Yajurveda
Also known as: Vajasaneyi Samhita, White Yajurveda, Shukla Yajurveda, Krishna Yajurveda, Taittiriya Samhita, Maitrayani Samhita, Katha Samhita, Kanva Recension, Madhyandina Recension
A Vedic collection of sacrificial formulas and prose verses used by Adhvaryu priests, preserved in distinct White and Black recensions. It codifies mantras for major Soma and fire rites, royal consecrations, and seasonal sacrifices.
Description
The Yajurveda is the liturgical Veda of ritual action, pairing mantras with precise sacrificial procedures. Preserved chiefly as the White (Shukla) Vajasaneyi Samhita and the Black (Krishna) Samhitas—Taittiriya, Maitrayani, Katha, and others—it supplies the Adhvaryu priest with the spoken formulas that accompany offerings, altar construction, and oblations. The White recension organizes mantras into forty chapters, while the Black recensions embed explanatory prose. Central to its vision is yajña as the engine of ṛta—cosmic order—mediated through fire, Soma, and reciprocal gifting between human and divine. Although primarily ritual in focus, the text alludes to cosmogonic and mythic motifs (Prajapati, Purusha, Rudra), and is linked with Brahmana and Aranyaka layers that elaborate theology and praxis.
Historiography
Transmitted by ritual schools (shakhas), the text survives in divergent recensions: the Shukla Yajurveda (Madhyandina and Kanva) and the Krishna Yajurveda (notably Taittiriya, Maitrayani, Katha, Kapisthala). The White recension presents largely mantra-only chapters; the Black integrates explanatory prose. Associated Brahmanas include the Shatapatha (White) and the Taittiriya Brahmana (Black), with Aranyakas and Upanishads (e.g., Brihadaranyaka, Isha, Taittiriya) attached. Manuscript traditions span birch bark, palm-leaf, and early paper, with regional orthographic variation; modern editions synthesize multiple witnesses and oral paramparā readings.
Date Notes
Composed across multiple recensions; oral transmission stabilized by ritual schools (shakhas). Shukla (White) and Krishna (Black) Yajurveda underwent separate redaction timelines.
Themes
Archetypes
Major Characters
- Agni
- Indra
- Varuna
- Mitra
Myths
- Sacrificial Cosmogony and Order
- Agnihotra and Soma Rites
- Mantras of Offering and Kingship
Facts
- Preserved in two major streams: Shukla (White) and Krishna (Black) Yajurveda.
- The White recension’s Vajasaneyi Samhita is arranged in 40 chapters (adhyayas).
- Krishna Yajurveda embeds explanatory prose; chief Samhita is the Taittiriya.
- Used by the Adhvaryu priest to vocalize formulas coordinating sacrificial action.
- Closely linked to Brahmanas: Shatapatha (White) and Taittiriya Brahmana (Black).
- Sri Rudram, a key litany to Rudra, is preserved within the Taittiriya tradition.
- Rituals include Agnihotra, Soma rites, Rajasuya, Vajapeya, Ashvamedha, and Cāturmāsya.
- Texts were transmitted orally with strict mnemonic and tonal systems (svara).
- Associated Aranyakas and Upanishads include Brihadaranyaka, Isha, and Taittiriya.
- Altar-construction mantras detail brick numbers, shapes, and cosmic correspondences.