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[[Vedas (वेदाः)|Veda]] (Samskrit : वेदः) is regarded as revealed scripture, self-explanatory and self authoritative, according to many traditional Indian scholars. वैदिकसूक्त-s || Vedic Suktas (Collection of Mantras) and मन्त्र-s || Mantras are "seen by" or "revealed to" and only spoken by the ऋषि-s || Rishis (seers or sages). These rishis are neither authors of the Mantras nor are they responsible for the contents of the Mantras. Thus Vedas are called अपौरुषेयः ॥ Apaurusheya. There is no final authority beyond the Vedas according to Bharatiya philosophy. While the mantras are revealed, the structural arrangement of Vedas given by वेदव्यासः ॥ [[Vyasa|Veda Vyasa]] and further formation of शाखा-s || shakas (recensions) or versions of Vedas seen today is based on different rishis.

[[Vedas (वेदाः)|Veda]] (Samskrit : वेदः) is regarded as revealed scripture, self-explanatory and self authoritative, according to many traditional Indian scholars. Vedic Suktas (वैदिकसूक्त - Collection of Mantras) and Mantras (मन्त्राः) are "seen by" or "revealed to" and only spoken by the Rshis (seers). These rshis are neither authors of the Mantras nor are they responsible for the contents of the Mantras. Thus Vedas are called Apaurusheya (अपौरुषेयः). There is no final authority beyond the Vedas according to Bharatiya philosophy. While the mantras are revealed, the structural arrangement of Vedas given by [[Veda Vyasa (वेदव्यासः)]] and further formation of shakas (शाखाः recensions) or versions of Vedas seen today is based on different rshis.

==परिचयः || Introduction==

==परिचयः || Introduction==

महर्षिः वेदव्यासः || Maharshi Veda Vyasa collected all the Mantras in existence during his period, edited, codified and organized them into four groups in the form that we see today.

महर्षिः वेदव्यासः || Maharshi Veda Vyasa collected all the Mantras in existence during his period, edited, codified and organized them into four groups in the form that we see today.

#[[Rigveda|ऋग्वेदः || The Rigveda]]

#[[Rigveda (ऋग्वेदः)|ऋग्वेदः || The Rigveda]]

#[[Yajurveda|यजुर्वेदः || The Yajurveda]]

#[[Yajurveda (यजुर्वेदः)|यजुर्वेदः || The Yajurveda]]

#[[Samaveda (सामवेद)|सामवेदः || The Samaveda]]

#[[Samaveda (सामवेद)|सामवेदः || The Samaveda]]

#[[Atharvaveda|अथर्वणवेदः || The Atharvanaveda]]

#[[Atharvaveda (अथर्ववेदः)|अथर्वणवेदः || The Atharvanaveda]]

Of these, the first three were the principal original division, also called Trayi vidya (त्रयी-विद्या), that is, 'the triple science' of reciting mantras (Rigveda), performing yajnas (sacrifices) (Yajurveda), and singing of mantras set to musical notes (Samaveda). Atharvaveda consists of mantras applicable to activities of daily life, such as ailments and their cure, achieving desired things, warfare, trade, commerce, construction among other things.

Of these, the first three were the principal original division, also called Trayi vidya (त्रयी-विद्या), that is, 'the triple science' of reciting mantras (Rigveda), performing yajnas (sacrifices) (Yajurveda), and singing of mantras set to musical notes (Samaveda). Atharvaveda consists of mantras applicable to activities of daily life, such as ailments and their cure, achieving desired things, warfare, trade, commerce, construction among other things.

==ऋग्वेदः || Rigveda==

==ऋग्वेदः || Rgveda==

===व्युत्पत्तिः ॥ Etymology===

===व्युत्पत्तिः ॥ Etymology===

The Samskrit धातुः "ऋच्" (तुदादि-गणः) is used in the meaning स्तुतिः || Stuti (to praise). That which has the description of the quality, action and nature of substances is said to be ऋक् (Rk).<ref name=":022322222">Shastri, Jwalanth Kumar. (2009) ''Ved aur vedarth'' Rajasthan: Sri Ghudhmal Prahladkumar Arya Dharmarth Nyasa</ref> Variously called as 'rk or rik (ऋक्)', 'richas (ऋचाः)', 'rig (ऋग्)', these Mantras are meant for the praise of the deities.

The Samskrit धातुः "ऋच्" (तुदादि-गणः) is used in the meaning स्तुतिः || Stuti (to praise). That which has the description of the quality, action and nature of substances is said to be ऋक् (Rk).<ref name=":022322222">Shastri, Jwalanth Kumar. (2009) ''Ved aur vedarth'' Rajasthan: Sri Ghudhmal Prahladkumar Arya Dharmarth Nyasa</ref> Variously called as 'rk or rik (ऋक्)', 'richas (ऋचाः)', 'rig (ऋग्)', these Mantras are meant for the praise of the deities.

Rigveda contains primarily Mantras (set in 2, 3 or 4 padas | पादाः) dealing with the stuti for devatas, their invocation, yajnakarmas, karmakanda (कर्मकाण्डः), upasana mantras (उपासना-मन्त्राः), mantras related to different worldly activities such as [[Dana (दानम्)|dana]] (दानम्), conduct, medical remedies etc.

Rgveda contains primarily Mantras (set in 2, 3 or 4 padas | पादाः) dealing with the stuti for devatas, their invocation, yajnakarmas, karmakanda (कर्मकाण्डः), upasana mantras (उपासना-मन्त्राः), mantras related to different worldly activities such as [[Dana (दानम्)|dana]] (दानम्), conduct, medical remedies etc.

===ऋग्वेद-विभाजनम् ॥ Rigveda Vibhajana===

===ऋग्वेद-विभाजनम् ॥ Rigveda Vibhajana===

There are two types of divisions of Rigveda namely, Mandala krama ( मण्डल-क्रमः) and Ashtaka krama (अष्टक-क्रमः). They arose mainly for self study (अध्ययनम् ) and teaching (अध्यापनम् ). A small lesson is easily grasped or understood and committed to memory.(See footnote 3 on Page 35 of Reference 1<ref name=":022322222" />) There are different versions advocated by different scholars about the number of suktas and mantras available in Rigveda.

There are two types of divisions of Rigveda namely, Mandala krama (मण्डल-क्रमः) and Ashtaka krama (अष्टक-क्रमः). They arose mainly for self study (अध्ययनम्) and teaching (अध्यापनम्). A small lesson is easily grasped or understood and committed to memory (See footnote 3 on Page 35 of Reference 1<ref name=":022322222" />). There are different versions advocated by different scholars about the number of suktas and mantras available in Rigveda.

====मण्डल-क्रमः ॥ Mandala Krama====

====मण्डल-क्रमः ॥ Mandala Krama====

This division of the Rigveda is most popular and systematic. According to the Mandala krama, Rigveda Samhita is divided into 10 Mandalas or books. The Mandalas are subdivided into  85 Anuvakas (अनुवाकाः), 1028 Suktas (सूक्तानि) and 10522 mantras (मन्त्राः)<ref name=":022322222" /> and 10552 mantras according to another version<ref name=":12322222">Rigveda Classification on [http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/ Vedic Heritage Portal]</ref>.  In Rig veda, in Shakala samhita (शाकल-संहिता), the number of suktas in each Mandala is - 191, 43, 62, 58, 87, 75, 104, 103, 114, 191 (1028) respectively from the first to tenth Mandala.<ref name=":022322222" /><ref name=":12322222" />

This division of the Rigveda is most popular and systematic. According to the Mandala krama, Rigveda Samhita is divided into 10 Mandalas or books. The Mandalas are subdivided into  85 Anuvakas (अनुवाकाः), 1028 Suktas (सूक्तानि) and 10522 mantras (मन्त्राः)<ref name=":022322222" /> and 10552 mantras according to another version<ref name=":12322222">Rigveda Classification on [http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/ Vedic Heritage Portal]</ref>.  In Rig veda, in Shakala samhita (शाकल-संहिता), the number of suktas in each Mandala is - 191, 43, 62, 58, 87, 75, 104, 103, 114, 191 (1028) respectively from the first to tenth Mandala.<ref name=":022322222" /><ref name=":12322222" />

The differences in the counting of mantras is mainly because of the differences in the shakhas.  Additionally in modern times the differences in counting the Rks is attributed to breaking the mantras having 4 padas (पादाः) into 2 padas each (Page No 6 of Reference 4<ref name=":22322222" />).

The differences in the counting of mantras is mainly because of the differences in the shakhas.  Additionally in modern times the differences in counting the Rks is attributed to breaking the mantras having 4 padas (पादाः) into 2 padas each (Page No 6 of Reference 4<ref name=":22322222" />).

====वालखिल्य or खिलसूक्ताः || Valakhilya or Khila Suktas====

====वालखिल्य || Valakhilya Suktas====

According to शौनक-अनुक्रमणिका ॥ Shaunaka Anukramanika, 11 suktas of वालखिल्य-s || Valakhilyas are present. Removing which from the total number of suktas (1028), will yield 1017 Suktas in Rigveda Samhita. वष्कल ॥ Vashkala or बाष्कल-शाखा ॥ Bashkala shakha has 8 suktas more than 1017. Thereby it is mentioned as having 1025 Suktas.<ref name=":022322222" /><ref name=":22322222" />

According to शौनक-अनुक्रमणिका ॥ Shaunaka Anukramanika, 11 suktas of वालखिल्य-s || Valakhilyas are present. Removing which from the total number of suktas (1028), will yield 1017 Suktas in Rigveda Samhita. वष्कल ॥ Vashkala or बाष्कल-शाखा ॥ Bashkala shakha has 8 suktas more than 1017. Thereby it is mentioned as having 1025 Suktas.<ref name=":022322222" /><ref name=":22322222" />

'Khila' is defined as the Appendix (those which are appended in the end). They are included in the vedic study practice (स्वाध्याय) but lack the Padapatha (पदापाठः) and excluded in Aksharaganana (अक्षरगणना | counting of Aksharas) thus their exact nature is unclear. The location of Khila Suktas is clear in Mandala krama, starting from Suktas 49 to 59 including 80 mantras in the 8th Mandala.<ref name=":42">Upadhyaya, Baldev. (1958) ''[https://archive.org/details/VaidikSahityaBaldevUpadhyaya1958 Vaidik Sahitya]''.</ref>

'Khila' is defined as the Appendix (those which are appended in the end). They are included in the vedic study practice (स्वाध्याय) but lack the Padapatha (पदापाठः) and excluded in Aksharaganana (अक्षरगणना | counting of Aksharas) thus their exact nature is unclear. The location of Khila Suktas is clear in Mandala krama, starting from Suktas 49 to 59 including 80 mantras in the 8th Mandala.<ref name=":42">Upadhyaya, Baldev. (1958) ''[https://archive.org/details/VaidikSahityaBaldevUpadhyaya1958 Vaidik Sahitya]''.</ref>

====अष्टक-क्रमः ॥ Ashtaka Krama====

====अष्टक-क्रमः ॥ Ashtaka Krama====

Presently Shakala (शाकल), Bashkala (बाष्कल), Shankhyayana (शाङ्ख्यायन), Mandukayana (माण्डूकायन) and Ashvalayana (अश्वलायन) shakas of Rig veda though are said to be available shakas, apart from Shakala shaka, the Samhita part of other four shakas are unavailable.<ref>Pt. Shriram Adhikari's Article : ''[http://vedicheritage.gov.in/pdf/ved_vedang_gp_14.pdf Rigved ka parichay evam vaishistya]'' on Vedic Heritage Portal</ref>

Presently Shakala (शाकल), Bashkala (बाष्कल), Shankhyayana (शाङ्ख्यायन), Mandukayana (माण्डूकायन) and Ashvalayana (अश्वलायन) shakas of Rig veda though are said to be available shakas, apart from Shakala shaka, the Samhita part of other four shakas are unavailable.<ref>Pt. Shriram Adhikari's Article : ''[http://vedicheritage.gov.in/pdf/ved_vedang_gp_14.pdf Rigved ka parichay evam vaishistya]'' on Vedic Heritage Portal</ref>

According to सर्वानुक्रमणि-वृत्तिः ॥ Sarvanukramani vritti, अहिर्बुध्न्यसंहिता ॥ Ahirbudhnyasamhita, मुक्तिकोपनिषद् ॥ Muktikopanishad and पतञ्जलेः महाभाष्यम् ॥ Patanjali's Mahabhashya, and recently many scholars opined that Rigveda had 21 shakhas.

According to सर्वानुक्रमणि-वृत्तिः ॥ Sarvanukramani vritti, अहिर्बुध्न्यसंहिता ॥ Ahirbudhnyasamhita, मुक्तिकोपनिषद् ॥ Muktikopanishad and पतञ्जलेः महाभाष्यम् ॥ Patanjali's Mahabhashya, and recently many scholars opined that Rigveda had 21 shakhas. Of these five shakas are mentioned as important in the book 'Charanavyuha', They are<ref name=":42" />

 

However, according to Pt. Satyavrat Samashrami<ref name=":022322222" />, Rig veda has only 2 ancient shakhas namely, Shakala (शाकलः) and Mandukeya (माण्डूकेयः). These two shakhas became 21 shakhas gradually. Shakalacharya taught this veda to 5 of his disciples and gradually in their pronunciation there were differences bringing about 5 different versions of the Veda, which according to the text विकृति-कौमुदी ॥ Vikruti Kaumudi is as follows:<blockquote>शाकल्यसेय शतं शिष्या नैष्ठिकब्रह्मचारिणः | पञ्च तेषां गृहस्थास्ते धर्मनिष्ठाश्च कुटुम्बिनः ||</blockquote><blockquote>शिशिरो वाष्कलो सांख्यो वात्स्यश्चैवाश्वलायनः | पञ्चैते शाकलाः शिष्याः शाखाभेदप्रवर्त्तकाः ||</blockquote><blockquote>śākalyaseya śataṃ śiṣyā naiṣṭhikabrahmacāriṇaḥ | pañca teṣāṃ gṛhasthāste dharmaniṣṭhāśca kuṭumbinaḥ ||</blockquote><blockquote>śiśiro vāṣkalo sāṃkhyo vātsyaścaivāśvalāyanaḥ | pañcaite śākalāḥ śiṣyāḥ śākhābhedapravarttakāḥ ||</blockquote>Meaning : Shakala had 100 students who were brahmacharis. Of them, 5 who were having dharmanishtha (धर्मनिष्ठा) were grhasthas bearing the responsibility of maintaining a family. Shishira (शिशिरः), Vashkala (वाष्कलः Bashkala), Sankhya (शाङ्ख्यः), Vatsya (वात्स्यः) and Ashvalayana (अश्वलायनः) were the five disciples who were the preachers (प्रवर्तकाः | pravartakas) of the different shakhas.<ref name=":022322222" /> Ashvalayana Samhita was available as lately as 17th century but is presently unavailable. शाङ्खायन-संहिता ॥ Sankhayana samhita is not available but its Brahmanas and Aranyakas are available. Some scholars opine that शाङ्खायन ॥ Sankhayana and कौषीतकी शाखाः॥ Kaushitaki shakhas are one and the same.<ref name=":22322222" />

However, according to Pt. Satyavrat Samashrami<ref name=":022322222" />, Rig veda has only 2 ancient shakhas namely, Shakala (शाकलः) and Mandukeya (माण्डूकेयः). These two shakhas became 21 shakhas gradually. Shakalacharya taught this veda to 5 of his disciples and gradually in their pronunciation there were differences bringing about 5 different versions of the Veda, which according to the text विकृति-कौमुदी ॥ Vikruti Kaumudi is as follows:<blockquote>शाकल्यसेय शतं शिष्या नैष्ठिकब्रह्मचारिणः | पञ्च तेषां गृहस्थास्ते धर्मनिष्ठाश्च कुटुम्बिनः ||</blockquote><blockquote>शिशिरो वाष्कलो सांख्यो वात्स्यश्चैवाश्वलायनः | पञ्चैते शाकलाः शिष्याः शाखाभेदप्रवर्त्तकाः ||</blockquote><blockquote>śākalyaseya śataṃ śiṣyā naiṣṭhikabrahmacāriṇaḥ | pañca teṣāṃ gṛhasthāste dharmaniṣṭhāśca kuṭumbinaḥ ||</blockquote><blockquote>śiśiro vāṣkalo sāṃkhyo vātsyaścaivāśvalāyanaḥ | pañcaite śākalāḥ śiṣyāḥ śākhābhedapravarttakāḥ ||</blockquote>Meaning : Shakalya had 100 students who were brahmacharis. Of them, 5 who were having dharmanishtha (धर्मनिष्ठा) were grhasthas bearing the responsibility of maintaining a family. Shishira (शिशिरः), Vashkala (वाष्कलः Bashkala), Sankhya (शाङ्ख्यः), Vatsya (वात्स्यः) and Ashvalayana (अश्वलायनः) were the five disciples who were the preachers (प्रवर्तकाः | pravartakas) of the different shakhas.<ref name=":022322222" /> Ashvalayana Samhita was available as lately as 17th century but is presently unavailable. शाङ्खायन-संहिता ॥ Sपankhayana samhita is not available but its Brahmanas and Aranyakas are available. Some scholars opine that शाङ्खायन ॥ Sankhayana and कौषीतकी शाखाः॥ Kaushitaki shakhas are one and the same.<ref name=":22322222" />

===विषयविभागाः ॥ Vishayavibhaga===

===विषयविभागाः ॥ Vishayavibhaga===

The topics dealt with in the ऋग्वेद-संहिता ॥ Rigveda Samhita can be classified into 3 groups.

The topics dealt with in the ऋग्वेद-संहिता ॥ Rigveda Samhita can be classified into 3 groups.

The Samaveda is compiled exclusively for ritual application, for its verses are all meant to be chanted at the ceremonies of the Soma-yajna and procedures derived from it. The Samaveda is, therefore, specially intended for the ''Udgatr'' priest.

The Samaveda is compiled exclusively for ritual application, for its verses are all meant to be chanted at the ceremonies of the Soma-yajna and procedures derived from it. The Samaveda is, therefore, specially intended for the ''Udgatr'' priest.

The special virtue of Samaveda is that although its mantras are from the Rigveda, they are set to music which is greatly conductive to the spiritual evolution of a human being and to qualify oneself for receiving the grace of the devatas.

The special virtue of Samaveda is that although its mantras are from the Rigveda, they are set to music which is greatly conductive to the adhyatmik evolution of a human being and to qualify oneself for receiving the grace of the devatas.

Sri Krishna says in श्रीमद् भगवद्गीता ॥ Shrimad Bhagavadgita (Ch.10 Verse 22) <blockquote>वेदानां सामवेदोस्मि । vedānāṃ sāmavedosmi ।</blockquote>Meaning : Among the Vedas, I am the Samaveda.  

Sri Krishna says in श्रीमद् भगवद्गीता ॥ Shrimad Bhagavadgita (Ch.10 Verse 22) <blockquote>वेदानां सामवेदोस्मि । vedānāṃ sāmavedosmi ।</blockquote>Meaning : Among the Vedas, I am the Samaveda.  

The Upanishads are the concluding portions of the Vedas which discuss philosophical issues both in prose and metrical forms. They are commonly referred to as वेदान्तः || Vedanta, variously interpreted to mean either the "last chapters, parts of the Vedas" or "the object, the highest purpose of the Veda". The concepts of ब्रह्मन् || Brahman (Ultimate Reality, परमात्मा ॥ Paramatma), आत्मन् || Atman (Soul, Self, जीवात्मा ॥ Jivatma) and liberation of soul (मुक्तिः ॥ Mukti/ मोक्षः ॥ Moksha) are central ideas in all the Upanishads and primarily focus on routes for obtaining ब्रह्मविद्या ॥ [[Brahmavidya (ब्रह्मविद्या)|Brahmavidya]] which on practice leads one to मुक्तिः ॥ Mukti. The Upanishads are the foundation of Hindu philosophical thought and its diverse traditions.<ref name=":222" />

The Upanishads are the concluding portions of the Vedas which discuss philosophical issues both in prose and metrical forms. They are commonly referred to as वेदान्तः || Vedanta, variously interpreted to mean either the "last chapters, parts of the Vedas" or "the object, the highest purpose of the Veda". The concepts of ब्रह्मन् || Brahman (Ultimate Reality, परमात्मा ॥ Paramatma), आत्मन् || Atman (Soul, Self, जीवात्मा ॥ Jivatma) and liberation of soul (मुक्तिः ॥ Mukti/ मोक्षः ॥ Moksha) are central ideas in all the Upanishads and primarily focus on routes for obtaining ब्रह्मविद्या ॥ [[Brahmavidya (ब्रह्मविद्या)|Brahmavidya]] which on practice leads one to मुक्तिः ॥ Mukti. The Upanishads are the foundation of Hindu philosophical thought and its diverse traditions.<ref name=":222" />

They are the essence of the Vedas containing their knowledge aspects along with explanation of कर्म-s || karmas (as in Upakosala's tending to fires in छान्दोग्य-उपनिषद् ॥ Chandogya Upanishad). The philosophy of the Upanishads occupies the highest pedestal in the spiritual knowledge. They speak about the identity of the Supreme Eternal Soul, the ब्रह्मन् ॥ [[Brahman (ब्रह्मन्)|Brahman]], the individual soul, the आत्मन् ॥ [[Atman (आत्मन्)|Atman]], their mutual relationship, the Universe (जगत् ॥ jagat) and man’s place in it. In short, they deal with जीवात्मा || Jivatma, परमात्मा || Paramatma, जगत् || Jagat, अविद्या ॥ Avidya, कर्मफलम् ॥ Karmaphalam, पुनर्जन्म ॥ Punarjanma and जगदीश्वरः || Jagadishvara.

They are the essence of the Vedas containing their knowledge aspects along with explanation of कर्म-s || karmas (as in Upakosala's tending to fires in छान्दोग्य-उपनिषद् ॥ Chandogya Upanishad). The philosophy of the Upanishads occupies the highest pedestal in the adhyatmik knowledge. They speak about the identity of the Supreme Eternal Soul, the ब्रह्मन् ॥ [[Brahman (ब्रह्मन्)|Brahman]], the individual soul, the आत्मन् ॥ [[Atman (आत्मन्)|Atman]], their mutual relationship, the Universe (जगत् ॥ jagat) and man’s place in it. In short, they deal with जीवात्मा || Jivatma, परमात्मा || Paramatma, जगत् || Jagat, अविद्या ॥ Avidya, कर्मफलम् ॥ Karmaphalam, पुनर्जन्म ॥ Punarjanma and जगदीश्वरः || Jagadishvara.

आरण्यक-s || Aranyakas are sometimes identified as कर्मकाण्ड ॥ karma-kanda (ritualistic section), while the Upanishads are identified as ज्ञानकाण्ड ॥ jnana-kanda (spirituality section). In an alternate classification, the early part of Vedas are called संहिताः ॥ Samhitas and the commentary are called the ब्राह्मण-s || Brahmanas which together are identified as the ceremonial कर्मकाण्डः ॥ karma-kanda, while आरण्यक-s || Aranyakas and उपनिषद्-s || Upanishads are together referred to as the ज्ञानकाण्डः ॥ jnana-kanda.

आरण्यक-s || Aranyakas are sometimes identified as कर्मकाण्ड ॥ karma-kanda (ritualistic section), while the Upanishads are identified as ज्ञानकाण्ड ॥ jnana-kanda (adhyatmikity section). In an alternate classification, the early part of Vedas are called संहिताः ॥ Samhitas and the commentary are called the ब्राह्मण-s || Brahmanas which together are identified as the ceremonial कर्मकाण्डः ॥ karma-kanda, while आरण्यक-s || Aranyakas and उपनिषद्-s || Upanishads are together referred to as the ज्ञानकाण्डः ॥ jnana-kanda.

==References==

==References==

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[[Category:Vedas]]

[[Category:Vedas]]