It is almost as if the Atharva Veda used to be recited to counteract evil influences during the course of a sacrifice. Unlike the other Vedas, in addition to the prayers, the Atharva Veda contains charms and spells. This is because the hymns of the text were meant for the brahmana overseers. The Atharva Veda is also known as Brahma Veda. The Atharva Veda was first revealed to Atharvan, the Angirasa and the Bhrigus. They supervised the sacrifice and the hymns of the Atharva Veda are for this class of priests. The language of the Atharvaveda is different. The text is the fourth Veda, but has been a late addition to the Vedic scriptures of Hinduism. The fourth class of priests consisted of brahmana overseers. The Atharva Veda ( Sanskrit:, Atharvaveda from atharvas and veda, meaning 'knowledge') is the 'knowledge storehouse of atharvas, the procedures for everyday life'. While they carried out sacrificial rites, they chanted sacred texts and the hymns of the Yajur Veda are for this class of priests. The third class of priests consisted of reciters (adhvaryu). They were the ones who chanted the sacred hymns and the hymns of the Sama Veda are for this class of priests. The second class of priests consisted of choristers (udgatri). The hymns of the Rig Veda are for this class of priests. They invoked the gods by reciting the mantras, prepared the sacrificial ground and the altar, and poured out the libations. The first class consisted of the officiating priests or acolytes (hotri). It is important to know that there were four classes of priests who were required at any sacrifice (yajna). The Atharva Veda is believed to be a later addition to the sacred canon. There must have been some point of time when there were only three Vedas, the Rig Veda, the Yajur Veda and the Sama Veda. The Atharva Veda is composed in Vedic Sanskrit, and it is a collection of 730 hymns with about 6,000 mantras, divided into 20 books. The text is the fourth Veda but has been a late addition to the Vedic scriptures of Hinduism. Many years ago, the Vedas were referred to as trayi, meaning three. The Atharva Veda is the knowledge storehouse of atharvas, the procedures for everyday life. Atharvaveda, Gopathabrahmana Publisher Strassburg K.J. At present, only Samhimta of Shounak Shakha is available the Brahmana part of Shounak Shakha is borrowed from Paipalad Shakha.There are currently four Vedas, known as the Rig Veda, the Yajur Veda, the Sama Veda and the Atharva Veda. Veda Vyasa, collected the Vedic Texts of prayer under the Rig Veda. Thus, prÁÆa-vidyÁ (life science) is known as. The Ïatapatha BrÁhmaÆa, while explaining a mantra from the Yajurveda, defines prÁÆa as AtharvÁ. The Àyurvaeda is known as BheÒaja or BhiÒagveda (Science of Drugs) in the Atharvaveda10. The Atharva Veda is last of the Vedas, this is completely different from the other three Vedas and is next in importance to Rig-Veda with regard to history and sociology. The Atharvaveda is called as BhaiÒaja Veda as is deals with various therapeutics and medicines, etc9. Paipalad Shakha is prevalent is small pockets, comprising of 10-12 scholars, centered in Puri, Odisha. The Yajur Veda is also a liturgical collection and was made to meet the demands of a ceremonial religion.
In the Vedapathashala, Shounak Shakha is being taught it is also the more popular of the two Shakas in India. At present, we have knowledge of only two shakhas, namely: Paipalad and Shounak.
According to Charan Vyuha Grantha, Atharva Veda had nine shakhas, namely, Paipalad, Daant, Pradaant, Snat, Sowl, Brahmadabal, Shounak, Devadarshat and Charan Vidya. It has techniques for enhancing physical and mental well-being as well as many mantras that are tantric in nature. Atharva Veda is central to the science of Ayurveda.
It has cures for insect-related diseases, as well as procedures to enhance longevity of one’s life, ward off death, means for liberation, and myriad procedures to enhance welfare of humanity. It has details on economics, politics, importance of nation, national language, etc. It has procedures for curing very deep-seated ailments. It is believed the rishis achieved the eternal knowledge and supreme truth after a deep and committed meditation. Vedas are defined in the Brahmanic religion as mantrabrhmaayo - the union of mantras and Brhmaas. In fact, that is where its oldest name, tharvgirasa, comes from. Answer (1 of 2): The question must be actually, how did the concept of three Vedas come about. It encompasses many fields of knowledge, including geography, astronomy, herbs, Ayurveda, and many more sciences. Legend has it that two groups of rishis, the Atharvanas and the Angirasa, composed the Atharva Veda. It has mantras for curing various ailments, both bodily and mental, as well as for peace of mind. It has invocations and praises to the Gods. Atharva Veda is also referred to as ‘Brahma Veda’.