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== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

=== Rigveda ===

 

 

== Rigveda ==

According to the ancient tradition, the whole Rig Samhita has been divided into 10 Mandalas. The Mandalas are subdivided into Anuvakas, the Anuvakas into Sooktas and Sooktas into mantras as follows.

According to the ancient tradition, the whole Rig Samhita has been divided into 10 Mandalas. The Mandalas are subdivided into Anuvakas, the Anuvakas into Sooktas and Sooktas into mantras as follows.

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There are similarities between the mythology, rituals and linguistics in Rigveda and those found in ancient central Asia, Iranian and Hindukush (Afghanistan) regions.

There are similarities between the mythology, rituals and linguistics in Rigveda and those found in ancient central Asia, Iranian and Hindukush (Afghanistan) regions.

=== Yajurveda ===

== Yajurveda ==

It is a collection of Yajus or the mantras in prose which give procedural details to the Adhvaryu priest for the proper performance of Yajnas. The popular hymn in praise of Lord Siva - Sri Rudraprasna – finds a place in this Veda. The other famous prayer Purusha Sooktam also occurs here with some modifications.

It is a collection of Yajus or the mantras in prose which give procedural details to the Adhvaryu priest for the proper performance of Yajnas. The popular hymn in praise of Lord Siva - Sri Rudraprasna – finds a place in this Veda. The other famous prayer Purusha Sooktam also occurs here with some modifications.

There are two major groups of texts in this Veda: the Krishna Yajurveda "Black" (Krishna) and the Shukla Yajurveda "White" (Shukla). The term "black" implies "the un-arranged, motley collection" of verses in Yajurveda, in contrast to the "white" (well arranged) Yajurveda. The Shukla Yajurveda separates the Samhita from its Brahmana (the Shatapatha Brahmana), the Krishna Yajurveda intersperses the Samhita with Brahmana commentary. Of the Krishna Yajurveda, texts from four major schools have survived (Maitrayani, Katha, Kapisthala-Katha, Taittiriya), while of the Shukla Yajurveda, two (Kanva and Madhyandina). The youngest layer of Yajurveda text is not related to rituals nor sacrifice, it includes the largest collection of primary Upanishads, influential to various schools of Hindu philosophy.

There are two major groups of texts in this Veda: the Krishna Yajurveda "Black" (Krishna) and the Shukla Yajurveda "White" (Shukla). The term "black" implies "the un-arranged, motley collection" of verses in Yajurveda, in contrast to the "white" (well arranged) Yajurveda. The Shukla Yajurveda separates the Samhita from its Brahmana (the Shatapatha Brahmana), the Krishna Yajurveda intersperses the Samhita with Brahmana commentary. Of the Krishna Yajurveda, texts from four major schools have survived (Maitrayani, Katha, Kapisthala-Katha, Taittiriya), while of the Shukla Yajurveda, two (Kanva and Madhyandina). The youngest layer of Yajurveda text is not related to rituals nor sacrifice, it includes the largest collection of primary Upanishads, influential to various schools of Hindu philosophy.

=== Samaveda ===

== Samaveda ==

Samaveda Samhita is the highly commended scripture of Hinduism. However it is not considered as an independent work. All the mantras of the Rig Veda which are useful to Udgatir priest for chanting in the Yajnas to ensure the grace of the Gods have been brought together in this Veda. ‘SA’ means a mantra of the Rig Veda, ‘AMA’ means musical notes. Hence a Saman is a mantra of the Rig Veda set to music. The word Saama also means that which brings peace to the mind. Although this Veda is said to have 1000 Shakhas only three are available now.

Samaveda Samhita is the highly commended scripture of Hinduism. However it is not considered as an independent work. All the mantras of the Rig Veda which are useful to Udgatir priest for chanting in the Yajnas to ensure the grace of the Gods have been brought together in this Veda. ‘SA’ means a mantra of the Rig Veda, ‘AMA’ means musical notes. Hence a Saman is a mantra of the Rig Veda set to music. The word Saama also means that which brings peace to the mind. Although this Veda is said to have 1000 Shakhas only three are available now.

The Samaveda samhita comprises two major parts. The first part include four melody collections (gāna, गान) and the second part three verse “books” (ārcika, आर्चिक). A melody in the song books corresponds to a verse in the arcika books. Just like Rigveda, the early sections of Samaveda typically begin with Agni and Indra hymns but shift to abstract, and their meters too shifts in a descending order. The later sections of the Samaveda have least deviation from substance of hymns they derive from the Rigveda into songs.

The Samaveda samhita comprises two major parts. The first part include four melody collections (gāna, गान) and the second part three verse “books” (ārcika, आर्चिक). A melody in the song books corresponds to a verse in the arcika books. Just like Rigveda, the early sections of Samaveda typically begin with Agni and Indra hymns but shift to abstract, and their meters too shifts in a descending order. The later sections of the Samaveda have least deviation from substance of hymns they derive from the Rigveda into songs.

=== Atharvaveda ===

== Atharvana or Atharva veda ==

Atharva means purohit or pundit. This Veda is said to have been brought to light by a Sage called Atharvan and hence this name. This is also called Brahma Veda because it is assigned to the Brahma priest who supervises the conduct of the Yajnas. The mantras in this Veda are both in prose and verse forms,

Atharva means purohit or pundit. This Veda is said to have been brought to light by a Sage called Atharvan and hence this name. This is also called Brahma Veda because it is assigned to the Brahma priest who supervises the conduct of the Yajnas. The mantras in this Veda are both in prose and verse forms,

The Atharva veda has been a primary source for information about Vedic culture, the customs and beliefs, the aspirations and frustrations of everyday Vedic life, as well as those associated with kings and governance. The text also includes hymns dealing with the two major rituals of passage – marriage and cremation. The Atharva Veda also dedicates significant portion of the text asking the meaning of a ritual.

The Atharva veda has been a primary source for information about Vedic culture, the customs and beliefs, the aspirations and frustrations of everyday Vedic life, as well as those associated with kings and governance. The text also includes hymns dealing with the two major rituals of passage – marriage and cremation. The Atharva Veda also dedicates significant portion of the text asking the meaning of a ritual.

== Brief Description - Sub Classification of Vedas ==

== Sub Classification of Vedas ==

=== Samhitas ===

=== Samhitas ===

Aranyakas are sometimes identified as karma-kanda (ritualistic section), while the Upanishads are identified as jnana-kanda (spirituality section). In an alternate classification, the early part of Vedas are called Samhitas and the commentary are called the Brahmanas which together are identified as the ceremonial karma-kanda, while Aranyakas and Upanishads are together referred to as the jnana-kanda.

Aranyakas are sometimes identified as karma-kanda (ritualistic section), while the Upanishads are identified as jnana-kanda (spirituality section). In an alternate classification, the early part of Vedas are called Samhitas and the commentary are called the Brahmanas which together are identified as the ceremonial karma-kanda, while Aranyakas and Upanishads are together referred to as the jnana-kanda.

== References ==

== References ==