Sama Veda

'Saman' means 'tune', and in this case it refers to the tunes in which the Vedic hymns are chanted. The samans are essentially Rig Vedic mantras set to music. The Sama Veda is also known as the Veda of music because all the mantras are set to the seven basic notes of Indian music known as the sapta svara system. The Sama Veda is the smallest of the Vedas, but it is most appealing because of its sweet music, poetic expression and touching sentiments of devotion. It is believed that the birth of Indian classical music can be traced to the Sama Veda.

The Sama Veda has 1,875 mantras, the majority of which are from the Rig Veda. The Panchavimsha, and Shadvimsha Brahmanas, the Tandya, Chandogya and Kena Upanishads were a development from the Sama Veda.

The Sama Veda gained importance and prominence because Bhagwan Krishna said in the Bhagavad Gita (10.22), "I am Sama Veda among the Vedas."

The special priest of Sama Veda is known as an udgata. He is an expert singer who invites the devas by singing the mantras to entertain and please them.

SAMA VEDA

Sama Veda