Explain Vedang literature.

1.	Explain Vedang literature.
Answer» Vedang literature came into existance to understand the vedic literature. It has six parts. 1. Shiksha 2. Kalpa 3. Vyakarana 4. Nirukta 5. Chhanda 6. Jyotisha 1. Introduction to Vedangas The Vedic literature consists of 'Shruti' -revealed literature and 'Smriti' -memorized literature. Shruti literature consist of Vedas: Rig Veda -Collection of prayers, Yajur Veda -Sacrificial manual, Sama Veda -Mostly Rig Vedic hymns in musical form, Atharva Veda -Magical charms. Each Veda has four parts: Samhita - essential part of a Veda containing hymns, Brahmanasprose commentaries on Vedas with detailed observations on prayers and ceremonies, Aranyakas -texts to be read by Risrvis in forests as they deal with mystic meanings of Samhita texts and Upanishads -philosophical aspects which are to be taught by Acharyas to their trusted students . Smriti literature consist of Vedangas, Upavedas, etc. which form supplementary sections of Vedic literature. 2. Vedic literature The Vedic literature was mostly created by the Aryans. The Vedic literature consists of 'Shruti' (revealed) literature And 'Smriti' (memorized) literature. 2.1. Shruti literature consist of Vedas: Rig Veda (Collection of prayers), Yajur Veda (Sacrificial manual), Sama Veda (Mostly Rig Vedic hymns in musical form), Atharva Veda (Magical charms). Each Veda has four parts: Samhita (essential part of a Veda containing hymns), Brahmanas (prose commentaries on Vedas with detailed observations on prayers and ceremonies), Aranyakas (texts to be read by Risrvis in forests as they deal with mystic meanings of Samhita texts) and Upanishads (philosophical aspects which are to be taught by Acharyas to their trusted students). 2.2 Smriti literature consist of Vedangas, Upavedas, etc. which form supplementary sections of Vedic literature. 3. Vedangas Vedangas literally mean the limbs of the Vedas. They are six in number. Just like the limbs of the body, they perform various supportive and augmenting functions in the study, preservation and protection of the Vedas and the vedic traditions. The six Vedangas are Siksha, Chhanda, Vyakarana, Nirukta, Jyotisha and Kalpa. Shiksha = phonetics, Vyakarana = grammar, Chandas = metre, Nirukta = etymology, Kalpa = ritual, Jyotishya = astronomy. Upa Vedas (supplementary Vedas) are largely secular in nature. Gandharva Veda = music, Shilpa Veda = sculpture, Ayur Veda = medicine, Dhanur Veda= archery or art of war Sutras (that guide people in various fields). Grihya Sutras deal with domestic rituals Shrauta Sutras deal with public rituals Sulha Sutras deal with science of altars Dharma Sutras deal with customary law and practices. The Vedangas are very important as illustrated by the following verse from Paniniya छन्दः पादौ तुवेदस्य हस्तौ कल्पोऽथ पठ्यते। ज्योततषामयनंचक्षुतनिरुक्तं श्रोत्रमुमुययते।। शिक्षा घ्राणंतुवेदस्य मुखं व्याकरणं स्मतृ म्। तस्मात्साङ्गमधीत्यैव ब्रह्मलोके महीयते।। --- पाणणनीय शिक्षा 41,42 Vedangas compared to Limbs of Human Body One who studies Vedas with the six-fold limbs as above reaches the abode of the Supreme. VEDANGA LIMBS COMPARED WITH Chandah Legs Kalpa Hands Jyotisa Eyes Nirukta Ears Siksha Nose Vyakaranam Face 3.1.Siksha:- lays down the rules of phonetics – pronunciation / sounds / duration of utterance of each syllable – euphony. The goal is to achieve correct pronunciation and articulation through, akshara suddhi (syllable purity); svara suddhi (tonal / pitch purity – discussed in Vol. 1.2) and maatraa suddhi (durational purity), balam (force of articluation), samam (evenness) and santana: (continuity). Phonetics are most critical in the case of Vedic language, because, as was discussed in the article of the previous issue of the Journal (Vol. 1.2), we see that a change in sound results in completely different effects. Because of its importance, the first chapter of Taittiriya Upanishad – siksha valli - describes these six attributes in its very first section in the following verse: ( Refer to Vol. 1.2 for details of this mantra) That is why sage Panini , the grammarian, gives in his "paanineeya siksha", how much care should be exercised when chanting vedas: As the mother tiger (cat family) carries its young gripping it by its teeth (firm, so that cub does not fall, but gentle, so that it does not harm), the mantras must be chanted lucidly, unblurred, un-faded and not too loud. Neither should they be casually mouthed nor spat in staccato tones ! The Sanskrit language has 51 letters, called Maatruka Maatru is the cosmic Mother and the 51 letters are in Her image. The Siksha Sastra says that these 51 letters represent the various parts of Her body and even define which one represents which 3.2. Vyakaranam The most important exposition of Grammar is that of sage Panini which is in the form of sutras or aphorisms. It is known as ashtaadhyaayi, because it has 8 chapters. There is an interesting story relating to the origin of the Panini Sutras. At the end of the Cosmic Dance, Lord Nataraja (Siva) clicked his damaru 9 times and 5 times (14 times). The dance was witnessed by Sanaka and other rishis. Sage Panini, also witnessed the dance through his "divya dhrushti" .

Answer»

Vedang literature came into existance to understand the vedic literature. It has six parts.

1. Shiksha

2. Kalpa

3. Vyakarana

4. Nirukta

5. Chhanda

6. Jyotisha

1. Introduction to Vedangas The Vedic literature consists of 'Shruti' -revealed literature and 'Smriti' -memorized literature. Shruti literature consist of Vedas: Rig Veda -Collection of prayers, Yajur Veda -Sacrificial manual, Sama Veda -Mostly Rig Vedic hymns in musical form, Atharva Veda -Magical charms. Each Veda has four parts: Samhita - essential part of a Veda containing hymns, Brahmanasprose commentaries on Vedas with detailed observations on prayers and ceremonies, Aranyakas -texts to be read by Risrvis in forests as they deal with mystic meanings of Samhita texts and Upanishads -philosophical aspects which are to be taught by Acharyas to their trusted students . Smriti literature consist of Vedangas, Upavedas, etc. which form supplementary sections of Vedic literature. 2. Vedic literature The Vedic literature was mostly created by the Aryans. The Vedic literature consists of 'Shruti' (revealed) literature And 'Smriti' (memorized) literature. 2.1. Shruti literature consist of Vedas: Rig Veda (Collection of prayers), Yajur Veda (Sacrificial manual), Sama Veda (Mostly Rig Vedic hymns in musical form), Atharva Veda (Magical charms). Each Veda has four parts: Samhita (essential part of a Veda containing hymns), Brahmanas (prose commentaries on Vedas with detailed observations on prayers and ceremonies), Aranyakas (texts to be read by Risrvis in forests as they deal with mystic meanings of Samhita texts) and Upanishads (philosophical aspects which are to be taught by Acharyas to their trusted students). 2.2 Smriti literature consist of Vedangas, Upavedas, etc. which form supplementary sections of Vedic literature. 3. Vedangas Vedangas literally mean the limbs of the Vedas. They are six in number. Just like the limbs of the body, they perform various supportive and augmenting functions in the study, preservation and protection of the Vedas and the vedic traditions. The six Vedangas are Siksha, Chhanda, Vyakarana, Nirukta, Jyotisha and Kalpa. Shiksha = phonetics, Vyakarana = grammar, Chandas = metre, Nirukta = etymology, Kalpa = ritual, Jyotishya = astronomy. Upa Vedas (supplementary Vedas) are largely secular in nature. Gandharva Veda = music, Shilpa Veda = sculpture, Ayur Veda = medicine, Dhanur Veda= archery or art of war Sutras (that guide people in various fields). Grihya Sutras deal with domestic rituals Shrauta Sutras deal with public rituals Sulha Sutras deal with science of altars Dharma Sutras deal with customary law and practices. The Vedangas are very important as illustrated by the following verse from Paniniya छन्दः पादौ तुवेदस्य हस्तौ कल्पोऽथ पठ्यते। ज्योततषामयनंचक्षुतनिरुक्तं श्रोत्रमुमुययते।। शिक्षा घ्राणंतुवेदस्य मुखं व्याकरणं स्मतृ म्। तस्मात्साङ्गमधीत्यैव ब्रह्मलोके महीयते।। --- पाणणनीय शिक्षा 41,42 Vedangas compared to Limbs of Human Body One who studies Vedas with the six-fold limbs as above reaches the abode of the Supreme. VEDANGA LIMBS COMPARED WITH Chandah Legs Kalpa Hands Jyotisa Eyes Nirukta Ears Siksha Nose Vyakaranam Face 3.1.Siksha:- lays down the rules of phonetics – pronunciation / sounds / duration of utterance of each syllable – euphony. The goal is to achieve correct pronunciation and articulation through, akshara suddhi (syllable purity); svara suddhi (tonal / pitch purity – discussed in Vol. 1.2) and maatraa suddhi (durational purity), balam (force of articluation), samam (evenness) and santana: (continuity). Phonetics are most critical in the case of Vedic language, because, as was discussed in the article of the previous issue of the Journal (Vol. 1.2), we see that a change in sound results in completely different effects. Because of its importance, the first chapter of Taittiriya Upanishad – siksha valli - describes these six attributes in its very first section in the following verse: ( Refer to Vol. 1.2 for details of this mantra) That is why sage Panini , the grammarian, gives in his "paanineeya siksha", how much care should be exercised when chanting vedas: As the mother tiger (cat family) carries its young gripping it by its teeth (firm, so that cub does not fall, but gentle, so that it does not harm), the mantras must be chanted lucidly, unblurred, un-faded and not too loud. Neither should they be casually mouthed nor spat in staccato tones ! The Sanskrit language has 51 letters, called Maatruka Maatru is the cosmic Mother and the 51 letters are in Her image. The Siksha Sastra says that these 51 letters represent the various parts of Her body and even define which one represents which 3.2. Vyakaranam The most important exposition of Grammar is that of sage Panini which is in the form of sutras or aphorisms. It is known as ashtaadhyaayi, because it has 8 chapters. There is an interesting story relating to the origin of the Panini Sutras. At the end of the Cosmic Dance, Lord Nataraja (Siva) clicked his damaru 9 times and 5 times (14 times). The dance was witnessed by Sanaka and other rishis. Sage Panini, also witnessed the dance through his "divya dhrushti" .

Explain Vedang literature.

Discussion

No Comment Found

Related InterviewSolutions

Reply to Comment