Sama-Veda
This Veda is named after a Rishi by name Atharvan, who brought to light these Mantras. Many types of Mantras to ward off evil and hardship and for destruction of ones enemies are contained here. This Veda has mantras that pertain to gods not mentioned in the other Vedas, also hymns dealing with Creation. Brahma who supervises Yajnas, is representative of Atharva Veda. This Veda has 5977 verses
There are different sets of priests for each of the first three Vedas. Those who specialize in reciting the Rig Veda are called ‘Hotris’.
The priests specializing in the recital of Yajur-Veda are called ‘Adhwaryus’.
The chanters of the Sama Veda are called 'Udgatris’.
Phenomenon of oral Communication.
" In the British Museum,
one may see a written Bible of the third and fourth centuries A.D.; the Holy
Qoran of thirteen hundred years ago beautifully scribed, but one would rarely
find a script of the Veda of such an ancient date. Such an amazing phenomenon
of preserving the most ancient of texts of 20,000 verses through all the years
of history could not have occurred in any other land. The credit goes to the
traditional Brahmins who against all hazards of human history could keep the
texts so well preserved with the right phonetic accents and accuracy to this
day"
From 'The Holy Vedas, A Golden Treasury' by
Pandit Satyakam Vidyalankar. Clarion Books. Delhi. India
Upa Vedas
There are four secondary Vedas, which are science rather than Shruti. Their ages are not determined, although they may be of much later origin.
The Upavedas are; Ayurveda (medicine), Dhanur Veda (military science) Gandharva Veda (music and dance) and Sthapatya Veda (Architecture).
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Upanishads |
Atharva-Veda
