Yajur Vedas

Yajurvveda is composed of two words – Yaju and Veda. The word yatra means yavan or to worship. Panini had said that the word yagya has been originated from Yatra. Yaju word is used for those mantras which are used in Yagyas and on this way the veda which contains rituals associated with Yagya is called Yajurveda.

It was composed much after rigveda many scholars considers it to be written between 1000 BC-800 BC. Historians regards this time period as post vedic period.

Every Gods fiund their mentions in it who are found in rigveda also and several mantrass have been composed in praise of god. Inspite of this theoretically Yajurveda is associated with Yayudeva (God of air) and its nature is considered as karma.

Yajurveda consist praiseworthy mantras beside yagyas and worship. Indeed this veda founds elaborated description about several kinds of vedic rituals. it has been composed on prose as well as poetry forms and priest who perform these rituals are named adhvaryu.

As per traditional belief maharishi vyas had given information of this veda to his disciple Vaishampayan latter he educated Yagvalkya rishi and after words to other desciple. As such several branches of this veda came into existance. According to patanjali 101 branches of this veda were in practice in ancient period.

According to traditional stories ones rishi vaishampayan turned angry with yagvalkya as such yagvalkya vomited education given by him other disciple of Vaishampayan picked this vomit as titar. After vomiting vedas colour changed to block and this veda came to be called Krishna Yajurveda.

Later, Yagvalkya rishi obtained the knowledge of Yajurveda from Sun God and this knowledge was called Sukla Yajurveda latter as per teacher-student tradition these two yajurvedas were divided into several branches presently Krishna yajurveda has four and Sukla Yajurveda has two available Sanhitas.

Taitriya Samhita is the most important Sanhita of Krishna Yajurveda. It was more popular in South India and famous commentators Sayan was its follower. it contians 631 mantras in seven sections. It has discription of several kind of Yagya-Rajsuya ‘ Bajpaye, Somyagya etc.

Other Samhitas of Krishna Yajurveda are – Mairiyani Sanhita Kath Sanhita, as described by germal scholar Dr. Shroeder. According to Patanjali Kath Samhita was more po0pular in central region Kapisthal Sanhita was popular probably in North India (Kaitha/region of Haryana) its many parts are not available now.

Among two branches of Shukla Yajurveda, madhyandin became popular in north India. It is said that Maharishi Madhyandin was beloved disciple of Yagyavalkya. Presently the edition of Yajurveda contains 1975 mantras collected in 40 chapter. it has only mantras and not the description about rituals.

The second Sanhita of this Veda is Kanva Sanhita. Morel popular in Maharastra region. It is belived this was written by Kanarg rishi on the bank of river Malini situated in the Bijnaur of present Uttarpradesh. It has 40 chapter but mantras are total 2086 which is 111 more than number of Madhyandin.

Historically Yajurveda has special significance. It is thought it was composed in Kurukshetr4a of Haryana. It is known that Sapta Sindhu region was the early land planes of aryans. Aryan more towards east from here at started reciding in these areas. In Manu Sanhita this region is called Braham rishi region lying between Sindhu River and Sarswati River.

These are only three mantras dedicated to rudra is rigveda and shiva has been conceptualised as rudra for the first time in it. Latter he began to be counted as one of the impo0rtant god of aryans. It has also proof of Snake Worship.

Two Brahamans Taitriya and Sathpath of two important branches of Yajurveda are available today. The taitriye Brahaman of Krishan Yajurveda was written first of all Brahamanas. Sathpath Brahaman is the largest Brahaman there are six upnishad (04 Krishna +02 Sukla Yajurveda) associated with Yajurveda.

Yajurveda contains description about several Yagya its organisation, aim in the life of aryans. As such this veda is also called book of sacrifical prayers.