Types of Vedas - NCERT Ancient History Notes

Types of Vedas - NCERT Ancient History Notes

The composition of these religious texts reflects Vedic Sanskrit originating from ancient India. These four Vedas are called Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda (Atharveda). These books are respectively Samhita (sacred mantras and blessings), Aryanka (ritual texts of sacrifices, rituals, and many other types of symbolic renunciation), Brahmans (commentaries on rituals), Upanishads (Sanskrit - Words that discuss meditation, philosophy, and spiritual understanding). The Vedas are a treasure trove of texts and mantras that contain spiritual knowledge and cover many aspects of our lives.

Rigveda

Rigveda means "verse of knowledge". It is the oldest of his four Vedas in the Hindu tradition. It consists of 1028 hymns grouped into 10 books known as 'mandalas'. All of these hymns are dedicated to Vedic deities such as Agni (fire god), Indra (Lord of the skies), Mithra, Varuna (water god) and Surya (sun), and are important motifs.

Yajurveda

It contains 1,975 mantras and 40 adhyayas (chapters), divided into two main groups such as the
Black Yajur Vedas (“Krishna” Vedas).
White Yajur Vedas – 'Shukla' Vedas suggest clear/arranged verses. Taitriya Samhita, Kataka Samhita, Kapishtala Samhita and Maitrayani Samhita.
Krishna Yajurveda refers to the "Brahma sect" and Shukra Yajurveda to the "Aditya sect." Both groups contain the types of samhita that are available to us today. These samhitas have important significance in sacrifice.

Samaveda

It conveys the knowledge of songs and is known as the "Vedas of Melody". It consists of his 1,549 liturgies and six Adhyayas incorporated into various major Upanishadic studies such as the 'Chandgya Upanishads' and 'Kenaupanishads'. These Upanishads have influenced his six schools of Hindu philosophy, especially the Vedanta. Sama Vedas play an important role in rooting dance and music traditions on the planet.

Atharvaveda

It is a collection of 730 hymns and 6000 mantras divided into 20 volumes. It is known as the "Vedas of magic formulas". The study of royal ceremonies and priestly duties may be accomplished through Atharveda. Its last layer contains Brahmana texts and covers philosophical conjectures. also consists of his three major Upanishads which influenced various Hindu philosophies.