4,650
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 52:
Line 52: − + − 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>+ − − − + − + − + − + − + − + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + − + − + − + − + − + − तत्र यजुर्वेदस्य चतुर्विंशतिर्भेदा भवन्ति । Atharvan Parishishta 49 GSR + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + − The Vishnu Purana (3.5.1 & 3.5.29) differs and according to it the number of the Sakhas of"the Yajur-Veda is 42. GSR + + − Shabdakalpadruma + + − यजुः + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + − यजुर्व्वेदस्य षडशीतिर्भेदा भवन्ति । तत्र चरका नाम द्वादश भेदा भवन्ति । चरकाः १ आह्व- रकाः २ कठाः ३ प्राच्यकठाः ४ कपिष्ठलकठाः ५ औपमन्याः ६ आष्ठालकठाः ७ चाराय- णीयाः ८ वारायणीयाः ९ वार्त्तान्तवेयाः १० श्वेताश्वतराः ११ मैत्रायणीयाश्चेति १२ । तत्र मैत्रायणीया नाम सप्त भेदा भवन्ति । मानवाः १ दुन्दुभाः २ चैकेयाः ३ वाराहाः ४ हारिद्रवेयाः ५ श्यामाः ६ श्यामायनीया- श्चेति ७ । तेषामध्ययनमष्टौ शतम् । यजुः- महस्राण्यधीत्य शाखापारो भवति । तान्येव द्विगुणान्यधीत्य पदपारो भवति । तान्येव त्रिगु- णान्यधीत्य क्रमपारो भवति । षडङ्गान्यधीत्य षडङ्गविद्भवति । शिक्षा कल्पो व्याकरणं निरुक्तं च्छन्दो ज्योतिषमित्यङ्गानि । तत्र प्राच्योदीच्यां नैरृत्यां निरृत्यः । तत्र वाजसनेया नाम सप्त- दश भेदा भवन्ति । जाबालाः १ औधेघाः २ काण्वाः ३ माध्यन्दिनाः ४ शापीयाः ५ तापायनीयाः ६ कापालाः ७ पौण्ड्रवत्साः ८ आवटिकाः ९ पामावटिकाः १० पारा- शर्य्याः ११ वैधेयाः १२ वैनेयाः १३ औधेयाः १४ गालवाः १५ वैजवाः १६ कात्यायनीया- श्चेति १७ । प्रतिपदमनुपदं छन्दो भाषा धर्म्मो मीमांसा न्यायस्तर्क इत्युपाङ्गानि भवन्ति । उपज्योतिषम् १ साङ्गलक्षणम् २ प्रतिज्ञा ३ अनुवाक्यम् ४ परिसंख्या ५ चरणच्यूहम् ६ श्राद्धकल्पः ७ प्रवराध्यायश्च ८ शास्त्रम् ९ क्रतुः १० संख्या ११ अनुगमः १२ यज्ञम् १३ पाश्वानः १४ होत्रकम् १५ पशवः १५ उक्- थानि १७ कूर्म्मलक्षणम् १८ । इत्यष्टादशपरि- शिष्टानि । “द्बे सहस्रे शते न्यूने मन्त्रे वाजसनेयके । इत्युक्तं परिसंख्यातमेतत् सकलं सशुक्रियम् ॥ ग्रन्थांश्च परिसंख्यातं ब्राह्मणञ्च चतुर्गुणम् । आदावारभ्य वेदान्तं ब्रह्मव्याहृतिपूर्ब्बकम् । वेदमध्याय एतेषां होमान्ते तु समारभेत् ॥” तत्र तैत्तिरीयका नाम द्विभेदा भवन्ति । औख्याः खाण्डिकेयाश्चेति । तत्र खाण्डिकेया नाम पञ्च भेदा भवन्ति । आपस्तम्बी १ बौधा- यनी २ सत्याषाढी ३ हिरण्यकेशी ४ औधेया- श्चेति ५ । तत्र कठानान्तूपगानविशेषः । चतु- श्चत्वारिंशत्युपग्रन्थान् । “मन्त्रब्राह्मणयोर्वेदस्त्रिगुणं यत्र पठ्यते । यजुर्व्वेदः स विज्ञेयोऽन्ये शाखान्तराः स्मृताः ॥” + − The Caranavyuha of Saunaka gives the number of the Yajurvedic schools as 86. GSR + − Shabdakalpadruma + − यजुर्व्वेदः एकविंशतिभेदेन ऋग्वेदं कृतवान् पुरा । शाखानान्तु शतेनाथ यजुर्व्वेदमथाकरोत् ॥ सामवेदं सहस्रेण शाखानाञ्च विभेदतः । अथर्व्वाणमथो वेदं बिभेद नवकेन तु ॥” इति कौर्म्म्ये ४९ अध्यायः ॥+ − GSR+ − Mahabharata narrates hundred and one Sakhas+ − षट् पञ्चाशतमष्टौ च सप्तत्रिंशतमित्युत । यस्मिन्शाखा यजुर्वेदे सोऽहमाध्वर्यवे स्मृतः ॥ Adi Parva 353.33 + − + − इतीयं ब्राह्मणाध्वर्यूणां शाखा । एकविंशत्यध्वर्यवो भूत्वा एकोत्तरं शतधा भिन्नम् । Avadana 33 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + − + + − एकशतमध्वर्युशाखाः । + − The Ahirbudhnya Samhita is of the same view. + − शतं चैका च शाखाः स्युर्यजुश्ःआमेकवर्त्मनाम् ॥ 12.9 + − The the Vayu-Purana gives same number + − इत्येते वाजिनः प्रोक्ता दश पञ्च च संस्मृताः । शतमेकाधिकं कृत्स्नं यजुषां वै विकल्पकाः ॥ 61.26 + − which is supported by the Brahmanda-Purana + − शतमेकाधिकं कृत्स्नं यजुषां वै विकल्पकाः ॥1.35.30 + − me Kurma-Purana speaks of hundred Sakhas. + − शाखानां तु शतेनैव यजुर्वेदमथाकरोत् ॥ 1.52.19 + − According to the Muktikopanishad, the Yajurveda has 109 shakhas.<ref name=":3" /><ref name="gsrai11" /><blockquote>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> navādhikaśataṁ śākhā yajuṣo mārutātmaja ॥ 12॥</blockquote>G.S.Rai+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + − + − इत्येकोत्तरशतशाखाऽध्वर्युप्रभेदभिन्ने श्रीमद्यजुर्वेदे + − Only two recensions of the Shukla Yajurveda have survived, Madhyandina and Kanva, and others are known by name only because they are mentioned in other texts. These two recensions are nearly the same, except for few differences. In contrast to Shukla Yajurveda, the four surviving recensions of Krishna Yajurveda are very different versions. The Krshna Yajurveda has survived in four recensions, while two recensions of Shukla Yajurveda have survived into the modern times.<ref name="prabhakar" /> + − + − A total of eighty six recensions are mentioned to exist in Vayu Purana, however vast majority of them are believed to be lost.<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>+ − The Yajurveda text includes Shukla Yajurveda of which about 15/16 recensions are known, while the Krishna Yajurveda may 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>+ − Vishnu Purana + − 3.5 - Fifteen branches of this school sprang from Kaṇwa and other pupils of Yājñawalkya + − == Rtvik == − Apte − अध्वर्युः. Any officiating priest, technically distinguished from होतृ, उद्रातृ and ब्रह्मन्. His duty was "to measure the ground, build the altar, prepare sacrificial vessels, to fetch wood and water, to light the fire, to bring the animal and immolate it," and while doing this to repeat the Yajurveda; होता प्रथमं शंसति तमध्वर्युः प्रोत्साहयति Sk. See अच्छावाक also.+ − The Yajurveda Samhita was compiled keeping in mind the procedural principles of Yajnas. And among the four rtviks imperative to the fulfilment of Yajna-karmas, the Adhvaryu is of prime importance as he fulfils the prime rituals of the Yajna. And it is to aid the fulfilment of his specific duties known as the Adhvaryava that the Yajurveda Samhitas are compiled within different shakhas. The adhvaryu recites the prosaic mantras or yajus and performs the rituals.+ − Baldev Upadhyay (1955), [https://ia801607.us.archive.org/10/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.347181/2015.347181.Vaidik-Sahitya.pdf Vaidik Sahitya], Kashi+ + + + + − Vishnu Purana 3.4+ − There was but one Yajur-veda; but dividing this into four parts, Vyāsa instituted the sacrificial rite that is administered by four kinds of priests: in which it was the duty of the Adhwaryu to recite the prayers (Yajush) (or direct the ceremony); of the Hotri, to repeat the hymns (Ricas); of the Udgātri, to chaunt other hymns (Sāma); and of the Brahman, to pronounce the formulæ called Atharva. + − एक आसीदू यजुर्वेदस्तं चतुर्धा व्यकल्पयत् ।+ − चातुर्होत्रमभूदू यस्मिस्तन यज्ञमथाकरोत् ।। ११ ।।+ − आध्वर्यवं यजुभिंस्तु ऋगूभिर्होत्रं तथा मुनिः ।+ − औदूगात्रं सामभिश्चक्र ब्रह्मत्वं चाप्यथर्वभिः ।। १२ ।।+ − Shabdakalpadruma+ − यजुर्व्वेदः,+ − एक आसीद्यजुर्व्वेदस्तञ्चतुर्धा व्यकल्पयत् । चातुर्होत्रमभूद्यस्मिंस्तेन यज्ञमथाकरोत् ॥ अध्वर्यवं यजुर्भिः स्यादृग्भिर्होत्रं द्विजोत्तमाः । उद्गात्रं सामभिश्चक्रे ब्रह्मत्वञ्चाप्यथर्व्वभिः ॥+ − Line 181:
Line 412: − ===Shukla Yajurveda=== − 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="{"style":" background: transparent; ","typeof":"mw:ExpandedAttrs","about":"#mwt968618916"}" |+ Recensions of the White Yajurveda<ref name=rgriffithwycontents/> − |- style="background: #ffad66;" data-ve-attributes="{"style":"background: #ffad66;"}" | width="120px" Recension Name − | width="40px" |Adhyayas − | width="40px" |Anuvakas − | width="40px" |No. of Verses − | width="200px" |Regional presence − | width="60px" |Reference − |- style="text-align: center;" data-ve-attributes="{"style":"text-align: center;"}" | width="120px" Madhyandina − | width="40px" |40 − | width="40px" |303 − | width="40px" |1975 − | width="200px" |Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, North India − | width="60px" |<ref name="gsrai11" /><ref>GS Rai, [https://archive.org/stream/puranavolvii015193mbp#page/n19/mode/2up Sakhas of the Yajurveda in the Puranas], Purana, Vol 7, No. 1, page 13</ref> − |- style="text-align: center;" data-ve-attributes="{"style":"text-align: center;"}" | width="120px" Kanva − | width="40px" |40 − | width="40px" |328 − | width="40px" |2086 − | width="200px" |Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu − | width="60px" |<ref name="gsrai11" /><ref>GS Rai, [https://archive.org/stream/puranavolvii015193mbp#page/n21/mode/2up Sakhas of the Yajurveda in the Puranas], Purana, Vol 7, No. 1, page 14</ref> − |} − ===Krishna Yajurveda=== − 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="{"style":" background: transparent; ","typeof":"mw:ExpandedAttrs","about":"#mwt546021976"}" |+ Recensions of the Black Yajurveda<ref name=rgriffithwycontents/> − |- style="background: #ffad66;" data-ve-attributes="{"style":"background: #ffad66;"}" | width="120px" Recension Name − | 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="40px" |Kanda − | width="40px" |Prapathaka − | width="40px" |No. of Mantras − | width="200px" |Regional presence − | width="60px" |Reference − |- style="text-align: center;" data-ve-attributes="{"style":"text-align: center;"}" | width="120px" Taittiriya − | width="50px" |2 − | width="40px" |7 − | width="40px" |42 − | width="40px" | − | width="200px" |South India − | width="60px" | − |- style="text-align: center;" data-ve-attributes="{"style":"text-align: center;"}" | width="120px" Maitrayani − | width="50px" |6 − | width="40px" |4 − | width="40px" |54 − | width="40px" | − | width="200px" |Western India − | 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> − |- style="text-align: center;" data-ve-attributes="{"style":"text-align: center;"}" | width="120px" Kāṭhaka (Caraka) − | width="50px" |12 − | width="40px" |5 − | width="40px" |40 − | width="40px" |3093 − | 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> − |- style="text-align: center;" data-ve-attributes="{"style":"text-align: center;"}" | width="120px" Kapiṣṭhala − | width="50px" |5 − | width="40px" |6 − | width="40px" |48 − | width="40px" | − | width="200px" |Haryana, Rajasthan − | 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. − − Baldev Upadhyay (1955), [https://ia801607.us.archive.org/10/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.347181/2015.347181.Vaidik-Sahitya.pdf Vaidik Sahitya], Kashi − − The Taittiriya shakha is the prime shakha of the Krshna Yajurveda. − − GSRAI − − 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 − − 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. − − 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.<ref name=":13" /> − ===Organization=== − 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" /> − − 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" /> − ===Samhitas=== − Structure of the mantras − − 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) − − Ahilya Singh (2010), [https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/180070/3/03_chapter%201.pdf Pracheen bharat mein aarthik jeevan Prarambh se vaidik kaal tak Chapter 1.] − − Shakha Vibhaga − − According to Muktikopanishad 109 shakhas − − 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] − − Currently, there are 5 Shakhas of Yajurveda viz. − − # Taittiriya − # Katha-Kapishthala − # Maitrayani − # Vajasaneyi − # Kanva − − Vajasaneyi Samhita − − 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. − − Kanva Samhita − − It belongs to the Shukla Yajurveda branch and comprises of 40 Adhyayas. − − Taittiriya Samhita − − 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. − − Maitrayani Samhita − − It consists of 4 Kandas, 54 Prapathakas and 3144 mantras. − − Katha Samhita − − Katha Kapishthala Samhita − − This Samhita is not available in entirety. Line 319:
Line 429: + + + + Line 346:
Line 460: + + Line 436:
Line 552: + + + + + + + + Line 476:
Line 600: + + + + + + +
→यजुर्वेदवाङ्मयम् ॥ Yajurvedic Literature: To be edited
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>
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" />
==शाखाभेदाः ॥ Branches ==
==शाखाभेदाः ॥ Branches ==
It is said that the entire Veda together has 1180 branches including 21 of the Rigveda, 109 of the yajurveda, 1000 of the Samaveda and 50 of the Atharvaveda.<ref name=":2" /> However, the number of Yajurveda shakhas mentioned across texts vary, between 24 to 109.
It is said that the entire Veda together has 1180 branches including 21 of the Rigveda, 109 of the Yajurveda, 1000 of the Samaveda and 50 of the Atharvaveda.<ref name=":2" /> However, the number of Yajurveda shakhas mentioned across texts vary, between 24 to 109.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+Yajurveda Shakhas
|+Yajurveda Shakhas<ref name="gsrai11" />
!Number of Shakhas
!Number of Shakhas
!Text
!According to (text)
!Reference
!Reference
|-
|-
|
|24
|
|Atharvana Charanavyuha
|
|तत्र यजुर्वेदस्य चतुर्विंशतिर्भेदा भवन्ति । ४९.२.१<ref>Atharva Parishishta, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9F%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9F%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AA%E0%A5%A7-%E0%A5%AB%E0%A5%A6 Parishishta 41-50]</ref>
|-
|42
|Vishnu Purana
|यजुर्वेदतरोः शाखाः सप्तविंशन्महामतिः । वैशम्पायननामासौ व्यासशिष्यश्चकार वै ।। १ ।।
शाखाभेदास्तु तेषां वै दश पञ्च च वाजिनाम् । काण्वाद्यास्तु महाभाग! याज्ञवल्क्या-प्रवर्तिताः ।। २९ ।।<ref>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>
|-
|86
|Charanavyuha of Shaunaka
|यजुर्वेदस्य षडशीतिर्भेदा भवन्ति ।<ref name=":14">Anantaram Dogara Sastri (1938), [https://archive.org/details/caranavyuha/page/n37/mode/1up?view=theater The Charanavyuha Sutra of Saunaka], Benaras: The Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office.</ref>
|-
|100<ref name=":9" />
|Kurma Purana
|शाखानां तु शतेनैव यजुर्वेदमथाकरोत् ।। ५२.१९ ।।<ref>Kurma Purana, Purva Bhaga, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%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%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%BD%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 52]</ref>
|-
|101
|Mahabharata
|षट् पञ्चाशतमष्टौ च सप्तत्रिंशतमित्युत । यस्मिन्शाखा यजुर्वेदे सोऽहमाध्वर्यवे स्मृतः ॥३५२.३३॥<ref>Mahabharata, Shanti Parva, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D-12-%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5-352 Adhyaya 352]</ref>
|-
|101
|Mahabhashya
|एकशतमध्वर्युशाखाः ।<ref>Mahabhashya, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Paspashahnikam]</ref>
|-
|101
|Ahirbudhna Samhita
|शतं चैका च शाखाः स्युर्यजुषामेकवर्त्मनाम् ।। १२.९ ।।<ref>Ahirbudhna Samhita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A8 Adhyaya 12]</ref>
|-
|101
|Vayu Purana
|शतमेकाधिकं कृत्स्नं यजुषां वै विकल्पकाः ॥ ६१.२६ ॥<ref name=":15">Rampratap Tripathi Shastri (1987), [https://archive.org/details/VayuPuranam/page/n519/mode/1up?view=theater Vayu Puranam], Allahabad: Hindi Sahitya Sammelan</ref>
|-
|101
|Brahmanda Purana
|शतमेकाधिकं ज्ञेयं यजुषां ये विकल्पकाः ।। ३५.३० ।।<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]</ref>
|-
|109<ref name=":3" />
|Muktikopanishad
|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>
|}
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" />
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, 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" />
=== शुक्लयजुर्वेदस्य शाखाः ॥ Shukla Yajurveda Shakhas ===
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:
{| class="wikitable"
|+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" />
|-
|Kanva
|Kanva
|Jabala
|-
|Baudheya
|Vaidheya
|Baudhayana
|-
|Madhyandina
|Shalin
|Kanva
|-
|Son of Madhyandina
|Madhyandina
|Madhyandineya
|-
|Vaidheya
|Shapeyi
|Shapeya
|-
|Addha
|Vidigadha
|Tapaniya
|-
|Bauddhaka
|Apya
|Kapola
|-
|Tapaniya
|Uddala
|Paundaravatsa
|-
|Vatsa
|Tamrayana
|Avatika
|-
|Jabala
|Vatsya
|Paramavatika
|-
|Kevala
|Galava
|Parashara
|-
|Avati
|Shaishiri
|Vaineya
|-
|Pundra
|Atavi
|Vaidheya
|-
|Vainoya
|Parni
|Addha
|-
|-
|
|Parashara
|
|Virani
|
|Baudheya
|-
|-
|
|
|
|Samparayana
|
|
|}
|}
The Atharvan Caranavyuha is aware of 24 sakhas
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" />
=== कृष्णयजुर्वेदस्य शाखाः ॥ Krishna Yajurveda Shakhas ===
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" />
{| class="wikitable"
!Shakha
!Subdivisions
|-
|Charaka
|12
|-
|Maitrayaniya
|6
|-
|Taittiriya
|2
|-
|Khandikeya
|5
|}
Out of the 86 shakhas of the Krishna Yajurveda, only 4 are available at present viz. Taittiriya, Maitrayani, Katha and Kapisthala. And the Taittiriya Shakha is considered prime among them.<ref name=":0" />
== यजुर्वेदवाङ्मयम् ॥ Yajurvedic Literature ==
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" />
=== यजुर्वेदसंहिताः ॥ Yajurveda Samhitas ===
Today, no less than six samhitas of the Yajurveda are available in actual form<ref name="gsrai11" /> viz.
* Madhyandina and Kanva belonging to the Shukla Yajurveda.
* Taittiriya, Maitrayani, Katha and Katha-Kapisthala belonging to the Krishna Yajurveda.<ref name=":0" />
====शुक्लयजुर्वेदसंहिताः ॥ Shukla Yajurveda Samhitas====
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" />
{| class="wikitable" align="center" style=" background: transparent; " data-ve-attributes="{"style":" background: transparent; ","typeof":"mw:ExpandedAttrs","about":"#mwt968618916"}" |+ Recensions of the White Yajurveda<ref name=rgriffithwycontents/>
|+Shukla Yajurveda Samhitas<ref name="gsrai11" />
|- style="background: #ffad66;" data-ve-attributes="{"style":"background: #ffad66;"}" | width="120px" Recension Name
|Shakha
| width="40px" |Adhyayas
| width="40px" |Anuvakas
| width="40px" |No. of Verses
|- style="text-align: center;" data-ve-attributes="{"style":"text-align: center;"}" | width="120px" Madhyandina
|Madhyandina
| width="40px" |40
| width="40px" |303
| width="40px" |1975
|- style="text-align: center;" data-ve-attributes="{"style":"text-align: center;"}" | width="120px" Kanva
|Kanva
| width="40px" |40
| width="40px" |328
| width="40px" |2086
|}
Vajasaneyi Samhita
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.
Kanva Samhita
It belongs to the Shukla Yajurveda branch and comprises of 40 Adhyayas.<ref name=":3" />
The Kanva Sakha : This Sakha has preserved both its Samhita and the Brahmana.
The Samhita and the Brahmana of the Kanvas are now available- The Kanva-Samhita contains 40 Adhyayas, 328 Anuvakas and 2086 verses. The Madhyandina-Samhita contains 1975 verses. Thus, the Kanva Samhita has 111 verses more than the Madhyandina-Samhita- The Brahmana of the Kanvas as well as of the Madhyandinas is called the 'Satapatha-Brahrnana. But there is some minor differences between the two Brahmanas. In the Kanva-Satapatha, there are 17 Kandas, 104 Adhyayas and 6806 Kandikas, The subject-matter of both the Brahmanas is same but the order is different. The Kalpasutra of Katyayana is prescribed for the followers of these Shakhas. According to Mahadeva, the commentator of the Hiranyakeshi sutra, Katyayana sutra was prescribed for both the schools.
The Madyandina Shakha : The Samhita and the Brahmana of this Veda are now in wide currency.
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" />
and it is Confirmed by Divyavadana
Madhyandina and Kanva, both contain equal number of chapters. However, the arrangement of kandikas differ to some extent.
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:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Contents of the Shukla Yajurveda Samhita
!Yajna
!Chapters in Madhyandina Samhita
!Chapters in Kanva Samhita
|-
|Darshapurnamasa
|1-2
|1-2
|-
|Agnihotra
|3
|3
|-
|Soma
|4-8
|4-9
|-
|Vajapeya
|9
|10
|-
|Rajasuya
|9-10
|11
|-
|Agnichayana
|11-18
|12-20
|-
|Sautramani
|19-21
|21-23
|-
|Ashvamedha
|22-25
|24-28
|-
|Purushamedha
|30-31
|34-35.1-22
|-
|Sarvamedha
|32-33.1-54
|35.23-34-32.1-56
|-
|Pitrmedha
|35
|33.35-54
|-
|Pravargya
|36-39
|36-39
|}
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" />
and the Mahabhasya.
====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" />
Four Samhitas belonging to the Krishna Yajurveda are available at present viz. Taittiriya, Maitrayani, Katha and Kapisthala.<ref name=":0" />
Taittiriya Samhita
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.
Maitrayani Samhita
It consists of 4 Kandas, 54 Prapathakas and 3144 mantras.
Katha Samhita
Katha Kapishthala Samhita
This Samhita is not available in entirety.<ref name=":3" />
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.
The text of the samhita is divided as follows:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Kapisthala Katha Samhita
!Ashtaka
!Adhyayas
|-
|1
|1 to 8
|-
|2
|9 to 16
|-
|3
|17 to 24
|-
|4
|25 to 32
|-
|5
|33 to 40
|-
|6
|41 to 48
|}
Adhyayas 9 to 24, Adhyaya 32 and Adhyaya 43 are not available.
The number 101 however is favoured by most of the authorities and it is confirmed also by the colophon occuring in some MSS of the Kathaka-Sarhhita.
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)
The Maitrayaniya Samhita is available.
The Samhita of the Taittiriyas is available and the oldest commentary on it is that of Bhattabhaskara Misra.<ref name=":13" />
The lost recensions of White Yajurveda, mentioned in other texts of ancient India, include ''Jabala'', ''Baudhya'', ''Sapeyi'', ''Tapaniya'', ''Kapola'', ''Paundravatsa'', ''Avati'', ''Paramavatika'', ''Parasara'', ''Vaineya'', ''Vaidheya'', ''Katyayana'' and ''Vaijayavapa''.<ref name="gsrai11" />
Patanjali says that the Kathaka literature was read in every villages. Patanjali says that the Katha literature is very vast. The Katha literature The Kathaka Sathhita is available,
It has five Khandas which are called Ithimika, Madhyamika^
QramiM, Yajyanuvakya and ASvamedhagrantha. The tSthSnakas
are its subdivisions. The total number of the Sthanakas is 4o, of
the anuvacanas 13, of the Anuvakas 843 and of the Manias 3093.
The Kathaka- Brahmana is not available in its entirety. Only
fragments of it have been edited and published. The existence
of a KS|haka Aranyaka is also argued. It is probable that the
Ka|has may also have had tlieir parallel Aranyaka which
contained kindred matter. The well-known Kafha-Upanisad
belongs to this Sakha. The Kathaka Grhya-sutra is available.
This Grhya-sutra bears different names i.e. Kathaka-Grhya-sutra t
Caraka-Grhya-sutra and Laugaks!*Grhya-sutra. It seems quite
possible that because these names belong to the Caiaka-group of
the Yajurvedic schools and they have no separate Grhya-sutras,
so they called this Grhyasutra by various names. Laugaksi may
be a follower of the Katha school and he composed a Grhya-
sutra for the Kathaka Sakha.
===Organization===
== Contents ==
All about Hinduism - Swami Sivananda
All about Hinduism - Swami Sivananda
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.’
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.
A Maitrayaniya Brahmana is noticed in the Baudhayana Srauta Sutra (30.8). A Maitrayani-yopanisad is available.<ref name=":13" />
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.<ref name=":13" />
=== 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.
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" />
===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.
The Kathaka Grhyasutra is available (Katha Literature). This Grhyasutra bears different names ie. Kathaka-Grhya sutra, Charaka Grhya sutra and Laugakshi Grhya sutra. It seems quite possible that because these names belong to the Charaka group of the Yajurvedic schools and they have no separate Grhyasutras, so they called this Grhyasutra by various names.<ref name=":13" />
A manuscript of the Grhya-sutra of the Katha Kapisthala Sakha is said to be preserved in Sarasvati Bhavana library of Sanskrit University, Varanasi.
Many Kalpasutras are attached to the Maitrayaniya Sakha. These Grhya works bear the names of Manava, Varaha and Maitrayaniya. The Manavas and the Varahas are the subdivisions of the Maitrayaniyas.
<ref name=":13" />
==== 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
== ऋत्विक् ॥ Rtvik ==
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 ।।
आध्वर्यवं यजुभिंस्तु ऋगूभिर्होत्रं तथा मुनिः । औदूगात्रं सामभिश्चक्र ब्रह्मत्वं चाप्यथर्वभिः ।। १२ ।।<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":9" />
eka āsīdū yajurvedastaṁ caturdhā vyakalpayat । cāturhotramabhūdū yasmistana yajñamathākarot ।। 11 ।।
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" />
==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>