Samhita

Samhita (Sanskrit: saṁhitā संहिता ; sŭm'hĭ-taa, "compilation of knowledge" or "collection of Mantras or Hymns") may refer to:

  • The basic metrical (mantra) text of each of the Vedas (Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda). According to scholars the Vedas are divided into four sections the Samhitas, the Brahmanas, the Aranyakas and the Upanishads. The Samhitas and Brahmanas form the Karma-Kanda segment of the Vedas and deals with ceremonial rites and rituals, whilst the Aranyakas and the Upanishads form the Gyan-Kanda segment of the Vedas and focuse on philosophy and spiritualism.
  • The Samhitas form the first part of each of the four Vedas. As Samhita is the collection of the mantras, so sometimes Samhitas are referred to as Mantras. Most of these mantras or hymns are concerned with nature and deities.
  • The Samhitas are named after the Vedas they belong to, for example Rig-Samhitas or Rig-Veda-Samhitas will refer to Samhitas of Rigveda.
    • Rig-Samhitas consist of mantras known as Richas.
    • Sam-Samhitas consist of mantras in the form of songs, which are meant for liturgy.
    • Yajur-Samhitas consist of mantras composed in the form of poems and prose.
    • Atharva-Samhitas consist of mantras meant for routine rites and rituals.

Read more about Samhita:  Post-Vedic Samhitas