Skip to main content

Atharvaveda : Overview ,Parts & Significance

 Overview :


        "Earth is mother. Firmament the father. 
                    Earth is my mother, I am her son." --अथर्ववेद 


The Atharvaveda is one of the four Vedas, the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism. It is a collection of hymns, prayers, and spells that were composed in ancient India, likely between 1200 and 800 BCE. The Atharvaveda primarily deals with spells and charms for everyday life, such as for health, wealth, and protection, as well as rituals for special occasions, such as weddings and funerals. It also includes cosmological hymns and hymns addressing various deities. The text is divided into 20 books, or "kandas," and is considered one of the later Vedas, with a different style and focus compared to the other three Vedas. It is also considered less authoritative than the other three.

Parts Of Atharvaveda :

The Atharvaveda is divided into 20 books, also known as "kandas." These books are further divided into hymns or "suktas." The kandas are as follows:

  1. Paippalada Kanda
  2. Saunaka Kanda
  3. Jaiminiya Kanda
  4. Vaitana Kanda
  5. Kausika Kanda
  6. Vamsa Kanda
  7. Brahmana Kanda
  8. Pratisthana Kanda
  9. Upasad Kanda
  10. Aranyaka Kanda
  11. Khila Kanda
  12. Sankhayana Kanda
  13. Pauloma Kanda
  14. Saunaka-Pauloma Kanda
  15. Jaiminiya-Pauloma Kanda
  16. Vaitana-Pauloma Kanda
  17. Kausika-Pauloma Kanda
  18. Vamsa-Pauloma Kanda
  19. Pratisthana-Pauloma Kanda
  20. Upasad-Pauloma Kanda

Each of these kandas contain a number of hymns, which are further divided into verses or "richas". The hymns are primarily focused on spells and charms for everyday life, such as for health, wealth, and protection, as well as rituals for special occasions, such as weddings and funerals. Additionally, there are hymns that deal with cosmological aspects and hymns addressing various deities.

Historical & Societal Context of Atharvaveda :


The Atharvaveda is one of the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism, believed to have been composed between 1200 and 800 BCE, during a period of great cultural and societal change in ancient India. The Vedic period, in which the Atharvaveda was composed, was a time of transition from a nomadic, pastoral society to a settled, agricultural one. 

During this period, the society was divided into four classes: the Brahmins (priests and scholars), the Kshatriyas (warriors and rulers), the Vaishyas (merchants and farmers), and the Shudras (servants and manual laborers). The Atharvaveda reflects this societal structure, as it includes hymns that are addressed to different classes of people, with some hymns specifically intended for Brahmins, while others are intended for Kshatriyas or common people. 

The Atharvaveda is also considered to be the Veda of the common people, as it deals with spells and charms for everyday life, such as for health, wealth, and protection, as well as rituals for special occasions, such as weddings and funerals. It also includes hymns and rituals that were meant to be performed by individuals, rather than by priests, which is different from the other three Vedas which are addressed to the priests and scholars. 

Additionally, the text has been composed in a different style and has a different focus than the other three Vedas, which are considered more philosophical and ritualistic. The Atharvaveda is believed to have been the product of different groups of people than those who composed the other three Vedas and therefore reflects the diversity of ancient Indian society in terms of language, culture and beliefs.

Key Points to Remember About Atharvaveda : 


  • The Atharvaveda is one of the four oldest sacred texts of Hinduism, composed between 1200 and 800 BCE.
  • It is a collection of hymns, prayers, and spells for everyday life and special occasions, as well as cosmological hymns and hymns addressing various deities.
  • The text is divided into 20 books, also known as "kandas," and is considered less authoritative than the other three Vedas.
  • It primarily deals with spells and charms for everyday life, such as for health, wealth, and protection, as well as rituals for special occasions, such as weddings and funerals.
  • Reflects the societal structure of ancient India, with hymns addressed to different classes of people.
  • Reflects the diversity of ancient Indian society in terms of language, culture and beliefs.
  • It is considered the Veda of the common people, as it deals with spells and charms for everyday life and rituals that were meant to be performed by individuals, rather than by priests.

Significance of Atharvaveda :

The Atharvaveda is significant for several reasons: 

  • It is one of the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism: The Atharvaveda is considered to be one of the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism, and it is believed to have been composed between 1200 and 800 BCE, during a period of great cultural and societal change in ancient India. 

  • It reflects societal structure of ancient India: The Atharvaveda reflects the societal structure of ancient India, with hymns addressed to different classes of people. This provides insight into the social and political structures of ancient India. 

  • It is considered the Veda of common people: The Atharvaveda is considered the Veda of the common people, as it deals with spells and charms for everyday life and rituals that were meant to be performed by individuals, rather than by priests. 

  • It reflects the diversity of ancient Indian society: The Atharvaveda reflects the diversity of ancient Indian society in terms of language, culture, and beliefs. It is believed to have been the product of different groups of people than those who composed the other three Vedas, which reflects the diversity of ancient Indian society. 

  • It is an important source of information for scholars studying ancient Indian culture, religion and society. The Atharvaveda is a valuable resource for scholars studying ancient Indian culture, religion, and society, as it provides insight into the beliefs, rituals, and practices of the time it was written. 

  • It is still used in Hinduism today: The Atharvaveda is still used in Hinduism today. Many of the hymns and rituals are still performed in Hindu religious ceremonies and is considered sacred to many people, who find solace and guidance in the ancient text.





Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Uncovering the Contributions of Aryabhatta: The Indian Mathematical Prodigy

Introduction   : Aryabhatta is considered one of the greatest mathematicians in ancient India, who made seminal contributions to the field of mathematics and astronomy. Born in Kusumapura, modern-day Patna in India, around 476 CE, Aryabhatta's brilliance and innovative thinking have left a lasting impact on the world of mathematics and astronomy. Aryabhatta was known for his work in the mathematical field of astronomy, in which he made crucial contributions to the calculation of the position of planets, the solar and lunar eclipses, and the length of the solar year. His works were widely used by later Indian astronomers and continue to be an integral part of astronomical calculations to this day. In mathematics, Aryabhatta made several groundbreaking discoveries, including the approximation of pi and the concept of zero as a placeholder, which were later adopted by mathematicians in the Arab world and Europe. He also introduced the use of algebra and trigonometry to the Indian
Post a Comment
Read more

Hinduism || Origin, History, Beliefs, Gods

Hinduism || Origin, History, Beliefs, Gods  | | AdiYogiBhole Hinduism is a major religion in India and Nepal, with a substantial number of adherents in other parts of the world. It is one of the oldest religions in the world, and it is also one of the most complex and  diverse.  The origins of Hinduism are difficult to trace, as it has no single founder or doctrine and has evolved over thousands of years. The earliest forms of Hinduism were likely a mixture of various religious and cultural traditions in ancient India, including ancestor worship, nature worship, and the worship of local deities. Over time, new ideas and beliefs were added to this mix, such as the caste system and the concept of karma. One of the key beliefs in Hinduism is the concept of karma, which states that a person's actions in this life will determine their fate in the next. Hindus believe in a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, and that the ultimate goal of life is to achieve liberation from this cycle and
Post a Comment
Read more

Rigveda:The Oldest Veda of Sanatan Dharma

Introduction : The Vedas are a collection of sacred texts in Hinduism, and are considered to be some of the oldest religious texts in the world. The word "Veda'' means "knowledge" or "wisdom" in Sanskrit. There are four main Vedas: the Rigveda, the Yajurveda, the Samaveda, and the Atharvaveda. The Rigveda is the oldest of the four It contains hymns and prayers to various deities, and is considered to be the foundation of the other three Vedas. The Yajur Veda deals with rituals and ceremonies, the Samaveda is a collection of hymns to be sung during sacrifices, and the Atharvaveda contains spells and incantations for various purposes. The word "Rigveda" is derived from the two Sanskrit words "Rig" and "Veda," which together mean "knowledge of praise." The Rigveda is a collection of hymns and prayers addressed to various deities, and is believed to have been composed between 1700-1100 BCE. It is written in an ancient
Post a Comment
Read more