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Samhita (Samskrit: संहिता) 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.

Samhita (Samskrit: संहिता) 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.

Each Veda has been subclassified into four major text types<ref name=":02222">A Bhattacharya (2006), Hindu Dharma: Introduction to Scriptures and Theology, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0595384556</nowiki>, pages 8-14</ref> <ref name=":02">Swami Sivananda, All About Hinduism, Page 29</ref>–

Each Veda has been subclassified into four major text types<ref name=":02222">A Bhattacharya (2006), Hindu Dharma: Introduction to Scriptures and Theology, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0595384556</nowiki>, pages 8-14</ref> <ref name=":02">Swami Sivananda, All About Hinduism, Page 29</ref>  

* Samhitas (mantras and prayers)

* Samhitas (mantras and prayers)

* [[Brahmana|Brahmanas]] (explanation of mantras and rituals)

* [[Brahmana|Brahmanas]] (explanation of mantras and rituals)

''Samhita'' is a Sanskrit word from the roots, sam (सं) and hita (हित), which mean "correct, proper" and "wholesome, arranged" respectively. The combination word thus means "put together , joined, compose, arrangement, place together, union" and "combination of letters according to euphonic rules, any methodically arranged collection of texts or verses".

''Samhita'' is a Sanskrit word from the roots, sam (सं) and hita (हित), which mean "correct, proper" and "wholesome, arranged" respectively. The combination word thus means "put together , joined, compose, arrangement, place together, union" and "combination of letters according to euphonic rules, any methodically arranged collection of texts or verses".

==  Four Samhitas ==

==  Four Samhitas ==

The Samhitas form the first part of each of the Vedas. A Samhita is a collection of mantras, so the Samhitas are sometimes also referred to as the ‘Mantras’. Most of the mantras were concerned with the nature and the deities. Generally, the mantras are addressed to the devi and devatas.

The Samhitas form the first part of each of the Vedas. A Samhita is a collection of mantras, hence also referred to as the ‘Mantras’. Most of the mantras were concerned with the nature and addressed to the devi and devatas.

The Samhitas are named after the Vedas they belong to. For example, the Samhita of the Rig Veda is called the Rig-Veda-Samhita or the Rig-Samhita. These mantras are structured metered verses in Rig veda while prose form is seen in Yajurveda mantras.

The Samhitas are named after the Vedas they belong to. For example, the Samhita of the Rig Veda is called the Rig-Veda-Samhita or the Rig-Samhita.  

== ऋक् - संहिता || Rig Samhita ==

== ऋक् - संहिता || Rig Samhita ==

The Rigveda is the oldest, biggest of the four Vedas and the most highly valued work of the Hindus. This Samhita (Collection) is unique in its nature. The present form of this Samhita clearly indicates that the collection is not a single work, but consists of multiple elements, thus, intact through thousands of years are the seeds of India's religious and philosophical development. Various indications of language, style and ideas prove this point. The value of the Rigveda today is not confined to India, for its well-preserved language and mythology have helped a better understanding of languages, literatures and cultures of the whole world.   

The Rigveda is the oldest, biggest of the four Vedas and the most highly valued work of the Hindus. This Samhita (Collection) is unique in its nature. The present form of this Samhita clearly indicates that the collection is not a single work, but consists of multiple elements, thus, intact through thousands of years are the seeds of India's religious and philosophical development. Various indications of language, style and ideas prove this point. The value of the Rigveda today is not confined to India, for its well-preserved language and mythology have helped a better understanding of languages, literatures and cultures of the whole world.   

=== Structure of Rigveda ===

=== Structure of Rigveda ===

* Shakala samhita is the one surviving shaka available in entirety for Rig veda.<ref>Pt. Shriram Adhikari's Article : ''[http://vedicheritage.gov.in/pdf/ved_vedang_gp_14.pdf Rigved ka parichay evam vaishistya]'' on Vedic Heritage Portal</ref>  

* Shakala samhita is the one surviving shaka available in entirety for Rig veda.<ref name=":0">Pt. Shriram Adhikari's Article : ''[http://vedicheritage.gov.in/pdf/ved_vedang_gp_14.pdf Rigved ka parichay evam vaishistya]'' on Vedic Heritage Portal</ref>  

* [[Veda Vargeekarana (वेदवर्गीकरणम्)|Veda Vargeekarana]] of Rig Samhita includes the vibhajana (classification) of Rig Veda into Mandalas and Ashtakas apart from elucidating the nature of Valakhilya Suktas.   

* [[Veda Vargeekarana (वेदवर्गीकरणम्)|Veda Vargeekarana]] of Rig Samhita includes the vibhajana (classification) of Rig Veda into Mandalas and Ashtakas apart from elucidating the nature of Valakhilya Suktas.   

* The Samhita of the Rigveda in general comprises of 10 ''Mandalas'', 85 ''Anuvakas'', 1028 ''Suktas'' and 10552 ''Mantras''. Usually ''Anuvaka'' is not mentioned for the reference of a Mantra of the Rigveda. For example Rig. Veda. 3.16.7 simply means the seventh Mantra of the sixteenth ''Sukta'' of the third ''Mandala'' of the Rigveda.  

* The Samhita of the Rigveda in general comprises of 10 ''Mandalas'', 85 ''Anuvakas'', 1028 ''Suktas'' and 10552 ''Mantras''. Usually ''Anuvaka'' is not mentioned for the reference of a Mantra of the Rigveda. For example Rig. Veda. 3.16.7 simply means the seventh Mantra of the sixteenth ''Sukta'' of the third ''Mandala'' of the Rigveda.  

Every ''Mantra'' has a ''Rishi (Mantra Drashta),'' a ''Devata (deity)'' and a ''Chandas (meter)''.   

Every ''Mantra'' has a ''Rishi (Mantra Drashta),'' a ''Devata (deity)'' and a ''Chandas (meter)''.   

Rigveda mantras are chanted by the [[Hota (होता)|होता || Hota]] (the Rigveda priest), to invoke the deities to the यज्ञः ॥ [[Yagya (यज्ञ)|yajna]].    

Rigveda mantras are metered and chanted by the [[Hota (होता)|होता || Hota]] (the Rigveda priest), to invoke the deities to the यज्ञः ॥ [[Yagya (यज्ञ)|yajna]].    

Important Rigvedic deities are अग्निः ॥ [[Agni (आग्निः)|Agni]], इन्द्रः ॥ [[Indra (इन्द्रः)|Indra]], वरुणः ॥ [[Varuna]], उषस् ॥ [[Usha (उषा)|Ushas]], सविता ॥ [[Savita (सविता)|Savita]], पूषा ॥ [[Pushan|Pusha]], मित्रः ॥ [[Mitra (Vedic)|Mitra]], विष्णुः ॥ [[Vishnu]], रुद्रः ॥ [[Rudra (रुद्रः)|Rudra]], मरुत् ॥ [[Maruts|Marut]] and पर्जन्यः ॥ [[Parjanya (पर्जन्यः)|Parjanya]]. गायत्री ॥ Gayatri, जगती ॥ Jagati, बृहती ॥ Bruhati, पङ्क्ती ॥ Pankti and त्रिष्टुभ् ॥ Trishtubh and अनुष्टुभ् ॥ Anustubh are widely used meters (Page No 6 of Reference 8<ref name=":2232222">Gopal Reddy, Mudiganti and Sujata Reddy, Mudiganti (1997) ''[https://archive.org/stream/SAMSKRUTAKAVIJEEVITAMULUByMALLADISURYANARAYANASASTRIGARU/SAMSKRUTA%20SAHITYA%20CHARITRA%20BY%20MUDUGANTI%20GOPALA%20REDDI%26SUJATA%20REDDI%20#page/n33/mode/2up Sanskrita Saahitya Charitra] (Vaidika Vangmayam - Loukika Vangamayam, A critical approach)'' Hyderabad : P. S. Telugu University</ref>).   

Important Rigvedic deities are अग्निः ॥ [[Agni (आग्निः)|Agni]], इन्द्रः ॥ [[Indra (इन्द्रः)|Indra]], वरुणः ॥ [[Varuna]], उषस् ॥ [[Usha (उषा)|Ushas]], सविता ॥ [[Savita (सविता)|Savita]], पूषा ॥ [[Pushan|Pusha]], मित्रः ॥ [[Mitra (Vedic)|Mitra]], विष्णुः ॥ [[Vishnu]], रुद्रः ॥ [[Rudra (रुद्रः)|Rudra]], मरुत् ॥ [[Maruts|Marut]] and पर्जन्यः ॥ [[Parjanya (पर्जन्यः)|Parjanya]]. गायत्री ॥ Gayatri, जगती ॥ Jagati, बृहती ॥ Bruhati, पङ्क्ती ॥ Pankti and त्रिष्टुभ् ॥ Trishtubh and अनुष्टुभ् ॥ Anustubh are widely used meters (Page No 6 of Reference 8<ref name=":2232222">Gopal Reddy, Mudiganti and Sujata Reddy, Mudiganti (1997) ''[https://archive.org/stream/SAMSKRUTAKAVIJEEVITAMULUByMALLADISURYANARAYANASASTRIGARU/SAMSKRUTA%20SAHITYA%20CHARITRA%20BY%20MUDUGANTI%20GOPALA%20REDDI%26SUJATA%20REDDI%20#page/n33/mode/2up Sanskrita Saahitya Charitra] (Vaidika Vangmayam - Loukika Vangamayam, A critical approach)'' Hyderabad : P. S. Telugu University</ref>).   

'''First and Last Suktas of Rigveda'''

'''First and Last Suktas of Rigveda'''

It begins with a sukta to Agni and concludes with a sukta to the same deity. Agni sukta (01.01.01) by Rushi : Madhucchanda Visvamitra, Devata : Agni, Chandas: Gayatri goes as follows<blockquote>अग्निसूक्तम् in प्रथमं मण्डलम्।</blockquote><blockquote>९ मधुच्छन्दा वैश्वामित्रः । अग्निः।  गायत्री। </blockquote><blockquote>अ॒ग्निमी॑ळे पु॒रोहि॑तं य॒ज्ञस्य॑ दे॒वमृ॒त्विज॑म् । होता॑रं रत्न॒धात॑मम् ॥१</blockquote><blockquote>अ॒ग्निः पूर्वे॑भि॒र्ऋषि॑भि॒रीड्यो॒ नूत॑नैरु॒त । स दे॒वाँ एह व॑क्षति ॥२</blockquote><blockquote>अ॒ग्निना॑ र॒यिम॑श्नव॒त् पोष॑मे॒व दि॒वेदि॑वे । य॒शसं॑ वी॒रव॑त्तमम् ॥३</blockquote><blockquote>अग्ने॒ यं य॒ज्ञम॑ध्व॒रं वि॒श्वत॑: परि॒भूरसि॑ । स इद् दे॒वेषु॑ गच्छति ॥४</blockquote><blockquote>अ॒ग्निर्होता॑ क॒विक्र॑तुः स॒त्यश्चि॒त्रश्र॑वस्तमः । दे॒वो दे॒वेभि॒रा ग॑मत् ॥५</blockquote><blockquote>यद॒ङ्ग दा॒शुषे॒ त्वमग्ने॑ भ॒द्रं क॑रि॒ष्यसि॑ । तवेत् तत् स॒त्यम॑ङ्गिरः ॥६</blockquote><blockquote>उप॑ त्वाग्ने दि॒वेदि॑वे॒ दोषा॑वस्तर्धि॒या व॒यम् । नमो॒ भर॑न्त॒ एम॑सि ॥७</blockquote><blockquote>राज॑न्तमध्व॒राणां॑ गो॒पामृ॒तस्य॒ दीदि॑विम् । वर्ध॑मानं॒ स्वे दमे॑ ॥८</blockquote><blockquote>स न॑: पि॒तेव॑ सू॒नवे ऽग्ने॑ सूपाय॒नो भ॑व । सच॑स्वा नः स्व॒स्तये॑ ॥९</blockquote>As seen in the above example, the Vedic mantras are notated with lines above and below the letters which indicate the svara or tone of the particular letter in which it has to be uttered.

It begins with a sukta to Agni and concludes with a sukta to the same deity. Agni sukta (01.01.01)<ref name=":03">Sri Sri Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamiji, (2000) ''[http://www.kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part19/chap6.htm Hindu Dharma (Collection of Swamiji's Speeches between 1907 to 1994)]''Mumbai : Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan</ref>

The concluding sukta of the Rgveda (10.191) also has Agni as Devata and should be regarded as having a higher significance than the national anthem of any country: it is a prayer for amity among all nations, a true international anthem. Rushi : Samvanana Angirasa, Devata : Agni, Chandas: Anusthub and Tristubh<blockquote>संगठन सूक्तम्</blockquote><blockquote>४ संवनन आङ्गिरसः। १ अग्निः,२-४ संज्ञानम्। अनुष्टुप्, ३ त्रिष्टुप्।</blockquote><blockquote>संस॒मिद्यु॑वसे वृष॒न्नग्ने॒ विश्वा॑न्य॒र्य आ । इ॒ळस्प॒दे समि॑ध्यसे॒ स नो॒ वसू॒न्या भ॑र ॥१</blockquote><blockquote>सं ग॑च्छध्वं॒ सं व॑दध्वं॒ सं वो॒ मनां॑सि जानताम् । दे॒वा भा॒गं यथा॒ पूर्वे॑ संजाना॒ना उ॒पास॑ते ॥२</blockquote><blockquote>स॒मा॒नो मन्त्र॒: समि॑तिः समा॒नी स॑मा॒नं मन॑: स॒ह चि॒त्तमे॑षाम् । स॒मा॒नं मन्त्र॑म॒भि म॑न्त्रये वः समा॒नेन॑ वो ह॒विषा॑ जुहोमि ॥३</blockquote><blockquote>स॒मा॒नी व॒ आकू॑तिः समा॒ना हृद॑यानि वः । स॒मा॒नम॑स्तु वो॒ मनो॒ यथा॑ व॒: सुस॒हास॑ति ॥४</blockquote>Meaning : "May mankind be of one mind, " it goes. "May it have a common goal. May all hearts be united in love. And with the mind and the goal being one may all of us live in happiness".

Rushi : Madhucchanda Visvamitra, Devata : Agni, Chandas: Gayatri goes as follows<blockquote>अग्निसूक्तम् in प्रथमं मण्डलम्।</blockquote><blockquote>९ मधुच्छन्दा वैश्वामित्रः । अग्निः।  गायत्री। </blockquote><blockquote>अ॒ग्निमी॑ळे पु॒रोहि॑तं य॒ज्ञस्य॑ दे॒वमृ॒त्विज॑म् । होता॑रं रत्न॒धात॑मम् ॥१</blockquote><blockquote>अ॒ग्निः पूर्वे॑भि॒र्ऋषि॑भि॒रीड्यो॒ नूत॑नैरु॒त । स दे॒वाँ एह व॑क्षति ॥२</blockquote><blockquote>अ॒ग्निना॑ र॒यिम॑श्नव॒त् पोष॑मे॒व दि॒वेदि॑वे । य॒शसं॑ वी॒रव॑त्तमम् ॥३</blockquote><blockquote>अग्ने॒ यं य॒ज्ञम॑ध्व॒रं वि॒श्वत॑: परि॒भूरसि॑ । स इद् दे॒वेषु॑ गच्छति ॥४</blockquote><blockquote>अ॒ग्निर्होता॑ क॒विक्र॑तुः स॒त्यश्चि॒त्रश्र॑वस्तमः । दे॒वो दे॒वेभि॒रा ग॑मत् ॥५</blockquote><blockquote>यद॒ङ्ग दा॒शुषे॒ त्वमग्ने॑ भ॒द्रं क॑रि॒ष्यसि॑ । तवेत् तत् स॒त्यम॑ङ्गिरः ॥६</blockquote><blockquote>उप॑ त्वाग्ने दि॒वेदि॑वे॒ दोषा॑वस्तर्धि॒या व॒यम् । नमो॒ भर॑न्त॒ एम॑सि ॥७</blockquote><blockquote>राज॑न्तमध्व॒राणां॑ गो॒पामृ॒तस्य॒ दीदि॑विम् । वर्ध॑मानं॒ स्वे दमे॑ ॥८</blockquote><blockquote>स न॑: पि॒तेव॑ सू॒नवे ऽग्ने॑ सूपाय॒नो भ॑व । सच॑स्वा नः स्व॒स्तये॑ ॥९</blockquote>As seen in the above example, the Vedic mantras are notated with lines above and below the letters which indicate the svara or tone of the particular letter in which it has to be uttered.  

=== Origin of Yajus samhita ===

The concluding sukta of the Rgveda (10.191) also has Agni as Devata and should be regarded as having a higher significance than the national anthem of any country: it is a prayer for amity among all nations, a true international anthem.<ref name=":03" />

Following texts clearly define the purpose of "Yajus" mantras in yajnas and hence the name Yajurveda is given.

*निरुक्तम् ॥ [[Nirukta]], यजुः यजतेः । ७.१२ ।<ref>Nirukta ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 7])</ref>yajuḥ yajateḥ । 7.12 । यज्ञ-s || Yajnas are conducted with यजुस् ॥ Yajus (mantras).

* कठसंहिता ॥ Katha Samhita (27.1), यजर्भियजन्ति ॥ yajarbhiyajanti and (Kath. Samh. 200.21) यजुस्तस्माद् (यज्ञात्) अजायत ॥ yajustasmād (yajñāt) ajāyata 

Rishi : Samvanana Angirasa, Devata : Agni, Chandas: Anusthub and Tristubh<blockquote>संगठन सूक्तम्</blockquote><blockquote>४ संवनन आङ्गिरसः। १ अग्निः,२-४ संज्ञानम्। अनुष्टुप्, ३ त्रिष्टुप्।</blockquote><blockquote>संस॒मिद्यु॑वसे वृष॒न्नग्ने॒ विश्वा॑न्य॒र्य आ । इ॒ळस्प॒दे समि॑ध्यसे॒ स नो॒ वसू॒न्या भ॑र ॥१</blockquote><blockquote>सं ग॑च्छध्वं॒ सं व॑दध्वं॒ सं वो॒ मनां॑सि जानताम् । दे॒वा भा॒गं यथा॒ पूर्वे॑ संजाना॒ना उ॒पास॑ते ॥२</blockquote><blockquote>स॒मा॒नो मन्त्र॒: समि॑तिः समा॒नी स॑मा॒नं मन॑: स॒ह चि॒त्तमे॑षाम् । स॒मा॒नं मन्त्र॑म॒भि म॑न्त्रये वः समा॒नेन॑ वो ह॒विषा॑ जुहोमि ॥३</blockquote><blockquote>स॒मा॒नी व॒ आकू॑तिः समा॒ना हृद॑यानि वः । स॒मा॒नम॑स्तु वो॒ मनो॒ यथा॑ व॒: सुस॒हास॑ति ॥४</blockquote>Meaning : "May mankind be of one mind, " it goes. "May it have a common goal. May all hearts be united in love. And with the mind and the goal being one may all of us live in happiness".

 

* ब्रह्माण्डपुराणम् ॥ Brahmanda Purana : यच्छिष्टं तु यजुर्वेदे तेन यज्ञमयुंजत । यजनात्स यजुर्वेद इति शास्त्रविनिश्चयः ।। ३४.२२ ।। yacchiṣṭaṃ tu yajurvede tena yajñamayuṃjata । yajanātsa yajurveda iti śāstraviniścayaḥ ।। 34.22 ।। (Brah. Pura. Purvabhaga 34.22)<ref>Brahmanda Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A9%E0%A5%AA Purvabhaga Adhyaya 34])</ref>

=== Structure of Yajurveda ===

=== Structure of Yajurveda ===

The textual structure of Yajurveda is significantly different from that of Rigveda. More information about the divisions of Yajurveda into prapathakas and anuvakas, shakas is as seen in [[Veda Vargeekarana (वेदवर्गीकरणम्)|Veda Vargeekarana]] article. To summarize  

The textual organization of Yajurveda is significantly different from that of Rigveda with both prose and metrical constructs. More information about the divisions of Yajurveda into prapathakas and anuvakas, shakas is available in [[Veda Vargeekarana (वेदवर्गीकरणम्)|Veda Vargeekarana]] article. To summarize  

* The Yajurveda is two-fold-     1. The Shukla Yajurveda             2. The Krishna  Yajurveda

* The Yajurveda is two-fold-     1. The Shukla Yajurveda             2. The Krishna  Yajurveda

* The Krishna Yajurveda is characterised by a mixture of mantra and brahmana whereas the Shukla Yajurveda maintains the clear separation of the two.

* The Krishna Yajurveda is characterised by a mixture of mantra and brahmana whereas the Shukla Yajurveda maintains the clear separation of the two.

In the context of Rishis in Yajurveda, 3 types of categories are seen   

In the context of Rishis in Yajurveda, 3 types of categories are seen   

# आदिद्रष्टा ॥ Adidrasta is the first rishi to whom the veda was revealed to. It was महर्षिः वेदव्यासः ॥ Maharshi Vedavyasa who received Vedas in a single form but later codified them and gave the ऋग्वेदः ॥ Rigveda to पैलः ॥ Paila, यजुर्वेदः ॥ Yajurveda to वैशम्पायनः ॥ Vaishampayana. From Vaishampayana, his students याज्ञवल्क्यः ॥ Yajnavalkya and others received the knowledge. It is also said that since शुक्लयजुर्वेदः ॥ Shukla Yajurveda was received later from आदित्यघ् ॥ Aditya or विवस्वान् ॥ Vivasvan, he is also considered as the मन्त्रद्रष्टा ॥ mantra drashta.<ref name=":32">Yajurveda Samhita ([https://archive.org/stream/Yajurved/Yagurved#page/n7/mode/2up Hindi Translation])</ref>   

# आदिद्रष्टा ॥ Adidrasta is the first rishi to whom the veda was revealed to. It was महर्षिः वेदव्यासः ॥ Maharshi Vedavyasa who received Vedas in a single form but later codified them and gave the ऋग्वेदः ॥ Rigveda to पैलः ॥ Paila, यजुर्वेदः ॥ Yajurveda to वैशम्पायनः ॥ Vaishampayana. From Vaishampayana, his students याज्ञवल्क्यः ॥ Yajnavalkya and others received the knowledge. It is also said that since Shukla Yajurveda was received later from आदित्य Aditya or विवस्वान् ॥ Vivasvan, he is also considered as the मन्त्रद्रष्टा ॥ mantra drashta.<ref name=":32">Yajurveda Samhita ([https://archive.org/stream/Yajurved/Yagurved#page/n7/mode/2up Hindi Translation])</ref>   

# प्रकरणऋषिः ॥ Prakaranarishi is one who is associated with each प्रकरणम् ॥ prakarana or section of the यजुर्वेदः ॥ Yajurveda. For example, for दर्शपूर्णमासप्रकरणम् ॥ Darsapurnamasa prakarana, the rishi is प्रजापतिः ॥ Prajapati.   

# प्रकरणऋषिः ॥ Prakaranarishi is one who is associated with each प्रकरणम् ॥ prakarana or section of the यजुर्वेदः ॥ Yajurveda. For example, for दर्शपूर्णमासप्रकरणम् ॥ Darsapurnamasa prakarana, the rishi is प्रजापतिः ॥ Prajapati.   

# वैयक्तिकऋषिः॥ Vaiyaktikarishi is the category which includes all the rishis who praised the deities and practiced particular rituals to attain मन्त्रसिद्धिः ॥ mantrasiddhi.<ref name=":32" />

# वैयक्तिकऋषिः॥ Vaiyaktikarishi is the category which includes all the rishis who praised the deities and practiced particular rituals to attain मन्त्रसिद्धिः ॥ mantrasiddhi.<ref name=":32" />

Whether Krishna or Shukla, both the shakhas of Yajurveda deal primarily with the कर्मकाण्डः ॥ karmakanda and are also called यज्ञकाण्डः ॥ yajnakanda<ref name=":02223">Topic : Yajus samhita from ''Vaidika Vangmayasya itihasa bharatiya samskriti cha, Volume: Vedaparichaya'' by Rastriya Samskrit Samsthan. </ref>. All the shakha texts deal with detailed descriptions of श्रौतयज्ञाः ॥ Shrauta yajnas like राजसूयः ॥ [[Rajasuya]], वाजपेयः ॥ [[Vajapeya (वाजपेयः)|Vajapeya]], सोमयागः ॥ [[Somayaga (सोमयागः)|Somayaga]] etc. Krishna Yajurveda is considered older than the Shukla Yajurveda.<ref name=":12223">Regmi, Sri Rishiramji. Article : [http://vedicheritage.gov.in/flipbook/ved_vedang_gp_15/#book/ ''Yajurved ka Sankshipth Parichay''] available in Vedic Heritage Portal.</ref>  

Whether Krishna or Shukla, both the shakhas of Yajurveda deal primarily with the कर्मकाण्डः ॥ karmakanda and are also called यज्ञकाण्डः ॥ yajnakanda<ref name=":02223">Topic : Yajus samhita from ''Vaidika Vangmayasya itihasa bharatiya samskriti cha, Volume: Vedaparichaya'' by Rastriya Samskrit Samsthan. </ref>. All the shakha texts deal with detailed descriptions of श्रौतयज्ञाः ॥ Shrauta yajnas like राजसूयः ॥ [[Rajasuya]], वाजपेयः ॥ [[Vajapeya (वाजपेयः)|Vajapeya]], सोमयागः ॥ [[Somayaga (सोमयागः)|Somayaga]] etc. Krishna Yajurveda is considered older than the Shukla Yajurveda.<ref name=":12223">Regmi, Sri Rishiramji. Article : [http://vedicheritage.gov.in/flipbook/ved_vedang_gp_15/#book/ ''Yajurved ka Sankshipth Parichay''] available in Vedic Heritage Portal.</ref>  

For example, in माध्यन्दिन-संहिता ॥ Madhyandina samhita, the यज्ञक्रियाः ॥ yajna kriyas for दर्शपूर्णमासः ॥ [[Darshapurnamasa (दर्शपूर्णमासः)|Darshapurnamasa]], अग्निहोत्रम् ॥ [[Agnihotra (अग्निहोत्रम्)|Agnihotra]], चातुर्मास्यम् ॥ [[Chaturmasya (चातुर्मास्यम्)|Chaturmasya]], अग्निष्टोमः ॥ [[Agnistoma (अग्निष्टोमः)|Agnistoma]], Nirudhapasubandha, Chayanayaga, Sautramani, अश्वमेधः ॥ [[Ashvamedha (अश्वमेधः)|Ashvamedha]], वाजपेयः ॥ Vajapeya, राजसूयः ॥ Rajasuya etc among other yajnas and इष्टि-s ॥ [[Ishti (इष्टिः)|ishtis]] are present. The 40th अध्यायः ॥ Adhyaya is the ईशावास्योपनिषद् ॥ Ishavasyopanishad; this is the only instance where an Upanishad is associated with the Samhita.

For example, in माध्यन्दिन-संहिता ॥ Madhyandina samhita, the yajna kriyas for दर्शपूर्णमासः ॥ [[Darshapurnamasa (दर्शपूर्णमासः)|Darshapurnamasa]], अग्निहोत्रम् ॥ [[Agnihotra (अग्निहोत्रम्)|Agnihotra]], चातुर्मास्यम् ॥ [[Chaturmasya (चातुर्मास्यम्)|Chaturmasya]], अग्निष्टोमः ॥ [[Agnistoma (अग्निष्टोमः)|Agnistoma]], Nirudhapasubandha, Chayanayaga, Sautramani, अश्वमेधः ॥ [[Ashvamedha (अश्वमेधः)|Ashvamedha]], वाजपेयः ॥ Vajapeya, राजसूयः ॥ Rajasuya etc among other yajnas and इष्टि-s ॥ [[Ishti (इष्टिः)|ishtis]] are present. Due to excessive intake of Soma, Indra the chief of devatas, developed some afflictions which was cured by Asvini devatas by conducting Sautramini yajna. Thus we see that yajnas were conducted with some desires like regaining lost kingdoms, cattle and progeny (kamyakarma). Asvamedha yajna was performed by kings to attain the position of Chakravarti (emperor).<ref name=":4" />

=== प्रसिद्धाः मन्त्राः ॥ Famous Mantras ===

=== प्रसिद्धाः मन्त्राः ॥ Famous Mantras ===

The popular mantras in praise of Lord Siva - श्रीरुद्रप्रश्नः || SriRudraprashna – finds a place in this Veda (षोडशः अध्यायः ॥ Shodasha Adhyaya). The other famous sukta, पुरुषसूक्तम् || Purusha Sukta also occurs here with some modifications.

* The popular mantras in praise of Lord Siva - श्रीरुद्रप्रश्नः || SriRudraprashna – finds a place in this Veda (Adhyaya 16).  

== Sama samhita ==

* The other famous sukta, पुरुषसूक्तम् || Purusha Sukta also occurs here additionally with 6 mantras as compared to Rigveda version (Adhyaya 31).  

The Sama Samhita contains mantras in the form of songs meant for liturgy or public worship. The Samaveda is shortest of all the four Vedas. It is closely connected with the Rigveda. is meant to be sung by the Udgatri, the Sama-Vedic priest<ref name=":22" />.  

 

== सामवेदः || Samaveda ==

The Sama Samhita contains mantras in the form of songs meant for liturgy or public worship. The Samaveda is shortest of all the four Vedas. It is closely connected with the Rigveda. It is meant to be sung by the Udgatri, the Sama-Vedic priest<ref name=":22" />.  

It is important to note that the Samhita of the Samaveda is an independent collection (Samhita), yet it has taken many verses, a large number indeed, from the Samhita of Rigveda. These verses are chiefly derived from the eighth and the ninth Mandalas of the Rigveda.  

It is important to note that the Samhita of the Samaveda is an independent collection (Samhita), yet it has taken many verses, a large number indeed, from the Samhita of Rigveda. These verses are chiefly derived from the eighth and the ninth Mandalas of the Rigveda.  

Among the four Vedas, the Samaveda is regarded as the foremost. In the Bhagavadgata, where Lord Krishna has declared "Among the Vedas I am Samaveda"-''Vedanama Samavedosmi'' (Gita, 10.22). Here Indra, Agni and Soma deities are mainly invoked and praised but most of the time these prayers seem to be the invocations for the Supreme Being. In the spiritual sense Soma represents All-pervading, Glorious Lord and Brahman, who is attainable only through devotion and musical chanting.  

* According to the ancient tradition, told by Patanjali, the Samaveda had 1000 ''Shakhas''. But at present there are only three Shakas. These are – '''(1) Kauthuma, (2) Jaiminiya, (3) Ranayaniya.'''

* गान ॥ Gana texts contain the information about how Samagana is to be sung. While singing the mantras, मात्र || matras such as दीर्घः || deergha, प्लुतः ॥ pluta, and पाठपद्धतिः ॥ pathapaddhati (recitation methods) are clearly mentioned in these texts.

* Sama Gana or singing of mantras as per the rules of Sama Veda is said to be the basis and source of the seven svaras or notes fundamental to the Indian music systems. According to Narada Shiksha, the svaramandala of sama are given as 7 svaras (स्वराः), 3 grama (ग्राम), 21 murchna (मूर्छना) and 49 tana (तान). <ref name=":4" />

All the mantras of the Samaveda are sung by the [[Udgatri|'''उद्गाता''' || '''Udgata''']] priest during Somayajna. Unlike Rigveda, deities of Samaveda are predominantly Agni, Indra and [[Soma]].<ref name=":0" />

It is said in Brhaddevata that those who know the Samaveda knows the secret of Vedas.<ref name=":4" />  <blockquote>सामानि यो वेत्ति स वेद तत्त्वम् । sāmāni yō vētti sa vēda tattvam ।</blockquote>In Chandogya Upanishad, proclaims that Udgita is the gist of all of Samaveda. Udgita is the other name of Omkar. Thus, Samaveda proclaims the reveredness of Omkar given in all Vedas.<blockquote>साम्न उद्गीथो रसः । sāmna udgīthō rasaḥ ।</blockquote>It is also said here that अङ्गिरस-महर्षिः ॥ Angirasa maharshi, while teaching Vedas to SriKrishna, first taught सामगान-विधिः ॥ Samagana vidhi called "Chalikhya" to Him, in which He attained perfection and played it on His flute.<ref name=":22322222">Gopal Reddy, Mudiganti and Sujata Reddy, Mudiganti (1997) ''[https://archive.org/stream/SAMSKRUTAKAVIJEEVITAMULUByMALLADISURYANARAYANASASTRIGARU/SAMSKRUTA%20SAHITYA%20CHARITRA%20BY%20MUDUGANTI%20GOPALA%20REDDI%26SUJATA%20REDDI%20#page/n33/mode/2up Sanskrita Saahitya Charitra] (Vaidika Vangmayam - Loukika Vangamayam, A critical approach)'' Hyderabad : P. S. Telugu University</ref>

 

 

Traditionally the three Vedas are spoken as''<nowiki/>'Trayi''<nowiki/>', because they are composed of three kinds in mantras- Rks or verses, Yajus or prose, Saman or chants.

 

Here Indra, Agni and Soma deities are mainly invoked and praised but most of the time these prayers seem to be the invocations for the Supreme Being. In the spiritual sense Soma represents All-pervading Brahman, who is attainable only through devotion and musical chanting. Thus major theme of the Samaveda can be regarded as worship and devotion (''Upasana'').<ref name=":2232222" />

 

Secondly, Bharatamuni (भरतमुनिः), the author of Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्रम्), cites Samaveda as the origin of music.<ref name=":22224">Adhikari, Shriram Article : ''[http://vedicheritage.gov.in/pdf/ved_vedang_gp_16.pdf Samaved ka parichay evam vaisishtya]'' from Vedic Heritage Portal </ref><blockquote>जग्राह पाठ्यं ऋग्वेदात्‌, सामभ्यो गीतमेव च यजुर्वेदादभिनयान्‌ रसमाथर्वणादपि।। (Naty. shas. 1.17)</blockquote><blockquote>jagrāha pāṭhyaṃ ṛgvedāt‌, sāmabhyo gītameva ca yajurvedādabhinayān‌ rasamātharvaṇādapi।। (Naty. shas. 1.17)</blockquote>Meaning : सामवेदः ॥ Samaveda is the origin of गीतम् ॥ geeta (music).<blockquote>सामवेदादिदं गीतं संजग्राह पितामहः (Sang. Ratn. 1.25)</blockquote><blockquote>sāmavedādidaṃ gītaṃ saṃjagrāha pitāmahaḥ (Sang. Ratn. 1.25)</blockquote>Meaning : ब्रह्मा ॥ Brahma collected musical notes (गीतम् ॥ geeta) from सामवेदः ॥ Samaveda.

Thus major theme of the Samaveda can be regarded as worship and devotion (''Upasana'').

According to सारङ्गदेवः ॥ Sarangadeva, the author of सङ्गीत-रत्नाकरम् ॥ Sangeeta Ratnakara, musical notes in words arose from Samaveda texts.<ref name=":22224" />

== Atharva Samhita ==

== Atharva Samhita ==

The Atharva-Samhita contains mantras meant for routine rites and rituals.   

The Atharva-Samhita contains mantras meant for routine rites and rituals.   

:: Let us meditate on that excellent glory of the divine Light (Sun). May he inspire our thoughts, stimulate our understandings.

:: Let us meditate on that excellent glory of the divine Light (Sun). May he inspire our thoughts, stimulate our understandings.

==References==

==References==

<references />

<references /><nowiki/><nowiki/><nowiki/><nowiki/><nowiki/>''<nowiki/>''

# ''[http://ignca.nic.in/vedic_portal_rigveda.htm Rigveda Samhita,Overview.]''<nowiki/><nowiki/><nowiki/><nowiki/><nowiki/>''<nowiki/>''