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Line 42: − + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + − Regarding the origin of Vedas, शब्दकल्पद्रुमः ॥ Shabdakalpadruma further states that according to the पुराणानि ॥ Puranas and मार्कण्डेय-महर्षिः ॥ Markandeya rishi - once ब्रह्मा ॥ Brahma meditated on how to create and the Vedas then took birth out of Brahma's four faces with 21 शाखाः || shakas of ऋग्वेदः ॥ Rigveda, 100 शाखाः ॥ shakhas of यजुर्वेदः ॥ Yajurveda, 1000 शाखाः ॥ shakhas of सामवेदः ॥ Samaveda and 9 शाखाः ॥ shakhas of अथर्ववेदः ॥ Atharvaveda as given below.<blockquote>वेदस्य प्रादुर्भावो यथा कदाचित्कथं सृक्ष्यामीति ध्यायतो ब्रह्मणो मुखचतुष्टयेभ्यश्चत्वारो वेदाः प्रादुरासन् यथा </blockquote><blockquote>एकविंशतिशाखात्मक - ऋक् १ शतशाखात्मक - यजुः २ सहस्रशाखामयसाम ३ नवशाखामयाथर्व्व ४ इति पुराणम् अपि च श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच । </blockquote><blockquote>vedasya prādurbhāvo yathā kadācitkathaṃ sṛkṣyāmīti dhyāyato brahmaṇo mukhacatuṣṭayebhyaścatvāro vedāḥ prādurāsan yathā </blockquote><blockquote>ekaviṃśatiśākhātmaka - ṛk 1 śataśākhātmaka - yajuḥ 2 sahasraśākhāmayasāma 3 navaśākhāmayātharvva 4 iti purāṇam api ca śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca ।</blockquote>In the महाभारतम् ॥ [[Mahabharata (महाभारतम्)|Mahabharata]] also the creation of Vedas is credited to ब्रह्मा ॥ Brahma. The Vedic hymns themselves assert that they were skillfully created by ऋषि-s || Rishis (seers), after inspired creativity, just as a carpenter builds a chariot. The वेदाः ॥ Vedas (shruti) are different from other texts based on Vedas such as श्रौतसूत्रम् || Shrauta Sutra and गृह्यसूत्रम् || GrhyaSutra, which are smriti texts.<ref name=":03">Acharya Dharma Deva Vidya Martanda. (2002). ''[https://archive.org/details/RigvedaWww.aryamantavya.in The Rigveda, with Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati's commentary, English translation, Vol I]''. New Delhi:Sarvadeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha.</ref><blockquote>तेभ्यस्तप्तेभ्यस्त्रयो वेदा अजायन्त । अग्नेर्ऋग्वेदो वायोर्यजुर्वेदः सूर्यात् सामवेदः । (Shat. Brah. 11.5) as given by Pt. Sri Jayadevaji Sharma<ref name=":2">Sharma, Pt Sri Jayadevaji (2008) ''Rigveda Samhita Bhashabhashya Volume 1'' Ajmer: Arya Sahitya Mandal Ltd</ref><ref>Singh, Ahilya. (2010) PhD Thesis Title: [http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/180070/3/03_chapter%201.pdf Pracheen bharat mein aarthik jeevan prarambh se vaidik kaal tak]. V. B. S. Purvanchal University.</ref></blockquote><blockquote>tebhyastaptebhyastrayo vedā ajāyanta । agnerṛgvedo vāyoryajurvedaḥ sūryāt sāmavedaḥ । (Shat. Brah. 11.5) as given by Pt. Sri Jayadevaji Sharma</blockquote><blockquote>तेभ्योऽभितप्तेभ्यस्त्रयो वेदा अजायन्त ऋग्वेद एवाग्नेरजायत यजुर्वेदो वायोः सामवेद आदित्यात् (Aite. Brah. 5.32)<ref>Aitareya Brahamana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%90%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%AF_%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE_%E0%A5%AB_(%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%AE_%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE) Panchaka 5])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>tebhyo'bhitaptebhyastrayo vedā ajāyanta ṛgveda evāgnerajāyata yajurvedo vāyoḥ sāmaveda ādityāt (Aite. Brah. 5.32)</blockquote><blockquote>अग्निवायुरविभ्यस्तु त्रयं ब्रह्म सनातनम् । दुदोह यज्ञसिद्ध्यर्थं ऋग्यजुःसामलक्षणम् । । १.२३ । ।(Manu. Smri. 1.23)<ref>Manusmriti ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 1])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>agnivāyuravibhyastu trayaṃ brahma sanātanam । dudoha yajñasiddhyarthaṃ ṛgyajuḥsāmalakṣaṇam । । 1.23 । ।(Manu. Smri. 1.23)</blockquote>As seen, all the above three mantras from different sources speak of the origin of Rigveda from [[Agni (अग्निः)|Agni]] (अग्निः), Yajurveda from Vayu (वायुः) and Samaveda from [[Surya (सूर्यः)|Surya]] (सूर्यः also called रविः।Ravi and आदित्यः । Aditya). Brahmanas (ब्राह्मण texts) ascribe the origin of Vedas from the Creator of the Universe, Brahma (ब्रह्मा) or Prajapati (प्रजापतिः).+ + + +
→वेदोत्पत्तिः || Vedotpatti: adding and editing
This definition describes the form of the वेदः ॥ Veda because it could be divided mainly into these two great divisions--the मन्त्राः ॥ Mantras and the ब्राह्मणानि ॥ Brahmanas. Accordingly, Mantra part is the main part of the Veda and whatever is not Mantra is Brahmana. Here, it is interesting to know that many ancient definitions of Veda, showing its significance, form or contents are given in ancient Indian texts. Generally speaking, the word Veda signifies highest, sacred, eternal and divine knowledge as well as the texts embodying that knowledge.<ref name=":1">Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Sanskritiya Parichaya''. Hubli:Sahitya Prakashana.</ref>
This definition describes the form of the वेदः ॥ Veda because it could be divided mainly into these two great divisions--the मन्त्राः ॥ Mantras and the ब्राह्मणानि ॥ Brahmanas. Accordingly, Mantra part is the main part of the Veda and whatever is not Mantra is Brahmana. Here, it is interesting to know that many ancient definitions of Veda, showing its significance, form or contents are given in ancient Indian texts. Generally speaking, the word Veda signifies highest, sacred, eternal and divine knowledge as well as the texts embodying that knowledge.<ref name=":1">Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Sanskritiya Parichaya''. Hubli:Sahitya Prakashana.</ref>
The Vedas (shruti) are a class of texts completely different from other texts based on Vedas such as Shrauta Sutra (श्रौतसूत्रम्) and GrhyaSutra (गृह्यसूत्रम्), which are classified under smrti texts.<ref name=":03">Acharya Dharma Deva Vidya Martanda. (2002). ''[https://archive.org/details/RigvedaWww.aryamantavya.in The Rigveda, with Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati's commentary, English translation, Vol I]''. New Delhi:Sarvadeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha.</ref>
== वैदिकसाहित्यं लौकिकसाहित्यं च ॥ Vaidika and Laukika Sahitya ==
== वैदिकसाहित्यं लौकिकसाहित्यं च ॥ Vaidika and Laukika Sahitya ==
Classical samskrit works (लौकिकसाहित्यम् | laukika sahitya), such as the mahakavyas ( महाकाव्यानि | the five great classic works on poetic form) and gadya kavyas (गद्यकाव्यानि | prose works) by various poets, are significantly different from the Vedic texts and are available in great volumes. Vedic texts and their usage of Samskrit language are distinct from the classical samskrit texts. Vedic Samskrit is more ancient than classical Samskrit. Long before Panini (पाणिनिः) systematized classical Samskrit grammar, Nirukta (निरुक्तम् ) was used to interpret Vedic Samskrit words.
Classical samskrit works (लौकिकसाहित्यम् | laukika sahitya), such as the mahakavyas ( महाकाव्यानि | the five great classic works on poetic form) and gadya kavyas (गद्यकाव्यानि | prose works) by various poets, are significantly different from the Vedic texts and are available in great volumes. Vedic texts and their usage of Samskrit language are distinct from the classical samskrit texts. Vedic Samskrit is more ancient than classical Samskrit. Long before Panini (पाणिनिः) systematized classical Samskrit grammar, Nirukta (निरुक्तम् ) was used to interpret Vedic Samskrit words.
Vedas are also called Shruti (श्रुतिः | what is heard) distinguishing them from other religious texts, which are called Smṛiti (स्मृतिः | what is remembered). The Vedas are revelations of ancient sages after intense meditation, passed on to thousands of future generations by shabda (शब्दः | sound) or transmitted verbally thus, carefully preserved since ancient times. Vedic texts have been written and preserved in much later ages.
Vedas are also called Shruti (श्रुतिः | what is heard) distinguishing them from other religious texts, which are called Smṛiti (स्मृतिः | what is remembered). The Vedas are revelations of ancient sages after intense meditation, passed on to thousands of future generations by shabda (शब्दः | sound) or transmitted verbally thus, carefully preserved since ancient times. Vedic texts have been written and preserved in much later ages.
वैदिकसंस्कृतम् ॥ [[Vedic Language (वैदिकभाषा)|Vedic samskrit language]] being ancient is difficult to understand without the knowledge of [[Shad Vedangas (षड्वेदाङ्गानि)|Vedangas (वेदाङ्गानि)]], especially Nirukta of Maharshi Yaska (महर्षिः यास्कः) and the grammar of Panini and Patanjali (पतञ्जलिः). Maharshi Yaska's Nirukta is special in that, it is not only a dictionary of Vedic words but also an explanatory text for different Vedic terms.
वैदिकसंस्कृतम् ॥ [[Vedic Language (वैदिकभाषा)|Vedic samskrit language]] being ancient is difficult to understand without the knowledge of [[Shad Vedangas (षड्वेदाङ्गानि)|Vedangas (वेदाङ्गानि)]], especially Nirukta of Maharshi Yaska (महर्षिः यास्कः) and the grammar of Panini and Patanjali (पतञ्जलिः). Maharshi Yaska's Nirukta is special in that, it is not only a dictionary of Vedic words but also an explanatory text for different Vedic terms.
The samskrit term veda as a common noun means "knowledge", but can also be used to refer to fields of study unrelated to spiritual knowledge, e.g. in अगद-वेद || agada-veda (medical science), सस्य-वेद || sasya-veda (science of agriculture) or सर्प-वेद || sarpa-veda (science of snakes), already found in the early Upanishads.
The samskrit term veda as a common noun means "knowledge", but can also be used to refer to fields of study unrelated to spiritual knowledge, e.g. in अगद-वेद || agada-veda (medical science), सस्य-वेद || sasya-veda (science of agriculture) or सर्प-वेद || sarpa-veda (science of snakes), already found in the early Upanishads.
== वेदोत्पत्तिः || Vedotpatti ==
== वेदोत्पत्तिः || Vedotpatti ==
Although the Vedas are said to be सनातनः ॥ Sanatana (eternal), however their origin is credited to ब्रह्मा ॥ [[Brahma (ब्रह्मा)|Brahma]]. According to शब्दकल्पद्रुमः ॥ Shabdakalpadruma, <blockquote>ब्रह्ममुखनिर्गतधर्म्मज्ञापकशास्त्रम् इति पुराणम् |</blockquote><blockquote>brahmamukhanirgatadharmmajñāpakaśāstram iti purāṇam |</blockquote>Meaning : पुराण-s || [[Puranas (पुराणानि)|Puranas]] proclaim that vedas are शास्त्र-s || shastras revealed from ब्रह्मा ॥ Brahma’s mouth that remind of one's धर्मः ॥ Dharma.
Although the Vedas are said to be Sanatana (सनातनः । eternal), however their origin is credited to [[Brahma (ब्रह्मा)|Brahma (ब्रह्मा)]].
=== ब्रह्मा ॥ Brahma ===
According to Shabdakalpadruma, <blockquote>ब्रह्ममुखनिर्गतधर्म्मज्ञापकशास्त्रम् इति पुराणम् |</blockquote><blockquote>brahmamukhanirgatadharmmajñāpakaśāstram iti purāṇam |</blockquote>Meaning : [[Puranas (पुराणानि)]] proclaim that vedas are shastras (शास्त्राणि) revealed from Brahma’s mouth that remind of one's Dharma (धर्मः).
Regarding the origin of Vedas, Shabdakalpadruma further states that according to the Puranas and Markandeya rishi - once Brahma meditated on how to create and the Vedas then took birth out of Brahma's four faces with 21 shakas of Rigveda (ऋग्वेदः), 100 shakhas of Yajurveda (यजुर्वेदः), 1000 shakhas of Samaveda (सामवेदः) and 9 shakhas of Atharvaveda (अथर्ववेदः) as given below.<blockquote>वेदस्य प्रादुर्भावो यथा कदाचित्कथं सृक्ष्यामीति ध्यायतो ब्रह्मणो मुखचतुष्टयेभ्यश्चत्वारो वेदाः प्रादुरासन् यथा </blockquote><blockquote>vedasya prādurbhāvo yathā kadācitkathaṃ sṛkṣyāmīti dhyāyato brahmaṇo mukhacatuṣṭayebhyaścatvāro vedāḥ prādurāsan yathā</blockquote><blockquote>एकविंशतिशाखात्मक - ऋक् १ शतशाखात्मक - यजुः २ सहस्रशाखामयसाम ३ नवशाखामयाथर्व्व ४ इति पुराणम् अपि च श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच । </blockquote><blockquote>ekaviṃśatiśākhātmaka - ṛk 1 śataśākhātmaka - yajuḥ 2 sahasraśākhāmayasāma 3 navaśākhāmayātharvva 4 iti purāṇam api ca śrīmārkaṇḍeya uvāca । </blockquote>In the Mahabharata also the creation of Vedas is credited to Brahma. The Vedic hymns themselves assert that they were skillfully created by Rishis (seers), after inspired creativity, just as a carpenter builds a chariot.
=== ब्राह्मणाः ॥ Brahmanas ===
Brahmana mantras from different sources speak of the origin of
* Rigveda from [[Agni (अग्निः)]],
* Yajurveda from [[Vayu (वायुः)]]
* Samaveda from [[Surya (सूर्यः)]] also called रविः। Ravi and आदित्यः । Aditya.
<blockquote>तेभ्यस्तप्तेभ्यस्त्रयो वेदा अजायन्त । अग्नेर्ऋग्वेदो वायोर्यजुर्वेदः सूर्यात् सामवेदः । (Shat. Brah. 11.5) as given by Pt. Sri Jayadevaji Sharma<ref name=":2">Sharma, Pt Sri Jayadevaji (2008) ''Rigveda Samhita Bhashabhashya Volume 1'' Ajmer: Arya Sahitya Mandal Ltd</ref><ref>Singh, Ahilya. (2010) PhD Thesis Title: [http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/180070/3/03_chapter%201.pdf Pracheen bharat mein aarthik jeevan prarambh se vaidik kaal tak]. V. B. S. Purvanchal University.</ref></blockquote><blockquote>tebhyastaptebhyastrayo vedā ajāyanta । agnerṛgvedo vāyoryajurvedaḥ sūryāt sāmavedaḥ । (Shat. Brah. 11.5) as given by Pt. Sri Jayadevaji Sharma</blockquote><blockquote>तेभ्योऽभितप्तेभ्यस्त्रयो वेदा अजायन्त ऋग्वेद एवाग्नेरजायत यजुर्वेदो वायोः सामवेद आदित्यात् (Aite. Brah. 5.32)<ref>Aitareya Brahamana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%90%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%AF_%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE_%E0%A5%AB_(%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%AE_%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE) Panchaka 5])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>tebhyo'bhitaptebhyastrayo vedā ajāyanta ṛgveda evāgnerajāyata yajurvedo vāyoḥ sāmaveda ādityāt (Aite. Brah. 5.32)</blockquote>
=== मनुस्मृतिः ॥ Manusmriti ===
<blockquote>अग्निवायुरविभ्यस्तु त्रयं ब्रह्म सनातनम् । दुदोह यज्ञसिद्ध्यर्थं ऋग्यजुःसामलक्षणम् । । १.२३ । ।(Manu. Smri. 1.23)<ref>Manusmriti ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 1])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>agnivāyuravibhyastu trayaṃ brahma sanātanam । dudoha yajñasiddhyarthaṃ ṛgyajuḥsāmalakṣaṇam । । 1.23 । ।(Manu. Smri. 1.23)</blockquote>Manusmrti also
===मुण्डक-उपनिषद् ॥ Mundaka Upanishad===
The Upanishad texts base their spiritual philosophy on Vedas and describe the origin of vedas to be from the Parabrahma (परब्रह्मन् । Infinite Consciousness).<ref name=":032">Acharya Dharma Deva Vidya Martanda. (2002). ''[https://archive.org/details/RigvedaWww.aryamantavya.in The Rigveda, with Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati's commentary, English translation, Vol I]''. New Delhi:Sarvadeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha.</ref><ref>Swami Sharvananda (1920) ''Mundaka and Mandukya Upanishads'', Madras:Sri Ramakrishna Math</ref><blockquote>तस्मादृच: साम यजूंषि दीक्षा || tasmādṛca: sāma yajūṃṣi dīkṣā || (Mund. Upan. 2.1.6)<ref>The Works of Sri Sankaracharya (1910) [https://archive.org/stream/CompleteWorksOfSriSankaracharyaIn20Volumes1910Edition/WorksOfSriSankaracharya05-MundakaMandukyaAitareyaUpanishads1#page/n57/mode/2up ''The Upanishad Bhashya - Munda, Mandukya, & Aitereya. Vol 5''] Srirangam: Sri Vani Vilas Press</ref></blockquote>Meaning: From Him (the परब्रह्मन् ॥ Parabrahma) arise the the mantras of Rks, Yajus (यजुस्) and Sama (साम) vedas.<ref name=":032" />
===बृहदारण्यक-उपनिषद् ॥ Brhdaranyaka Upanishad===
Brhdaranyaka Upanishad ascribes the origin of Vedas from the breath of the Supreme Being <blockquote>....एतस्य वा महतो भूतस्य नि:श्वसितमेतद् यद् ऋग्वेदो यजुर्वेद: सामवेदोऽथर्वाङ्गिरस .... || (Brih. Upan. 4.5.11)<ref>Brhdaranyaka Upanishad ([https://archive.org/stream/Brihadaranyaka.Upanishad.Shankara.Bhashya.by.Swami.Madhavananda#page/n805/mode/2up Adhyaya 4])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>....etasya vā mahato bhūtasya ni:śvasitametad yad ṛgvedo yajurveda: sāmavedo'tharvāṅgirasa .... || (Brih. Upan. 4.5.11)</blockquote>Meaning: From the breath (exhalation) of this Supreme Being have arisen the Rigveda (ऋग्वेदः), Yajurveda (यजुर्वेदः), Samaveda (सामवेदः) and Atharvaveda (अथर्ववेदः).<ref name=":033">Acharya Dharma Deva Vidya Martanda. (2002). ''[https://archive.org/details/RigvedaWww.aryamantavya.in The Rigveda, with Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati's commentary, English translation, Vol I]''. New Delhi:Sarvadeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha.</ref>
== वेदलक्षणानि || Vedalakshanas ==
== वेदलक्षणानि || Vedalakshanas ==
Vedas have the following important attributes summarized here, apart from the many other characteristics, as discussed by scholars over ages.
Vedas have the following important attributes summarized here, apart from the many other characteristics, as discussed by scholars over ages.