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Samhita (Complete) |
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Sama Veda
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Aranyaka |
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Brahmana |
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Upanishads (Principle/Major) |
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Sama Veda - Chanting (Audio) |
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The Sama Veda, or Veda of Holy Songs, third in the usual order of
enumeration of the three Vedas, ranks next in sanctity and liturgical
importance to the Rig Veda. The word Sama is derived from the word 'saman'
meaning 'destroying sin'. It's metrical portion, consists chiefly of
hymns to be chanted by the Udgatar priests at the performance of
important sacrifices. The collection is made up of hymns, portions of
hymns, and detached verses, taken mainly from the Rig Veda, transposed
and re-arranged, without reference to their original order, to suit the
religious ceremonies in which they were to be employed. In these
compiled hymns there are frequent variations of more or less importance,
from the text of the Rig Veda as we now possess it with variations,
although in some cases they are apparently explanatory, seen in others
to be older and more original than the readings of the Rig Veda. In
singing, the verses are still further altered by prolongation,
repetition and insertion of syllables, and various modulations, rests
and other modifications prescribed, for the guidance of the officiating
priests, in the ganas or song-books.
The Sama Veda contains the melodies or music for the chants used from
the Rig Veda for the sacrifices. These are considered the origin of
Indian music and probably stimulated great artistry to make the
sacrifices worthwhile to their patrons who supported the priests.
Classical Indian music is said to have been born from the chants of the
Sama Veda.
The Sama Veda chants were used extensively in agricultural rites and in
the soma rituals, in which the juice of the soma plant, clarified and
mixed with milk and other ingredients, was offered in libation to
various deities.
The Sama Veda represents the ecstasy of spiritual knowledge and the
power of devotion.
The Sama Veda is represented by three recensions:
Kauthuma
The Kauthuma Samaveda has been traditionally associated with Gujarat.
Today, it is prevalent in North India, and in Tanjavur in South India.
Ranayaniya
The Ranayaniya rescension does not differ mush textually from the
Kauthuma recension. This is extant among the Havik brahmanas of northern
Karnataka.
Jaiminiya or Talavakara
The Jaiminiya Sama Veda is extant today primarily among the Nambudiri
Brahmin community in Kerala.
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