Changes

Primarily the Rigveda is a treasure trove of stuti (a praise, a prayer, invocation) offered to different devatas by various rshis. It consists of respectful thoughts, praises of deeds of various deities in the form of mantras.  

Primarily the Rigveda is a treasure trove of stuti (a praise, a prayer, invocation) offered to different devatas by various rshis. It consists of respectful thoughts, praises of deeds of various deities in the form of mantras.  

== Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

While the term Vedic is often given to any layer of the Vedic teachings including the Bhagavad Gita, technically it applies primarily to the Rig Veda. The Rig Veda is the book of Mantra. It contains the oldest form of all the Sanskrit mantras. It is built around a science of sound which comprehends the meaning and power of each letter. Most aspects of Vedic science like the practice of yoga, meditation, mantra and Ayurveda can be found in the Rig Veda and still use many terms that come from it.

The Rig Veda is the book of Mantras called Rks or Richa-s. It contains the oldest form of all the Sanskrit mantras. It is built around a science of sound which comprehends the meaning and power of each letter. Most aspects of Vedic science like the practice of yoga, meditation, mantra and Ayurveda can be found in the Rig Veda and still use many terms that come from it.  

While originally several different versions or recensions of the Rig Veda were said to exist, only one remains. Its form has been structured in several different ways to guarantee its authenticity and proper preservation through time.

While originally several different versions or recensions of the Rig Veda were said to exist, only one remains. Its form has been structured in several different ways to guarantee its authenticity and proper preservation through time.

== Etymology of Rks ==

== व्युत्पत्तिः ॥ Etymology of Rks ==

Rigveda consists of Rks (ऋक् also called as ऋचः - Richas) according to Shabdakalpadhruma.<ref>Shabdakapadhruma ([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%8B See under Rik])</ref><blockquote>ऋच्यन्ते स्तूयन्ते देवा अनया । (ऋच् + क्विप् ।) वेदविशेषः । ऋग्वेदः । इत्यमरः ॥</blockquote>The (vaidik) devatas are offered worship and are prayed to using these Rik-s (ऋक्). A collection of such Rchas is the Rigveda. It is one of the four vedas.

Rigveda consists of Rks (ऋक् also called as ऋचः - Richas) according to Shabdakalpadhruma.<ref>Shabdakapadhruma ([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%8B See under Rik])</ref><blockquote>ऋच्यन्ते स्तूयन्ते देवा अनया । (ऋच् + क्विप् ।) वेदविशेषः । ऋग्वेदः । इत्यमरः ॥</blockquote>The (vaidik) devatas are offered worship and are prayed to using these Rik-s (ऋक्).

Richa means prarthana (to pray) or stuti (to praise), thus it is synonymous with them. Another name for Mantra is Richa (ऋचः), but all mantras are not Richa-s (ऋचः). The Purusha Sukta, in the famed Sahasra-sirsha (सहस्रशीर्षा) mantra, mentions that Richa-s (ऋचः) were the first to arise from Parameshavara. <blockquote>तस्माद्याज्ञात् सर्वहुतः ऋचः सामानि जज्ञिरे । छन्दांसि जज्ञिरे तस्माद्यजुस्तस्मादजायत । </blockquote>All the aspects about rigveda vargeekarana, the shakas involved and extant texts, the arrangement of the mandalas and ashtakas are given in the article [[Veda Vargeekarana (वेदवर्गीकरणम्)|Veda Vargeekarana]].

Rcha means prarthana (to pray) or stuti (to praise), thus it is synonymous with them. Another name for Mantra is Rcha (ऋचः), but all mantras are not Rcha-s (ऋचः). The Purusha Sukta, in the famed Sahasra-sirsha (सहस्रशीर्षा) mantra, mentions that Rcha-s (ऋचः) were the first to arise from Parameshavara. <blockquote>तस्माद्याज्ञात् सर्वहुतः ऋचः सामानि जज्ञिरे । छन्दांसि जज्ञिरे तस्माद्यजुस्तस्मादजायत । (Purusha Sukta) </blockquote>A collection of Rchas is the Rigveda. It was first studied by Shakala (mentioned also as Shakalya) and further by Baskala and four other (rshis).<ref>Pt. Upadhyaya, Baldev. (2012 Second Edition) ''Samskrit Vangmay ke Brihad Itihas, Vol 1, Veda.'' Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Sanskrit Sansthan. (Pages 94 to 127)</ref><blockquote>ऋचां समूह ऋग्वेदस्तमभ्यस्य प्रयत्नतः। पठितः शाकलेनादौ चतुर्मिस्तदनन्तरम्।। (Rk. Pratisakhya)</blockquote>All the aspects about rigveda vargeekarana, the shakas involved and extant texts, the arrangement of the mandalas and ashtakas are given in the article [[Veda Vargeekarana (वेदवर्गीकरणम्)|Veda Vargeekarana]].

 

Each sukta in a mandala is a collection of mantras. The number of mantras in a sukta are highly variable. Each mantra is associated with a Rshi, a Chandas, and a Devata.  

There are many versions about the total number of richa-s and suktas in the Rgveda. Both ancient and modern scholars have put forth explanations about the differences in shakas of Rgveda. These differences are primarily due to the variations of the same richa-s during usage (प्रयोगकाल) and study times (अध्ययन-काल). Some richa-s have 4 padas during study but only two padas (द्विपदाः) during usage of the mantra.  

There are many versions about the total number of richa-s and suktas in the Rgveda. Both ancient and modern scholars have put forth explanations about the differences in shakas of Rgveda. These differences are primarily due to the variations of the same richa-s during usage (प्रयोगकाल) and study times (अध्ययन-काल). Some richa-s have 4 padas during study but only two padas (द्विपदाः) during usage of the mantra.  

In some texts, the valakhilya mantras, 80 of them at the end of the eighth mandala, are not taken into account along with the Rgveda mantras. Hence, after including the dvipada mantras and valakhilya mantras the total number of richa-s are given as 10552 in Katyayana's Rksarvanukramani text.<ref name=":2">Upadhyaya, Baldev (1958) Vaidik Sahitya</ref>

In some texts, the valakhilya mantras, 80 of them at the end of the eighth mandala, are not taken into account along with the Rgveda mantras. Hence, after including the dvipada mantras and valakhilya mantras the total number of richa-s are given as 10552 in Katyayana's Rksarvanukramani text.<ref name=":2">Upadhyaya, Baldev (1958) Vaidik Sahitya</ref>

=== मण्डलक्रमः Mandala krama ===

=== मण्डलक्रमः ॥ Mandala krama ===

The Rgveda samhita has 10552 mantras, grouped into 1017 suktas collected in ten mandalas of unequal length given by various rshis.<ref name=":2" /> In the Mandala krama it is arranged into 10 mandalas, 1017 suktas and 10552<ref name=":2" /> or 10580 (as given in Shaunaka's Anuvakaanukramani) mantras, and 153826 words<ref>''Rgveda Samhita'' (2011 Reprint edition) Varanasi: Choukhambha Samskrit Pratisthan (Page 828)</ref>.<blockquote>ऋचां दश सहस्राणि ऋचां पञ्च शतानि च । ऋचामशीतिः पादश्च पारणं संप्रकीर्तितम् ॥ (अनुवाकानुक्रमणी, 43)</blockquote>Given below are the mandalas, suktas and the number of mantras therein.<ref name=":0">''Rgveda Samhita'' (2011 Reprint edition) Varanasi: Choukhambha Samskrit Pratisthan (Page 767)</ref>

The Rgveda samhita has 10552 mantras, grouped into 1017 suktas collected in ten mandalas of unequal length given by various rshis.<ref name=":2" /> In the Mandala krama it is arranged into 10 mandalas, 1017 suktas and 10552<ref name=":2" /> or 10580 (as given in Shaunaka's Anuvakaanukramani) mantras, and 153826 words<ref>''Rgveda Samhita'' (2011 Reprint edition) Varanasi: Choukhambha Samskrit Pratisthan (Page 828)</ref>.<blockquote>ऋचां दश सहस्राणि ऋचां पञ्च शतानि च । ऋचामशीतिः पादश्च पारणं संप्रकीर्तितम् ॥ (अनुवाकानुक्रमणी, 43)</blockquote>Each sukta in a mandala is a collection of mantras. The number of mantras in a sukta are highly variable. Each mantra is associated with a Rshi, a Chandas, and a Devata. Given below are the mandalas, suktas and the number of mantras therein.<ref name=":0">''Rgveda Samhita'' (2011 Reprint edition) Varanasi: Choukhambha Samskrit Pratisthan (Page 767)</ref>

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

!Mandalas

!Mandalas

The internal arrangement within a mandala places the mantras given by the father (rshi) first and followed by those given by the son. However, in a few cases the mantras given by the son are arranged earlier than the sukta of the father, because the son had given more suktas than the father.  

The internal arrangement within a mandala places the mantras given by the father (rshi) first and followed by those given by the son. However, in a few cases the mantras given by the son are arranged earlier than the sukta of the father, because the son had given more suktas than the father.  

=== अष्टकक्रमः Ashtaka krama ===

=== अष्टकक्रमः ॥ Ashtaka krama ===

In the Ashtaka krama, eight ashtakas, each ashtaka has 8 adhyayas thus a total of 64 adhyayas, 2006 vargas are present. Here vargas are the collection of mantras compiled in this arrangement to facilitate convenience while studying. The number of mantras in a varga are not definite, but containing at least 5 mantras in a varga. In the end of the Samhita, we find the Rk Parishista in which 36 suktas are collected.<ref name=":2" /> Given below are the number of vargas and mantras according to the Ashtaka krama.<ref name=":0" />

In the Ashtaka krama, eight ashtakas, each ashtaka has 8 adhyayas thus a total of 64 adhyayas, 2006 vargas are present. Here vargas are the collection of mantras compiled in this arrangement to facilitate convenience while studying. The number of mantras in a varga are not definite, but containing at least 5 mantras in a varga. In the end of the Samhita, we find the Rk Parishista in which 36 suktas are collected.<ref name=":2" /> Given below are the number of vargas and mantras according to the Ashtaka krama.<ref name=":0" />

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

== Rgveda Samhitas ==

== Rgveda Samhitas ==

The extant and available samhita of Rgveda belongs to the Shakala shaka. It is the only available samhita of Rgveda. Bashkala, Ashvalayana, Shankhyayana shaka samhitas are not available at present.

The extant and available samhita of Rgveda belongs to the Shakala shaka. It is the only available samhita of Rgveda. Bashkala, Ashvalayana, Shankhyayana, Mandukayana, shaka samhitas are not available in present times.  

=== शाकल संहिता Shakala Samhita ===

=== शाकल संहिता Shakala Samhita ===

==== Shakalya (शाकल्यः) ====

==== Shakalya (शाकल्यः) ====

Padapatha of Rgveda samhita was given by Shakalya (शाकल्यः). In the Brhdaranyaka Upanishad (Adhyaya 4) we find a debate between Shakalya and Yajnavalkya in Janaka's sabha. According to the Puranic evidences, it was this same Shakalya who composed the Rgveda Padapatha. In the Brahmanda Purana we find the following<blockquote>शाकल्यः प्रथमस्तेषां तस्मादन्यो रथीतरः ।। बाष्कलिश्च भरद्वाज इति शाखाप्रवर्त्तकाः ।। ३४.३२ ।।</blockquote><blockquote>देवमित्रस्तु शाकल्यो ज्ञानाहंकारगर्वितः ।। जनकस्य स यज्ञे वै विनाशामगमद्द्विजाः ।। ३४.३३ ।। (Brahmanda. Pura. Purv. 2.34.32-33)<ref>Brahmanda Purana (Purvabhaga, Pada 2, [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% Adhyaya 34])</ref></blockquote>Reference to Shakalya has also been found in Nirukta and Rk-Pratisakhya. It has been shown that Shakalya's padapatha has not been accepted by Yaska in his Nirukta. For example in Nirukta (5.21) "अरुणो मासकृद् वृकः" has been mentioned. Yaska interpreted मासकृत् as one word in the sense of "मासो का कर्ता" or one who makes a month. Shakalya considered it as two padas or words as मा and सकृत्. Thus we see how Yaska and Shakalya differed in their interpretations.<ref>Pt. Baldev Upadhyaya (1958) ''Vaidik Sahitya for M.A. Students''. Kashi: Sharada Mandir. (Pages 41-42)</ref>

Padapatha of Rgveda samhita was given by Shakalya (शाकल्यः). In the Brhdaranyaka Upanishad (Adhyaya 4) we find a debate between Shakalya and Yajnavalkya in Janaka's sabha. According to the Puranic evidences, it was this same Shakalya who composed the Rgveda Padapatha. In the Brahmanda Purana we find the following<blockquote>शाकल्यः प्रथमस्तेषां तस्मादन्यो रथीतरः ।। बाष्कलिश्च भरद्वाज इति शाखाप्रवर्त्तकाः ।। ३४.३२ ।।</blockquote><blockquote>देवमित्रस्तु शाकल्यो ज्ञानाहंकारगर्वितः ।। जनकस्य स यज्ञे वै विनाशामगमद्द्विजाः ।। ३४.३३ ।। (Brahmanda. Pura. Purv. 2.34.32-33)<ref>Brahmanda Purana (Purvabhaga, Pada 2, [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% Adhyaya 34])</ref></blockquote>Reference to Shakalya has also been found in Nirukta and Rk-Pratisakhya. It has been shown that Shakalya's padapatha has not been accepted by Yaska in his Nirukta. For example in Nirukta (5.21) "अरुणो मासकृद् वृकः" has been mentioned. Yaska interpreted मासकृत् as one word in the sense of "मासो का कर्ता" or one who makes a month. Shakalya considered it as two padas or words as मा and सकृत्. Thus we see how Yaska and Shakalya differed in their interpretations.<ref>Pt. Baldev Upadhyaya (1958) ''Vaidik Sahitya for M.A. Students''. Kashi: Sharada Mandir. (Pages 41-42)</ref>

==== Geography in Rgveda ====

==== Geography in Rgveda ====

== References ==

== References ==

# <nowiki>http://www.hindunet.org/vedas/rigveda/</nowiki>

<references />