Samveda in English
Samveda: Musical Veda of Indian Culture
The Vedas, the oldest religious texts of Indian culture, are divided into four parts: Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samveda and Atharvaveda. Samveda ranks third among them. Samveda has a total of 1875 musical mantras, out of which 1504 mantras are taken from Rigveda. Except for only 99 mantras, the remaining mantras are derived from Rigveda only.
Two parts of Samveda
Archaic
Gaan
Meaning of Samveda
‘Sam’ means ‘song’, that is, Samveda means song. This Veda is mainly based on the mantras sung in yajnas, rituals and havans. Rishis and sages used to praise the gods by singing these mantras with music. There is mention of 13 branches of Samveda, out of which 3 branches are currently available:
Kauthumiya
Jaiminiya
Ranayaniya
Main deity of Samveda
The main deity of Samveda is Sun God. Apart from these, Indra and Som have also been praised.
Contribution of Samveda to Indian music
Indian music has its roots in Samveda. It is considered to be the original source of music. The method of singing the mantras of Samveda was developed by the sages. Tone, rhythm, rhythm, chhand, dance posture and expressions are parts of Samveda.
Important facts about Samveda
Samveda is a text whose mantras can be sung and it is musical.
The mantras sung in yagya, rituals and havan are compiled in it.
Most of the Samveda is taken from Rigveda, while some mantras are independent.
Out of 1875 mantras of Samveda, only 75 mantras are original, the rest are taken from Rigveda.
Three notes are mentioned in the Samveda: Udatta, Anudatta and Svarita.
Music notes (Sa-Re-Ga-Ma-Pa-Dha-Ni-Sa)
The singing method of the Samveda is described in the Naradiya Shiksha Granth. The order of its notes:
Shadaj – Sa
Rishabh – Re
Gandhaar – Ga
Madhyam – Ma
Pancham – Pa
Dhaivat – Dha
Nishad – Ni
Tradition and branches
A total of 1001 branches of the Samveda are mentioned, which is more than other Vedas. In these branches, the way of singing the mantras, interpretation and order are mentioned differently. Samgaan is mentioned at 31 places in the Rigveda.
Brahmana texts
1001 Brahman texts are estimated for the Samveda, but at present only about 10 texts are available, such as Tandya and Shatvinsha. The main Upanishad of Samveda is Chandogya Upanishad, which is considered to be the greatest Upanishad.
Importance of Samveda
Samveda is mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita: “Vedanaam Samavedo’smi”.
The importance of Samveda is described in the Mahabharata’s Anushasana Parva and Agnipuran. Proper chanting of the mantras of Samveda cures diseases and pain and fulfills wishes.
Summary
Samveda is not just a religious text, but it is the original source of music and Yagna tradition. It was sung by the ancient Aryans in praise of the gods and became the basis for the development of Indian music.