Sama Veda
nIlOtpaladaLaabhAsaH
sAmavEdOhayAnanaH |
akshamAlAnvitO dakshE
vAmE kambudharaH smRtaH ||
The Samaveda purusha is represented as a person with the face of a horse. His complexion is that of the petals of a blue water lily. He is seen holding a rudraksha garland in right hand and a conch in left hand. His consort is also human faced and holding a lotus.
A group of Mantras are referred to as Samhita. The elaboration of these mantras are encapsulated in the Brahmana section of the Veda.In Sama Veda, there are two parts: Mantra Samhita and Gaana Samhita. Mantra Samhita is divided into Purvarchik and Uttararchik. In turn, Purvarchik has two components: Veyagaan and Aaranyakgaan. Uttararchik has two parts, namely, Oohagaan and Rahasyagaan.
The next major component is Brahmana, which is comprised of 8 granths (“Astha Brahman”). These are: Tandya Brahman, Shadvimsha, Samhitopanisha, Devatadhyaya, Samavidhaan, Vamsha, Mantra Brahman, and Chandogya Brahman.
There were 1131 Veda Shakas in India. Of these, 1000 were Sama Veda, which is described in Vayu Purana, Agni Purana, Matsya Pruana and Srimad Bhagavatam. However, presently in Sama Veda, only three shakhas are available: Ranayani, Kouthumi and Jaimini. The spiritual aspects of Brahmana have been extracted and available in Aaryankas, the contents of which are not intelligible to the common man. These must be contemplated in the quietude of a solitary place such as in a forest. Of the 108 Upanishads among the four Vedas, 11 are considered important. Of these, Kena and Chandogya are from Sama Veda. Kena Upanishad is from Jaimini Shakha, while Chandogya is available in Ranayani Shakha and Kouthumi Shakha. These are in the form of dialog between Guru and Disciple, and contain topics such as Paramatma and Jivatma; the origin of universe, liberation, etc.
Each Veda has six parts. These are: Siksha (rules); Vyakarana (grammar), Nirukta (meaning of rare Vedic words, which are not available elsewhere), Chandas (rules of composition of Vedic mantras), Kalpa (rules for right conduct of human being) and Jyotish (astrology).
The specialty of Sama Veda is praise and invocation of various Gods in musical form. This aspect is highlighted in Srimad Bhagavad Gita and in Chandogya Upanishad. The Science of Music (Gandharva Veda, which is considered an Upaveda) in India is derived from Sama Veda. Ways to derive material as well as spiritual benefits are given in Sama Veda. These fruits can be derived by chanting the relevant mantras of Sama Veda. For example, if we need protection from God in the face of attack by an adversary, there is appropriate mantra in Sama Veda. Likewise, for victory in battle, obtaining the right mind, etc., there are appropriate mantras in Sama Veda.
The various stages in learning Sama Veda are: moolanta (learning mantra Samhita, gaana Samhita and Brahmana); Ooha Rahasyanta (comprising of sampoorna pada paath, sampoorna Upanishad and Ooha Rahasya Gaan); Astha Brahman; Praatishaakhya (Salakshan); Shrouta (for conducting Yagnas) and Smartha (for conducting poojas for shodasa samskara). One who has learnt Astha Brahman is said to have acquired Sabhashya Brahmanantam. One who has acquired Salakshana (comprising 15 Granthas) is said to have completed Salakshananta. Likewise, one who has completed Shrouta is called Shrouti and one who has completed Smratha is called Purohit. Moolanta and Ooha Rahasyanta take respectively 5 and 10 years to learn. Further, for the stages of Astha Brahmana, Salakshana, Shrouta and Smartha, the time needed for learning each of them are respectively 3, 3, 4 and 2 years.