(QnA-03)- Why are there 4 Vedas?

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The person who asked this question was wondering whether it was because 4 different rivaling tribes came up with four versions of the Vedas?

 

Vedas are probably the most ancient of the scriptures in the world. No one knows exactly when these were composed. Many people guess that these were composed at least 2000 years before Christ. There are some modern historians who push this date back to astounding 27000 years before Christ. Well, let me not get into this highly debated topic.

 

Since I plan to talk about these Vedas in greater detail sometime during the second half of this year, I would like to answer the above question very briefly without much elaboration.

 

Why are there 4 Vedas?

 

People generally talk about 4 Vedas – Rg Veda, Yajur Veda, Saama Veda and Atharva Veda. But most references to Vedas in ancient scriptures refer to them as ‘thrayee’- that means a set of 3. Atharva Veda is normally left out. Even among these three, Rg Veda and Saama Veda are almost identical in content except for the way they are recited. So effectively, there are only two Vedas – Rg Veda and Yajur Veda.

 

Were they contributed by rivalling tribes? Far from that. In fact, they are two components of a single mass of scripture. They are only split into two, for ease of handling this mass of scriptures which is extremely difficult for a single person to handle.

 

What do these two contain?

 

Rg Veda has metrically composed hymns either in the praise of different divine beings or prayers to them. They are poetical in nature and often referred to as Mantras. Yajur Veda is a set of step by step instructions detailing how some religious ritual has to be performed.

 

What is the connection between these two parts?

 

Each mantra or a hymn in the Rg Veda is associated with a ‘Viniyoga’, or the occasion on which the mantra has to be chanted. The step by step instructions in the Yajur Veda are to be carried out accompanied by chanting of specific Mantras in the Rig Veda. So, Yajur Veda normally says ‘while you do this, such and such a mantra has to be chanted’. And that Mantra is in Rg Veda. Any ritual action without mandated chanting of the Mantra from the Rig Veda is deemed to be ineffective.

 

But why separate these into two compositions?

 

The reason is that the volume of these scriptures is so huge that a single individual cannot handle both – remembering the ritual steps as well as chanting of the mantra. There are more than 10000 mantras and several thousands of ritual steps! And no lapse is tolerated. They should go in perfect unison.

 

Where are these Vedas used?

 

These Vedas are used in religious rituals called Yajnya. There are some Yajnyas that may go on for days together or even years! Naturally it is a massive affair involving tens if not hundreds of priests. These priests are grouped as Hothr and Adhvaryu. Hothr are the priests who specialize in chanting Matras. They study the Rg Veda and chant the Matra at appropriate time as needed by the ritual. The other group performs the rituals as per the instructions given in the Yajur Veda. Obviously, they specialize in Yajur Veda.

 

When such a big group of priests is involved, don’t they need someone who would coordinate and orchestrate the entire process? That is the job of another priest called Brahma. A Brahma is supposed to be a person who is familiar with both Rg as well as Yajur Veda. He may not be an expert at the fine level but he has the overall picture. So, he can coordinate between the Hothr and Adhvaryu. In addition, this Brahma has the responsibility to ensure that the entire ritual goes through without any hindrances.

 

Typical hindrance could be some priest falling sick. So, the Brahma should know the remedy to various illnesses. The remedy could be through medicine or through charms or chants. Basically, he needs to be an occultist as well.

 

Other hindrances to a prolonged Yajnya could be attack from enemies. The enemies could try to derail the entire ritual. In such cases, the Brahma has to even neutralize the enemies not so much through physical strength but through black magic as well. So, the Brahma has to be even a specialist in black magic. He should be capable of doing everything to ensure the continuance of the ritual without interruption.

 

Two sages Atharva and Angeerasa who specialized in these techniques composed a separate Veda or a sort of instruction manual which are generally referred to as Atharva Veda. So, it is a Veda which is followed by the Brahma or the coordinator of the Yajnya ritual. Unlike the Rg and Yajur Veda which are believed to be authorless, Atharva Veda is authored by human beings. That may be the reason why it is sometimes left out while listing the Vedas. Only Rg, Yajur and Saama Veda are mentioned.

 

But where does Saama Veda figure in this scheme of things?

 

As I said, Saama Veda has almost the same content as that of Rg Veda. Only difference is in the way these mantras are recited. A Hothr who recites the Mantras in the Rg Veda chants them exactly in a prespecified way taking care of short and long vowels, taking care of pauses and stresses. While the Udgaathr – a Saama Vedi priest who recites the very same mantras sings them, also in a well-defined musical way. When a Rg Vedi recites them they are called mantras, and they are called saama when a Saama Vedi sings them.

 

Why all this elaborate system? I will come to that some other time 😉

 

A series discussing questions and answers on Yoga/Philosophy. © Dr. King, Swami Satyapriya 2020-21