About the Vedas

Rigveda is the first granth (scripture) of the world. It has 1028 hymns in its 10 mandalas (chapters) in which there are more than 10 thousand verses (10472). The Rigveda contains about 400 hymns or sukts in various verses (shloks) composed by several sages. These hymns are dedicated to dieties like Agni, Vayu, Varuna, Indra, Vishwadev, Marut, Prajapati, Surya (Sun) , Usha (Morning), Pusha, Rudra, Savita etc. In Rigveda itself, Trimbak-Mantra or Mrityunjaya Mantra (shlok 7.59.12) is described to prevent death. The world-famous Gayatri Mantra (shlok 3.62.10) is also mentioned in Rigved. The sage, deity, verses and appropriation of each mantra are mentioned in the Samhita or Bhashya. Rishi means the seer of that mantra, here devta means field of study, this is completely different from the current prevailing meaning of the word deity, verse refers to the mold or measure in which that mantra is made and appropriation means – Experiment.

Atharvaveda is also called Brahmaveda. Along with the praise of the dietes, there are also mantras for medicine, science and philosophy. The following is the thematic division of the hymns of Atharvaveda (1) Bhaishajya Sukta - In these hymns, the treatment and medicines of diseases are described. (2) Ayushya Sukta - In these hymns, prayer has been made for long life. (3) Nutritious hymns - In these hymns, there is a description of building a house, ploughing, sowing seeds, producing grains, etc. (4) Atonement hymns - In these hymns, there is a description of atonement for many types of sins and forbidden deeds. (5) Streekarma Suktas - These hymns are related to marriage and love. (6) Rajkarma Suktas - These hymns are related to kings and their actions. The special hymn of Atharvaveda is 'Prithvi Sukta'. In this hymn, the earth is called 'mother'. A part of this mantra is ‘माता पृथिवी पुत्रोह पृथिव्याः.’ . That is, the earth is my mother and I am the son of this earth.

Yajurveda is a methodical text, which was compiled in the priesthood system for performing Yagya etc. That is why even today most of the mantras of various sacraments and sacred deeds are from Yajurveda only. Yajurveda has been relatively more popular due to its relation to Yajna etc. The name of the Veda is formed from the combination of the words Yajush + Veda (= Yajurveda) in the name of Yajush. Yaj means devotion. The offering of substances (such as fuel, ghee, etc.), karma (service, tarpan), shraadh, yoga, control of the sense organs, etc. is called yajan. Most of the rules and regulations of Yagyas and Havans are in this Veda, so this granth is ritualistic.

The Samveda is the smallest of the four Vedas in terms of size and all except 99 of its 1875 hymns belong to the Rigveda. The importance of Samveda is known from this that Shri Krishna has said in the Gita that – ‘वेदानां सामवेदोस्मि’ (I am Samveda among Vedas), the importance of Samveda has also been shown in the Anusashan parv of Mahabharata – ‘सामवेदश्च वेदानां यजुषां शतरुद्रीयम्’ The Acharya of Samveda is considered to be Gemini, Ved Vyas taught Samveda to his disciple Gemini.