yagam performed to cause harm to an intended person) to procure a son to kill Indra. The ऋत्विज || ritvijas were to utter the mantra "इन्द्रशत्रुर्वर्धस्व" with अन्त उदात्तः ॥ Anta Udaatta or Udaatta swara in the end of the mantra (to mean Prosper Oh ! Enemy of Indra) instead they used the आद्य उदात्तः ॥ Aadya Udaatta swara in the beginning of the mantra (meaning Oh! Indra, one who has enemies, Prosper). So instead of asking for the rise and prosperity of a son to take revenge on Indra, the ऋत्विज || ritvijas asked for the prosperity and glory of Indra who destroyed असुर || Asuras. Thus वृत्रासुर '''||''' Vrittrasura the son of त्वष्टा ॥ Tvastha was born, an enemy of Indra, but eventually Indra was rewarded with glory in killing वृत्रासुर '''||''' Vrittrasura."</blockquote>Siksha literature is very widely available based on the different शाखा || shaka (divisions) of different vedas. They are पाणिनीयशिक्षा || Panineeya Siksha व्यासशिक्षा || Vyasasiksha, भारद्वाजशिक्षा || Bharadwaaja siksha, याज्ञवलक्यशिक्षा || Yaagnvalkya Siksha, पराशरशिक्षा || Paarasharee siksha, वासिष्टीशिक्षा || Vaasishtee siksha, कात्यायनीशिक्षा || Kaatyayanee siksha, माध्यन्दिनीशिक्षा || Maadhyandinee siksha, केशवीशिक्षा || Keshavee siksha, अमोघानन्दिनीशिक्षा || Amoghaanandinee siksha, माण्डव्यशिक्षा || Maandavya siksha, मल्लशर्मशिक्षा || Mallasharma siksha, स्वराकुशशिक्षा || Svaraakusha siksha, षोडशशिक्षा || Shodasha slokee siksha, नारदीयशिक्षा || Naaradeeya siksha, माण्डुकीयशिक्षा || Mandukeeya siksha, स्वरभक्तिलक्षणशिक्षा || Svarabhaktilaskhana siksha, अवसाननिर्णयशिक्षा || Avasaananirnaya siksha, वर्णरत्न प्रदीपिका शिक्षा || Varnaratna pradeepikaa siksha among many others. |