Changes

It is said that Bhagavan Vishnu incarnated as Maharshi Veda [[Vyasa]] in Dvapara yuga and organized the [[Vedas]] in their present form. Maharshi Vyasa's efforts brought about uniformity in the religious observances thereby performance of rites and rituals, religious ceremonies, sacrifices and [[vratas]] (vows) continued without any flaw. As Vedas have different aspects of understanding to them, various types of expositions on Vedas came into existence and each became a subject to be learnt for a comprehensive understanding of the Vedas to be achieved. Maharshi [[Yaska]], who gave Nirukta to the world, also expounded [[Vedic Terminology|vedic terminology]] on the basis of legends and ancient lore.

Vedangas (Samskrit : वेदाङ्गम्) literally meaning 'limbs of the Veda' are the six angas or explanatory limbs to the Vedas. They include Shiksha (authored by various rishis), Vyakarana of [[Panini]], the Chandas of [[Pingalacharya]], the Nirukta of Maharshi [[Yaska]], the Jyotish of [[Lagadha]] and the Kalpas (Shrauta, Grhya, Dharma and Shulba) belonging to the authorship of various Rishis.

[[Manu (मनुः)|Manu]], the Law giver of ancient Bharatavarsha, laid down certain instructions as to how the teaching of Vedas should be conducted.

It is said that Bhagavan Vishnu incarnated as Maharshi Veda [[Vyasa]] in Dvapara yuga and organized the [[Vedas]] in their present form. Maharshi Vyasa's efforts brought about uniformity in the religious observances thereby performance of rites and rituals, religious ceremonies, yajnas (sacrifices) and [[vratas]] (vows) continued without any flaw. As Vedas have different aspects of understanding to them, various types of expositions on Vedas came into existence and each became a subject to be learnt for a comprehensive understanding of the Vedas to be achieved. Maharshi [[Yaska]], who gave Nirukta to the world, also expounded [[Vedic Terminology|vedic terminology]] on the basis of legends and ancient lore. [[Manu (मनुः)|Manu]], the Law giver of ancient Bharatavarsha, laid down certain instructions as to how the teaching of Vedas should be conducted.

 

'''वेदाङ्गम् || Vedanga (limbs of the Veda)''' are six Angas or explanatory limbs, to the Vedas : the Shiksha and Vyakarana of [[Panini]], the Chandas of [[Pingalacharya]], the Nirukta of [[Yaska]], the Jyotish of [[Lagadha]] and the Kalpas (Shrauta, Grhya, Dharma and Shulba) belonging to the authorship of various Rishis.

The Six Angas are as follows :

The Six Angas are as follows :

# '''साम ॥ Sama -''' साम निषादादिः । sāma niṣādādiḥ । - 7 Musical notes enumerated as 1. निषादः || nishada; 2. रिषभः || ṛiṣhabha 3. गान्धारः || gandhara 4. सड्जः || Shadja 5. मध्यमः || madhyama 6. धैवतः || dhaivata 7. पञ्चमः || pancama             

# '''साम ॥ Sama -''' साम निषादादिः । sāma niṣādādiḥ । - 7 Musical notes enumerated as 1. निषादः || nishada; 2. रिषभः || ṛiṣhabha 3. गान्धारः || gandhara 4. सड्जः || Shadja 5. मध्यमः || madhyama 6. धैवतः || dhaivata 7. पञ्चमः || pancama             

# '''सन्तानः ॥ Santana -''' सन्तानो विकर्षणादि । santāno vikarṣaṇādi ।                 

# '''सन्तानः ॥ Santana -''' सन्तानो विकर्षणादि । santāno vikarṣaṇādi ।                 

Classical Sanskrit literature differs from Vedic literature, as it is not highly regulated by the उच्चारणम् ॥ uccharana (utterance) which is important for the utterance of vedic mantras. Hence, Shiksha is of vital importance as an ancillary for vedas, because अशुध्दोच्चारणम् ॥ ashuddhoccharana (wrong utterence) of mantras bring about a meaning change which can cause great harm to the यजमानः || yajamana (the performer of the yagna).               

Classical Sanskrit literature differs from Vedic literature, as it is not highly regulated by the उच्चारणम् ॥ uccharana (utterance) which is important for the utterance of vedic mantras. Hence, Shiksha is of vital importance as an ancillary for vedas, because अशुध्दोच्चारणम् ॥ ashuddhoccharana (wrong utterence) of mantras bring about a meaning change which can cause great harm to the यजमानः || yajamana (the performer of the yajna).               

An example of such wrong utterance is typically explained by the legend of Vrttrasura's birth:            <blockquote>मन्त्रो हीनः स्वरतो वर्णतो वा मिथ्या प्रयुक्तो न तमर्थमाह । स वाग्वज्रो यजमानं हिनस्ति यथेन्द्रशत्रुः स्वरतोपराधात् ॥</blockquote><blockquote>mantro hīnaḥ svarato varṇato vā mithyā prayukto na tamarthamāha । sa vāgvajro yajamānaṃ hinasti yathendraśatruḥ svaratoparādhāt ॥</blockquote>If a mantra is devoid of a वर्णः || varna (letter), or has wrongly utterances or स्वरः || svaras, 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 वाक्वज्रः || vakvajra (word weapon) and is capable of destroying the यजमानः || yajamana (performer of the yajna). Example is the famous story of Indra's enemy, वृत्रासुरः ॥ Vrttrasura whose origin was due to स्वरापराधः ॥ svaraparadha (wrong svara utterance) of a mantra.             

An example of such wrong utterance is typically explained by the legend of Vrttrasura's birth:            <blockquote>मन्त्रो हीनः स्वरतो वर्णतो वा मिथ्या प्रयुक्तो न तमर्थमाह । स वाग्वज्रो यजमानं हिनस्ति यथेन्द्रशत्रुः स्वरतोपराधात् ॥</blockquote><blockquote>mantro hīnaḥ svarato varṇato vā mithyā prayukto na tamarthamāha । sa vāgvajro yajamānaṃ hinasti yathendraśatruḥ svaratoparādhāt ॥</blockquote>If a mantra is devoid of a वर्णः || varna (letter), or has wrong utterances or स्वरः || svaras, 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 वाक्वज्रः || vakvajra (word weapon) and is capable of destroying the यजमानः || yajamana (performer of the yajna). Example is the famous story of Indra's enemy, वृत्रासुरः ॥ Vrttrasura whose origin was due to स्वरापराधः ॥ svaraparadha (wrong svara utterance) of a mantra.             

==== '''वृत्रासुर  जननम्  || Vrttrasura Janana''' : ====

==== '''वृत्रासुर  जननम्  || Vrttrasura Janana''' ====

<blockquote>तत्त्वष्टाहवनीयमुप प्रावर्तयत्स्वाहेन्द्रशत्रुर्वर्धस्वेति यदवर्तयत्तद्वृत्रस्य वृत्रत्वं यदब्रवीत्स्वाहेन्द्रशत्रुर्वर्धस्वेति तस्मादस्येन्द्रः शत्रुरभवत् | (Tait. Samh. 2.5.2)<ref name=":1">Taittriya [http://parankusa.org/KrYajurBrowse.aspx Samhita] </ref></blockquote><blockquote>tattvaṣṭāhavanīyamupa prāvartayatsvāhendraśatrurvardhasveti yadavartayattadvṛtrasya vṛtratvaṃ yadabravītsvāhendraśatrurvardhasveti tasmādasyendraḥ śatrurabhavat | (Tait. Samh. 2.5.2)<ref name=":1">Taittriya [http://parankusa.org/KrYajurBrowse.aspx Samhita] </ref></blockquote><blockquote>त्वष्टा॥ Tvasta angered by Indra's killing of his son विश्वरूपः  || Vishwaroopa, initiates an अभिचारिक-यागः  || abhicharika yaga (a [[yaga]] performed to cause harm to an intended person) to procure a son to kill Indra. The ऋत्विज्  || rtvijas were to utter the mantra "इन्द्रशत्रुर्वर्धस्व" with अन्त-उदात्तः ॥ Anta-Udatta or Udatta svara in the end of the mantra (to mean, Prosper Oh ! Enemy of Indra). Instead, they used the आद्य-उदात्तः ॥ Adya Udatta svara 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 Rtvijas asked for the prosperity and glory of Indra who destroyed असुराः  || Asuras. Thus, वृत्रासुरः  '''||''' Vrttrasura, the son of Tvasta was born, an enemy of Indra, but eventually Indra was rewarded with glory in killing Vrttrasura.</blockquote>Shiksha literature is very widely available based on the different शाखा || shakhas (divisions) of different vedas. They are पाणिनीयशिक्षा || Panineeya Shiksha, व्यासशिक्षा || Vyasashiksha, भारद्वाजशिक्षा || Bharadvaja shiksha, याज्ञवलक्यशिक्षा || Yajnavalkya Shiksha, पराशरशिक्षा || Parashara shiksha, वासिष्टीशिक्षा || Vasishtee shiksha, कात्यायनीशिक्षा || Katyayanee shiksha, माध्यन्दिनीशिक्षा || Madhyandinee shiksha, केशवीशिक्षा || Keshavee shiksha, अमोघानन्दिनीशिक्षा || Amoghanandinee shiksha, माण्डव्यशिक्षा || Mandavya shiksha, मल्लशर्मशिक्षा || Mallasharma shiksha, स्वराकुशशिक्षा || Svarakusha shiksha, षोडशशिक्षा || Shodasha shiksha, नारदीयशिक्षा || Naradeeya shiksha, माण्डुकीयशिक्षा || Mandukeeya shiksha, स्वरभक्तिलक्षणशिक्षा || Svarabhaktilakshana,  अवसाननिर्णयशिक्षा || Avasananirnaya shiksha, वर्णरत्नप्रदीपिकाशिक्षा || Varnaratna pradeepika shiksha among many others.

<blockquote>तत्त्वष्टाहवनीयमुप प्रावर्तयत्स्वाहेन्द्रशत्रुर्वर्धस्वेति यदवर्तयत्तद्वृत्रस्य वृत्रत्वं यदब्रवीत्स्वाहेन्द्रशत्रुर्वर्धस्वेति तस्मादस्येन्द्रः शत्रुरभवत् | (Tait. Samh. 2.5.2)<ref name=":1">Taittriya [http://parankusa.org/KrYajurBrowse.aspx Samhita] </ref></blockquote><blockquote>tattvaṣṭāhavanīyamupa prāvartayatsvāhendraśatrurvardhasveti yadavartayattadvṛtrasya vṛtratvaṃ yadabravītsvāhendraśatrurvardhasveti tasmādasyendraḥ śatrurabhavat | (Tait. Samh. 2.5.2)<ref name=":1">Taittriya [http://parankusa.org/KrYajurBrowse.aspx Samhita] </ref></blockquote><blockquote>त्वष्टा॥ Tvasta angered by Indra's killing of his son विश्वरूपः  || Vishwaroopa, initiates an अभिचारिक-यागः  || abhicharika yaga (a [[yaga]] performed to cause harm to an intended person) to procure a son to kill Indra. The ऋत्विज्  || rtvijas were to utter the mantra "इन्द्रशत्रुर्वर्धस्व" with अन्त-उदात्तः ॥ Anta-Udatta or Udatta svara in the end of the mantra (to mean, Prosper Oh ! Enemy of Indra). Instead, they used the आद्य-उदात्तः ॥ Adya Udatta svara 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 Rtvijas asked for the prosperity and glory of Indra who destroyed असुराः  || Asuras. Thus, वृत्रासुरः  '''||''' Vrttrasura, the son of Tvasta was born, an enemy of Indra, but eventually Indra was rewarded with glory in killing Vrttrasura.</blockquote>Shiksha literature is very widely available based on the different शाखा || shakhas (divisions) of different vedas. They are पाणिनीयशिक्षा || Panineeya Shiksha, व्यासशिक्षा || Vyasashiksha, भारद्वाजशिक्षा || Bharadvaja shiksha, याज्ञवलक्यशिक्षा || Yajnavalkya Shiksha, पराशरशिक्षा || Parashara shiksha, वासिष्टीशिक्षा || Vasishtee shiksha, कात्यायनीशिक्षा || Katyayanee shiksha, माध्यन्दिनीशिक्षा || Madhyandinee shiksha, केशवीशिक्षा || Keshavee shiksha, अमोघानन्दिनीशिक्षा || Amoghanandinee shiksha, माण्डव्यशिक्षा || Mandavya shiksha, मल्लशर्मशिक्षा || Mallasharma shiksha, स्वराकुशशिक्षा || Svarakusha shiksha, षोडशशिक्षा || Shodasha shiksha, नारदीयशिक्षा || Naradeeya shiksha, माण्डुकीयशिक्षा || Mandukeeya shiksha, स्वरभक्तिलक्षणशिक्षा || Svarabhaktilakshana,  अवसाननिर्णयशिक्षा || Avasananirnaya shiksha, वर्णरत्नप्रदीपिकाशिक्षा || Varnaratna pradeepika shiksha among many others.

=== कल्पः ॥ Kalpa ===

=== कल्पः ॥ Kalpa ===

# '''निपातजातिः || Nipata Jaati :''' उपमार्थे पदपूरणार्थम् || Upamarthe pada puranartha - Significance of comparison and for appropriate chandas as in एव ॥ eva, न ॥ na, च ॥ cha.       

# '''निपातजातिः || Nipata Jaati :''' उपमार्थे पदपूरणार्थम् || Upamarthe pada puranartha - Significance of comparison and for appropriate chandas as in एव ॥ eva, न ॥ na, च ॥ cha.       

Without the existence of Nirukta, understanding the Vedic terminology is extremely difficult. Yaskacharya in his preface to Nirukta says,    <blockquote>समाम्नायः समाम्नातः स व्याख्यातव्यः । इदमन्तरेण मन्त्रेष्वर्थप्रत्ययो न विद्यते इति ।</blockquote><blockquote>samāmnāyaḥ samāmnātaḥ sa vyākhyātavyaḥ । idamantareṇa mantreṣvarthapratyayo na vidyate iti ।</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : Collection of the texts handed down by tradition are to be commented upon. Without this reference (nirukta), the meaning of mantras cannot be obtained.</blockquote>Thus, it can be inferred that Nirukta determines the meanings of various वैदिकमन्त्राः || vaidika mantras and comments on them. Knowledge about the various divine beings is given by Nirukta. Hence, its use in various यज्ञकर्म-s || yajna karmas is indispensable. Thus, only Nirukta experts can understand the different characteristics or identifying marks of various devatas praised in vedas.     

Without the existence of Nirukta, understanding the Vedic terminology is extremely difficult. Yaskacharya in his preface to Nirukta says,    <blockquote>समाम्नायः समाम्नातः स व्याख्यातव्यः । इदमन्तरेण मन्त्रेष्वर्थप्रत्ययो न विद्यते इति ।</blockquote><blockquote>samāmnāyaḥ samāmnātaḥ sa vyākhyātavyaḥ । idamantareṇa mantreṣvarthapratyayo na vidyate iti ।</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : Collection of the texts handed down by tradition are to be commented upon. Without this reference (nirukta), the meaning of mantras cannot be obtained.</blockquote>Thus, it can be inferred that Nirukta determines the meanings of various वैदिकमन्त्राः || vaidika mantras and comments on them. Knowledge about the various divine beings is given by Nirukta. Hence, its use in various यज्ञकर्म-s || yajna karmas is indispensable. Thus, only Nirukta experts can understand the different characteristics or identifying marks of various devatas praised in vedas.     

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

!व्याकरणम् ।

!व्याकरणम् ।

!निरुक्तम् ।

!निरुक्तम् ।

With out Nirukta, splitting of the word is not possible.

With out Nirukta, splitting of the word is not possible.

|}

|}

 

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

!निघण्टुः ।

!निघण्टुः ।

!निरुक्तम् ।

!निरुक्तम् ।