rig-
sama-
atharva-
yajur-
Samhita (Sanskrit: संहिता, saṁhitā) literally means "put together, joined, union" and "a methodically, rule-based combination of text or verses".[1][2] Samhita also refers to the most ancient layer of text in the Vedas, consisting of mantras, hymns, prayers, litanies and benedictions.[3]
Parts of Vedic Samhitas constitute the oldest living part of Hindu tradition.[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 भूर्भुवस्वः। तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यम्। भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि। धियो यो नः 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 the Rathantara (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]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c saMhita, Monier-Williams' Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon, Germany
- ^ samhita Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Koeln University, Germany
- ^ a b c d Lochtefeld, James G. "Samhita" in The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Vol. 2: N-Z, Rosen Publishing, ISBN 0-8239-2287-1, page 587
- ^ A Bhattacharya (2006), Hindu Dharma: Introduction to Scriptures and Theology, ISBN 978-0595384556, pages 8-14
- ^ Jan Gonda (1975), Vedic Literature: (Saṃhitās and Brāhmaṇas), Otto Harrassowitz Verlag, ISBN 978-3447016032
- ^ Gavin Flood (1996), An Introduction to Hinduism, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 978-0521438780, pages 35-37
- ^ A Bhattacharya (2006), Hindu Dharma: Introduction to Scriptures and Theology, ISBN 978-0595384556, pages 8-14
- ^ See Shankara's Introduction at Google Books to Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad at pages 1-5; Quote - "The Vedas are divided in two parts, the first is the karma-kanda, the ceremonial part, also (called) purva-kanda, and treats on ceremonies; the second part is the jnana kanda, the part which contains knowledge, also named uttara-kanda or posterior part, and unfolds the knowledge of Brahma or the universal soul." (Translator: Edward Roer)
- ^ Stephen Knapp (2005), The Heart of Hinduism: The Eastern Path to Freedom, Empowerment and Illumination, ISBN 978-0595350759, pages 9-16
- ^ a b Monier Monier-Williams (1893), Indian Wisdom, Luzac & Co., London, page 17
- ^ Edward F Crangle (1994), The Origin and Development of Early Indian Contemplative Practices, Otto Harrassowitz Verlag, ISBN 978-3447034791, page 124
- ^ Albrecht Weber, History of Indian Literature, Samaveda-Samhita at Google Books, page 63
- ^ a b c Frits Staal (2009), Discovering the Vedas: Origins, Mantras, Rituals, Insights, Penguin, ISBN 978-0143099864, pages 107-115
- ^ a b Harvey P. Alper (2012), Understanding Mantras, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120807464, pages 75-76
- ^ Edward F Crangle (1994), The Origin and Development of Early Indian Contemplative Practices, Otto Harrassowitz Verlag, ISBN 978-3447034791, page 32
- ^ Atharva Veda Samhita, Book 2 Hymn 36: To get a husband for a woman, Translator: William Dwight Whitney, Atharva Veda Samhita Series - Harvard University (Editor: Charles Rockwell Lanman), Wikisource
- ^ a b Rajbali Pandey (1969), Hindu Saṁskāras: Socio-religious Study of the Hindu Sacraments, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120803961, pages 162-163
External links[edit]
- Rigveda Samhita First Mandala, (in Sankrit)
- Atharva-Veda Samhita English translation of first 8 books of the Atharva Veda Samhita, (Editor: Charles Rockwell Lanman), Wikisource
- Understanding of the Hinduism: Hindu Scripture VI, Just for Kids
인도에 침입하여 판잡지방에 정착한 아리아인들은 리그베다(Rg-Veda)를 중심으로 하여 그들의 종교를 발전시켰다. 농경생활을 시작한 아리아인들에게 자연은 인간의 생사를 좌우하는 두려운 존재였다. 그들은 자연 안에 영혼이 존재하여 인간을 지배한다고 믿었다. 하늘, 비, 바람, 우레 등 대자연의 구성요소를 의인화하여 신으로 섬기고 제단을 쌓아 불을 지피고 공물을 바쳐 소원 성취를 빌었다.
리그베다는 이와 같은 신들에 대한 기도와 찬가를 모은 것이다. 사마베다(Sama-Veda), 아주르베다(Yajur-Veda) 등 3베다는 BC 10세기에서 8세기 경에 성립되었다. 점차 종교의 형태가 주문에 의존하게 되었기 때문에 제4베다인 아타르베다(Athar-Veda)는 그 내용 성격에 있어서 앞의 3베다와 크게 달랐다. 아타르베다는 당시 주술에 관한 찬가를 모은 것이다.
주술의 힘을 관장하는 바라문 제관은 4성 계급 중 가장 높은 지위를 누렸다. 그들의 사회적 종교적 지위는 절대적인 것이었으며, 제식(祭式)을 독점하고 일반인의 보시와 존경을 받았다. BC 5∼6세기경 인도 정통 종교로 자리 잡고 있었던 바라문교의 특성은 주술을 바탕으로 한 바라문 지상주의와 제사만능주의라고 할 수 있다.