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Line 144: − + − The Atharva-Veda Samhita is meant to be used by the Brahma, the Atharva-Vedic priest, to correct the mispronunciations and wrong performances that may be accidentally be committed by the other three priests<ref name=":22" />. + − + − − * It is the Shaunaka-Samhita that is frequently meant when the Atharvaveda is mentioned in ancient and modern literature. It is a collection of 730 hymns containing 5987 Mantras, divided into 20 books (''Kandas''). Some 1200 verses are derived from the Rigveda. About one sixth of the text of the Atharvaveda including two entire books (15 and 16) is written in prose, similar in style and language to the Brahmanas, the rest of the text is in poetic verses.+ + + + − + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
→Atharva Samhita: adding content
=== देवताः छन्दसः ऋत्विक् च ॥ Devatas, Chandas and Rtvik ===
=== देवताः छन्दसः ऋत्विक् च ॥ Devatas, Chandas and Rtvik ===
All the mantras of the Samaveda are sung by the [[Udgatri|'''उद्गाता''' || '''Udgata''']] priest during Somayajna. Unlike Rigveda, deities of Samaveda are predominantly Agni, Indra and [[Soma]].<ref name=":0" />
All the mantras of the Samaveda are sung by the [[Udgatri|'''उद्गाता''' || '''Udgata''']] priest during Somayajna. Unlike Rigveda, deities of Samaveda are predominantly Agni, Indra and [[Soma]].<ref name=":0" />
=== विषयम् || Content ===
=== विषयम् || Vishayam (Content) ===
It is said in Brhaddevata that those who know the Samaveda knows the secret of Vedas.<ref name=":4" /> <blockquote>सामानि यो वेत्ति स वेद तत्त्वम् । sāmāni yō vētti sa vēda tattvam ।</blockquote>In Chandogya Upanishad, proclaims that Udgita is the gist of all of Samaveda. Udgita is the other name of Omkar. Thus, Samaveda proclaims the reveredness of Omkar given in all Vedas.<blockquote>साम्न उद्गीथो रसः । sāmna udgīthō rasaḥ ।</blockquote>It is also said here that अङ्गिरस-महर्षिः ॥ Angirasa maharshi, while teaching Vedas to SriKrishna, first taught सामगान-विधिः ॥ Samagana vidhi called "Chalikhya" to Him, in which He attained perfection and played it on His flute.<ref name=":22322222">Gopal Reddy, Mudiganti and Sujata Reddy, Mudiganti (1997) ''[https://archive.org/stream/SAMSKRUTAKAVIJEEVITAMULUByMALLADISURYANARAYANASASTRIGARU/SAMSKRUTA%20SAHITYA%20CHARITRA%20BY%20MUDUGANTI%20GOPALA%20REDDI%26SUJATA%20REDDI%20#page/n33/mode/2up Sanskrita Saahitya Charitra] (Vaidika Vangmayam - Loukika Vangamayam, A critical approach)'' Hyderabad : P. S. Telugu University</ref>
It is said in Brhaddevata that those who know the Samaveda knows the secret of Vedas.<ref name=":4" /> <blockquote>सामानि यो वेत्ति स वेद तत्त्वम् । sāmāni yō vētti sa vēda tattvam ।</blockquote>In Chandogya Upanishad, proclaims that Udgita is the gist of all of Samaveda. Udgita is the other name of Omkar. Thus, Samaveda proclaims the reveredness of Omkar given in all Vedas.<blockquote>साम्न उद्गीथो रसः । sāmna udgīthō rasaḥ ।</blockquote>It is also said here that अङ्गिरस-महर्षिः ॥ Angirasa maharshi, while teaching Vedas to SriKrishna, first taught सामगान-विधिः ॥ Samagana vidhi called "Chalikhya" to Him, in which He attained perfection and played it on His flute.<ref name=":22322222">Gopal Reddy, Mudiganti and Sujata Reddy, Mudiganti (1997) ''[https://archive.org/stream/SAMSKRUTAKAVIJEEVITAMULUByMALLADISURYANARAYANASASTRIGARU/SAMSKRUTA%20SAHITYA%20CHARITRA%20BY%20MUDUGANTI%20GOPALA%20REDDI%26SUJATA%20REDDI%20#page/n33/mode/2up Sanskrita Saahitya Charitra] (Vaidika Vangmayam - Loukika Vangamayam, A critical approach)'' Hyderabad : P. S. Telugu University</ref>
According to सारङ्गदेवः ॥ Sarangadeva, the author of सङ्गीत-रत्नाकरम् ॥ Sangeeta Ratnakara, musical notes in words arose from Samaveda texts.<ref name=":22224" />
According to सारङ्गदेवः ॥ Sarangadeva, the author of सङ्गीत-रत्नाकरम् ॥ Sangeeta Ratnakara, musical notes in words arose from Samaveda texts.<ref name=":22224" />
== Atharva Samhita ==
== Atharva Samhita ==
The Atharva-Samhita contains mantras meant for routine rites and rituals.
The Atharva-Veda Samhita is meant to be used by the Brahma, the Atharva-Vedic priest, to correct the mispronunciations and wrong performances that may be accidentally be committed by the other three priests<ref name=":22" />. The Atharva-Samhita contains mantras meant for routine rites and rituals. ''Atharvan'' denotes directions and mantras especially in connection to ward off evil and hardship and also contains philosophical thoughts. '''Atharvan''<nowiki/>' originally means 'priest' and the Mantras in the Atharvaveda-Samhita were brought to light by Rishi Atharva.
=== Structure of Atharvaveda ===
* It is the Shaunaka-Samhita that is frequently meant when the Atharvaveda is mentioned in ancient and modern literature. It is a collection of 730 hymns containing 5987 Mantras, divided into 20 books (''Kandas''). Some 1200 verses are derived from the Rigveda. About one sixth of the text of the Atharvaveda including two entire books (15 and 16) is written in prose, similar in style and language to the Brahmanas, the rest of the text is in poetic verses.
''Atharvan'' denotes directions and mantras especially in connection to ward off evil and hardship and also contains philosophical thoughts. '''Atharvan''<nowiki/>' originally means 'priest' and the Mantras in the Atharvaveda-Samhita were brought to light by Rishi Atharva.
* According to Patanjali, Atharvaveda had nine Shakhas, but the Samhita of the Atharvaveda is today available only in two rescensions - '''the Shaunaka and the Paippalada'''.
* According to Patanjali, Atharvaveda had nine Shakhas, but the Samhita of the Atharvaveda is today available only in two rescensions - '''the Shaunaka and the Paippalada'''.
=== देवताः छन्दसः ऋत्विक् च ॥ Devatas, Chandas and Rtvik ===
Like Rigveda from where अथर्वणवेदः ॥ Atharvanaveda takes a significant part, the chandas here includes अनुष्टुप् ॥ Anustup, त्रिष्टुभप् ॥ Tristup along with many other new छन्दस् ॥ chandas or metrical forms. Worship of many devatas is also seen along with the acceptance of the Supreme Being. The ऋत्विक् ॥ rtvik of Atharvaveda is '''ब्रह्मा || Brahma''' who supervises the conduct of the Yajnas.
=== विषयम् || Vishayam (Content) ===
As the Atharvaveda Samhita (अथर्ववेदसंहिता ) has some special features, it stands apart from the other three Vedas. It deals more with worldly things than with the other worlds and the yajnas mentioned here are utilized as a means to acquire them. Amidst mundane subjects high philosophical ideas are also found in this Veda.
* The Atharvaveda is the oldest literary monument of Indian medicine. It is believed to be the origin of Ayurveda, the Indian science of medicine.
* The Atharvaveda is the oldest literary monument of Indian medicine. It is believed to be the origin of Ayurveda, the Indian science of medicine.
* There are a series of Mantras related to cure various physical and mental diseases. Another class of hymns includes prayers for protection from the bite of snakes or injurious insects. We find mention and application of medicines and medicinal herbs. This feature distinguishes the Atharvaveda from the rest of the Vedas.
* There are a series of Mantras related to cure various physical and mental diseases. Another class of hymns includes prayers for protection from the bite of snakes or injurious insects. We find mention and application of medicines and medicinal herbs. This feature distinguishes the Atharvaveda from the rest of the Vedas.
* It contains numerous Mantras, which according to their subject-matter, can be broadly divided into three categories: 1. Related to the cure of diseases and destruction of adverse forces. 2. Related to establish peace, protection, health, wealth, friendship and long life. 3. Related to the nature of Supreme Reality, time, death and immortality.
* It contains numerous Mantras, which according to their subject-matter, can be broadly divided into three categories:
*# Related to the cure of diseases and destruction of adverse forces.
*# Related to establish peace, protection, health, wealth, friendship and long life.
*# Related to the nature of Supreme Reality, time, death and immortality.
This Veda contains many types of mantras for the following worldly or materialistic purposes<ref>Introduction to Atharva Veda Samhita from [http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/atharvaveda-samhitas/ Vedic Heritage Portal]</ref>
* To ward off evils and hardship, snakes, and supernatural forces such as demons.
* To destroy enemies
* Marriage, cremation and other संस्काराः ॥ [[Samskaras (संस्काराः)|samskaras]]
* Description of diseases,their cure and herbal remedies
* For prolonging life
* For fulfilling one’s desires
* For wealth, trade and commerce
* राजनीतिः ॥ Rajaneeti includes statecraft, defense systems of the country, training for soldiers, winning in wars.
* Related to Supreme Reality, Immortality and other philosophical matters.
* Creation and emergence of the Universe. .
The अथर्ववेदः ॥ Atharvaveda was not considered as a Veda in the Vedic era, and was accepted as a Veda during later ages; though some schools do not consider it so even in modern era.
The Atharvaveda has been a primary source for information about Vedic culture, their customs and beliefs, the social economic conditions, agricultural and scientific matters, the requirements of people in everyday life in Vedic era ranging from मन्त्राः ॥ mantras for snakes to those associated with kings and governance.
=== प्रसिद्धाः विषयाः ॥ Famous Aspects ===
* पृथ्वीसूक्तम् || Prthvi Sukta
* मधुविद्यासूक्तम् ॥ Madhuvidya Sukta
* काण्ड ॥ Kanda 15 is called व्रात्यकाण्डः || Vratya kanda. It deals about people whose origin and nature is debated by many scholars, and they did not follow any kind of वैदिकक्रियाः ॥ vaidika kriyas, nor had respect for any rituals.<ref name=":22322223">Gopal Reddy, Mudiganti and Sujata Reddy, Mudiganti (1997) ''[https://archive.org/stream/SAMSKRUTAKAVIJEEVITAMULUByMALLADISURYANARAYANASASTRIGARU/SAMSKRUTA%20SAHITYA%20CHARITRA%20BY%20MUDUGANTI%20GOPALA%20REDDI%26SUJATA%20REDDI%20#page/n33/mode/2up Sanskrita Saahitya Charitra] (Vaidika Vangmayam - Loukika Vangamayam, A critical approach)'' Hyderabad : P. S. Telugu University</ref>
Swami Dayananda Saraswati made extraordinary efforts to bring out the significance of the mantras of the Vedas. Shri Aurobindo also challenged the Western philosophers and opined that the mantras are found to express esoteric truths which the Westerners can not grasp. He strove hard to elucidate the cryptic meanings of the Vedic words and the hymns.
Swami Dayananda Saraswati made extraordinary efforts to bring out the significance of the mantras of the Vedas. Shri Aurobindo also challenged the Western philosophers and opined that the mantras are found to express esoteric truths which the Westerners can not grasp. He strove hard to elucidate the cryptic meanings of the Vedic words and the hymns.
== Famous Examples ==
== Famous Examples ==