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3-Vedaang

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3-Vedaang

To understand Ved correctly, one has to know its six aspects -
(1) Shikshaa - concerned with phonetics - Varn, Swar, Maatraa and thus with the correct pronunciation
(2) Kalp - the procedures for the performance of religious ceremonies, understanding Sootra and the use of Mantra hence concerning with the ritualistic aspect of the Ved,
(3) Vyaakaran - grammar,
(4) Nirukt - the etymological explanation of words which explain the difficult words, Pad, and Mantra,
(5) Jyotish - the science of astronomy, this includes Vaidik mathematics also, and
(6) Chhand Shaastra - concerning the meters or science of poetry.

Praatishaakhya
The four treatises explaining the phonetics of the Ved are called Praatishaakhya. These four treatises are -
(1) Rig Ved Praatishaakhya,
(2) Taittireeya Praatishaakhya - explaining the phonetics of Taittireeya Upanishad - which is one of the versions of Krishn Yajur Ved,
(3) Vaajsaneyee Praatishaakhya - explaining the phonetics of Vaajsaneyee Sanhitaa - which is Shukla Yajur Ved, and
(4) Shaunakeeya Chaturaadhyaayikaa- explaining the phonetics of Atharv Ved Sanhitaa.

Strange enough there is no Praatishaakhya for Saam Ved even though the hymns of Saam Ved are meant mostly for chanting and singing. Most of the Saam Ved hymns are borrowed from Rig Ved.

 

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Created by Sushma Gupta on 3/15/06
Contact:  sushmajee@yahoo.com
Updated on 03/20/13