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Samhita (IAST:Saṃhitā) literally means "put together, joined, union",[1] a "collection",[2] and "a methodical, rule-based combination of text or verses".[1]Saṃhitā also refers to the most ancient layer of text in theVedas, consisting ofmantras, hymns, prayers,litanies andbenedictions.[3]
Parts ofVedic Samhitas constitute the oldest living part ofHindu tradition.[3]
Samhita is a Sanskrit word from the prefix sam (सम्), 'together', and hita (हित), the past participle of the verbal root dhā (धा) 'put'.[4][5] The combination word thus means "put together, joined, compose, arrangement, place together, union", something that agrees or conforms to a principle such as dharma or in accordance with justice, and "connected with".[1]Samhitā (संहिता) in the feminine form of the past participle, is used as a noun meaning "conjunction, connection, union", "combination of letters according to euphonic rules", or "any methodically arranged collection of texts or verses".[1][6]
In the most generic context, aSamhita may refer to any methodical collection of text or verses: anyshastra,sutra, or Sanskrit Epic, along with Vedic texts, might be referred to as aSamhita.[1]
Samhita, however, in contemporary literature typically implies the earliest, archaic part of the Vedas. These containmantras – sacred sounds with or without literal meaning, as well as panegyrics, prayers,litanies andbenedictions petitioning nature or Vedic deities.[3] Vedic Samhita refer to mathematically precise metrical archaic text of each of theVedas (Rigveda,Yajurveda,Samaveda andAtharvaveda).
TheVedas have been divided into four styles of texts – the Samhitas (mantras and benedictions), theBrahmanas (text on rituals, ceremonies, sacrifices and symbolic-sacrifices), theAranyakas (commentaries on rituals, ceremonies and sacrifices), and theUpanishads (text discussing meditation, philosophy and spiritual knowledge).[7][8][9] The Samhitas are sometimes identified askarma-khanda (कर्म खण्ड, action / ritual-related section), while the Upanishads are identified asjnana-khanda (ज्ञान खण्ड, knowledge / spirituality-related section).[7][10] TheAranyakas andBrahmanas are variously classified, sometimes as the ceremonialkarma-khanda, other times (or parts of them) as thejnana-khanda.
TheVedic Samhitas were chanted during ceremonies and rituals, and parts of it remain the oldest living part ofHindu tradition.[3]
A collective study of Vedas and later text suggests that the compendium ofSamhitas 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.[11]
Historically, there were five recensions of the Rigveda Samhita, but now only one survives. The Samaveda has three Samhitas, two of which are quite similar, while the Atharvaveda has two. The term "samhita" also appears in titles of some non-Vedic texts like the Pancharatra Samhitas and theBrhat Samhita, an astrological work, as well as in theBhagavata Purana, which self-references as a samhita.[12]
TheGayatri mantra is among the famous Hindumantras. It is found in Rig Veda Samhita.[13]
:ॐ भूर्भुवस्वः। तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यम्। भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि। धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्– Rig Veda 3.62.10[13][14]
Weber noted that theSamhita ofSamaveda is an anthology taken from the Rigveda-Samhita.[15] The difference is in the refinement and application of arts such as melody, meters of music, and literary composition.[16] Thus, the root hymn that later became theRathantara (Excellent Chariot) mantra chant is found in both Rigveda and Samaveda Samhitas, as follows,[16]
The Yajur Veda consists of:
1. Āpastamba-mantra-pāṭhá (Kr̥ṣṇa-yajur-vedá)
2. Kāṭha-saṁhitā́ (Kr̥ṣṇa-yajur-vedá)
3. Kapiṣṭhala-kāṭha-saṁhitā́ (Kr̥ṣṇa-yajur-vedá)
4. Māitrāyaṇa-saṁhitā́ (Kr̥ṣṇa-yajur-vedá)
5. Tāittirīya-saṁhitā́ (Kr̥ṣṇa-yajur-vedá)
6. Vājasaneya-saṁhitā́ (Şukla-yajur-vedá) with (Kāṇvá and Mā́dhyaṁdina as sub-divisions)
Of these six, the Tāittirīya and the Vājasaneya saṁhitā́-s are the most extant ones. The Āpastamba-mantra-pāṭhá consists of mantras only found in the Āpastamba Kalpa sūtrá literature of the Kr̥ṣṇa-yajur-vedá.
The hymns in Section 4.1.5 of the YajurvedaSamhita, dedicated to several ancient deities, state:[17][18]
May theVasus prepare you, with thegayatri meter, you are the earth,
May theRudras prepare you, with thetristubh meter, you are the sky.
May theAdityas prepare you, with the jagati meter, you are the heaven.
May theVisvedevas, common to all men, prepare you, with theanustubh meter, you are the directions.
You are the unchanging direction, make unchanging in me children, abundance of wealth, abundance of cattle, abundance of heroism.
— Taittiriya Samhita, 4.1.5[17]
A hymn in the Atharva Veda Samhita, for example, is a woman's petition to deityAgni, to attract suitors and a good husband.[19][20]
May O Agni!, a suitor after this girl's heart come to her,
May he come to this maiden with fortune!
May she be agreeable to suitors, charming at festivals, promptly obtain happiness through a husband!
— Atharva Veda, 2.36[20]
There are many well known books written in the post-vedic period, also known as samhitas, 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 –
{{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)The Vedas are divided in two parts: The first is thekarma-khanda, the ceremonial part (also [called]purva-khanda) and treats on ceremonies; the second part is thejnana khanda, the part which contains knowledge (also nameduttara-khanda, or 'posterior part') and unfolds the knowledge of Brahma or the universal soul.
— translation by Edward Roer