Samaveda

The Samaveda (. Sanskrit, m, सामवेद, Samaveda, literally: "knowledge of the songs " ) is one of the four Vedas, the sacred texts of Hinduism. In the hymns are to a large extent by a selection from the Rigveda, but adapted to the liturgical melodies of the ceremonial. The oldest parts of the Samaveda be dated to about 1000 BC.

Each of the four Vedas, which are Rigveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda and Yajur Veda consists of four text layers. The oldest layer each comprises Samhitas ( hymns ), the next layer, the Brahmanas ( ritual texts ), then come the Aranyakas (forest texts), and finally the Upanishads ( philosophical doctrines ).

Among the priests of the Vedic sacrificial ritual of Samaveda is assigned to the Udgatri ( singer). However, the Samhitas ( hymns ) of the Samaveda only contain the lyrics for the songs, not the melody. (Notes there is only later, in the so-called Ganas ).

Belonging to the Samaveda Brahmana include Pancavimsha - Brahmana, Shadvimsha - Brahmana and Jaiminiya - Brahmana. The Chandogya Upanishad is also part of the Samaveda.