A
shakha is a
HinduHindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
theological school that specializes in learning certain
VedicThe Vedas are a large body of texts originating in ancient India. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the texts constitute the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hinduism....
texts, or else the traditional texts followed by such a school. An individual follower of a particular school or recension is called a
. The term is also used in
Hindu philosophyHindu philosophy is divided into six schools of thought, or , which accept the Vedas as supreme revealed scriptures. Three other schools do not accept the Vedas as authoritative...
to refer to an adherent of a particular
orthodox systemĀstika exists") and Nāstika are technical terms in Hinduism used to classify philosophical schools and persons, according to whether they accept the authority of the Vedas as supreme revealed scriptures, or not, respectively...
.
A related term
, ("conduct of life" or "behavior") is also used to refer to such a Vedic school: "although the words
and
are sometimes used synonymously, yet
properly applies to the sect or collection of persons united in one school, and
to the traditional text followed, as in the phrase
, (
"he recites a particular version of the Veda")". The schools have different points of view, described as "difference of (Vedic) school" (
). Each school would learn a specific Vedic (one of the "four
VedasThe Vedas are a large body of texts originating in ancient India. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the texts constitute the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hinduism....
" properly so-called), as well as its associated
BrahmanaThe Brāhmaṇas are part of the Hindu śruti literature. They are commentaries on the four Vedas, detailing the proper performance of rituals....
,
AranyakaThe Aranyakas are part of the Hindu śruti, the four Vedas; they were composed in late Vedic Sanskrit typical of the Brahmanas and early Upanishads; indeed, they frequently form part of either the Brahmanas or the Upanishads....
s, Shrautasutras, Grhyasutras and
UpanishadThe Upanishads are philosophical texts considered to be an early source of Hindu religion. More than 200 are known, of which the first dozen or so, the oldest and most important, are variously referred to as the principal, main or old Upanishads...
s.
In traditional Hindu society affiliation with a specific school is an important aspect of class identity. By the end of the Rig Vedic period the term
{{Vedas and Shakhas}}A shakha (SanskritSanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
{{IAST|śākhā}}, "branch" or "limb"), is a
HinduHindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
theological school that specializes in learning certain
VedicThe Vedas are a large body of texts originating in ancient India. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the texts constitute the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hinduism....
texts, or else the traditional texts followed by such a school. An individual follower of a particular school or recension is called a
{{IAST|śākhin}}. The term is also used in
Hindu philosophyHindu philosophy is divided into six schools of thought, or , which accept the Vedas as supreme revealed scriptures. Three other schools do not accept the Vedas as authoritative...
to refer to an adherent of a particular
orthodox systemĀstika exists") and Nāstika are technical terms in Hinduism used to classify philosophical schools and persons, according to whether they accept the authority of the Vedas as supreme revealed scriptures, or not, respectively...
.
A related term
{{IAST|caraṇa}}, ("conduct of life" or "behavior") is also used to refer to such a Vedic school: "although the words
{{IAST|caraṇa}} and
{{IAST|śākhā}} are sometimes used synonymously, yet
{{IAST|caraṇa}} properly applies to the sect or collection of persons united in one school, and
{{IAST|śākhā}} to the traditional text followed, as in the phrase
{{IAST|śākhām adhite}}, (
"he recites a particular version of the Veda")". The schools have different points of view, described as "difference of (Vedic) school" (
{{IAST|śākhābhedaḥ}}). Each school would learn a specific Vedic {{IAST|Saṃhita}} (one of the "four
VedasThe Vedas are a large body of texts originating in ancient India. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the texts constitute the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hinduism....
" properly so-called), as well as its associated
BrahmanaThe Brāhmaṇas are part of the Hindu śruti literature. They are commentaries on the four Vedas, detailing the proper performance of rituals....
,
AranyakaThe Aranyakas are part of the Hindu śruti, the four Vedas; they were composed in late Vedic Sanskrit typical of the Brahmanas and early Upanishads; indeed, they frequently form part of either the Brahmanas or the Upanishads....
s, Shrautasutras, Grhyasutras and
UpanishadThe Upanishads are philosophical texts considered to be an early source of Hindu religion. More than 200 are known, of which the first dozen or so, the oldest and most important, are variously referred to as the principal, main or old Upanishads...
s.
In traditional Hindu society affiliation with a specific school is an important aspect of class identity. By the end of the Rig Vedic period the term
{{Vedas and Shakhas}}A shakha (SanskritSanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
{{IAST|śākhā}}, "branch" or "limb"), is a
HinduHindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
theological school that specializes in learning certain
VedicThe Vedas are a large body of texts originating in ancient India. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the texts constitute the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hinduism....
texts, or else the traditional texts followed by such a school. An individual follower of a particular school or recension is called a
{{IAST|śākhin}}. The term is also used in
Hindu philosophyHindu philosophy is divided into six schools of thought, or , which accept the Vedas as supreme revealed scriptures. Three other schools do not accept the Vedas as authoritative...
to refer to an adherent of a particular
orthodox systemĀstika exists") and Nāstika are technical terms in Hinduism used to classify philosophical schools and persons, according to whether they accept the authority of the Vedas as supreme revealed scriptures, or not, respectively...
.
A related term
{{IAST|caraṇa}}, ("conduct of life" or "behavior") is also used to refer to such a Vedic school: "although the words
{{IAST|caraṇa}} and
{{IAST|śākhā}} are sometimes used synonymously, yet
{{IAST|caraṇa}} properly applies to the sect or collection of persons united in one school, and
{{IAST|śākhā}} to the traditional text followed, as in the phrase
{{IAST|śākhām adhite}}, (
"he recites a particular version of the Veda")". The schools have different points of view, described as "difference of (Vedic) school" (
{{IAST|śākhābhedaḥ}}). Each school would learn a specific Vedic {{IAST|Saṃhita}} (one of the "four
VedasThe Vedas are a large body of texts originating in ancient India. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the texts constitute the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hinduism....
" properly so-called), as well as its associated
BrahmanaThe Brāhmaṇas are part of the Hindu śruti literature. They are commentaries on the four Vedas, detailing the proper performance of rituals....
,
AranyakaThe Aranyakas are part of the Hindu śruti, the four Vedas; they were composed in late Vedic Sanskrit typical of the Brahmanas and early Upanishads; indeed, they frequently form part of either the Brahmanas or the Upanishads....
s, Shrautasutras, Grhyasutras and
UpanishadThe Upanishads are philosophical texts considered to be an early source of Hindu religion. More than 200 are known, of which the first dozen or so, the oldest and most important, are variously referred to as the principal, main or old Upanishads...
s.
In traditional Hindu society affiliation with a specific school is an important aspect of class identity. By the end of the Rig Vedic period the term
{{IASTBrahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
had come to be applied to all members of the priestly class, but there were subdivisions within this order based both on
casteCaste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
and on the shakha (branch) with which they were affiliated. A
{{IASTBrahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
who changed school would be called "a traitor to his
śākhā" (
{{IAST|śākhāraṇḍaḥ}}).
Summary of schools
The traditional source of information on the shakhas of each Veda is the
{{IAST|Caraṇa-vyūha}}, of which two, mostly similar, versions exist: the 49th
{{IAST' is the term applied to various ancillary works of Vedic literature dealing with details and elaborations not covered in the texts logically and chronologically prior to them: the Samhitas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Sutras.Parisista works exist for each of the four Vedas...
of the Atharvaveda, ascribed to
ShaunakaShaunaka is the name applied to teachers, and to a Shakha of the Atharvaveda. It is especially the name of a celebrated Sanskrit grammarian, author of the , the , the and five Anukramaṇīs to the Rigveda. He is claimed as the teacher of Katyayana and especially of Ashvalayana, and is said to have...
, and the 5th
{{IAST|pariśiṣṭa}} of the Śukla (White) Yajurveda, ascribed to
KātyāyanaKātyāyana was a Sanskrit grammarian, mathematician and Vedic priest who lived in ancient India.-Works:He is known for two works:...
. These have lists of the numbers of recensions that were believed to have once existed as well as those still extant at the time the works were compiled. Only a small number of recensions have survived.
The schools are enumerated below, categorised according to the Veda each expounds.
Rig Veda
{{IAST|Śaunaka}}'s
{{IAST|Caraṇa-vyuha}} lists five shakhas for the Rig Veda, the {{IAST|Śākala}}, {{IAST|Bāṣkala}}, {{IAST|Aśvalāyana}}, {{IAST|Śaṅkhāyana}}, and {{IAST|Māṇḍukāyana}} -- of which only the {{IAST|Śākala}},{{IAST|Aśvalāyana}} and Kaushitaki, are now extant (the Asvalayana and Kaushitaki are still learnt by the Nambudiri Brahmins of Kerala)
The Bashkala recension of the Rigveda has the
KhilaniThe Khilani are a collection of 98 "apocryphal" hymns of the Rigveda, recorded in the , but not in the shakha. They are late additions to the text of the Rigveda, but still belong to the "Mantra" period of Vedic Sanskrit.-Literature:...
which are not present in the Shakala text but is prserved in one Kashmir manuscript (now at Pune).
http://vedpradip.com/vedpandit.php?vid=1&linkid=3&vedid=1&chid=1&fid=1&catid=&view=frontcover&shaka=&ashtak=Ashtak1&adhyay=Adhyay1&chapno=1
The
Shakala has the Aitareya-Brahmana, The Bashkala has the Kausitaki-Brahmana.
| Shakha |
Samhita |
Brahmana |
Aranyaka |
Upanishad |
| Shakala |
the mainstream text of the editio princeps by Max Müller,Recited by Maharashtra,Karnataka Brahmins.Mostly found all over India |
Aitareya Brahmana |
Aitareya Aranyaka |
Aitareya Upanishad |
| Ashvalayana |
Currently recited by Nambudiri Brahmins. Manuscript exists, with accents and Padapatha.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} |
Same as Shakala |
Same as Shakala |
Same as Shakala |
| Kaushitaki |
Currently recited by Nambudiri Brahmins |
Kaushitaki Brahmana |
Manuscript exists{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} |
Kaushitaki Upanishad |
| Bashkala |
Manuscript exists with accents and Padapatha.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} |
Same as Kaushitaki |
Same as Kaushitaki |
Same as Kaushitaki |
| Shankhayana |
Manuscript exists with accents and Padapatha.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} |
Shankhayana Brahmana |
Shankhyana Aranyaka |
edited as a part of the Aranyaka |
| Paingi |
- |
Manuscript might exist{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} |
Rahashya Brahmana, lost. |
- |
Yajur Veda
{{IAST|Śaunaka}}'s
{{IAST|Caraṇa-vyuha}} lists forty-two or forty-four out of eighty-six shakhas for the Yajur Veda, but that only five of these are now extant, with a sixth partially extant.
For the Yajur Veda the five (partially in six) shakhas are the (Vajasaneyi Madhandina, Kanva;
TaittiriyaTaittirīya is a shaka of the Black Yajurveda*Taittiriya Samhita , see Black Yajurveda*Taittiriya Upanishad...
, Maitrayani, Caraka-Katha, Kapisthala-Katha).
The Yajurvedin shakhas are divided in
Shukla (White) and
Krishna (Black) schools. The White recensions have separate Brahmanas, while the Black ones have their(much earlier) Brahmanas interspersed between the Mantras.
- Shukla Yajurveda: {{IAST|Vājasaneyi Samhita Madhyandina}} (VSM), {{IAST|Vājasaneyi Samhita Kānva}} (VSK): Shatapatha Brahmana
The Shatapatha Brahmana is one of the prose texts describing the Vedic ritual, associated with the Shukla Yajurveda. It survives in two recensions, Madhyandina and Kanva , with the former having the eponymous 100 adhyayas,7624 kandikas in 14 books, and the latter 104 adhyayas,6806 kandikas in 17...
(ShBM, ShBK)
- Krishna Yajurveda: {{IAST|Taittirīya Saṃhita}} (TS) with an additional Brahmana, Taittiriya Brahmana (TB), {{IAST|Maitrayani Saṃhita}} (MS), {{IAST|Caraka-Katha Saṃhita}} (KS), {{IAST|Kapiṣṭhala-Katha Saṃhita}} (KapS).
Shukla
| Shakha |
Samhita |
Brahmana |
Aranyaka |
Upanishad |
| Madhyandina (VSM) Madhyandina Shakha is the branch of Shukla Yajurveda.This branch includes Madhyandina Samhita,Madhyandina Shatapatha Brahmana, Ishavasya Upanishad and Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.Currently this Shakha is being recited all over North India, Maharashtra and Gujarat brahmins.-Traditions:The North Indian...
|
Currently recited by all over North Indian Brahmins and by Deshastha BrahminDeshastha Brahmins are the original and the oldest Hindu Brahmin sub-caste mainly from the Indian state of Maharashtra and some districts of northern Karnataka. The word Deshastha comes from the Sanskrit words Desha and Stha which mean inland or country and resident respectively...
s |
Madhyandina Shatapatha (SBM) |
survives as Shatapatha XIV.1-8, with accents. |
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad The Upanishad is one of the older, "primary" Upanishads. It is contained within the Shatapatha Brahmana, and its status as an independent Upanishad may be considered a secondary extraction of a portion of the Brahmana text. This makes it one of the oldest texts of the Upanishad corpus...
= SBM XIV. 3-8, with accents, Ishavasya UpanishadThe Isha Upanishad is one of the shortest of the Upanishads, consisting of 17 or 18 verses in total; like other core texts of the vedanta, it is considered revealed scripture by diverse traditions within Hinduism...
= VSM 40 |
| Kanva (VSK) ĞKanva Shakha is the oldest shakha of Shukla Yajurveda. The tradition is followed mostly in Orissa, Karnataka, parts of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. This Shakha is prevalent from time even when Shankaracharya was born...
|
Currently recited by Utkala Brahmin Utkala Brahmin also known as Oriya or Orissa Brahmins, is a Varna from the Indian state of Orissa previously known as Utkala Kingdom, Kalinga Kingdom & neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal & Jharkhand.-Background:The Utkala Kingdom was located in the eastern portion of...
s, Kannada BrahminsKannada Brahmins are Brahmins whose mother-tongue is the Kannada language. Nearly all of them hail from the south Indian state of Karnataka. Kannada Brahmins are known to have preserved the purest form of Vedic Hinduism...
, Karhade BrahminKarhade Brahmins are a predominantly Pancha Dravida Brahmins Marathi and Konkani speaking Hindu community in India.-Etymology and Origin:*The name Karháda or Karáda, is the...
s and few IyerIyer is the title given to the caste of Hindu Brahmin communities of Tamil origin. Most Iyers are followers of the Advaita philosophy propounded by Adi Shankara...
s |
Kanva Shatapatha (SBK)(different from madhyandina) |
survives as book XVII of SBK |
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad The Upanishad is one of the older, "primary" Upanishads. It is contained within the Shatapatha Brahmana, and its status as an independent Upanishad may be considered a secondary extraction of a portion of the Brahmana text. This makes it one of the oldest texts of the Upanishad corpus...
=SBK,with accents, Ishavasya UpanishadThe Isha Upanishad is one of the shortest of the Upanishads, consisting of 17 or 18 verses in total; like other core texts of the vedanta, it is considered revealed scripture by diverse traditions within Hinduism...
= VSK 40 |
| Katyayana |
Manuscript (?){{Citation needed|date=July 2007}} |
Manuscript (only first 6 books, rest lost){{Citation needed|date=July 2007}} |
- |
- |
Krishna
| Shakha |
Samhita |
Brahmana |
Aranyaka |
Upanishad |
| Taittiriya The Taittiriya Shakha is a notable shakha of the Black Yajurveda. The Vishnu Purana attributes it to a pupil of Yaska named Tittiri. It is most prevalent in south India. The shakha consists of:...
|
TS,Present all over South India and in KonkanThe Konkan also called the Konkan Coast or Karavali is a rugged section of the western coastline of India from Raigad to Mangalore...
|
Taittiriya Brahmana (TB) and Vadhula Br. (part of Vadhula Srautrasutra) |
Taittiriya Aranyaka (TA) |
Taittiriya Upanishad The Taittiriya Upanishad is one of the older, "primary" Upanishads commented upon by Shankara. It is associated with the Taittiriya school of the Yajurveda...
(TU) |
| Maitrayani |
MS,Recited by few Brahmins in Nasik |
- |
virtually same as the Upanishad |
Maitrayaniya Upanishad The Maitrayaniya Upanishad or the Maitri Upanishad belongs to the Maitri or Maitrayaniya shakha of the , though some texts assign it to the . It figures as number 24 in the Muktika canon of 108 Upanishads under the name of the Upanishad, which is included there as a Upanishad, associated with...
|
| Caraka-Katha |
KS. Accents survive only on 1/3 on the text.{{Citation needed|date=July 2007}} |
Fragments printed and in manuscript){{Citation needed|date=July 2007}} |
Katha Aranyaka (almost the entire text from a solitary manuscript) |
Kathaka Upanishad, Katha-Shiksha Upanishad |
| Kapishthala |
KapS (fragmentary manuscript, only first sections accented), edited (without accents) by Raghu Vira. |
|
- |
- |
Sama Veda
{{IAST|Śaunaka}}'s
{{IAST|Caraṇa-vyuha}} lists twelve shakhas for the Sama Veda out of a thousand that are said to have once existed, but that of these only one or perhaps two are still extant.
The two Samaveda recensions are the Jaiminiya and Kauthuma.
The Kauthuma shakha has the PB, SadvB, the Jaiminiya shakha has the Jaiminiya Brahmana.
| Shakha |
Samhita |
Brahmana |
Aranyaka |
Upanishad |
| Kauthuma |
edited,Recited by all over North and in South India{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} |
edited (8 Brahmanas in all), no accents |
None. The Samhita itself has the ‘Aranyaka’. |
Chandogya Upanishad The Chandogya Upanishad is one of the "primary" Upanishads. Together with the Jaiminiya Upanishad Brahmana and the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad it ranks among the oldest Upanishads, dating to the Vedic Brahmana period....
|
| Ranayaniya |
Manuscripts of Samhita exist.Recited by GokarnaGokarna is a village in the Uttara Kannada district of the Karnataka state, India. It is a Hindu pilgrimage centre as well as a tourist destination in India. Gokarna is a temple town and is referred to in a number of Hindu historical literature pieces. The main deity is Lord Mahabhaleshwara, a...
,and Deshastha BrahminDeshastha Brahmins are the original and the oldest Hindu Brahmin sub-caste mainly from the Indian state of Maharashtra and some districts of northern Karnataka. The word Deshastha comes from the Sanskrit words Desha and Stha which mean inland or country and resident respectively...
s{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} |
Same as Kauthuma with minor differences. |
None. The Samhita itself has the ‘Aranyaka’. |
Same as Kauthuma. |
| Jaiminiya/Talavakara |
Samhita edited.Recited by Nambudiris{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} Two distinct styles of Saman recitation, partially recorded and published.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} |
Brahmana published (without accents) – Jaiminiya Brahmana, Arsheya Brahmana |
Tamil Nadu version of Talavakara Aranyaka (=Jaiminiya Upanishad Brahmana The Jaiminiya Upanishad Brahmana or the Talavakara Upanishad Brahmana is a Vedic text associated with the Jaiminiya or the Talavakara shakha of the Samaveda. It is considered as an Aranyaka. A part of this text forms the Kena Upanishad...
) published{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} |
Kena Upanishad The Kena Upanishad , or the Kenopanishad is one of the earlier, "primary" Upanishads, a genre of Hindu scriptures, commented upon by Shankara and Madhvacharya. It is associated with the Samaveda where it is found inserted into the last section of the Jaiminiya Upanishad Brahmana...
|
| Shatyayana |
(traditions might be similar to Jaminiya SV){{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} |
Manuscript (?){{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} |
- |
- |
Atharva Veda
Only one shakha of an original nine is now extant for the Atharvaveda.
The Shaunaka is the only shakha of the Atharvaveda for which both printed texts and an active oral tradition are known to still exist.
For the Atharvaveda, both the Shaunakiya and the Paippalada traditions contain textual corruptions, and the original text of the Atharvaveda may only be approximated from comparison between the two.
| Shakha |
Samhita |
Brahmana |
Aranyaka |
Upanishad |
| Shaunaka |
AVS, edited and recited by all over North India and South India |
Fragmentary Gopatha Brahmana (extant and published), no accents. |
- |
Mundaka Upanishad The Mundaka Upanishad or the Mundakopanishad is one of the earlier, "primary" Upanishads, a genre of Hindu scriptures commented upon by Shankara. It is associated with the Atharvaveda. It figures as number 5 in the Muktika canon of 108 Upanishads.It is a Mantra-upanishad, i.e. it has the form...
(?) published. |
| Paippalada |
AVP; recited by Utkala Brahmin Utkala Brahmin also known as Oriya or Orissa Brahmins, is a Varna from the Indian state of Orissa previously known as Utkala Kingdom, Kalinga Kingdom & neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal & Jharkhand.-Background:The Utkala Kingdom was located in the eastern portion of...
s as samhita patha only. otherwise, two manuscripts survive: Kashmirian (mostly edited) and Orissan (partly edited, by Dipak Bhattacharya and others, unaccented) |
lost,similar to that of Gopatha Brahmana |
- |
Prashna Upanishad, Sharabha Upanishad etc. – all edited.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} |
The Paippalada tradition was discontinued, and its text is known only from manuscripts collected since the 19th century. However some Orissa Brahmins
http://www.vedamu.org/Media/audio/Atharvaveda.asp and Nambudiri Brahmins still continue the tradition of Paippalada.
No Brahmana is known for the Shaunaka shakha.
The Paippalada is possibly associated with the
Gopatha BrahmanaThe Gopatha Brahmana is the only Brahmana, a genre of the prose texts describing the Vedic rituals, associated with the Atharvaveda. The text is associated with both the Shaunaka and the Paippalada recensions of the Atharvaveda. This text and the short Brahmanas of the Samaveda are the latest...
.