Samaveda is one of the four canonical Vedic texts of India. in Sanskrit Samaveda refers to the knowledge that is rendered through melody. It contains the hymns which are recited while performing a yajna. The date of compilation of Samaveda is not specifically known. However, it is said that probably these hymns date back to 1000 BC.
It would not be wrong to term the Vedic books as part of the oral literary tradition in India. In fact Samaveda was compiled much later. This is one of the reasons why certain hymns are incomplete and are portions of hymns part of the Rig Veda. The purpose behind creating the Samaveda was the Samagan.
According to the Indian musical canon the lyrics for the hymns are provided by the Rig Veda but it is the Samaveda that has provided the notes. There are 75 hymns that have been borrowed from the Rig Veda. These are known as Archik, which are again divided into two parts: Poorvarchik and Uttarachik. The rest of the Samaveda hymns are known as Aranyak Samhita. Besides these there are three branches of Samarveda: Rananeeya, Kouthumeeya and Jaimineeya.
This article is a stub. You can enrich by adding more information to it. Send your Write Up to
content@indianetzone.com
