Shad Vedangas (षड्वेदाङ्गानि)

Vedaangas help us construct, chant and understand Veda mantras and slokas. These are called Angas (appendices) of Vedas.

शिक्षा कल्पो व्याकरणं निरुक्तं छन्दसां चयः ।

ज्योतिषामयनं चैव वेदंगानि षडेव तु ॥

According to the above sloka Vedaangas are six in number namely Siksa, Kalpa, Vyakarana, Niruktam, Chandas, and Jyotisham.

शिक्षा ॥ Siksha

Siksha deals with mainly with स्वरज्ञानम् ॥ phonetics and it is the science disciplining the efforts of ear, nose and vocal cords to utter the accurate sound as defined by Vedic mantras. Siksha deals with the origin of sound and teaches one about the production of accurate sound (शुध्दोच्चारणम् ॥ shuddhoccharanam) with ease. In Vedic literature accurate pronunciation of sound (vowels and consonants) is of great importance else the meaning is completely altered, hence Vedas have स्वरप्राधान्यम् ॥ swarapraadhanyam.

The Siksha attached to Taittriyopanishad extends the applicability as follows :

"अथ शिक्षां व्याख्यास्यामः, वर्णः, स्वरः, मात्रा, बलम्, साम, सन्तान, इत्युक्तः शिक्षाध्याः" - "Let us comment about Siksha. Siksha study involves Varna, Swara, Maatra, Balam, Saama, Santana". Where

1. Varna ॥ वर्णः अकारादिः - Varnas are the letters including Vowels and Consonants
2. Swara ॥ स्वरस्तु उदात्तादिः - Swaras or Accents are of three kinds उदात्त (acute accent), आनुदात्त (accentless), स्वरित (normal accent).
3. Maatra ॥ मात्रा ह्रस्वादिकाः - Prosodically or metrically short (ह्रस्वा) long (दीर्घ) prolated (प्लुतः)
4. Balam ॥ बलम् उच्चारणस्थानं ताल्वादिकम् - Part of body from where sound is produced (
5. Saama ॥ साम निषादादिः - 7 Musical notes enumerated as 1. niṣāda; 2. ṛiṣabha 3. gāndhāra 4. ṣaḍja 5. madhyama 6. dhaivata 7. pañcama
6. Santana ॥ सन्तानो विकर्षणादिः -

Classical Sanskrit literature differs from Vedic literature, as it is not highly regulated by the utterance (उच्चारणम् ॥ uccharanam). Hence Siksha is of vital importance as an ancillary for vedas, because अशुध्दोच्चारणम् ॥ ashuddhoccharanam (wrongly uttered) mantras bring about a meaning change which can cause great harm to the yajamani (the performer of the yagna).

An example of such wrong utterance

मन्त्रो हीनः स्वरतो वर्णतो वा मिथ्या प्रयुक्तो न तमर्थमाह ।

स वाग्वज्रो यजमानं हिनस्ति यथेन्द्रशत्रुः स्वरतोपराधात् ॥

If a mantra is devoid of a varna or letter, or has wrongly utterances or swaras, then it does not the give the meaning it is intended to and produces a false meaning. This incorrectly and improperly uttered mantra becomes a vakvajra (word weapon) and is capable of destroying the yajamani (performer of the yagna). Example is the famous story of Indra's Enemy (Vrittrasura) whose origin was due to स्वरापराधात् ॥ wrong swara utterance (of a mantra).

Vrittrasura Jananam : त्वष्टा ॥ Tvastha angered by Indra's killing of his son Vishwaroopa, initiates an आभिचारिकं यागं (a yagam performed to cause harm to an intended person) to procure a son to kill Indra. The ritvijas were to utter the mantra "इन्द्रशत्रुर्वर्धस्व" with अन्त उदात्तः ॥ Udaatta swara in the end of the mantra (to mean Prosper Oh ! Enemy of Indra) instead they used the आद्य उदात्तः ॥ Udaatta swara in the beginning of the mantra (meaning Oh! Indra, one who has enemies, Prosper). So instead of asking for the rise and prosperity of a son to take revenge on Indra, the ritvijas asked for the prosperity and glory of Indra who destroyed Asuras. Thus Vrittrasura the son of Tvastha was born, an enemy of Indra, but eventually Indra was rewarded with glory in killing Vrittrasura.

Siksha literature is very widely available based on the different shakas of different vedas. They are Panineeya Siksha, Vyasasiksha, Bharadwaaja siksha, Yaagnvalkya Siksha, Paarasharee siksha, Vaasishtee siksha, Kaatyayanee siksha, Maadhyandinee siksha, Keshavee siksha, Amoghaanandinee siksha, Maandavya siksha, Mallasharma siksha, Svaraakusha siksha, Shodasha slokee siksha, Naaradeeya siksha, Maandukee siksha, Svarabhaktilaskhana siksha, Avasaananirnaya siksha, Varnaratna pradeepikaa siksha among many others.

कल्पः ॥ Kalpa

The origin of kalpa was for the organization of all the extensive rituals described in Vedas (Vaidika Karmakaanda).

As given by Vishnumitra

"कल्पो वेदविहितानां कर्मणामानुपूर्व्येण कल्पनाशास्त्रम्" - "Kalpa sastra is a guideline for all the actions laid down in Veda (such as yagnas and yaagas)"

There are 4 types of Kalpa sutras

1. Shrouta sutras - explain the Darshapournamaasa Yagas and others as defined by Shruti
2. Dharma sutras - extensively gives the dharmika rules for general people and the rulers
3. Grhya sutras - explains the yaagas to be followed by the brahmana, kshatriya and vaishyas
4. Sulba sutras - Shastra for measurements, includes the rekhaganitam or geometrical principles laid down for vedic constructions.
5. Shrouta Sutras vividly describe the procedures for Darshapournamaasa yagna and other yagnas such as Agnihotram, Pashuyagam, and Somayagam among others as set forth in Shruti literature. Thus, it can be said that in Shrouta Sutras the explanations given in different Vaidika Braahamanas regarding Shroutagni yagaas are dealt with in an orderly manner. Of the available Shrouta sutras the important ones are - Ashvalayana , Shaakhayana , Maanava , Boudhayana, Aapasthamba, Hiranyakeshi, Jaimineeya, Kaatyayana, Vaitaana, Laatyayana, Draahyaana Shrouta sutras.
6. Dharma Sutras expound the rules of Dharma and the actions (activities) to be performed by a person in general as well as the king or the ruler. A complete set of rules to be followed by the different people of different occupations and for those in the four ashramaas (brahmacharya, grhastya, vaanaprastha and sanyasi) are described in these sutras. Thus it can be said that the topics related to the spiritual world, this material world, society and social activities, and all righteous activities are described in a holistic manner. Available important Dharma sutras include Vasishta, Goutama, Boudhayana, Aapasthamba, Maanava Dharma sutras.
7. Grhya Sutras extensively discuss the yagas to be performed by the brahmana, kshatriya and vaishyas people. Most importantly the Shodasa samskaras (from Garbhaadhanam to Antyeshti) that are performed for a person from birth till death are expounded vividly in these sutras. Thus, how a grhasta should lead his life and the procedure in which he has to conduct different dharmic activities are completely described here. The seven kinds of Grhya yagnas to be performed are:

1. Pitru Yagnam

   Paarvana Yagnam

   Astakaa Yagnam

   Shraavani yagnam

   Aashweyujee yagnam

   aagrahaayanee Yagnam

   Chaitreeya Yagnam

2. Apart from these seven, there are Panchayagnas (five Yagnas) namely Deva, Bhuta, Pitru, Brahma and Manushya yagnas.

Available important Grhya sutras include Ashvalayana , Shaakhayana , Maanava , Boudhayana, Aapasthamba Grhya sutras.

1. Sulba Sutras explain the different systems of measurements. Aspects of measurements of various vede (vedenirmanavidhi) or altars and the procedure to construct them (ex homa shala, yagashala) are discussed. Thus, vaidika karma kaanda is the topic for Sulbasutras, wherein geometry or the Rekhaganitam is applied. Only those Sulbasutras associated with Yajurveda are available extensively indicating that Yajurveda is the main base for karmakaanda. Kaatyayana, Maanava , Boudhayana, Aapasthamba, Maitreyi, Vaaraha, Vaadhula sulbasutras are the important ones in this category.:

व्याकरणम् ॥ Vyakarana

Vyakaranam is described as the Veda purusha's face. व्याक्रियन्ते शब्दाः अनेन इति व्याकरणम् । Is the vyutpatti ardham or the subjective definition of word. This shastra only deliberates on the शुद्ध्यशुद्ध्योः । accurate and inaccurate usages of words in Samskrita vaangmaya or literature. It is grammar of samskrita slokas and it deals with the formation of words, different forms of the words and their combination, usage and semantic nuances. Although, Rigvedic references to grammar are available, it is only the Taittiriya samhita that outlines the story of origin of grammar. In Maharshi Yaska's Nirukta, different technical or conventional terms related to grammar are available in abundance.

It was Maharshi Panini who has given अष्टाध्यायी । The Ashthadhyayi the most profound and brilliant treatise on grammar to the intellectual world, wherein he describes all the previous grammarians belonging to a time period before him. Also called Shabdaanusashanam it was the Asthadhyayi which brought about the regularization of grammatical rules of the vedic usages also.

Vyakarana is divided into Praacheena vyakaranam and navya vyakaranam. Later age grammarians recognize the eight vyakarana shastra pravartakas as follows

इन्द्रश्चन्द्रः काशकृत्स्नापिशाली शाकटायनः ।

पाणिन्यमरजैनेन्द्राः जयन्त्यष्टौ च शाब्दिकाः ॥

Indra, Chandra, Kaasha, kritsnapishali shakatayana, panini arajainendra, jayanta are the eight preachers of shabda or word (grammar).

निरुक्तम् ॥ Nirukta

Maharshi Yaska's Nirukta is another treasure that has been produced in Bharatavarsha and given to the world. it is an excellent treatise that deals with etymology or the objective definition of words. Nirukta is written in prose form while all other shastras are built in the sutra format. Saayanaacharya while giving the preface of Rigveda Bhasyam speaks thus about Niruktam : "अथावबोधे निरपेक्षतया पदजातं यत्रोक्तं तन्निरुक्तम्" (meaning???). When other Vedangas extol the material aspects or tattvas of Vedas , nirukta propounds the supernatural or the uncommon aspects or tattvas of the Vedas.

Yaskaacharya has accepted 4 Jaatis (or race) types of words (Bhedachatustayam) :

1. NaamaJaati : Satva pradhaanam or Significance attributed to existence of a thing as in Ghata pot, Money Dhanam
2. Aakhyata Jaati : Bhaava pradhaanam or Significance attributed to action or kriya as in Read patathi, Do karoti
3. Upasarga Jaati : Naanavidha visesha artha pradhaanam, Significance attributed to a special meaning of one word as in Aahara, samhaara, vihaara
4. Nipaata Jaati : Upamaarthe pada puranaartham Significance of comparision and for appropriate chandas as in eva, na, cha

Without the existence of Niruktam understanding the Vedic terminology is extremely difficult. Yaskaacharya in his preface to Niruktam says

"समाम्नायः समाम्नातः स व्याख्यातव्यः"

"इदमन्तरेण मन्त्रेष्वर्थप्रत्ययो न विद्यते इति" - "Through this means that without this the meaning of mantras cannot be obtained".

Thus it can be inferred that Niruktam determines the meanings of various vedic mantras and comments on them. Knowledge about the various divine beings is given by Nirukta, hence it's use in various yagna karmas is indispensible. Thus only Nirukta experts can understand the different characteristics or identifiying marks of various vedic gods.

Difference between Vyakarana and Nirukta : While vyakarana discusses the origin of the word, Nirukta determines the meaning, thus it completes the study of vyakarana. While vyakaranam is lakshana pradhanam or defines the attributes of a word, Nirukta independently explains the meaning (artha pradhanam). With out Niruktam splitting of the word is not possible, while grammar talks about rules for splitting the word, Nirukta defines how to split a word.

Difference between Nighantu and Nirukta : A Dictionary or Nighantu is a compilation of usages of Vedic literature whereas Nirukta extensively discusses the different Vedic words and their applications. Derivation of meaning of vedic terms is achieved in Nirukta. A dictionary consists of Panchadhyayas (5 components or 5 topics ???) whereas Nirukta deals with Dvadashaadhyayas (12 components???).

छन्दः ॥ Chandas

Vedas are bound in chandas or in a metre. Since vedas are highly dependent on the sound or the way they are uttered, chandas very important for their accurate utterance. It is the science for determination of metrical forms and qualities of mantras.

The rigveda and samaveda mantras are totally constructed with chandas. Yajurveda has both prose and sloka forms of mantras, and the slokas are all built with appropriate chandas.

Vaidikachandas is different from chandas and meters of poems in classical sanskrit. Vaidikachandas is Akshara pradhanam or the number of letters is significant to understand the chandas and not the maatras. The general sutras as applicable to classical sanskrit is not applicable to Vaidikachandas.

Pingalacharyas "Chandahsutram" is a work which gives information about vaidikachandas. The number of letters range from 1 to 104. Based on the number of letters each chandas has a different name.

Gayatri (24 aksharani)

Anustup (32 aksharani)

Tristup (44 aksharani)

Jagati (48 aksharani)

Asthi (64 aksharani)

Prakriti (84 aksharani)

Vikruti (92 aksharani)

Abhikruti (100 aksharani)

Utkruti (104 aksharani) are among a few as examples.

ज्योतिषम् ॥ Jyotisham

It is study of the Universe,i.e.,astrology or astronomy to determine the configuration and position of stars and planets etc., in order to fix favourable or propitious times for performing Yagas or Hindu rituals.

Jyotishshastram is like the eye to the veda purusha. Without the knowledge of this shastra Kala or time cannot be determined, for example - Auspiciousness of the Day, night, fortnight, month, season, and year cannot be determined. Auspicious time for the performance of yagnas and for travel the time is determined by the knowledge of this shastra. Vaidika samhitas explicitly deal with the kala or time. as in jeevema sharadam shatam.

Vyakarana and Nirukta are unique to each Veda. Whereas Siksha, Chandas, Kalpa and Jyotisa are common for all Vedas.

Commentaries by Medhatiti, Govindaraja, Kallukabhatta are available to read Manu Smriti. Telugu Indian content... ==