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It is said that Veda Vyasa compiled the Yajurveda with the mantras named 'Yajus'.<ref name=":7" /> <blockquote>

It is said that Veda Vyasa compiled the Yajurveda with the mantras named 'Yajus'.<ref name=":7" /> <blockquote>

यजूषि च यजुर्वेदं ... ।। १३ ।।<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":9" /> yajūṣi ca yajurvedaṁ ... ।। 13 ।। </blockquote>

यजूषि च यजुर्वेदं ... ।। १३ ।।<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":9" /> yajūṣi ca yajurvedaṁ ... ।। 13 ।। </blockquote>

Shabdakalpadruma also explains Yajurveda as <blockquote>यजुरेव वेदः । यजुषां वेद इति वा ।<ref name=":9">[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%AF Shabdakalpadruma], See: Yajurveda.</ref> yajureva vedaḥ । yajuṣāṁ veda iti vā ।</blockquote>Meaning: Yajurveda is a collection of Yajus.<ref name=":3" />  

Shabdakalpadruma also explains Yajurveda as <blockquote>यजुरेव वेदः । यजुषां वेद इति वा ।<ref name=":9">[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%AF Shabdakalpadruma], See: Yajurveda.</ref> yajureva vedaḥ । yajuṣāṁ veda iti vā ।</blockquote>Meaning: Yajurveda is a collection of Yajus.<ref name=":3" /> The term 'Yajus' is derived from the root यज् (to worship) added with the Unadi affix उसि and refers to the mantras used in the performance of Yajnas.<ref name=":5">[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AF Vachaspatyam]. See: Yajus.</ref><ref name=":10">Kulapati Jibananda Vidyasagara (1900), Shabda Sagara, First Edition, See: [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.195943/page/n581/mode/2up?view=theater Yajus]</ref><ref name=":3" /><blockquote>इज्यतेऽनेनेति यजुः ।<ref name=":4">[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%AF Shabdakalpadruma], See: Yajuh</ref> ijyate'neneti yajuḥ ।</blockquote>The term Yajuh variegatedly explained as,<ref name="gsrai11" /><ref name=":0">Baldev Upadhyay (1955), [https://ia801607.us.archive.org/10/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.347181/2015.347181.Vaidik-Sahitya.pdf Vaidik Sahitya], Kashi</ref>

 

The term 'Yajus' is derived from the root यज् (to worship) added with the Unadi affix उसि and refers to the mantras used in the performance of Yajnas.<ref name=":5">[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AF Vachaspatyam]. See: Yajus.</ref><ref name=":10">Kulapati Jibananda Vidyasagara (1900), Shabda Sagara, First Edition, See: [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.195943/page/n581/mode/2up?view=theater Yajus]</ref><ref name=":3" /><blockquote>इज्यतेऽनेनेति यजुः ।<ref name=":4">[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%AF Shabdakalpadruma], See: Yajuh</ref> ijyate'neneti yajuḥ ।</blockquote>The term Yajuh variegatedly explained as,<ref name="gsrai11" /><ref name=":0">Baldev Upadhyay (1955), [https://ia801607.us.archive.org/10/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.347181/2015.347181.Vaidik-Sahitya.pdf Vaidik Sahitya], Kashi</ref>

# अनियताक्षरावसानो यजुः । aniyatākṣarāvasāno yajuḥ । ie. a mantra in verse having indefinite number of syllables.

# अनियताक्षरावसानो यजुः । aniyatākṣarāvasāno yajuḥ । ie. a mantra in verse having indefinite number of syllables.

Once Vaishampayana asked his disciples to perform, on his behalf, a Vrata that repels the consequences of Brahmahatya. Yajnavalkya who was his disciple offered to do the vrata alone by himself that enraged Vaishampayana. He asked Yajnavalkya to abandon everything that he had learnt from him for disobeying his Guru's instructions. Yajnavalkya thus, ejected the texts of Yajurveda from his stomach that the other disciples of Vaishampayana picked up by transforming themselves into Tittiri birds thereby, giving it the name Taittiriya Samhita.<ref name=":7" /><ref name="gsrai11" /><blockquote>यजूष्यथ विसृष्टानि याज्ञवल्क्येन वै द्रिज । जगृहुस्तित्तिरा भूत्वा तैत्तिरीयास्तु ते ततः ।। १२ ।।<ref name=":12">Vishnu Purana, Amsha 3, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B6%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%AB Adhyaya 5]</ref>

Once Vaishampayana asked his disciples to perform, on his behalf, a Vrata that repels the consequences of Brahmahatya. Yajnavalkya who was his disciple offered to do the vrata alone by himself that enraged Vaishampayana. He asked Yajnavalkya to abandon everything that he had learnt from him for disobeying his Guru's instructions. Yajnavalkya thus, ejected the texts of Yajurveda from his stomach that the other disciples of Vaishampayana picked up by transforming themselves into Tittiri birds thereby, giving it the name Taittiriya Samhita.<ref name=":7" /><ref name="gsrai11" /><blockquote>यजूष्यथ विसृष्टानि याज्ञवल्क्येन वै द्रिज । जगृहुस्तित्तिरा भूत्वा तैत्तिरीयास्तु ते ततः ।। १२ ।।<ref name=":12">Vishnu Purana, Amsha 3, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B6%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%AB Adhyaya 5]</ref>

yajūṣyatha visr̥ṣṭāni yājñavalkyena vai drija । jagr̥hustittirā bhūtvā taittirīyāstu te tataḥ ।। 12 ।।</blockquote>On the other hand, Yajnavalkya propitiated Surya deva and asked to be conferred upon the knowledge of those Yajurveda texts hitherto unexplored. Thus, the Sun who appeared in the form of a horse, gave Yajnavalkya the texts of Yajurveda known as ayātayāma.<ref name="gsrai11" /> And since the knowledge was imparted by Surya deva in the form of a horse, those who studied this text are called Vajis.<ref name=":7" /> <blockquote>यजूषि यैरधीतानि तानि विप्रैर्द्रिजोत्तम । वाजिनस्ते समाख्याताः सूर्याश्वः सोऽभवद यतः ।। २८ ।।<ref name=":12" />  

yajūṣyatha visr̥ṣṭāni yājñavalkyena vai drija । jagr̥hustittirā bhūtvā taittirīyāstu te tataḥ ।। 12 ।।</blockquote>On the other hand, Yajnavalkya propitiated Surya deva and asked to be conferred upon the knowledge of those Yajurveda texts hitherto unexplored. Thus, the Sun who appeared in the form of a horse, gave Yajnavalkya the texts of Yajurveda known as ayātayāma.<ref name="gsrai11" /> And since the knowledge was imparted by Surya deva in the form of a horse, those who studied this text are called Vajis.<ref name=":7" /> <blockquote>यजूषि यैरधीतानि तानि विप्रैर्द्रिजोत्तम । वाजिनस्ते समाख्याताः सूर्याश्वः सोऽभवद यतः ।। २८ ।।<ref name=":12" /> yajūṣi yairadhītāni tāni viprairdrijottama । vājinaste samākhyātāḥ sūryāśvaḥ so'bhavada yataḥ ।। 28 ।। </blockquote>According to the Vayu Purana, Yajnavalkya himself took the form of a horse and learnt the Shukla Yajurveda from the Sun. <blockquote>अश्वरूपाय मार्तण्डो याज्ञवल्क्याय धीमते । aśvarūpāya mārtaṇḍo yājñavalkyāya dhīmate । </blockquote>According to Sayanacharya, 'vāja' means grain (anna). The Rishi who was liberal in grains was called 'Vājasani'. And  being the son of a Vājasani, Maharshi Yajnavalkya was also called Vājasaneya.<ref name="gsrai11" /> Thereby, the Samhita he related ie. the Shukla Yajurveda, came to be referred to as Vajasaneyi Samhita. The Shatapatha Brahmana mentions that this Shukla Yajurveda thus narrated further by Maharshi Vajasaneya Yajnavalkya represents the Aditya Sampradaya, one of the two Sampradayas of the Vedas. The other one being the Brahma Sampradaya that is represented by the Krishna Yajurveda.<ref name=":0" /> <blockquote>आदित्यानीमानि शुक्लानि यजूंषि वाजसनेयेन याज्ञवल्क्येनाख्यायन्ते १४.९.४.३३<ref>Shatapatha Brahmana, Kanda 14, Adhyaya 9, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AA/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AF/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3_%E0%A5%AA Brahmana 4]</ref>

 

yajūṣi yairadhītāni tāni viprairdrijottama । vājinaste samākhyātāḥ sūryāśvaḥ so'bhavada yataḥ ।। 28 ।। </blockquote>According to the Vayu Purana, Yajnavalkya himself took the form of a horse and learnt the Shukla Yajurveda from the Sun. <blockquote>अश्वरूपाय मार्तण्डो याज्ञवल्क्याय धीमते । aśvarūpāya mārtaṇḍo yājñavalkyāya dhīmate । </blockquote>According to Sayanacharya, 'vāja' means grain (anna). The Rishi who was liberal in grains was called 'Vājasani'. And  being the son of a Vājasani, Maharshi Yajnavalkya was also called Vājasaneya.<ref name="gsrai11" /> Thereby, the Samhita he related ie. the Shukla Yajurveda, came to be referred to as Vajasaneyi Samhita. The Shatapatha Brahmana mentions that this Shukla Yajurveda thus narrated further by Maharshi Vajasaneya Yajnavalkya represents the Aditya Sampradaya, one of the two Sampradayas of the Vedas. The other one being the Brahma Sampradaya that is represented by the Krishna Yajurveda.<ref name=":0" /> <blockquote>आदित्यानीमानि शुक्लानि यजूंषि वाजसनेयेन याज्ञवल्क्येनाख्यायन्ते १४.९.४.३३<ref>Shatapatha Brahmana, Kanda 14, Adhyaya 9, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AA/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AF/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3_%E0%A5%AA Brahmana 4]</ref>

ādityānīmāni śuklāni yajūṁṣi vājasaneyena yājñavalkyenākhyāyante 14.9.4.33</blockquote>Though both the Krishna and Shukla Yajurveda are chiefly in measured and poetical prose and their subject matter are rituals, mantras peculiar to them, etc.,<ref name=":10" /> it is seen that the Shukla Yajurveda has a collection of only mantras essential for performing rituals like darshapurnamasa, etc. While the Krishna Yajurveda also includes the relevant brahmana portions therein.<ref name="gsrai11" /> Thus, the differentiation of the Yajurveda into Krishna and Shukla is to do with their content. Wherein, the combination of mantras and brahmanas defines the nature of Krishna Yajurveda and the unalloyed collection of mantras alone defines the nature of the Shukla Yajurveda; giving them their respective names.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":13">Ganga Sagar Rai (1965), [https://archive.org/details/puranavolvii015193mbp/page/n247/mode/2up?view=theater Sakhas of the Krsna Yajurveda in the Puranas], Purana (Vol 7, No. 2), Varanasi: All India Kashiraj Trust.</ref>

ādityānīmāni śuklāni yajūṁṣi vājasaneyena yājñavalkyenākhyāyante 14.9.4.33</blockquote>Though both the Krishna and Shukla Yajurveda are chiefly in measured and poetical prose and their subject matter are rituals, mantras peculiar to them, etc.,<ref name=":10" /> it is seen that the Shukla Yajurveda has a collection of only mantras essential for performing rituals like darshapurnamasa, etc. While the Krishna Yajurveda also includes the relevant brahmana portions therein.<ref name="gsrai11" /> Thus, the differentiation of the Yajurveda into Krishna and Shukla is to do with their content. Wherein, the combination of mantras and brahmanas defines the nature of Krishna Yajurveda and the unalloyed collection of mantras alone defines the nature of the Shukla Yajurveda; giving them their respective names.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":13">Ganga Sagar Rai (1965), [https://archive.org/details/puranavolvii015193mbp/page/n247/mode/2up?view=theater Sakhas of the Krsna Yajurveda in the Puranas], Purana (Vol 7, No. 2), Varanasi: All India Kashiraj Trust.</ref>

|नवाधिकशतं शाखा यजुषो मारुतात्मज ॥ १२॥<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D Muktikopanishad]</ref>

|नवाधिकशतं शाखा यजुषो मारुतात्मज ॥ १२॥<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D Muktikopanishad]</ref>

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It is seen that the number 101 is favoured by most of the authoritative texts and it is also confirmed by the colophon occurring in a manuscript of the Kathaka-Samhita.<ref name="gsrai11" /><blockquote>इत्येकोत्तरशतशाखाऽध्वर्युप्रभेदभिन्ने श्रीमद्यजुर्वेदे ... ।<ref>Suryakanta (1943), [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.280748/page/n14/mode/1up?view=theater Kathaka Samkalana],  Lahore: Mehar Chand Lachhman Das Oriental & Foreign Booksellers.</ref> ityekottaraśataśākhā'dhvaryuprabhedabhinne śrīmadyajurvede ... ।</blockquote>Correlating to this, the Vishnu Purana mentions that 15 branches of the Shukla Yajurveda came from Rishi Kanva and other pupils of Yajnavalkya while according to the Vayu Purana, the Krishna Yajurveda is deemed to have had as many as 86 recensions.<ref name="prabhakar" /><ref name=":13" /><blockquote>शाखाभेदास्तु तेषां वै दश पञ्च च वाजिनाम् । काण्वाद्यास्तु महाभाग! याज्ञवल्क्या-प्रवर्तिताः ।। २९ ।।<ref name=":12" />   

It is seen that the number 101 is favoured by most of the authoritative texts and it is also confirmed by the colophon occurring in a manuscript of the Kathaka-Samhita.<ref name="gsrai11" /><blockquote>इत्येकोत्तरशतशाखाऽध्वर्युप्रभेदभिन्ने श्रीमद्यजुर्वेदे ... ।<ref>Suryakanta (1943), [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.280748/page/n14/mode/1up?view=theater Kathaka Samkalana],  Lahore: Mehar Chand Lachhman Das Oriental & Foreign Booksellers.</ref> ityekottaraśataśākhā'dhvaryuprabhedabhinne śrīmadyajurvede ... ।</blockquote>Correlating to this, the Vishnu Purana mentions that 15 branches of the Shukla Yajurveda came from Rishi Kanva and other pupils of Yajnavalkya while according to the Vayu Purana, the Krishna Yajurveda is deemed to have had as many as 86 recensions.<ref name="prabhakar">CL Prabhakar (1972), [https://kramerius.lib.cas.cz/search/localPrintPDF?pids=uuid:79893c82-3e48-11e1-bdd3-005056a60003,uuid:79a8d273-3e48-11e1-bdd3-005056a60003,uuid:79c7a514-3e48-11e1-bdd3-005056a60003,uuid:79e4ca05-3e48-11e1-bdd3-005056a60003,uuid:7a021606-3e48-11e1-bdd3-005056a60003,uuid:7a1e2987-3e48-11e1-bdd3-005056a60003,uuid:7a3b7588-3e48-11e1-bdd3-005056a60003&pagesize=A4&imgop=FULL The Recensions of the Sukla Yajurveda], Archív Orientální, Volume 40, Issue 1.</ref><ref name=":13" /><blockquote>शाखाभेदास्तु तेषां वै दश पञ्च च वाजिनाम् । काण्वाद्यास्तु महाभाग! याज्ञवल्क्या-प्रवर्तिताः ।। २९ ।।<ref name=":12" />   

वैशम्पायनगोत्रोऽसौ यजुर्वेदं व्यकल्पयत् । षडशीतिस्तु येनोक्ताः संहिता यजुषां शुभाः ॥६५.५॥<ref name=":15" />   

वैशम्पायनगोत्रोऽसौ यजुर्वेदं व्यकल्पयत् । षडशीतिस्तु येनोक्ताः संहिता यजुषां शुभाः ॥६५.५॥<ref name=":15" />   

śākhābhedāstu teṣāṁ vai daśa pañca ca vājinām । kāṇvādyāstu mahābhāga! yājñavalkyā-pravartitāḥ ।। 29 ।।   

śākhābhedāstu teṣāṁ vai daśa pañca ca vājinām । kāṇvādyāstu mahābhāga! yājñavalkyā-pravartitāḥ ।। 29 ।।   

vaiśampāyanagotro'sau yajurvedaṁ vyakalpayat । ṣaḍaśītistu yenoktāḥ saṁhitā yajuṣāṁ śubhāḥ ॥65.5॥</blockquote>However vast majority of them are believed to be lost.<ref name=":13" /> Only two recensions of the Shukla Yajurveda, Madhyandina and Kanva, have survived into the modern times while, the Krshna Yajurveda has survived in four recensions.<ref name="prabhakar" /> The other lost recensions of the Shukla Yajurveda, known only by name from their mentions in other texts of ancient India include Jabala, Baudhya, Sapeyi, Tapaniya, Kapola, Paundravatsa, Avati, Paramavatika, Parashara, Vaineya, Vaidheya, Katyayana and Vaijayavapa.<ref name="gsrai11" />  

vaiśampāyanagotro'sau yajurvedaṁ vyakalpayat । ṣaḍaśītistu yenoktāḥ saṁhitā yajuṣāṁ śubhāḥ ॥65.5॥</blockquote>However, several recensions of each branch of the Yajurveda, Shukla and Krishna, are believed to be lost. Only two recensions of the Shukla Yajurveda, Madhyandina and Kanva,<ref name="prabhakar" /> have survived into the modern times while, the Krishna Yajurveda has survived in four recensions.<ref name=":0" />

In contrast to the two recensions of the Shukla Yajurveda that are nearly the same, except for few differences, the four surviving recensions of Krishna Yajurveda are very different versions.<ref name="prabhakar">CL Prabhakar (1972), [https://kramerius.lib.cas.cz/search/localPrintPDF?pids=uuid:79893c82-3e48-11e1-bdd3-005056a60003,uuid:79a8d273-3e48-11e1-bdd3-005056a60003,uuid:79c7a514-3e48-11e1-bdd3-005056a60003,uuid:79e4ca05-3e48-11e1-bdd3-005056a60003,uuid:7a021606-3e48-11e1-bdd3-005056a60003,uuid:7a1e2987-3e48-11e1-bdd3-005056a60003,uuid:7a3b7588-3e48-11e1-bdd3-005056a60003&pagesize=A4&imgop=FULL The Recensions of the Sukla Yajurveda], Archív Orientální, Volume 40, Issue 1.</ref>

As mentioned  in the previous section of the article, Shukla Yajurveda is said to have had 15 Shakhas.<ref name="gsrai11" /> The names of these shakhas, with minor variations, as mentioned in the Brahmanda Purana, Vayu Purana and the Charanavyuha of Shaunaka are as follows:

The Yajurveda Samhita was compiled keeping in mind the procedural principles of Yajnas.<ref name=":0" /> Interestingly, the Vishnu Purana mentions that there was but one Yajurveda. Dividing that into four parts, Maharshi Vyasa instituted the 'yajna' administered by four kinds of rtviks in which, it was the duty of the Adhvaryu to recite the prosaic mantras (Yajus)<ref name=":0" /> and direct the ceremony; of the Hotri to repeat the hymns (Richas); of the Udgatri to chant other hymns (Saman); and of the Brahma, to pronounce the formulae called Atharva.<ref>Vishnu Purana, Book 3, [https://archive.org/details/vishnu-purana-sanskrit-english-ocr/page/n269/mode/2up?view=theater Chapter 4]</ref><blockquote>एक आसीदू यजुर्वेदस्तं चतुर्धा व्यकल्पयत् । चातुर्होत्रमभूदू यस्मिस्तन यज्ञमथाकरोत् ।। ११ ।।

|+Shukla Yajurveda Shakhas

!Brahmanda Purana<ref>Brahmanda Purana, Purva bhaga, [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%AB Adhyaya 35], Verse 28-29.</ref><ref>The Brahmanda Purana ([https://archive.org/details/BrahmandaPuranaG.V.TagarePart1/page/n344/mode/1up Part 1]), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.</ref>

!Vayu Purana<ref>Vayu Purana, 61.24-26</ref><ref>G.V.Tagare (1987), The Vayu Purana ([https://archive.org/details/VayuPuranaG.V.TagarePart1/page/n500/mode/1up Part 1]), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass</ref>

!Charanavyuha of Shaunaka<ref name=":14" />

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Out of these, only two recensions of the Shukla Yajurveda, Madhyandina and Kanva, have survived into the modern times.<ref name="prabhakar" /> The other lost recensions of the Shukla Yajurveda, known only by name from their mentions in other texts of ancient India include Jabala, Baudheya, Sapeyi, Tapaniya, Kapola, Paundravatsa, Avatika, Paramavatika, Parashara, Vaineya, Vaidheya, Katyayana and Vaijayavapa.<ref name="gsrai11" />

आध्वर्यवं यजुभिंस्तु ऋगूभिर्होत्रं तथा मुनिः । औदूगात्रं सामभिश्चक्र ब्रह्मत्वं चाप्यथर्वभिः ।। १२ ।।<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":9" />

The Krishna Yajurveda is known to have had 86 recensions.<ref name="prabhakar" /> According to the Charanavyuha of Shaunaka, the major Shakhas of the Krishna Yajurveda along with their subdivisions included within the 86 are as follows:<ref name=":13" />

|6

Yajurveda is a collection of 'mantras' (prose and verse) generally meant for performing a Yajna. Being action-oriented, naturally, variations in it are more than in other Vedas.<ref name="gsrai11" /> Thus, Yajurveda is known for its multiplicity of recensions or schools.<ref name="prabhakar" /> The large number of Shakhas of the Yajurveda also indicates its popularity and wide currency.<ref name="gsrai11" /> And each edition or recension of the Yajurveda  is supposed to have had its Samhita, Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads as part of the text, with Shrautasutras, Grhyasutras and Pratishakhya attached to the text.<ref name="gsrai11" /><ref name=":13" />  

ādhvaryavaṁ yajubhiṁstu r̥gūbhirhotraṁ tathā muniḥ । audūgātraṁ sāmabhiścakra brahmatvaṁ cāpyatharvabhiḥ ।। 12 ।।</blockquote>And among the four rtviks imperative to the fulfilment of Yajna-karmas, the Adhvaryu is of prime importance as he performs the prime rituals of the Yajna.<ref name=":0" /> It was the duty of the Adhvaryu to measure the ground, build the altar, prepare Yajna-Upakaranas, to fetch wood and water, to light the fire, to bring the oblation and offer it to the fire and while doing this to repeat the Yajurveda.<ref name=":8" /> And it is to aid the fulfilment of his specific duties known as the Adhvaryava that the Yajurveda Samhitas are compiled within different shakhas.<ref name=":0" />

* Madhyandina and Kanva belonging to the Shukla Yajurveda.

* Taittiriya, Maitrayani, Katha and Katha-Kapisthala belonging to the Krishna Yajurveda.<ref name=":0" />

 

The Satapatha Brahmana belongs to the Sukla Yajur-Veda. The Krishna-Yajur-Veda has the Taittiriya and the Maitrayana Brahmanas. Each of the Brahmanas has got an Aranyaka.

 

There are as many Upanishads to each Veda as there are Sakhas, branches or recensions, i.e., 21, 109, 1000 and 50 respectively to the four Vedas, the Rig-Veda, the Yajur-Veda, the Sama-Veda and the Atharva-Veda.

 

Among the Kalpa Sutras, The Katyayana and Paraskara belong to the Sukla Yajur-Veda. The Apastamba, Hiranyakesi, Bodhayana, Bharadvaja, Manava, Vaikhanasa and the Kathaka belong to the Krishna Yajur-Veda.<ref name=":2" />

 

====शुक्लयजुर्वेदसंहिताः ॥ Shukla Yajurveda Samhitas====

===Shukla Yajurveda===

The Shukla Yajurveda Samhita is also known as Vajasaneyi Samhita.<ref name="gsrai11" /> And there are two (nearly identical) surviving recensions of the Vajasaneyi Samhita viz. Vajasaneyi Madhyandina and Vajasaneyi Kanva.<ref name="prabhakar" />

The samhita in the Shukla Yajurveda is called the ''Vajasaneyi Samhita''. The name ''Vajasaneyi'' is derived from Vajasaneya, patronymic of sage Yajnavalkya, and the founder of the Vajasaneyi branch. There are two (nearly identical) surviving recensions of the Vajasaneyi Samhita (VS): ''Vajasaneyi Madhyandina'' and ''Vajasaneyi Kanva''.<ref name="prabhakar" />

{| class="wikitable" align="center" style=" background: transparent; " data-ve-attributes="{&quot;style&quot;:&quot; background: transparent; &quot;,&quot;typeof&quot;:&quot;mw:ExpandedAttrs&quot;,&quot;about&quot;:&quot;#mwt968618916&quot;}" |+ Recensions of the White Yajurveda<ref name=rgriffithwycontents/>

{| class="wikitable" align="center" style=" background: transparent; " data-ve-attributes="{&quot;style&quot;:&quot; background: transparent; &quot;,&quot;typeof&quot;:&quot;mw:ExpandedAttrs&quot;,&quot;about&quot;:&quot;#mwt968618916&quot;}" |+ Recensions of the White Yajurveda<ref name=rgriffithwycontents/>

|- style="background: #ffad66;" data-ve-attributes="{&quot;style&quot;:&quot;background: #ffad66;&quot;}" | width="120px" Recension Name

|- style="background: #ffad66;" data-ve-attributes="{&quot;style&quot;:&quot;background: #ffad66;&quot;}" | width="120px" Recension Name

| width="40px" |Adhyayas

| width="40px" |Adhyayas

| width="40px" |Anuvakas

| width="40px" |Anuvakas

| width="40px" |No. of Verses

| width="40px" |No. of Verses

|- style="text-align: center;" data-ve-attributes="{&quot;style&quot;:&quot;text-align: center;&quot;}" | width="120px" Madhyandina

|- style="text-align: center;" data-ve-attributes="{&quot;style&quot;:&quot;text-align: center;&quot;}" | width="120px" Madhyandina

| width="40px" |40

| width="40px" |40

| width="40px" |303

| width="40px" |303

| width="40px" |1975

| width="40px" |1975

|- style="text-align: center;" data-ve-attributes="{&quot;style&quot;:&quot;text-align: center;&quot;}" | width="120px" Kanva

|- style="text-align: center;" data-ve-attributes="{&quot;style&quot;:&quot;text-align: center;&quot;}" | width="120px" Kanva

| width="40px" |40

| width="40px" |40

| width="40px" |328

| width="40px" |328

| width="40px" |2086

| width="40px" |2086

|}

|}

The Katha school is referred to as a sub-school of ''Carakas'' (wanderers) in some ancient texts of India, because they did their scholarship as they wandered from place to place.<ref>GS Rai, [https://archive.org/stream/puranavolvii015193mbp#page/n249/mode/2up Sakhas of the Krsna Yajurveda in the Puranas], Purana, Vol 7, No. 2, pages 236-238</ref>

 

{| class="wikitable" align="center" style=" background: transparent; " data-ve-attributes="{&quot;style&quot;:&quot; background: transparent; &quot;,&quot;typeof&quot;:&quot;mw:ExpandedAttrs&quot;,&quot;about&quot;:&quot;#mwt546021976&quot;}" |+ Recensions of the Black Yajurveda<ref name=rgriffithwycontents/>

It belongs to the Shukla Yajurveda branch. This Samhita was obtained by Yajnavalkya from a Vajin. Hence, the name. It comprises of 40 Adhyayas, 303 anuvakas, 1975 Kandikas. The mantras are in both Gadya and Padya.

| width="50px" |No. of Sub-recensions<ref name="gsrai238">GS Rai, [https://archive.org/stream/puranavolvii015193mbp#page/n251/mode/2up Sakhas of the Krsna Yajurveda in the Puranas], Purana, Vol 7, No. 2, pages 238-241</ref>

| width="60px" |<ref>GS Rai, [https://archive.org/stream/puranavolvii015193mbp#page/n257/mode/2up Sakhas of the Krsna Yajurveda in the Puranas], Purana, Vol 7, No. 2, pages 244</ref>

| width="40px" |40

| width="200px" |Kashmir, North India, East India

| width="60px" |<ref name="gsrai238" /><ref name="gondayv">{{cite book |last=Gonda |first=Jan |title=A History of Indian Literature: Veda and Upanishads |volume=Vol.I |publisher=Otto Harrassowitz |location=Wiesbaden |isbn=3-447-01603-5 |pages=326–327 |year=1975}}</ref>

| width="60px" |<ref name="gondayv" /><ref>GS Rai, [https://archive.org/stream/puranavolvii015193mbp#page/n255/mode/2up Sakhas of the Krsna Yajurveda in the Puranas], Purana, Vol 7, No. 2, pages 241-242</ref>

|}The Maitrayani saṃhita is the oldest Yajurveda Samhita that has survived, and it differs largely in content from the Taittiriyas, as well as in some different arrangement of chapters, but is much more detailed.<ref name="gsrai235">GS Rai, [https://archive.org/stream/puranavolvii015193mbp#page/n247/mode/2up Sakhas of the Krsna Yajurveda in the Puranas], Purana, Vol 7, No. 2, pages 235-253</ref>

The Kāṭhaka saṃhitā or the Caraka-Kaṭha saṃhitā, according to tradition was compiled by Katha, a disciple of Vaisampayana.<ref name="gsrai235" /> Like the Maitrayani Samhita, it offers much more detailed discussion of some rituals than the younger ''Taittiriya samhita'' that frequently summarizes such accounts.<ref name="gsrai235" /> The Kapiṣṭhala saṃhitā or the Kapiṣṭhala-Kaṭha saṃhitā, named after the sage Kapisthala is extant only in some large fragments and edited without accent marks.<ref name="gsrai235" /> This text is practically a variant of the Kāṭhaka saṃhitā.

Kanva Samhita

Baldev Upadhyay (1955), [https://ia801607.us.archive.org/10/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.347181/2015.347181.Vaidik-Sahitya.pdf Vaidik Sahitya], Kashi

It belongs to the Shukla Yajurveda branch and comprises of 40 Adhyayas.<ref name=":3" />

The Taittiriya shakha is the prime shakha of the Krshna Yajurveda.

The Kanva Sakha : This Sakha has preserved both its Samhita and the Brahmana.

The Katha literature includes the Kathaka Samhita consisting of five Khandas with a the total of 3093 mantras. The Kathaka-Brahmana is not available in its entirety. Only fragments of it have been edited and published. The existence of a Kathaka Aranyaka is also argued. It is probable that the Kathas may also have had their parallel Aranyaka which contained kindred matter. The well-known Katha-Upanisad belongs to this Sakha. The Kathaka Grhya-sutra is available. According to the Caranavyuha, the Katha Sakha had 4o or 44 Upagranthas. But at present we have no knowledge of these Upagranthas. The Caranavyuha while referring to the 44 Upagranthas of Kathas, remarks that there is nothing which is not contained in the Katha literature.8

The Madyandina Shakha : The Samhita and the Brahmana of this Veda are now in wide currency.  

Only the Samhita of the Katha Kapisthala Sakha is available and even that is not in its complete form. Even the available chapters are not complete. They have numerous gaps here and there. A manuscript of the Grhya-sutra of this Sakha is said to be preserved in Sarasvati Bhavana library of Sanskrit University, Varanasi.

In the Samhita of the Madhyandinas, there are 40 Adhyayas, 303 Anuvakas and 1975 verses. The Brahmana of the Sakha is called the Madhyandina-Satapatha. It has 14 KSndas, 100 Adhyayas, 64 Prapathakas, 438 Brahmanas and 7624 Kandikas. The rules laid down by Katyayana Sutra are observed in the Sakha of the Madhyandinas.<ref name="gsrai11" />

The Maitrayaniya Samhita is available. A Maitrayaniya Brahmana is noticed in the Baudhayana Srauta Sutra (30.8). A Maitrayani-yopanisad is available. Many Kalpasutras are attached to this Sakha. These Grhya works bear the names of Manava, Varaha and Maitrayaniya. The Manavas and the Varahas and the Varahas are the subdivisions of the Maitrayaniyas.

Madhyandina and Kanva, both contain equal number of chapters. However, the arrangement of kandikas differ to some extent.

The Samhita of the Taittiriyas is available and the oldest commentary on it is that of Bhattabhaskara Misra. The Taittiriya Brahmana is the only available Brahmana of the KYV. The last portion (III. 10-12} of this Brahmana is regarded as Kathakabhaga i. e. the Kathaka portion. The Taittiriya Aranyaka has 10 Prapathakas. The Taittiriyopanisad is a part of the Aranyaka. It begins from the seventh Prapathaka and ends with the 9th.<ref name=":13" />

Of the 40 chapters of the Shukla Yajurveda, the 40th chapter is the Ishavasya Upanishad while the remaining 39 chapters deal with various Yajnas as follows:

Each regional edition (recension) of Yajurveda had Samhita, Brahmana, Aranyakas, Upanishads as part of the text, with Shrautasutras, Grhyasutras and Pratishakhya attached to the text. In Shukla Yajurveda, the text organization is same for both Madhayndina and Kanva shakhas.<ref name="prabhakar" /><ref name="gsrai11" />

|+Contents of the Shukla Yajurveda Samhita

|9-10

|-

|12-20

|34-35.1-22

|32-33.1-54

|35.23-34-32.1-56

|33.35-54

The recensions of the Shukla Yajurveda are identical for all academic purposes. The form of the 2 samhita recensions is the same. The difference lies only in respect of the system of arrangement of the text, even though there is agreement in the extent of the text.<ref name="prabhakar" />

In Krishna Yajurveda, each of the recensions has or had their Brahmana text mixed into the Samhita text, thus creating a motley of the prose and verses, and making it unclear, disorganized.<ref name="gsrai235" />

====कृष्णयजुर्वेदसंहिताः ॥ Krishna Yajurveda Samhitas====

Maharshi Veda Vyasa taught the Yajurveda to Vaishampayana who divided it into 86 shakhas and taught it to his pupils. So, Maharshi Vaishampayana is considered the original propogator of the Krishna Yajurveda Shakhas. He was also attributed with the name Charaka since his literary activities shifted from place to place. Thereby, his students were also known as Charakas and a separate shakha got attached to this name. But it is not clear if all the references mention a particular shakha by the name Charaka or all the shakhas of the Krishna Yajurveda are called by the name Charaka. However, according to the Puranas, the whole Krishna Yajurveda was called Taittiriya since the Yajus were collected by the pupils of Vaishampayana in the form of the bird Tittiri.<ref name=":13" />  

The various ritual mantras in the Yajurveda Samhitas are typically set in a meter, and call on Vedic deities such as the Savita (Sun), Indra, Agni, Prajapati, Rudra and others. The Taittiriya Samhita in Book 4, for example, includes the following verses for the Agnicayana ritual recitation (abridged)

Four Samhitas belonging to the Krishna Yajurveda are available at present viz. Taittiriya, Maitrayani, Katha and Kapisthala.<ref name=":0" />

नवाधिकशतं शाखा यजुषो मारुतात्मज ॥ १२॥ [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D Muktikopanishad]

It consists of 4 Kandas, 54 Prapathakas and 3144 mantras.

Katha Kapishthala Samhita

# Katha-Kapishthala

Vajasaneyi Samhita  

This Samhita is not available in entirety.<ref name=":3" />

It belongs to the Shukla Yajurveda branch. This Samhita was obtained by Yajnavalkya from a Vajin. Hence, the name. It comprises of 40 Adhyayas, 303 anuvakas, 1975 Kandikas. The mantras are in both Gadya and Padya.

Only the Samhita of the Katha Kapisthala Sakha is available and even that is not in its complete form. Even the available chapters are not complete. They have numerous gaps here and there.  

Kanva Samhita

|+Kapisthala Katha Samhita

It belongs to the Shukla Yajurveda branch and comprises of 40 Adhyayas.

The Katha literature includes the Kathaka Samhita consisting of five Khandas with a the total of 3093 mantras. The Kathaka-Brahmana is not available in its entirety. Only fragments of it have been edited and published. The existence of a Kathaka Aranyaka is also argued. It is probable that the Kathas may also have had their parallel Aranyaka which contained kindred matter. The well-known Katha-Upanisad belongs to this Sakha. The Kathaka Grhya-sutra is available. According to the Caranavyuha, the Katha Sakha had 4o or 44 Upagranthas. But at present we have no knowledge of these Upagranthas. The Caranavyuha while referring to the 44 Upagranthas of Kathas, remarks that there is nothing which is not contained in the Katha literature. (to be verified)

Taittiriya Samhita

The Maitrayaniya Samhita is available.

It represents the Krishna Yajurveda branch. It was revealed through Rishi Tittiri, the disciple of Rishi Vaishampayana. Hence, the name. It comprises of 7 Kandas, 44 Prapathakas, 631 anuvakas, 2198 kandikas.

The Samhita of the Taittiriyas is available and the oldest commentary on it is that of Bhattabhaskara Misra.<ref name=":13" />

It consists of 4 Kandas, 54 Prapathakas and 3144 mantras.

There are as many Upanishads to each Veda as there are Sakhas, branches or recensions, i.e., 21, 109, 1000 and 50 respectively to the four Vedas, the Rig-Veda, the Yajur-Veda, the Sama-Veda and the Atharva-Veda.

This Samhita is not available in entirety.

Also, known as Adhvaryuveda. Has 18 Parishishtas. In the Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad, vi. 4, 33, there is a reference to the śuklāni Yajūṃṣi, ‘white or pure Yajus,’ as promulgated by Vājasaneya Yājñavalkya, whence the Vājasaneyi Saṃhītā is popularly known as the ‘White Yajurveda.’

===Brahmanas===

===Brahmanas===

Baldev Upadhyay (1955), [https://ia801607.us.archive.org/10/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.347181/2015.347181.Vaidik-Sahitya.pdf Vaidik Sahitya], Kashi

Baldev Upadhyay (1955), [https://ia801607.us.archive.org/10/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.347181/2015.347181.Vaidik-Sahitya.pdf Vaidik Sahitya], Kashi

The Kathaka brahmana is only known by its mention, not available as a text.   

The Kathaka brahmana is only known by its mention, not available as a text.   

=== Aranyakas ===

=== Aranyakas ===

Of these, the 7th, 8th and 9th Prapathakas together are termed as Taittiriya Upanishad and the 10th Prapathaka is known as the Mahanarayaniya Upanishad and is considered a Parishishta of the Taittiriya Aranyaka. The Prapathakas are further divided into Anuvakas numbering to 170 until the 9th Prapathaka. And the anuvakas are organised into dashakas. This Aranyaka has good number of rks quoted from the Rgveda.

Of these, the 7th, 8th and 9th Prapathakas together are termed as Taittiriya Upanishad and the 10th Prapathaka is known as the Mahanarayaniya Upanishad and is considered a Parishishta of the Taittiriya Aranyaka. The Prapathakas are further divided into Anuvakas numbering to 170 until the 9th Prapathaka. And the anuvakas are organised into dashakas. This Aranyaka has good number of rks quoted from the Rgveda.

===Upanishads===

===Upanishads===

Apart from these, in the commentary of the Apastamba Shulbasutra, Karavindasvami mentions Yashaka and Hiranyakeshi shulbasutras. However, their texts are not available.   

Apart from these, in the commentary of the Apastamba Shulbasutra, Karavindasvami mentions Yashaka and Hiranyakeshi shulbasutras. However, their texts are not available.   

==== Vedanga Jyotish ====

==== Vedanga Jyotish ====

Baldev Upadhyay (1955), [https://ia801607.us.archive.org/10/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.347181/2015.347181.Vaidik-Sahitya.pdf Vaidik Sahitya], Kashi

Baldev Upadhyay (1955), [https://ia801607.us.archive.org/10/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.347181/2015.347181.Vaidik-Sahitya.pdf Vaidik Sahitya], Kashi

==Manuscripts and translations==

==Manuscripts and translations==

Devi Chand published a re-interpreted translation of Yajurveda in 1965, reprinted as 3rd edition in 1980, wherein the translation incorporated Dayananda Saraswati's monotheistic interpretations of the Vedic text, and the translation liberally adds "O Lord" and "the Creator" to various verses, unlike other translators.<ref>Devi Chand (1980), The Yajurveda, 3rd Edition, Munshiram Manoharlal, ISBN 978-8121502948</ref>  

Devi Chand published a re-interpreted translation of Yajurveda in 1965, reprinted as 3rd edition in 1980, wherein the translation incorporated Dayananda Saraswati's monotheistic interpretations of the Vedic text, and the translation liberally adds "O Lord" and "the Creator" to various verses, unlike other translators.<ref>Devi Chand (1980), The Yajurveda, 3rd Edition, Munshiram Manoharlal, ISBN 978-8121502948</ref>