A BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF THE VEDAS

This book has been authored by Swami Harshananda. Pub. by Ramakrishna Math, Bangalore.

ATHARVA-VEDA-SAMHITAA Also known as Brahmaveda, since it is assigned to the Brahmaa-priest, the Atharva-veda-samhitaa has some special features because of which it stands apart from the other three Vedas, specially from the Rigveda-samhitaa. It deals more with the things here and now, than the hereafter, and with the sacrifices which are a means to them. Major part of this Veda is concerned with diseases and their cure, rites fro prolonging life, rites for fulfilling one’s desires, building construction, trade and commerce, statecraft, penances and propitiatory rites, as also black magic, though high philosophical ideas much nearer to those of the Upanisads are also found. Even the literary style is more sophisticated. Hence it is that some scholars believe that this work is chronologically of a later origin and was admitted into the comity of Vedic literature at a later date. From the ancient times, nine Shaakhaas of this Veda are known to have existed, but only two are extant: Pippalaada and Shaunaka. It is only the latter that is available in a complete form.

The Atharva-veda-samhitaa is divided into 4 Prapaathakas or books, comprising 20 Kaandas or chapters. Each Kaanda is again subdivided into Suktas or hymns, and the Suktas into Mantras. There are 6,077 Mantras, in 736 Suktas spread over 20 Kandas in 4 Prapaathakas. The last Kaanda, i.e., the 20th, has borrowed heavily from the Rigveda-samhitaa.

This Veda designates God the Absolute not only as Brahman but also by some interesting names like Skambha, Ucchista and Vraatya which are peculiar only to it. The whole universe has emerged out of Him due to His will and is established in Him. He is the Lord of the whole creation. The sun, called ‘Rohita’ [the ‘Red One’] is a symbol of His power. And he is the indwelling spirit of human beings also. Those who realize this, go beyond all fear. This Veda also refers to heaven and hell, as also virtue and sin. The qualities like satya (truth), diiksa (discipline) and tapas (austerity) that help man to attain perfection are also mentioned.

This work gives us an interesting picture of the society of its times. The land in which the people lived, extended from Gaandhaara (Afghanistan) to Magadha (Bihar) and Anga (Bengal). The Varna system had been well-established. The first three Varnas were powerful. Trade and commerce were prosperous though agriculture was the mainstay of the people. Sometimes the Braahmanas were harassed by the powerful ksattriya kings. The cow was highly venerated and godaana [gift of a cow] was considered meritorious. The institution of marriage was similar to that in the Rigvedic times.

EPILOGUE

As already stated, the Vedic Samhitaas had to be committed to memory and were passed n orally from generation to generation. Even now they have been preserved in a pure form. This was possible only due to the unique system of chanting that had been evolved, consisting of pada-paatha, karma-paatha, jataa-paatha, and ghana-paatha, which are all various chanting modes.

The Vedas, considered ‘apauruseya’ [not man-made but revealed], are rather difficult to understand due to the archaic form of language and terminology. Hence, the six Vedaangas [limbs of Veda], six subsidiary sciences that help unfold the Vedic wisdom, came into existence. They are: Siiksaa, Vyaakarana, Chandas, Nirukta, Jyotisa and Kalpa. Siksaa deals with the modes of chanting. Vyaakaranais is Vedic grammar. Chandas is concerned with the details of the metres of Vedic poetry. Nirukta gives the meanings and explanations of Vedic words. Jyotisa, though a work of astronomy, is more directly concerned with the times and periods suitable for the performance of the Vedic sacrifices. Kalpa, in the form of sutras or aphorisms, has four branches - srauta, grihya, dharma and sulba. It deals with all aspects of sacrificial rites and smaller religious rites performed at home.

In understanding the Vedic literature, Bhaasyas or commentaries have done yeomen service. There have been a galaxy of commentators over the centuries, among whom Saayanaacaarya (14th century) holds a unique place, not only because of sheer volume of work but also because of the quality.

A study of the Vedas is a fascinating and highly rewarding experience.