Scholastic Commentary on Rig Veda Shakala Samhita

Scholastic Commentary of the Rigveda Samhita, comprising 1028 sections and 10,552 mantras, is a vital Vedic text. The first mandala features 191 suktas authored by the sage Vishwamitra, invoking Agni. The current compilation, derived from the Sakala Sakha, aims to benefit society through yagna under divine guidance. It acknowledges past Rishis, though it's uncertain if they received the mantras directly. The Rishis, described as simple individuals without economic designations, contributed poetically and functionally to Vedic traditions. Notably, Khila Sutras exist separately, unassociated with family lines, and were gathered by unknown figures for scholarly purposes, emphasizing the recitation aspect of the Samhita.

advtanmoy 05/06/2024 2 minutes read

Rigveda Samhita

Tanmoy Bhattacharyya

ऋग्वेदः मण्डलं

Format: Samhita (संहिता-1028),10552 Mantras

First Mandala (191 Suktas) वैश्वामित्रः (Rishi Viswamitra) गायत्री (Gayatri Chhanda) अग्निः (Agni Devata) 2006 Riks	Second Mandala	Third Mandala
Forth Mandala	Fifth Mandala	Sixth Mandala
Seventh Mandala	Eighth Mandala	Nineth Mandal
Tenth Mandala	Khila Suktani	Rig Veda (Index)

We do not have the original Veda Brikhsa, we have only Sakhas, here we have taken Sakala Sakha for Scholastic Commentary, the volume is fashioned as Samhita (सं हित), for the wellbeing of the citizenry ( पुर: हितं) and to perform यज्ञ (Yagna), under the guidance of देव (Devata), for ‘भद्रं करिष्यसि’ stabilizing the society and to achieve truth (सत्य). Editor Shakala respectfully acknowledged the contribution of earlier Rishis (‘पूर्वेभिर्ऋषिभिरीड्यो’). Shakala was aware that what he was collecting was not the whole Rig Veda but a minuscule portion of it in Samhita Format, borrowed from multiple patron Families, such as Vishvamitra, Vashistha, Vamadeva, Kanva, Angira, Gritasamada, Atri, etc. We do not know whether these Rishis were actual receivers of those mantras or not, we shall discover it gradually, while making progress in commenting on the text of the Sakala Samhita without taking any outside help.

We certainly know that the Rishis were neither Brahmins nor Sudras, they were simple men and women without the ‘Economic Tag’ marks. They were कवि, they were होता, they were पुरोहित within the Vedic Economy. Their style of presentation was factual (ऋतेन), a fact can be hard (material) or ideal, and they can deal with both.

Khila Sutras were not collected in any Samhitas but were available in the Vedic academia without family affiliations, that is why they were not included in the Samhita and were collected separately by unknown persons.

Samhitas were edited for recital purposes.