The Holy Vedas: Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, Athara Veda

Description

The Vedas are the ancient texts that are sacred in India and renowned the world over. The word Veda literally means Knowledge. The root Vid, “to know” The Vedas are thus texts that provide knowledge. There are four Vedas, known as the Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, and the Athara Veda. Many years ago, the Vedas were referred to as Trayi or three. There must have been some point of time when there were only three Vedas. These are acknowledged to have Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, and Sama Veda. The Athara Veda is believed to be a later addition to the sacred canon.

Each of the Vedas has two parts, a Samhita and the Brahmanas. The Samhita part consists of Mantras or incantations. These were hymns that were used in sacrifices. But these mantras are difficult to interpret without commentaries. That is what the Brahmanas set out to do. They explain the hymns and indicate how these are used in sacrifices. The Brahmanas also have detailed descriptions of sacrifices and how they are to be conducted. The Samhita and the Brahmanas are often known as Karma and, that is, the part of Vedas that deals with rituals.

In addition, Vedic literature also includes Jnana Kanda. This is the part that deals with supreme knowledge. Included in Jnana Kanda are the Aranyakas and Upanishad.