Sanskrit - Vedas

Samaveda consists of a selection of poetry mainly from the Rigveda, and some original matter. It has two parts, Purva-Archika (First Adoratona) and Uttar-Archika (Later Adoration), containing verses addressed to the three gods Agni (Fire), Indra (King of Gods) and Soma (Energizing Herb). The verses are not to be chanted anyhow, but to be sung in specifically indicated melodies using the seven svaras or notes. Such songs are called Samagana and in this sense Samaveda is really a book of hymns. 


This Veda is believed by many to be the oldest of the Vedas on account of its grammar. However, wide opinion swings in favour of the Rig Veda as the first. The Sama Veda is fully in verse, and most are chants to be correctly enunciated at the Soma offerings (to the gods). Agni and Indra occupy second place here.
While the Mantra section is not regarded as important by scholars, the Brahmanas and the Upanishads are of profound interest and import. The priests of the Sama Veda are known as Udgatris.
Of the total of 1549 verses, a mere seventy eight are not of the Rig Veda.

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