Veda Nidhi Project - Info 4

What is the Number of Sastras? What are Vedangas? 

What is their individual Scope?

2A) A Brief Note on the scope of Saastra

Anga is a limb. Six important streams of knowledge and wisdom are compared as the limbs of Veda, which are termed as Vedaanga. (Since they are six in number, they are also called Shadanga.

Vedanga (Shadanga)

1. Siksha Sastra         - Science of sound origination and pronunciation

2. Vyaakarana Sastra - Grammar

3. Chhandas Sastra   - Composition of Metres such as Gayatri, Ushnik, Trishtup, Anushtup etc.

4. Niruktam               - Encyclopaedia/ Thesaurus of terms and definitions of words in Vedic Texts

5. Jyotish Sastra        - Astrology; to determine the right time to conduct Vedic Rituals

6. Kalpa Sutra           - Principles in the form of sentences,

·         Srouta Sootra- Correlating and compiling the procedures for Vedic Rituals for the benefit of the society and family;

·         Gruhya Sootra – Compilation of procedures for Samskaaras (Purification/ Refinement Rituals) for individuals & Society

·         Dharma Sutra Code of Conduct for individual/ public life

·         Applied Geometry to build Yaagasala;

 These Sutras vary from followers of each Veda to another and generally draw inspiration or inference from Vedic Sentences.

Along with these Shadangas (Six affiliated parts); other Upaangas are also required for proper understanding of Vedic Knowledge.

Upaangas (Other affiliates)

1.      Tara/ Nyaaya Sastra       -  Logic Based on the principles of Rishi Kannada &

Goutama, this Sastra is necessary to bring out finesse in the thought process.

2.      (Poorva) Meemamsa       - Understanding the Vedic Texts in correct  

perspective. In   this process Meemaamsa Sastra sets the standards to interpret sentences. Poorva – Meemamsa - Poorva Meemamsa is the Sastra based on the principles of by Rishi Jaimini, which enquires and determines the perspective of various Vedic verses related with Karma Kaanda (Rituals). The word Meemamsa generally refers to Poorva Meemamsa in general usage.

3.  Uttara – Meemamsa (Vedanta Sastra)   - Uttara Meemamsa is based on the principles of Sage Veda Vyasa, intended to bring out clarity in texts of philosophy such as Upanishad and Bhagavad Geeta. As this deals with the last part of Vedas, this is also called as Vedanta, also meaning the Final declaration of Veda.

4. Dharma Sastra      - Dharma Sastra is nothing but an extensive code of conduct for public and private life. This has many interpretations by many Rishis from different points of view. Although, Dharma Sutras based on Vedic verses, (Dharma Sutra aspect of Kalpa), Smruti and Puraanas are the origin of the Dharma Sastra, there are other texts such as Dharma Sindhu, Nirnaya Sindhu, Veera Mitrodaya etc. useful in finding out intricacies of Dharma.

In addition, other prominent Sastra texts pertain to

1.      Fine arts (Literature, Music, Dance, Sculpture, Architecture)

2.      Medicine : Categorised as (Definition of Well being; Symptoms of Disease & Causes; Cure and Prevention); Pharmacology (Herbs & Medicine Preparation)

3.      Astronomy, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry

4.      Metallurgy and other material sciences

Note: All of these Sastra Texts are believed as elaboration or inspiration from various branches of Knowledge, contained in Core Vedic Verses and Texts.

How can such Precious Wisdom be preserved? What are the options??

.... Wait for the next post.