Sakhas of the Samaveda as mentioned in the Puranas

Sakhas of the Samaveda as mentioned in the Puranas [purananidistah samavedasakhah] / By Dr. Ganga Sagar Rai, M. A., Ph. D.; All-India Kashiraj Trust, Fort Ramnagar. / 115-134

[ nibandhe'smin samavedasya sakhanam purananam saksyadharena anya- saksyaisca vivecanam krtam | samavedasya mahattvapradarsanapurvakam tacchakhana- mutpattivistarahrasadinam vivaranam datva jaimini-ranayaniya-kauthuma- satya muni - satyayaniprabhrtyanekasam sakhanam paricayah prastutah | ante samamamtranam samkhyavisaye'pi vibhinnamatanamullekhah krtah ] The Samaveda has a special place in the Vedic literature. In the Gita, Lord Krsna says 'I am Samaveda among the Vedas". The Brhaddevata of Saunaka holds that he who knows the Samans, knows' the reality'. According to the Rgveda, the Samans are accessible only to those who are attentive³. In another mantra of the Rgveda the Sama-singing is compared to the songs of birds'. Special references have been made to Samaveda in the Upanisads and the Puranas also. According to the Chandogya Upanisad if the Rgveda is the speech, the Samaveda is the life breath ( 1. 1. 5) and if the RK. is the eye, the Sama is the self. (1.7.1.) In the Vayu-Purana, also the Samaveda is glorified. THE MEANING OF THE WORD SAMAN By Samaveda we generally mean a collection of verses, nearly all of which occur in the Rgveda, and which are sung mostly at the Soma-sacrifices. But strictly speaking Saman was a melody or chant, apart from the words and Jaimini defines Saman as a giti". The word Saman is explained by Yaska in 1. vedanam samavedo'smi | Gita X. 22 2. samani yo veda sa vetti tattvam Bhaddevata 13. yo jagara tamrcah kamayante yo jagara tamu samani yanti || Rg. V. 44. 14 4. udgateva sakune sama gayasi brahmaputra iva savanesu samsasi Ibid II. 43.2 5. gitisu samakhya Jaimini, II. 1. 36

116 puranam - PURANA [Vol. VIII., No. 1 Nirukta'. Bhartrhari, too, has referred to the term'. According to the Chandogya Up. already noted the Saman is based on the RK. This shows the distinction of the two, RK and Saman. Saman was a tune, a melody sung to the words of the RK and the Samaveda was the collection of the RKs as set to the Samans⁹. As recorded in tradition, Samaveda originally consisted of one thousand Sakhas. But as in these Sakhas, the texts were studied in forbidden times (anadhyayas), Indra destroyed them with his thunderbolt. Patanjali, regards the Samaveda as of thousand schools (Sahasravartma ) ". Othere references, too, are of the same view 12. The Buddhist text Divyavadana also mentions these to be one thousand and eighty in number¹³. It is obvious that according to the tradition the Samaveda originally consisted of thousand schools, which were, later on, 6. sama sammitamrca | asyatervarca sama mena iti naidanah Nirukta VII. 12 7. rco va gotimatram va samadravyantaram na tu | 8. gitibhedaddhi grhyante ta eva nikrta rcah || rci adhyudham sama Chandogya Up. I. 6.1 and ka samno gatih | svara iti hovaca ibid I 8. 4 9. Rktantram, Intr. PP. 13-18; For a recent account of Samaveda and music, See Dr. V. Raghavan Journ. of the Music Acadamy, Madaras, vol. 33, PP. 127, 133 10. (i) anadhyayesvadhiyanaste satakratuvajrenabhihatah pranastah Caranavyuha P. 43 (ii) sranadhyayesvadhiyanamstanjaghana satakratuh Vayu 61. 29, Bd. II. 35.33 11. sahasravartma samavedah Mahabhasya 12. (i) sahasrasamkhyaya jata| sakhah samnah paramtapah || Muktikopanisad (ii) sa sahasramadhityasu sukarmapyatha samhitah | provacatha sahasrasya sukarma suryavarcasah || Vayu 61. 28, Bd. II. 35.33 (iii) sahastrasamhitabhedam sukarma tatsutastatah | Visnu III. 6. 6 (iv) sahasra samhitabhedam cakre samna tato dvijah Bhag. X 11 6. 76 (v) tatra samavedah sahasradha Atharvan parisista 49. 3. 1 (vi) tamtra samavedasya sakha sahasramasit Prapancahrdaya 13. brahmanah sarve ete chandogah pamktirityeka sasitisahasradhabhinna | Divyavadana

jan., 1966] SAKHAS OF THE SAMAVEDA IN THE PURANAS 117 lost. Mahidasa, the commentator or Saunaka's Caranavyuha quotes a verse according to which he who reads the sacred text in the forbidden times is killed by lightning (vidyut) 14. Though the myth of the banishment of the Samavedic Sakhas cannot be relied upon, yet the existence of the much more Samavedic Sakhas than extant cannot be denied. Since the Samaveda is based on melody and chants and music depends on vocal organs, the origin of different schools is but natural. The minor differences of these Sakhas were forgotten, and their numerous schools dwindled. The differences between many Samhitas of the Samavedic schools is negligible as they differ only in the omission of certain syllables or the pronounciation of certain sounds in a different manner. These differences too, exist betwen major Sakhas, the minors have even less differences 15. As regards the Sakhas that survived, texts are not unanimous in mentioning their names. The Caranavyuha of Saunaka enumerates only fourteen Sakhas of this Veda". Mahidasa, the commentator on the same text, has slightly differed from the original text and he has cited some new names¹7. The Atharvana Caranavyuha also has some differences in the names 18. 14. anadhyayesvadhiyana sriyante khalu vidyutah P. 43 The 15. Dr. Caland, Jaiminiya Samhita, P. 11, Samasramin Trayirika P. 249 16. sesan pravaksyami asurayaniya vasurayaniya vartantareya pranjala- rgvainavidhah pracinayogya ranayaniyasceti | ranayaniya nama 17. 18. nava bheda bhavanti -ranayaniyah satyayaniyah satyamudgalah khalvala mahakhalvalah langalah kauthumah gautama jaiminiyasceti | Aftet mentioning the original he writes atha prakarantarenaha - tatra ranayaniyanam saptabheda bhavanti-ranayaniyah satyamugrah kaleyah mahakaleya langalayanah sahulah kauthumasceti | tatra kauthumanam sadbheda bhavanti - kauthumah asurayanah vatayanah pranjalirvainabhrtah pracinayogya naigamoya iti | tatra kecidavasistah pracaranti - ranayaniyah sajyamugrah kalapah mahakalapah kauthumah langalikaiceti | kauthumanam sadbheda bhavanti | tadyatha | sarayaniyah vatarayaniyah vaitaghrtah pracinastejasa anista- kasceti Ath. Parisista 49, 32, 3

118 puranam - PURANA 19 [Vol. VIII., No. 1 verses quoted by Mahidasa mention the name of 13 acaryaste. In the Gobhila Grhyakarma-Prakasika, too, the names of 13 acaryas are mentioned and references to 13 acaryas are found in the Jaiminiya Grhya sutra". According to the Rudraskanda, a commentator of the Khadirasutra, the number of acaryas is 13". The Puranas widely differ from each other and they have less concordance with the above mentioned texts. The Samavedic Sakhas are enumerated in detail in the Visnu Purana as follows: samavedatarossakha vyasasisyassa jaiminih | kramena yena maitreya bibheda srnu tanmama || sumantustasya putro'bhutsukarmasyapyabhutsutah | adhitavantau caikaikam samhitam tau mahamati || sahasrasamhita bhedam sukarma tatsutastatah | cakara tam ca tacchisyau nagrhate mahavratau || hiranyanabhah kausalyah pauspinjisca dvijottama | udicyassamagah sisyastasya pancasatam smrtah || 19. srasam sakhanamadhyapaka acaryastrayodasasamkhyakah | te yatha- ranayani satyamugri durvasa atha bhagurih | bharundo gogumjavibhamgavanaupamanyavah || daralo gayamsavarni varsaganyasca te dasa | kuthumih salihotrasca jaiminisca trayodasa ityete samagacaryah svastim kurvanti tarpitah || 20. ranayanih satyamunih | vyasah ( durvasah ) | bhagurih | aurgundih | gaugumlavih | bhanumanaupamanyavah | karatih | masako gagyah | varsa- ganyah | kauthumih salihotrah | jaiminih Further in the same book ten Pravacanakaras are referred to. satih | bhalavih | kalbavih | tandayah | vrsanah (vrsagaranah ) | samabahuh | rurukih | agastyah | baska sirah | huhuh | Gobhila Ghya Karmaprakasika 21. jaimini - talavakaram - satyamudra raranayanidurvasasam ca - bhaguri-gau- rundi - gaurgulavi - bhagavanta maupamanyavam • karandi - savani gargavarsa - ganyam - daivantyam - iti Jaiminiya Grhya Sutra 1.14 22. tathaiva ranayanadinacaryan trayodasa sasvayanadin pravacanakartum nu dasa Commentary on Khadira Sutra 32, 14, 16

Jan., 1966] SAKHAS OF THE SAMAVEDA IN THE PURANAS hiranyanabhattavatyassamhita yairdvijottamaih 1 grhitaste'pi cocyante panditaih pracyasamagah || lokaksinadhamiscaiva kaksivamllangalistatha | pauspiji sisyastadbhedaissamhita bahulikrtah || hiranyanabhasisyastu caturvimsati sahitah | provaca krtinamasau sisyebhyasca mahamunih || III. 6. 1-7 119 The list of the Bhag. P., though does not differ from the Visnu-Purana in essence, yet it shows some variations. follows : jaimineh samagasyasitsumantustanayo munih | | sunvamstu tatsutastabhyamekaikam praha samhitam || sukarma capi tacchisyah samavedatarormahan | sahasrasamhitabhedam cakre samna tato dvinah || hiranyanabhah kausalyah pausyanjisca sukarmanah | sisyau nagrhatuscanya avantyo brahmavittamah || udicyah samagah sisya asan pancasatani vai | pausyajyavantyayoscapi tamsca pracyan pracaksate || laugaksirmangalih kulyah kusidah kuksireva ca | pausyanjisisya jagrhuh samhitaste satam satam || hiranyanabhasya caturvimsatisamhitah | krto sisya uce svasisyebhyah sesa avantya atmavan || It is as Bhag. X. 6.75-80 The list of the Vayu Purana is much detailed and the same is repeated in the Brahmanda Purana with few variations."3 23. putramadhyapayamasa sumantumatha jaiminih | sumantuvapi sutvanam putramadhyapayat prabhuh || sukarmanam sutam sutva sa sahasramadhityasu putramadhyapayatprabhuh || 27 sukarmapyatha samhitah | provacatha sahasrasya sukarma suryavarcasah || 28

120 puranam - PURANA [Vol. VIII., No. 1 In the Agni-Purana following list of the Sama-Veda Sakhas is available : samavedataroh sakha vyasasisyah sa jaiminih || sumantusca sukarma ca ekaikam grhnate ca sukarmakhyah sahasra and samhitam tatah | samhitam guroh || Ch. 153.28-29 dvitiyatharvanayani | gananyapi ca catvari veda aranyakam tatha || 271.6 samnah kauthumasamjnaika anadhyayesvadhiyanamstanjaghana prayopavesamakarottato'sau satakratuh | sisyakaranat || 29 kruddham drstva tatah sakro varamasmai dadau punah | bhavinau te mahaviryo sisyavanalavacamsau || 30 adhiyanau mahaprajnau sahasram samhitavubhau | etau surau mahabhagau ma krudhya dvijasattama || 31 ityuktva vasavah sriman sukarmanam yasasvinam | santa krodham dvijam drstva tatraivantaradhiyata || 32 tasya sisyo bhaveddhiman pausyanji dvijasattamah | hiranyanabhah kausikyo dvitiyo'bhunnaradhipah || 33 adhyapayattu pausyanji sahasrarddham tu samhitah | tenanyodicya samanyah sisyah pausyanjinah subhah || 34 satani panca kausikyah samhitananca viryavan | sisya hiranyanabhasya smrtaste pracyasamagah || 35 lokaksi kuthumicaiva kusoti langalistatha | pausyajisisyascatvarastesam bhedannibodhata || 36 ranayaniyah sa hi tandiputrastasmadanyo mulacari suvidvan | sakatiputrah sahasatyaputra etan bhedan vitta lokaksinastu || 37 trayastu kuthumeh putra auraso rasapasarah | bhagavittisca tejasvi trividhah kauthumah smrtah || 38 sauridyuh srngiputrasca dvavetau caritavratau | ranayaniyah saumitrih samavedavisaradau || 39 provaca samhitastisra srngiputro mahatapah | cailah pracinayogasca suralasca dvijottamah || 40

Jan., 1966] SAKHAS OF THE SAMAVEDA IN THE PURANAS 121 In the circumstances, it is very hard to determine the exact name and number of the Samavedic Sakhas. Tradition is complex and no text can be said to be authentic. Various forms of even one name are to be seen. For instance, the name Langali occurs in the following forms: Bhag. P. Mangalih Vayu P. Ath. Parisista Saunaka's Caranavyuha Langalih Langalikah Langalah JAIMINI THE FOUNDER OF THE SAMAVEDIC SCHOOLS According to the Puranas, the Samaveda was first handed down to Jaimini by Vyasa. Hence Jaimini was contemporary of Vedavyasa. According to the Mahabharata he was present in provaca samhitah sat tu parasayamstu kauthumah | srasurayana vaisakhyau vedavrddhaparayanau || 41 pracinayogaputrasca buddhimamva patanjalih | kauthumasya tu bhedaste parasaryasya sat smrtah || langalih salihotrasca sat sat provaca samhitah || 42 bhalukih kamahanisca jaiminih lomagayanih | karadaca kohalascaiva sadete langalah smrtah || ete langalinah sisyah samhitah yaih prasadhitah || 43 tato hiranyanabhasya krtasisyo nrpatmajah | so'karoca caturvimsatsamhita dvipadam varah || 44 provaca caiva sisyebhyo yebhyastamsca nibodhata | rajasva mahaviryamsca pancamo vahanastatha || 45 talakah pandakascaiva kaliko rajikastatha | gautamascajavastasva prstaghnah parikrstasca ulukhalaka somarajapatattah || 46 eva ca | yavisasva vaisalo anguliyasca kausikah || 47 salamanjarisatyasca kapiyah kanikasca yah | parasarasca dharmatma iti krantastu samagah || 48 samaganantu sarvesam sresthau dvau tu prakirtitau | pausyanjisca krtiscaiva samhitanam vikalpakau || 49 Vayu 61.27-49. The same verses are repeated in the Brahmanda Purana with few variations in reading. 16

122 puranam - PURANA the court of Yudhisthira.2 [Vol. VIII., No. I According to the He is also said to be the udgatr of king Janamejaya. 25 Various books are attributed to Jaimini e. g. Samhita, Brahmana, Kalpasutra, Mimamsa etc. These were written by Jaimini himself or by his pupils is not certain." In any case, it can not be denied that these works belonged to the Samaveda, and particularly to the Jaiminiya Sakha. Vyasa has cited the name of Jaimini as an authority in his Brahmasutra. Two verses are found which clearly call Jaimini sutrakara and propounder of thousand Sakhas. Jaimini went to see Bhisma lying on the bed of arrows 28. Puranas he was a pupil of Vyasa and in-charge of the SamaSamhita. He taught the Samaveda to his own son Sumantu 30. Jaimini was also an authority on yoga³. In the Vayu-Purana he is described as a follower of the Langala Sakha³2. But it is not correct because he was the first propagator of the Samavedic Sakhas, while Langali was a later authority. The name of Jaimini occurs in Jaiminiya Sutra Karika (171 and 172). The Atharvana Parisista is also aware of his name. The Mimamsa sutras are of course connected with his name. Reference to Jaimini is seen in the Sankhayana Grhyasutra also,34 (1) The Jaiminiya Sakha. The literature of the Jaiminiyas is extant in its full form. In the Jaiminiya Samhita the number of verses is 1687 which is 182 less than the verses of the Kauthuma-Samhita. 24. Santiparva 4.17. 25. udgata brahmano vrddho vidvan kautsayamjaiminih | Adi, 53.6 26. History of Classical Sanskrit, P. 472. There is 27. Quoted by Pt. Bhagavaddatta Vaidika Vanmaya Itihasa, Vol. II. P. 22. 28. Santiparva 47.6. 29. Bhag. XII. 6.33 and 75; Vayu 60.13; 61.26; Visnu III. 4.9; 30. Brahmanda II. 35.31. putramadhyapayamasa sumantumatha 31. Vayu, 88.207; Visnu IV. 4.107. 32. Vayu 61.42. 33. Atharva Parisista 43.4.14. 34. Sankhyayana Grhya Sutra 4.6.1. affa: 11

Jan., 1966] SAkHAS OF THE SAMAVEDA IN THE PURANAS 123 considerable number of variant readings in both the Samhitas. In the Uttararcika there are various mantras which do not occur in the Kauthuma Samhita. The number of the Ganas in the Jaiminiya Samhita is 3681. follows: Gramegeya Gana Aranyagana Uhagana Rahasyagana The division of the Ganas is as 1232 291 1802 356 3681 Among 1987 verses, the Purvarcika has 646 and the Uttararcika 1041.34a The prominent feature of the Jaiminiya Samhita is the conversion of d into !. Though the Jaiminiya Samhita has less verses than the Kauthumas, yet there are such verses in the Jaiminiya Samhita which do not occur in the Kauthuma Samhita. Like the Satapatha-Brahmana, the Jaiminiya Brahmana is big in size. This Brahmana is published.35 The Jaiminiya Upanisad Brahmana is a part of this Brahmana. The other name of this Upanisad is Gayatri Upanisad Brahmana. The Jaiminiya Brahmana is called also Talava kara Brahmana. Talavakara is a pupil of Jaimni and it is possible that some portions were arranged by him. The Jaiminiya Grhyasutra is divided into two parts. Prof. Caland has remarked about this Sutra text that it is a genuine text of the Jaiminiyas". And it attaches itself to the other books of this Sakha. This Sutra has mentioned the name of Jaimini Talavakara. Sayanacarya has quoted a reference of this Grhyasutra. Some portions of this Sutra were published by Dr. Gastra. The Upanisad of this Sakha is named Kena Upanisad. It is also called by the name Talavakara. 34a. Rktantram, edited by Dr. Suryakanta, Intr. P. 2; 35. Edited and Published by Dr. Raguvira, Nagpur 1954. 36. Edited by Dr. Caland, Lahore 1932. 37. Jaiminiya Grhaya Sutra, Intr. P. 8. 38. tapayedacaryamacaryamsca jaimini talavakaram satyamugram ranani 1.14

124 puranam - PURANA (2) THE KAUTHUMA SAKHA 40 [Vol. VIII., No. 1 This Sakha is one of the extant Sakhas of the Samaveda. Panini has mentioned this name along with Katha and Laugaksi.39 In the Brahmanda and Vayu Puranas Kauthuma is said to be the son of Parasara and incharge of a Samhita. 10 The Samhita of the Kauthumas is current among its followers. According to Mahidasa this Sakha was popular in Gujrat." In the Maharnava the residence of the Kauthumas is said to be the northern region of the river Narmada." The Kauthuma Samhita consists of 17 Prapathaka's each of whic is again divided into Purva and Uttara Bhaga. The number of the mantras according to Prof. Caland is 1869. The total number of the ganas in this Samhita is 2722 as follows: Gramegeya gana Aranyagana Uhagana Uhyagana 1197 294 1026 205 2722 According to the tradition a large number of books is related to this Sakha. It is probable that some of these were related to the other small Sakhas of this Veda. The number of the books attached to the Kauthuma Sakha, according to the Gobhila Grhya Karma Prakasika is fifty two. This list is also accepted by Dr. Caland.44 The Kauthuma Grhya Sutra is 39. kathakauthumah kauthumalaugaksah Kartakaujapadigana 40. provaca samhitah sat tu parasaryatha kauthumah 3d. II. 35.45 41. gujamradese kauthumi prasiddha P.45 42. madhyandini samkhayani kauthumo saunaki tatha narmadottarabhage ca yajnakanyavibhaginah || 43. kauthumanam ke va gramtha adhyetavya iti cedaha kascit- dvi pasncasadime gramthah sakhayah kauthumeriha | proktah samodadhau yasmacchaute smarte suniscitah || Gobhila Grhya Karma Prakasika PP. 28 44. Introduction to the Pancavimsa Brahmana's translation.

Jan., 1966] SAKHAS OF THE SAMAVEDA IN THE PURANAS 125 preserved in the Government library Mysore. According to Dr. Surya Kanta this Grhya is of independent nature. 45 (3) THE RANAYANIYA SAKHA 47 In the Brahmanda and Vayu Puranas, Ranayani referred to as a Sakhakara of the Samaveda. Panini has also mentioned his name. 46 Reference has been made to Ranayani in the Ganaratnamahodadhi, where he is described as a Vasistha." Patanjali is also acquainted with this school and mentions it along with the Satyamugris. According to Patanjali the Satyamugri Sakha was a subdivision of the Ranayaniyas. Sankaracarya has mentioned a Khila of the Ranayaniyas.19 Ranayaniyopanisad. 48 He also mentions a The Samhita of this Sakha is preserved. We are not certain whether the Samhita and the Pancavirnsa and the Sadvimsa Brahmana of the Kauthumas were also in use by the Ranayaniyas in the same form in which now we possess them. But according to Prof. Caland it can be proved that the commentator of the Pancavimsa Brahmana was a Ranayaniya and the same may be said about Varadaraja who commented upon the Arseya Kalpa. It is not improbable that these texts were the common properties of both the Sakha. But it is certain that the Ranayaniyas have their separate Grhya and Srauta sutras. The Srauta Sutra is that of Drahyayana. It is nearly identical with the Latyayana Sutra. The only difference between the two is that the Drahyayana has some more Sutras. The Grhya Sutra of this Sakha is Khadira Grhya Sutra which is divided into four Patalas. The Drahyayana Grhya Parisista is also attributed to this Sakha. Differences from other Sakhas: As said earlier, the Samavedic Sakhas differ particularly in the omission of Y and V. Dr. 45. Pt. Bhagavanddatta, op. cit. Vol. I. P. 316 46. Pailadigana (II. 4.59) 47. Ganaratnamahodadhi, 3.236 48. Cf. V. S. Agrawala, India As Known to Panini, P. 327 49. Vedantabhasya 1II. 3.23

126 puranam - PURANA [Vol. VIII., No. 1 Suryakanta points out that the Kauthumas sing ha-u while the Ranayaniyas sing hav-u.50 According to Patanjali" th followers of the Satyamugri Sakha and the Ranayaniya Sakha read a half e and o in instances like 'sujata esuasungte.' and adhvarthi srodribhih sutam At present the Ranayaniya Sakha is found in south also in Mathura 51a (4) THE SATYAMUGRI SAKHA 63 5% The other variants of its name are Satyamudgalah and Satyamurgyas. But the real name seems to be Satyamugri and this name is referred to by Panini and Patanjali. In the Saunakiya Caranavyuha it is regarded as a subdivision of the Ranayaniyas. Patanjali has mentioned this Sakha in connection with a phonetic peculiarity, viz. ardha ekara and ardha okara recognised in its Pratisakhya text. Moreover, the Apisali Siksa, too is acquainted with the schools of the Satyamugris and Ranayaniyas.64 No text belonging to Satyamugri Sakha is preserved. But, it is most probable that this Sakha originally contained some books, especially its Pratisakhya, which were later destroyed in the course of time. The Jaiminiya Grhya Sutra cites his name among the teachers of the Samaveda. Likewise, he is mentioned in the Gobhila Grhya Karma Prakasika, and in the verses quoted by Mahidasa in his commentary on the Cara navyuha. (5) THE SATYAYANI SAKHA Satyayani Sakha is regarded as a Sub-division of the Ranayaniyas. The Prapancahrdaya has given it among the Sama Sakhas. Reference has been made by Patanjali to the Brahmana work of the Satyayaniyas. Satyayani comes in the Vamsa list of Jaimini whose Brahmana work is still in existence. 50. Rktantram, Intro P. 10; Samasramin, Trayi Tika P. 249 51. Bhasya I. 1. 2 The 51a. See Dr. V. Raghavan, the Present position of Vedic Recitation and Vedic Sakhas, Veda Dharma Paripalana Sabha Kumbha konam, 1962. 52. Max Muller, History of Ancient Sanskrit. Lit., P. 192 53. Panini IV. 1.81 54. Apisali Siksa, 6th Prakarana

Jan., 1966] SAkHAS OF THE SAMAVEDA IN THE PURANAS 127 Satyayani Brahmana is quoted more frequently in the later literature. Sankara has quoted it in his Vedanta Sutrabhasya (III. 3. 2, 5; III. 3. 2. 6). Similarly it has been quoted by Asvalayana Srautasutra Apastamba Srauta Sutra and by Sayana on the Tandya Brahmana.55 The Jaiminiya Upanisad Brahmana has quoted Satyayani very frequently. The Kalpasutra of Satyayani is mentioned in the Balakrida of Visvarupa, Mahadeva's commentary on the Satyasadha Srauta Sutra and Rudraskanda's commentary on the Khadira Grhya Sutra. But unfortunately no text of this Sakha is preserved. (6) THE KALEYA SAKHA Various names of this Sakha are found. In the Atharvana Caranavyuha the name is Kalapah. A Kapeya Brahmana is mentioned in the Satyasadha Srauta Sutra (1.4 and 9.8). Whether it was only a variant reading of the Kaleyas or a different name is not traceable. The Kaleyas are mentioned very frequently in the Sutras: Sankhyayana Srauta Sutra, Baudhayana Srauta Sutra, Jaiminiya Srauta Sutra, Latyayana Srauta Sutra and Ksudra Sutra etc. (7) THE MAHAKALEYA SAKHA This Sakha seems only to be a sub-division of the Kaleyas. It is also probable that the Kaleya Sakha was called by the name Mahakaleya. No literature of these Sakhas is available. (8) THE LANGALI SAKHA According to The Caranavyuha of Saunaka enumerates the Langala Sakha as a sub-division of the Ranyayaniyas. Atharvana Caranavyuha the name is Langalika. In the VayuPurana (61. 43) six sages are said to be the pupils of Langala who read their Samhita from him.56 In the Srimadbhagavata 55. These references are quoted in full by Ft. Bhagavaddatta, Vol. II. pp. 31-32; see also B. K. Ghose Fragments of Lost Brahmanas Vol. II. 56. bhalukih kamahanisca jaiminirlomagayanih | kandasca kohalascaiva sadete langalah smrta || Vayu 61.43; Bd. II. 35. 46

128 puranam - PURANA [Vol. VIII., No. 1 the name occurs as Mangala which is corrupt version of a Langali. No literature of this Sakha has survived. (9) THE GAUTAMA SAKHA According to the Caranavyuha this Sakha is a subdivision of the Ranayaniyas. In the Epics and Puranas we know of several Gautamas and it is difficult to say which Gautama is related to the Samaveda as promulgator of one of this Sakhas. No Samhita of this Sakha is available. Only the Gautama Dharma Sutra, the Gautama Pitrmedhasutra and the Gautama Siksa are preserved. At the end of the Gautami Siksa a statement is found which is significant as it shows that there existed a Pratisakhya, presumably of Gautama which recorded a phenomena. 60 The Gautama Dharma Sutra is regarded as the most ancient. Kumarila expressly connects it with the Samaveda. Moreover, Gobhila has quoted Gautama. The Baudhayana and Vasistha Dharma Sutras have derived some material from this Sutra. This Sutra is referred to by Sankara, Kumarila and Medhatithi which shows its importance as well as its antiquity. (10) THE SARDULA SAKHA According to Mahidasa it is a sub-division of the Ranayaniyas. Nothing is known about Sardula Rsi. No literature of this Sakha is met with. Only the Khadira Grhya Sutra is said to be attached to this Sakha¹. Hemadri in his Sraddha Kalpa Paribhasa Prakarana has mentioned the name of Sardula Sakha, which shows the existence of the Sardula Sakha.62 (11) THE NAIGEYA SAKHA The other names of this Sakha are Naigi and Naigamiya. The word Negebhyah is used in the Samavedanu kramanika and 57. Adi, 122. 50-51 58. Drona, 190. 36-40 59. Santi 47.10 60. Rktantram, Intr. P. 3 61. Report on a Search of Samskrit MSS in the Bombay Presidency 1892- 95 No. 79 62. tadyatha sardulasakhinam

Jan., 1966] SAkHAS OF THE SAMAVEDA IN THE PURANAS 129 the word Naigi is met with in the Rktantram.63 A text is known as the Naigeya Parisista. It may be presumed that originally there existed a Samhita of the Naigeyas. About this Samhita Dr. Surya Kanta observes 'On Sutra 94 the commentator cites endra sanasim (1.129) as an example of the 'guna Sandhi'. The Samhita of the Nigamiyas has. According to the Rktantra (108) all the Sakhas of the Samaveda omit y, when it is followed by a consonant, Naigis omit it when it comes in between the vowels (159)'. From this evidence the existence of a Naigeya Samhita is well established. (12) THE BHALLAVI SAKHA 66 In Gobhila Grhyakarma Prakasika a pravacanakara is known as Bhallavi. Reference has been made to him in the Jaiminiya Upanisad Brahmana 6. The Brhaddevata also mentions to Bhallaveyi Brahmana and the Bhallaveyi Sruti 67. Govindasvamin on the Baudhayana Dharmasutravivarana mentions it as a Sakha of the Samaveda 68. Moreover, this Sakha is mentioned in the Narada Siksa (1.13), Drahyayana Srauta Sutra (III. 4.2) and Sankara Vedantabhasya. Patanjali is also aware of this Sakha (4.2.104) and Kasika too mentions it (4.2.6-6; 4.3.105). Suresvara has quoted the Samhita of Bhallaveyins in his Brhadaranyakabhasya Vartika. On these evidences the existence of a Bhallaveyi Samhita may be concluded. The Brahmana of this Sakha is also widely quoted. But at present no text of this Sakha is available. In the Puranas a Bhaluka Rsi is referred to. But his identity with Bhallavi is uncertain. It is obvious from the evidences of the Saunaka's Brhaddevata that Bhaguri was not identical with Bhallavi as both the names are quoted separately in that Book (3.100; 5.40; 6 8.). 63. Rktantram 2. 6. 9; 4. 3. 2 84. ibid, Intr. P. 3 65 66 Jaiminiya Up. 2. 4. 7. Brhaddevata V. 23 67. ibid V. 159 68. bhallavinah chandogavisesah iti bhallavisakhayam srutivakyamadhiyate 216 .20 17

130 puranam - PURANA (13) THE SALIHOTRA SAKHA [Vol. VIII., No. 1 A Salihotra acarya is mentioned in the Gobhila Grhya Karma Prakasika. Mahidasa has also mentioned him 70. According to the Mahabharata a Salihotra was a resident of a forest where Pandavas accompanied by Hidimba had rested and Salihotra fed them". This Sakha is mentioned in the Vayu and Brahmanda Puranas". No text of this Sakha is avilable. (14) THE VARSAGANYA SAKHA According to the Jaiminiya Grhya Sutra, Prapancahrdaya, Gobhila Grhyakarma Prakasika and the verses quoted by Mahidasa, the Varsaganya Sakha belonged to the Samveda. The Mahabharata is aware of a Varsaganya, who was taught by Gandharvaraja Visvavasu about the jiva and the paramatman's. Yadava Prakasa while commenting upon the Pingala-Sutra has quoted a verse from the Varsaganya Samhita". On the evidence of Yadava Prakasa the existence of a Varsaganya Samhita may be inferred. But at present no text is available. (15) THE TANDYA SAKHA The famous Tandya or Pancavimsa Brahmana belongs to this Sakha. Tandya Rsi is mentioned in the Satapatha Brahmana. In the Rsi tarpana of Samavidhana Brahmana Tandya is regarded as a pupil of Badarayana", Sankaracarya has mentioned this Sakha in the Vedantabhasya." He calls the Chandogya Upanisad by the name of Tandya Upanisad. A Tandi Rsi is mentioned in the Mahabharata. Prof. Caland has quoted the verses which are found in the Tandya Brahmana and have 70. daralo gagyamsavarni varsaganyasca te dasa | kuthumih salihotrasca jaiminisca trayodasa || 71. Southern recension after Adi, 154.18 (Vide Gitapress ed.) 72. Vayu 61.42; 61. 42: Bd. 3.46. 73. Santiparva 318.59 74. Commentary on Pingala Sutra 3.12 Satapatha Br, IV. 1. 2. 25 75. atha ha smaha tarajya 76. badarayanastandisa svaya nibhyam 77. Vedantabhasya 3. 3. 24, 27 78. ibid 3. 3. 36

131 Jan., 1966] SAKHAS OF THE SAMAVEDA IN THE PURANAS variation from the extant Samhita". On this ground the existence of a separate Samhita of this Sakha may be argued. From a reference of the Narada Siksa it seems that originally the Tandya Brahmana was accented 80. At present except the Brahmana, no text is available. (16) THE TALAVAKARA SAKHA Talavakara was a pupil of Jaimini and he founded his own Sakha. Perhaps he re-arranged his teacher's works, viz. Jaiminiya Brahmana, which also bears the name Talava kara Brahmana. Panini has mentioned him in the Saunakadigana as an author of the Chandas or the Vedic Sakha. Talavakara is mentioned in the Jaiminiya Grhya Sutra. The Talavakara Aranyaka is divided into four Adhyayas and 145 Khandas. (17) THE KALABAVIN SAKHA In the Gobhila Grhyakarma Prakasika Kalabavin is mentioned among the ten Sama-pravacanakaras. The Brahmana of the Kalabavins is frequently referred to in the Kalpa Sutras. According to the Puspa-Sutra the Brahmana text of the Kalabavins was accented 8. Prof. Max Muller thinks it not necessary that the Brahmana was accented 88. No literature of this Sakha is preserved. (18) RURUKI SAKHA Ruru Rsi is also mentioned among the ten Samapravacanakaras. The Ruruki Brahmana is mentioned in the commentary on the Drahyayana Srauta Sutra. No literature is handed down. 79. Vaidika Vanmaya ka Itihasa, Vol. I, P. 323 80. Narada-Siksa I. 13 81. Dr. V. S. Agrawala : India as known to Panini, P. 339. 82. Puspa Sutra 8. 8 83. "The passage of the puspa-Sutra (VIII. 8) which was quoted before does not prove that the rules on the accent were laid down in the Brahmanas of the Kalabavins, because it may also mean that the accented delivery of the sacred texts was enjoined in the Brahmana" History of Ancient Skt. Lit., p. 59. ft. 84. Dhanvis Com. on the Drahyayana Sutra (V. 3. 1.)

132 puranam- PURANA (19) THE BHAGURI SAKHA [Vol. VIII., No. 1 Acarya Bhaguri is referred to in the Prapancahrdaya, the Gobhila Grhyakarma Prakasika, The Jaiminiya Grhyasutra and the verses quoted by Mahidasa in his commentary on the Caranavyuha. The Brhaddevata has mentioned him as an authority. No literature of this Sakha has come down to us. (20) THE DURVASA SAKHA In the Prapancahrdaya, Gobhila Grhyakarma Prakasika and Jaiminiya Sutra this Sakha is mentioned. A Durvasas is famous for irritable nature in the Puranas. No literature of this Sakha is available. (21) THE CHANDOGYA SAKHA This Sakha is mentioned in the Prapancahrdaya. Most probably this school was based on the Brahmana and the Upanisad. The Brahmana and Chandogya Upanisad are published. (22) THE GARGYA SAKHA This Sakha is mentioned in the Prapancahrdaya, Gobhilagrhyakarma Prakasika, Jaiminiya Sutra and the commentary of Mahidasa on the Caranavyuha. We have no knowledge about this Sakha. No literature of this Sakha is known. (23) THE AUPAMANYAVA SAKHA Reference has been made to it in many texts which mention the schools of the Samaveda. No literature is known. (24) THE SAVARNYA SAKHA This Sakha is mentioned in the Prapancahrdaya. But no literature is available. (25) THE SARAYANIYA SAKHA It has been included in the list of Samavedic Sakhas by the author of the Atharvana Caranavyuha. Nothing is known about it. (26) THE PRACINAYOGYA SAKHA It has been included in the Samavedic Schools by the Mahidasa and the Jaiminiya Upanisad Brahmana (I. 39. 1).

Jan., 1966] SAkHAS OF THE SAMAVEDA IN THE PURANAS 133 The Vayu and the Brahmanda Puranas have also mentioned this Sakha. But no literature is preserved. (27) THE ASURAYANIYA SAKHA In the Caranavyuha of Saunaka this Sakha is mentioned. Only the name of this Sakha is known. (28) THE VASURAYANIYA SAKHA This Sakha, too is mentioned by Caranavyuha, Mahidasa and the Puranas. No text of this Sakha is available. (29) THE VARTANTAVIYA SAKHA This Sakha is only known by its name. (30) THE GAULGALAVI SAKHA This Sakha is referred to in the Jaiminiya Grhya Sutra and the Gobhila Grhya karma Prakasika. No literature is preserved. (31) THE DARALA SAKHA Mahidas has mentioned this School. (32) THE BHARUNDA SAKHA It is mentioned by Mahidasa. The Puranic list of the Samavedic schools is lengthy 85. According to them Vyasa taught the Samaveda to Jaimini and Jaimini to his own son Sunvan and Sunvan to Sukarman. Sukarman's two pupils are Hiranyanabha Kausalya and Pausyanji or Pauspinji. Hiranyanabha Kausalya was a pracya samaga and Pauspinji an udicya. Hiranyanabha Kausalya's pupil was Krta, who according to the Matsya Purana was was a son of king Sannatimat, of the Paurava dynasty (49. 75-76 I). He taught his Samhita to twenty four pupils who were named after him as Kartah and were 85. Vayu p. Ch. 61; Bd. II. 35; 13 Bhags. XII. 6: Vis. III 6 86. tasyasit sannatimatah krto nama suto mahan | hiranyanabhinah sisyah kausalyasya mahatmanah || Matsya, 49, 75, 6

134 puranam - PURANA 87 [Vol. VIII., No. 1 regarded as Pracya-Samagas. In Visnu Purana also Krta is said a pupil of Hiranyanabhin in yoga and codifier of the twenty four Samhitas of the Samaveda. In the Vayu and the Brahmanda Puranas also the Pracya Samagas are mentioned. The name of Krta does not appear in the Vamsa Brahmana, but the name occurs in a Paninian Sutra kartakaujapadayasca . The pupils of these acaryas are grouped into two, viz. the pracya or eastern Samagas and Udicya or northern Samagas.88 From these the Samasakha developed into many. NUMBER OF THE SAMA VERSES It is very difficult to fix the exact number of the Samans since the number varies from one recension to another. According to the Satapatha Brahmana Sama mantras are equal to letters of the four thousand Brhati metres. The number of the letters in one Brhati is 36. Hence according to the Satapatha Brahmana the Samans are equal to (36x 4000) 144000 letters. The Caranavyuha, attributed to Saunaka gives the number as 1440⁹0. This is confirmed by the Vayu" and the Brahmanda Puranas". The Atharvana Parisista, too, holds the same view 98. 87. sannamitah krtah putro'bhavat | yam hiranyanabho yogamadhyapayamasa | yascatuvisapracyasamaganam samhitascakara || IV. 19.50 But in the Visnu Purana (III. 6.7), Bhagavata, XII. 6. 8., Vayu 61.48. Bd. II. 35. 52 also Krta is said as a pupil of Hiranyanabha Kausalya. 88. Vide Dr. V. Raghavan Gleanings from the Matsya Purana, Purana, I. 1 pp. 80-81. 89. Satapatha Brahmana X. 4. 2. 2 90. astau samasahasrani samani ca caturdasa | astau satani navatidamsativalikhilyakam || 91. srastau samasahasrani samani ca caturdasa | saranyakam sahoham ca etadgayanti samagah || 92. Brahmanda P. 35. 71 93. Atharva Parisista 43. 3. 9 Caranavyuha, P. 43 Vayu 61. 63