Samhita
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Samhita (Sanskrit: संहिता, saṁhitā) literally means "put together, joined, union" and "a methodically, rule-based combination of text or verses".[1][2] Samhita also refer to the most ancient layer of text in the Vedas, consisting ofmantras, hymns, prayers, litanies andbenedictions.[3]
Contents
[hide]Etymology[edit]
Samhita is a Sanskrit word from the roots, sam (सं) and hita (हित), which mean "correct, proper" and "wholesome, arranged" respectively. The combination word thus means "put together , joined, compose, arrangement, place together, union" and "combination of letters according to euphonic rules, any methodically arranged collection of texts or verses".[1]
Discussion[edit]
In the most generic context, a Samhita may refer to any methodical collection of text or verses. Any sastra, sutra or Sanskrit Epic, along with Vedic texts, can be called a Samhita.[1]
Samhita, however, in contemporary literature typically implies the earliest, archaic part of the Vedas. These contain mantras – sacred sounds with or without literal meaning, as well as panegyrics, prayers, litanies and benedictions petitioning nature or Vedic deities.[3] Vedic Samhita refer to mathematically precise metrical archaic text of each of the Vedas (Rigveda,Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda).
The Vedas have been divided into four styles of texts – the Samhitas (mantras and benedictions), the Aranyakas (text on rituals, ceremonies, sacrifices and symbolic-sacrifices), the Brahmanas (commentaries on rituals, ceremonies and sacrifices), and the Upanishads(text discussing meditation, philosophy and spiritual knowledge).[4][5][6] The Samhitas are sometimes identified as karma-kanda (कर्म खण्ड, action/ritual-related section), while the Upanishads are identified as jnana-kanda (ज्ञान खण्ड, knowledge/spirituality-related section).[7][8] The Aranyakas and Brahmanas are variously classified, sometimes as the ceremonial karma-kanda, other times (or parts of them) as the jnana-kanda.
The Vedic Samhitas were chanted during ceremonies and rituals, and parts of it remain the oldest living part of Hindu tradition.[3]
A collective study of Vedas and later text suggests that the compendium of Samhitas and associated Vedic texts were far larger than currently available. However, most have been lost at some point or over a period of Indian history.[9]
Examples[edit]
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Rig veda[edit]
The Gayatri mantra is among the famous Hindu mantras. It is found in Rig Veda Samhita.[10]
- ॐ भूर्भुवस्व: | तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यम् | भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि | धियो यो न: प्रचोदयात्
- Oṁ Bhūr Bhuva~Swah', Tat savitur varenyam, Bhargo devasya dhīmahi, Dhiyo yo nah prachodayāt
Sama veda[edit]
Weber noted that the Samhita of Samaveda is an anthology taken from the Rigveda-Samhita.[12] The difference is in the refinement and application of arts such as melody, meters of music and literary composition.[13] Thus, the root hymn that later became theRathantara (Excellent Chariot) mantra chant is found in both Rigveda and Samaveda Samhitas, as follows,[13]
- Rigveda form: Abhi tva sura nonumo 'dugdha iva dhenavah | isanam asya jagatah svardrsam isanam indra tasthusah
- Samaveda form: obhitvasuranonumova | adugdha iva dhenava isanamasya jagatassuvardrsam | isanama indra | ta sthu sa o va ha u va | as ||
Yajur veda[edit]
The hymns in Section 4.1.5 of the Yajurveda Samhita, dedicated to several ancient deities, state:[14][15]
Atharva veda[edit]
A hymn in the Atharva Veda Samhita, for example, is a woman's petition to deity Agni, to attract suitors and a good husband.[16][17]
Post-Vedic Samhitas[edit]
There are many well known books written in the post-vedic period, also known as Samhitas or Sanhitas, because the word “Samhita” also means “systematic compilation of knowledge”. Vedic samhitas should not be confused with these samhitas of post-vedic period.
Some post-vedic Samhitas are: Ashtavakra Gita, Bhrigu Samhita, Brahma Samhita, Charaka Samhita, Deva Samhita, Garga Samhita, Gheranda Samhita, Kashyap Samhita, Shiva Samhita, Sushruta Samhita (a treatise on food and medicine), Yogayajnavalkya Samhita.[citation needed]
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