The Rigveda Samhita is often also divided into 8 parts called ‘Ashtakas’ which are further divided into 8 chapters each. Mandalas 1 and 10 are considered later additions, for most part. The hymns are divided amongst 10 books called the ‘mandalas’. It comprises of 10552 mantras in 1028 hymns (=Suktas). “This is the oldest Vedic text, as also the largest. There are common verses in both Rig Veda and Yajur Veda Samhitas. Sama is detailed rhythmic singing of A Mantra. Rik- Metrical and obeys one of any 100 defined Meters, Verse of Illumination. Many Suktas are simple Prayers without any specific mundane goal, the goal being Self Realization.Įach Mantra is of any of these three types. well or properly said or recitedĪ Suktam is a part or portion of Vedic verses in praise of a Deity or group of Deities to please accordingly, and to have a desire fulfilled. Atharva-Samhitas consist of mantras meant for routine rites and rituals.Įvery Veda contains Mantras / Suktas सूक्त sUkta n.Yajur-Samhitas consist of mantras composed in the form of poems and prose.Sam-Samhitas consist of mantras in the form of songs, which are meant for liturgy.Rig-Samhitas consist of mantras known as Richas.The Samhitas are named after the Vedas they belong to, for example Rig-Samhitas or Rig-Veda-Samhitas will refer to Samhitas of Rigveda.Most of these mantras or hymns are concerned with nature and deities. As Samhita is the collection of the mantras, so sometimes Samhitas are referred to as Mantras. The Samhitas form the first part of each of the four Vedas.The Samhitas and Brahmanas form the Karma-Kanda segment of the Vedas and deals with ceremonial rites and rituals, whilst the Aranyakas and the Upanishads form the Gyan-Kanda segment of the Vedas and focus on philosophy and spiritualism.Samhitas mean ‘Compilation of Knowledge.’
The Upanishads, which are inquiries into the Nature of the elf and/Reality.įor more on Vedas please read pots filed under Indian Philosophy/Hinduism. Bahmnanas, which mainly speak of duties to be performed by a House-holder,Īranyakas, which contain instructions to be followed when one retires to forest and meditates on The Reality and Samhita,which consists predominantly of Hymns. These are Four in Number and each of them are divided into Four portions, Rig Veda Mantra on Agni,Fire The Vedas are the Scriptures of the Hindus, transmitted Orally for over Five Thousand years.