MAARKANDEYA presents MAHAABHAARATHAM

  @@@ contact me @@@ 

W E L C O M E

VEDA (s)

( SHRITHI or BRAHMA )

The principal text of the traditional dharma of India is the Veda . Veda or Vedas are implications and propitiatory addresses to the undefinable almighty God . These verses are believed to have originated from the god himself, in the form of chants that were "heard" by the sages in meditation ages ago. That is why the name "Shrithi" ( =hearing ) also to the Veda . The Veda was initially a single treatise named Shrithi or Veda . The Indian tradition says that at the end of every Dvaapara age, an incarnation of Vishnu divides the Veda into four different treatises for the convenience of then mankind whose intellet would be on the falling side.

The last such bifurcation of vedas was done by sage Krishnadvypaayana , Hence his popular name "Vyaasa" (=bifurcator).

The four treatises that the single Shrithi was divided into by Vyaasa are, 1.Rig-Veda 2. Yajur-Veda 3. Saama-Veda and 4.Atharva-Veda . All these four treatises were taught to his four disciples Pyla,Sumantha,Jaimini and Vyshampaayana respectively. The verses of the different treatises are used in different contexts of the vydic sacrifices.

Each of the Veda has four divisions of it, depending on the nature of the aspect they deal with. Samhitha (text of hymns), Braahmanam ( explanation about the hymns), Aaranyaka ( Discussions on knowledge) and Upanishath ( discussions on philosophy, soul and salvation). Contextually, Samhitha and Braahmanam both together are referred to as Veda while Upanishaths are referred to as Vedaantha ( last part or end of the Vedas). This means that every Veda has one Samhitha part, some Braahmanams, some Aaranyakas and some Upanishaths to it.

It is the bonded duty of the Braahmana s to study and teach the vedas.

Again, there were many branches to each of these treatises but only a few of them exist now. It is really a gigantic task to study about the four Veda s, their different branches, their existence or extinction. In this brief introduction, we cannot go into further details.

"After praying to Naaraayana, Nara, Sarasvathi and Vyaasa, then one should read the Jayam."