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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.  

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.  

It is said that Bhagavan Vishnu incarnated as Maharshi Veda [[Vyasa]] in Dvapara yuga and organized the [[Vedas (वेदाः)|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, 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 (वेदाः)|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, the Law giver of ancient Bharatavarsha, laid down certain instructions as to how the teaching of Vedas should be conducted. [[File:Shad Vedangas Flowchart.PNG|thumb|440x440px|Shad Vedangas in Bharatiya Vaidika Parampara]]

==  Etymology ==

==  Etymology ==

Vedangas (वेदाङ्गानि) help us construct, chant and understand Veda mantras. These are called Angas (अङ्गानि | ancillaries) to Vedas. The word 'अङ्गम्' is used in the sense of "उपकारक' - 'अंग्यन्ते ज्ञायन्ते अमीभिरिति अङ्गानि' meaning Angas are those by using which one understands the nature of an object/subject (here Vedas). Vedas are by themselves profound both in language and concept. <blockquote>शिक्षा कल्पो व्याकरणं निरुक्तं छन्दसां चयः । ज्योतिषामयनं चैव वेदाङ्गानि षडेव तु ॥</blockquote><blockquote>śikṣā kalpo vyākaraṇaṃ niruktaṃ chandasāṃ cayaḥ । jyotiṣāmayanaṃ caiva vedāṅgāni ṣaḍeva tu ॥</blockquote>According to the above shloka, Vedangas are six in number namely Shiksa (शिक्षा), Kalpa (कल्पः), Vyakarana (व्याकरणम्), Nirukta (निरुक्तम्), Chandas (छन्दस्) and Jyotish (ज्योतिष्).<ref name=":2" />  

Vedangas (वेदाङ्गानि) help us construct, chant and understand Veda mantras. These are called Angas (अङ्गानि | ancillaries) to Vedas. The word 'अङ्गम्' is used in the sense of "उपकारक' - 'अंग्यन्ते ज्ञायन्ते अमीभिरिति अङ्गानि' meaning Angas are those by using which one understands the nature of an object/subject (here Vedas). Vedas are by themselves profound both in language and concept. <blockquote>शिक्षा कल्पो व्याकरणं निरुक्तं छन्दसां चयः । ज्योतिषामयनं चैव वेदाङ्गानि षडेव तु ॥</blockquote><blockquote>śikṣā kalpo vyākaraṇaṃ niruktaṃ chandasāṃ cayaḥ । jyotiṣāmayanaṃ caiva vedāṅgāni ṣaḍeva tu ॥</blockquote>According to the above shloka, Vedangas are six in number namely Shiksa (शिक्षा), Kalpa (कल्पः), Vyakarana (व्याकरणम्), Nirukta (निरुक्तम्), Chandas (छन्दस्) and Jyotish (ज्योतिष्).<ref name=":2" />  

=== धर्मसूत्राणि || Dharma Sutras ===

=== धर्मसूत्राणि || Dharma Sutras ===

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 ashramas (ब्रह्मचार्यः | brahmacharya, गृहस्थः | grhastha, वानप्रस्थः | vanaprastha and सन्यासः | sanyasa) 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.<ref>Ajitha, N. (2011) Ph.D Thesis Titled : Social Condition in Naradasmrti. University of Kerala. [https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/164328/8/08_chapter%202.pdf Chapter 2]</ref>  

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 ashramas (ब्रह्मचार्यः | brahmacharya, गृहस्थः | grhastha, वानप्रस्थः | vanaprastha and सन्यासः | sanyasa) are described in these sutras. Thus, it can be said that the topics related to the adhyatmik world, this material world, society and social activities, and all righteous activities are described in a holistic manner.<ref>Ajitha, N. (2011) Ph.D Thesis Titled : Social Condition in Naradasmrti. University of Kerala. [https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/164328/8/08_chapter%202.pdf Chapter 2]</ref>  

=== गृह्यसूत्राणि || Grhya Sutras ===

=== गृह्यसूत्राणि || Grhya Sutras ===

=== शुल्बसूत्राणि || Shulba Sutras ===

=== शुल्बसूत्राणि || Shulba Sutras ===

Shulba Sutras explain the different systems of measurements. Aspects of measurements of various vedinirmanavidhi (वेदिनिर्माणविधिः | altars and the procedure to construct them). For Example, homa shala (होमशाला), yajnashala (यज्ञशाला) are discussed. Thus, Vaidika Karmakanda (वैदिककर्मकाण्डः) is the topic for Shulbasutras, wherein geometry or the Rekhaganita (रेखागणितम्) is applied. Only those Shulbasutras associated with Yajurveda are available extensively indicating that Yajurveda is the main base for karmakanda.  

Shulba Sutras explain the different systems of measurements. Aspects of measurements of various vedinirmanavidhi (वेदिनिर्माणविधिः | altars and the procedure to construct them). For Example, homa shala (होमशाला), yajnashala (यज्ञशाला) are discussed. Thus, Vaidika Karmakanda (वैदिककर्मकाण्डः) is the topic for Shulbasutras, wherein geometry or the Rekhaganita (रेखागणितम्) is applied. Only those Shulbasutras associated with Yajurveda are available extensively indicating that Yajurveda is the main base for karmakanda.  

== व्याकरणम् ॥ Vyakarana ==

== व्याकरणम् ॥ Vyakarana ==

Vyakarana is described as the Veda purusha's face.<blockquote>व्याक्रियन्ते शब्दाः अनेन इति व्याकरणम् । vyākriyante śabdāḥ anena iti vyākaraṇam । </blockquote><blockquote>व्याक्रियन्ते व्युत्पाद्यन्ते साधुशब्दा अस्मिन् अनेनेति वा . इति दुर्गादासः .. is the व्युत्पत्ति-अर्थः || vyutpatti artha or the subjective definition of word according to Durgadasa in Shabdakalpadruma</blockquote>Shabdakalpadruma also gives deliberates on the content matter of Vyakarana as "तत्र साध्यसाधनकर्त्तृकर्म्मक्रिया-समासादिनिरूपणम् ." One where all grammatical aspects (vibhaktis, samasas etc are shown or derived)

Vyakarana is described as the Veda purusha's face.<blockquote>व्याक्रियन्ते शब्दाः अनेन इति व्याकरणम् । vyākriyante śabdāḥ anena iti vyākaraṇam । </blockquote><blockquote>व्याक्रियन्ते व्युत्पाद्यन्ते साधुशब्दा अस्मिन् अनेनेति वा . इति दुर्गादासः .. is the व्युत्पत्ति-अर्थः || vyutpatti artha or the subjective definition of word according to Durgadasa in Shabdakalpadruma</blockquote>Shabdakalpadruma also gives deliberates on the content matter of Vyakarana as "तत्र साध्यसाधनकर्त्तृकर्म्मक्रिया-समासादिनिरूपणम् ." One where all grammatical aspects (vibhaktis, samasas etc are shown or derived)