Essentials of Hinduism - Atharvana Veda

Essentials of Hinduism

Atharvana Veda

The Vedas literally means Knowledge. There are four Vedas known as the Rig Veda, the Yajur Veda, the Sama Veda and the Atharvana Veda. The Atharvana Veda is believed to have been a later addition among these four Vedas. To pass on the immense treasurable Knowledge of the Vedas from Generation to Generation, Vedavyasa trained four Rishis – Rig Veda to Paila Rishi, Yajur Veda to Vaisampayana Rishi, Sama Veda to Jaimini Rishi and Atharvana Veda to Sumantu Rishi.

The “Ignorance that is a Darkness” is removed by “Atharvan that is a Fire”; Therefore, this Veda came to be known as Atharvana or Atharva Veda. There was a scholar by name Atharvan who popularized the Mantras in this Veda and this is another reason for this name too. The Atharvana Veda is broadly classified into the Karma Kanda (Rituals) and the Jnyana Kanda (Supreme Knowledge of the Brahman). The Karma Kanda have sub-parts of Samhita and Brahmanas.

The Upanishads are the Knowledge acquired from the Guru (Teacher) by the Disciple(s) or the Students sitting next to the Teacher. In the Vedic times (to some extent even today) this Knowledge is transmitted by “listening only” and not using the Book or Computer as done now. Aranyaka means forest – Vedas are Learned and Practiced in the forest by the Rishis in the midst of the nature and this will not be discussed in this Chapter.

Atharvana Veda Shakas:

There are known to be nine (9) Shakas (not listed) and one of them is Pippalada. There is not known to be anyone practicing Atharvana Shaka in South India; few were located in Kashmir and few in Varanasi (Benaras).

Atharvana Veda Samhitas:

Example: See Arambha Vakya for Atharvana Veda.

Although stated under “Samhitas”, the “Brahmanas” applicable for the Samhitas are included under the “Samhitas” in exhaustive detail in the Details Section that follows after this Summary.

For the most part, the Mantras of the Samhitas are not stated to limit the book’s size to essentials only.

The Atharvana Veda Samhitas consist of twenty (20) Kandas. The total number of 740 Hymns (Suktas) and 5962 Mantras are distributed into these 20 Kandas. The number of Hymns and Mantras for each Kanda is not listed here. There were Brahmana overseers that supervised the sacrifice and the Hymns of the Atharvana Veda. Therefore, this Veda is also known as Brahma Veda. Unlike the other Vedas, in addition to the Prayers, the Atharvana Veda contains Charms (Attractions) and Spells (Magic Powers). It is almost as if the Atharvana Veda used to be recited to counteract evil influences during the course of a Sacrifice.

In the first thirteen Kandas there is a mix of Prayers, Charms, Spells. Kanda fourteen is concerned with Marriages. Kanda fifteen with wandering mendicants (one who begs as part of religious discipline), sixteen and seventeen with conjuring (Tricks), nineteen has a mixed bag of Hymns, twenty taken from the Rig Veda and consists of Hymns addressed to Indra.

To mention as a highlight of the Atharvana Veda, the greatness of Prana and the protection of Prana is emphasized in this Veda and prolongation of Life by the practice of Pranayama. Another highlight is the four ways suggested to purify our individual Jivatma (Self). These two items are covered below in the Details section.

Atharvana Veda Upanishads:

There are known to be thirty one (31) Upanishads (not listed) and of these three (3) Upanishads – Mandukya, Mundaka, Prasna Upanishads are the popular ones. These are described in detail in Chapter 31.

The Gods of the Veda:

The Veda cannot really be appreciated without some sort of an understanding of the Gods mentioned in the Veda. The three (3) Major Gods of the Veda are Agni, Indra or Vayu and Surya. Agni ruled over the Earth (Prithivi), Indra or Vayu ruled over the Atmosphere (Antariksha) and Surya ruled over the Heaven (Dyuloka). All other Gods are regarded as manifestations of these three Gods. To be more specific, all Gods on Earth were identified with Agni, all Gods in the Atmosphere were identified with Indra or Vayu, and all Gods in Heaven were identified with Surya.

This article is a snippet from the Book Essentials of Hinduism, Authored by G.S Nilakantan. Hinduism for All is available online at www.giri.in and across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture and Tradition.