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VEDA , s.
рд╡реЗрджрдГ. This is the name given to the four most ancient sacred books of the Hind┼лs, viz. the с╣Ъich or с╣Ъig-veda рдЛрдЧреНрд╡реЗрджрдГ, the Yajus or Yajurveda рдпрдЬреБрд░реНрд╡реЗрджрдГ, the S─Бman or рд╕рд╛рдорд╡реЗрджрдГ, and the Atharvan or Atharva-veda рдЕрдерд░реНрд╡рд╡реЗрджрдГ. Of these the с╣Ъig-veda is the most celebrated. It consists of metrical hymns or prayers termed s┼лktas or mantras, each stanza of which is called a с╣Ыch, ad- dressed chiefly to the gods of the elements, Fire, Air, the Sun, &c., and ascribed to different holy authors or с╣Ъiс╣гis. The Yajurveda consists principally of prayers and invo- cations applicable to the consecration of the utensils and materials of sacrificial worship. It is divided into two parts, the white and black, the former of which is attri- buted to the saint Y─Бjnavalkya, and the latter to Tittiri. The Sama-veda is little else than a recast of the с╣Ъig- veda, being made up of many of the same hymns, broken into parts and arranged anew for the purpose of being chanted during various expiatory ceremonies. The Atharva-veda has little in common with the other three in its character or style. Its language indicates a different and later era, and it may therefore be regarded as a supplement to the three others. Hence it is that many passages are found in Sanskrit writings which limit the number of Vedas to three. Each of the Vedas consists of two distinct component parts, viz. the Mantra portion, and the Br─Бhmaс╣Зa portion. The Mantra por- tion is a collection or Sanhit─Б of s┼лktas, or hymns as above described, the composition of which is supposed to have taken place about twelve or thirteen centuries B. C.; the Br─Бhmaс╣Зa portion is a collection of rules for the repetition of the Mantras at certain particular cere- monies, with directions for the performance of such ceremonies, and illustrative remarks explanatory of their origin. This portion of the Vedas is supposed to have been composed about seven or eight centuries B. C. The Vedas were collected and arranged into books and chapters by the sage Kс╣Ыс╣гnadvaipayana, surnamed Vy─Бsa, who is supposed to have lived in the eleventh century after Christ; see under PUR─АNA. The Vedas collectively are often called рд╢реНрд░реБрддрд┐рдГf. or рдЖрдореНрдирд╛рдпрдГ, and a Br─Бhman conversant with them рд╢реНрд░реЛрддреНрд░рд┐рдпрдГ or рд╢реНрд░реБрддрд┐рдЬреНрдЮрдГ. тАФ
(The three Vedas) рд╡реЗрджрддреНрд░рдпрдВ -рдпреА, рддреНрд░рдпреА;
тАШduty enjoined by them,тАЩ рддреНрд░рдпреАрдзрд░реНрдореНрдордГ. тАФ
(The four Vedas) рдЪрддреБрд░реНрд╡реЗрджрдВ;
тАШone who is conver- sant with them,тАЩ рдЪрддреБрд░реНрд╡рд┐рджреНрдпрдГ, рдЪрддреБрд░реНрд╡реЗрджрдГ, рдЪрд╛рддреБрд░реНрд╡реИрджреНрдпрдГ. The ─Аyur-veda, or code of medicine, is regarded by some as a part of the Atharva-veda, by others as an Upa-veda, see under SCRIPTURE.
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noun
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