| The
Essence of SamVeda |
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It is said in the Chandogya Upanishad that
YA RIK
TATSAMA ||
------------------------ (1/3/4)
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A
compilation of richas(shlokas ) is known as Sama.
RICHI
ADHYOODHA SAMA
------------------------ (1/6/1)
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Sama
is dependent on the Richas.
VACHAHA
RIERASAHA RICHAHA SAMARASAHA | SAMNA UDVITHO RASAHA ||
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The
beauty of speech lies in the Richas, The beauty of richas lie in the sama and
the beauty of the sama lies in the style of pronunciation and singing.
Therefore it is now clear that the knowledge of Sama, itself is Samaveda. The
singing of the sama can make the mind stable and can give peace to the vagrant
mind. The singing of the Sama begins initially on the high pitch and gradually
the pitch is lowered. These sound waves of the sama are capable of giving peace
to the mind.
Yogeshwar SriKrishna has stated the importance of Samaveda in the following
manner-VEDANAMA SAMAVEDO ASMI meaning " I am samaveda myself, amongst
the Vedas."(GEETA 10/22)
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There
are 2 parts of the Samaveda
(i) Purvarchik (2) Uttararchik |
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In
between both of them is 'Mahanamnayarchik which comprises of 10 incantations
There are 4 parts of Purvarchika _ Aagneya, Aendra,Paavmaan and Aasanya.
The number of mantras in each skanda (Part ) are as follows -
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NAME
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NO.OF MANTRAS |
| AAGNEYA |
114 |
| AENDRA |
352 |
| PAAVMAAN |
119 |
| AARANYA |
55 |
| MAHANAMNYARCHIK |
10 |
| TOTAL |
650 |
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| There
are 21 chapters in the Uttararchik which contain 1225 mantras. Cumulatively,
there are 1875 mantras in the Samaveda. |
| On
the basis of the style of singing and pronunciation there were once upon a time
a thousand branches, but gradually became extinct. Now also we do not come
across many that recite the Samagana. Many of them are found in Southern India,
especially Mysore. The 3 branches now known as Ranayani,Kauthumi and Jaiminiya. |
| Many
people believe that besides a few mantras, most of the Samaveda mantras are
extracted from the Rigveda . It is important to know that the method of
pronunciation of Samaveda and Rigveda is evidently different and in this
language one alphabet can change the meaning and context of mantra altogether. |
After
the Vedas come the Brahmanas. Amongst the Samvedic Brahmana texts, Tandava and
samavidhana are more famous. Because the Tandava Brahmana consists of 25
chapters it is known as Panchvisha Brahmana. There are many a miraculous
stories in this Brahmana, therefore it is also referred to as Adhbhut Brahmana.
The other Brahmanas of Samaveda are Arsheya, Vansha and Samhitopnishad Brahmana
etc.
The Aranyaka texts consist of extracts from upanishads. The Aranyaka of Samveda
comes under the Samasamhita. The Samvedi Brahmans sing the metrical mantras,
therefore the name of this Aranyaka text is Chandogya Upanishad. Amongst the
Samvedic upanishads, the Chandogya and Kenopinshad are the most famous. The
scholars state that Brahmana , Aranyaka and upanishads represent 3 states of
life,Grihastha( householders),Vanprastha(going to the forest) and Sanyasa(Total
renunciation)
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| All
the mantras of the Samaveda are sung. Those mantras only are recited to invoke
the Gods for whom the religious sacrifice is being offered to. The recitation
of the Samaveda includes 7 notes. One can therefore aptly find the roots of
music embedded here. With respect to the evolution and development of Indian
music, the samveda holds special significance. The sama-gana is capable of
giving the listener, divine peace.
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PART
ONE : PURVARCHIK
"AAGNEYA"
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(1)
AGNIRVRITRANI JANGHANAD |
------------------------(4, Samveda)
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| Agni(fire)
destroys the enemies (vritras). Agni destroys darkness by creating light. We
have five fundamental enemies - pleasure instincts, anger, greed, attachment
and ego. The fire of knowledge is capable of destroying these enemies.
Ignorance (darkness) can be destroyed by knowledge of self. |
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(2)
AGNE ! NAHA DRISHE DEVAHA HI ASI |
------------------------(10, SAMAVEDA)
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Agni
is the God,which leads and guides us. Agni destroys darkness and makes it
easier for us to tread on the path towards knowledge. Therefore Agni creates
light and leads us towards our goal.
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(3)
NAHA RAYIM VANSATE |
------------------------(22, SAMVEDA)
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Agni
blesses us with wealth. Agni gives us heat and energy so that we can fulfill
all our duties. In return it yields good results i.e. wealth. Therefore it is a
truth that Agni is the giver of wealth.
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(4)
HEY AGNEY ! MRID, MAHAN ASI I
------------------------(23, SAMAVEDA)
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O
Agni, you are great and are giver of happiness. Agni is useful to us in many a
ways. As a result we get happiness. In this way Agni is giver of happiness and
therefore is considered noble.
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(5)
AGNEY ! VISHPATIHI RAKSHASAHA TAPANAHA |
------------------------(39, Samaveda)
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Agni
is the protector of the people, is the destroyer of demons. Agni is useful in
constructive activities. Agni is not only the protector but is also the
destroyer. . The righteous usage of Agni can lead to good fruits but the abuse
of Agni shall lead to sheer destruction and ruin.
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(6)
HEY AGNEY| SAVITA DEVAHA NA URDHVAHA VAJASYA SANITA |
------------------------(57 Samaveda)
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O
Agni ! May you become alike the sun and bless us with food grains. O Agni !
Nourish us and help us in all our constructive activities. Protect us and
nourish us by creating the necessary food grains.
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(7)
AGNIHI SUVIRAYASYA SAUBHAGASYA ISHE |
------------------------(60, SAMAVEDA)
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Agni
is the master of noble valiance and fortune Agni is the one, which bestows all
material happiness, destroys all darkness and is the ultimate source of energy.
It is used in human welfare and allied constructive activities. It increases
courage and bestows wealth, health and comfort.
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(8)
HAVISHA A JUHOT, MARJAYADHWAM |
------------------------(63, Samveda)
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Perform
the Religious sacrifice with the right means, may it purify everything. During
the yagya, ghee, aromatic herbs, shrubs are offered to the fire. As a result
the entire atmosphere becomes clean and pollution free. Fire can help in making
the atmosphere devoid of pollution. Therefore we should use the right things to
purify the atmosphere, during the yagya.
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AENDRA
KANDA
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(9)
BRAHMADWISHAHA AVAJAHI |
------(194 SAMAVEDA)
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Destroy
hatred by knowledge. Light is the symbol of knowledge. When a person is filled
with enmity and animosity he lacks judgement and fails to do good to others.
With the emergence of knowledge all the hatred ceases and the person engages
incessantly in good deeds.
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(10)
UGRAM VACHAHA APAVADHIHI ||
------(353, SAMAVEDA)
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Do
not speak harsh words. We should always be soft spoken because people always
like people who are soft spoken. No body ever likes a person who speaks harsh
words and hurts other. Our words should exhibit our good thoughts.
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(11)
AHAHA AHAHA SHUNDHYUHU PARIPADAM |
------(396, Samveda)
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Cleanliness
can keep one away from ailments and diseases. The people who keep themselves
and their surroundings clean seldom fall sick. We should never forget
cleanliness is next to Godliness. For proper growth and development, a clean
mind and body are of utmost importance
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(12)
AVRATAHA NAHA HINOTI |
------(441,Samaveda)
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A
person who does not fulfill the vows cannot accomplish anything. The person who
does not have a firm conviction to accomplish the resolution is definitely a
failure. A person who does not strive with mind, heart and body does not ever
achieve anything. That is why one should become a karma yogi and work
constantly although he may or may not get the benefits. Eventually, hard work
undoubtedly gets paid off.
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PAAVMANA
KANDA
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(13)
VICHARSHANIHI VISHWAHA MRUDAHA ABHYAKRAMIT |
------(488,Samaveda)
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| The
scholar is successful in vanquishing all his enemies. The scholar has a
solution for every problem and crisis, may it be disease or an external enemy.
Because he is endowed with wit and grit he surmounts all his problems
successfully. He controls the fickleness of the mind by reciting mantras and
eventually stabilizes the mind. He gives the right advice at the right time to
the right people. In this way we should all strive to acquire as much knowledge
possible because on attainment of total knowledge we shall be able to find a
solution to all our problems. |
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(14)
SUKRITYA MAHANA ABHYAVARDHAYAHA |
------(507 ,SAMAVEDA)
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You
become noble because of your good deeds.
By engaging in good deeds he or she becomes famous and gets honour and respect
in society. If the good deeds result in the welfare of society then such a
person is honoured and is respected, undoubtedly. |
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(15)
VICHARSHANIHI HITAHA SA CHATETI |
------(508 ,SAMAVEDA)
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A
scholar becomes a benefactor and gives knowledge. When a scholar is donating
knowledge the ultimate aim of his knowledge is welfare of one and all. Because
of knowledge, the darkness of ignorance ceases and we tread on the path of
progress. We should imbibe all the knowledge and the merits from the scholars
and should engage in activities that result in the welfare one and all.
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(16)
RATNADHAHA VARYANI DAYATE |
------(528, Samaveda)
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person who wears gems or precious stones becomes wealthy. People who wear
precious stones and gems acquire a lot of wealth. During times of crisis,
wealth is of utmost importance., Precious stones and gems are worn to improve
ones health. We should, therefore always save for contingencies, otherwise we
shall have to beg from others. |
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(17)
MA TE RASASYA MATSAT DWAYAWINAHA |
------(561, Samaveda)
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| Those
people do not dwell in happiness whose deeds and thoughts are not similar. A
person who is a hypocrite never lives in happiness. Therefore we should be
beware of hypocrisy and try to bridge the gap between thoughts and action i.e.
we should perform deeds according to our thoughts. |
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(18)
ATAPTATTURNA TADAMO ASHNUTE |
------(565, Samaveda)
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| No
one can over achieve anything without perseverance. When a human being engages
in action and hard work until he does not achieve his goal, he undergoes
metamorphosis and positive change. In this manner he makes himself all the more
disciplined, patient and diligent. As a result of his diligence he gets good
benefits such as total peace, happiness and Contention. |
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ARANYAKA
KANDA
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YAHA MAM DADATI SA VATA | |
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The
giver of food protects one and all. Donation of food leads to protection of
others. That is why it is referred to as the noblest form of donation. By
donating food one is blessed with limitless virtues. Similarly scholars who
donate and impart knowledge, do so for the welfare of all. By knowledge, one
become judicious and engages in earning a livelihood for him. Donation of
knowledge enhances knowledge and this is a noble form of donation..
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(20)
ANNAM ADANTAM AHAM ANNAM ADMI |
------(594,Samaveda)
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| He
who does not donate food, I (God) destroy his food. We should never store food
more than what is required. If we do so the gods consider us selfish and
destroy all the food. That is why we should always donate food whenever
possible. Similarly if a scholar does not impart education and knowledge, the
knowledge automatically stagnates and ceases. Therefore the scholars should
donate knowledge time to time. By doing so their ego ceases to exist. |
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(21)
MAYAVINO MAMIRE ASYA MAYAYA |
------(596,Samaveda)
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| By
imbibing knowledge the greatest of the ignorant can become noble and
knowledgeable. By acquiring knowledge the darkness of ignorance is destroyed.
As a result the wicked also become compassionate renounce their wickedness,
their attachment and become noble. The flame of knowledge leads a person to the
path of progress. |
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(22)
AMRITAYA APYAYAMANAHA DIVI UTTAMANI SHRAVANSI DHISHWA |
------(603,Samaveda)
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| Attain
success and tread on the path of progress to attain liberation. Humans are
incessantly engaged in work so that they can liberate themselves from the
bondages of material life. All the spiritual knowledge given by the great
scholars help us in our endeavors to liberate ourselves. We tread on the path
of progress by utilizing the means to attain liberation. This as a result gives
us happiness and joy. |
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