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The Vedas are the collective wisdom, intelligence and experiences of over 400 Ṛṣi-s or Seers, maintained over millennia through the oral tradition of chanting. They are the very first literary documents in the history of humankind that are still in existence as transcripts as well as in living traditions of India.

Although most people may be aware of their general classification into 4 ‘books’ – Ṛg, Yajur, Sāma and Atharva Veda, access to clear, cogent and easily comprehensible material that explains the nomenclature of the Vedic corpus remains at large.

This session gives a very high level overview of the classification of the Vedas intended to help a Veda recitation practitioner find their way around the terminology used in Veda nomenclature.

This knowledge will serve the practitioner well in looking for important hymns and mantras in the source texts.

Key points of the session:

• Briefly compare the 4 classifications – Ṛg, Yajur, Sāma & Atharva
• How many mantras exist? Some fun facts with numbers!
• Divisions – Saṃhitās, Brāhmaṇas, Āraṇyakas and Upaniṣads
• Important commentaries on the Vedas

In addition, we will spend 20-30 minutes practising some chanting of select mantras from the list below. Depending on the group, appropriate hymns will be selected for practice. Those who do not know these hymns are welcome to simply listen to the practice during this time. Students who know these mantras – please come prepared having practised on your own beforehand!!

• Gaṇapati Atharvaśīrṣa
• Āyurmantraḥ & Laghuñyāsaḥ
• Agni mantras of Ṛg Veda
• Durga Sūktam
• Śrī Sūktam
• Devī Sūktam
• Bhāgya Sūktam
• Medha Sūktam
• Śraddha Sūktam
• Puruṣa Sūktam

This event is now taking place over Webinar, register here:

https://my.demio.com/ref/RvjFGNDl8FBSN5rp