Samhita (IAST: Saṃhitā) literally means "put together, joined, union", and "a methodical, rule-based combination of text or verses". Saṃhitā also refers to the most ancient layer of text in the Vedas, consisting of mantras, hymns, prayers, litanies and benedictions.

Parts of Vedic Samhitas constitute the oldest living part of Hindu tradition. The combination word thus means "put together, joined, compose, arrangement, place together, union", something that agrees or conforms to a principle such as dharma or in accordance with justice, and "connected with".

Discussion

In the most generic context, a Samhita may refer to any methodical collection of text or verses: any shastra, sutra, or Sanskrit Epic, along with Vedic texts, might be referred to as a Samhita. The Samhitas are sometimes identified as karma-khanda (कर्म खण्ड, action / ritual-related section), while the Upanishads are identified as jnana-khanda (ज्ञान खण्ड, knowledge / spirituality-related section). The Aranyakas and Brahmanas are variously classified, sometimes as the ceremonial karma-khanda, other times (or parts of them) as the jnana-khanda.

The Vedic Samhitas were chanted during ceremonies and rituals, and parts of it remain the oldest living part of Hindu tradition.

Historically, there were five recensions of the Rigveda Samhita, but now only one survives. The Samaveda has three Samhitas (Kauthuma, Rāṇāyanīya and Jaiminiya), two of which are quite similar, while the Atharvaveda has two. The term "samhita" also appears in titles of some non-Vedic texts like the Pancharatra Samhitas and the Brhat Samhita, an astrological work, as well as in the Bhagavata Purana, which self-references as a samhita.

Examples

Rig veda

The Gayatri mantra is among the famous Hindu mantras. It is found in Rig Veda Samhita.

<blockquote>:ॐ भूर्भुवस्वः। तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यम्। भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि। धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्

– Rig Veda 3.62.10</blockquote>

Sama veda

Weber noted that the Samhita of Samaveda is an anthology taken from the Rigveda-Samhita. The difference is in the refinement and application of arts such as melody, meters of music, and literary composition. Thus, the root hymn that later became the Rathantara (Excellent Chariot) mantra chant is found in both Rigveda and Samaveda Samhitas, as follows,

Atharva veda

A hymn in the Atharva Veda Samhita, for example, is a woman's petition to deity Agni, to attract suitors and a good husband.

Post-Vedic Samhitas

There are many well known books written in the post-vedic period, also known as samhitas, 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
  • Charaka Samhita
  • Garga Samhita
  • Gheranda Samhita
  • Kashyap Samhita
  • Shiva Samhita
  • Brihat Samhita
  • Sushruta Samhita (a treatise on food and medicine)
  • Yogayajnavalkya Samhita
  • Shandilya Samhita

See also

  • Aranyaka
  • Brahmana
  • Upanishad
  • Veda

References

  • [http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com] online edition in Sanskrit and English
  • Rigveda Samhita First Mandala, (in Sanskrit)
  • 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
  • Rigveda Samhita Rigveda Samhita 5 Volumes in Hindi