How many mantras are there in "the four Vedas?

Sacrificer           unknown
Sacrifice code       wfor0371
Sacrifice date       25 march 2009

How many mantras are there in "the four Vedas?

Dear Vedic-Lovers,
Pls also share this info to our sisters and brothes and other family members.

Q: How many mantras are there in "the four Vedas? What are called "A'rsha Granthas" or Religious books?

Answer: There exists the four Vedas, i.e. the Rigveda, the Yajur Veda, the Sama Veda and the Atharva Veda.

(1) In the Rig-Veda there are 10 Mandalas (Volumes), 85 Anuvakas (Sections), 1028 Suktas and 10589 Mantras (verses)

(2) In the Yajur Veda there are 40 Adhyaaya (Chapters) in which contains 1975 Mantras.

(3) In the Sama Veda there are 1875 Mantras. And

(4) In the Atharva Veda three are 10 Mandalas (Volumes), 20 Khandas (Sections) and 5977 Mantras.

The total mantras in the four Vedas are 10589 + 1975 + 1875 + 5977 = 20,416 i.e. Twenty thousand four hundred and sixteen mantras.
Readers will be surprised to know that the total letters of the four Vedas is 864000, which is God's creation and are eternal. The Vedas are the religious books for all mankind.

ALong with that, there are other scriptures made by Rishis with keeping VEDas as sole divine revealed authority and hence these depend on VEDas for authority. These are-

1. 4 UpVedas or Sub-Veda (Here the word 'Veda' stands for education)
2. 6 Vedangas (Limbs)- also called Darshans
3. 6 Upangas (sub-limbs) i.e. six school of thought propounded by seers and sages
4. 4 Brahmans
5. 10 Upanishads. ++

Details of these are-
1. 4 UpVedasd --(i) the Ayurveda or the medical scriptures; (ii) the Arthaveda or the technological sciences; (iii) the Dhanurveda or the science of archery; devastating weapon and missiles and diplomacy; and (iv) the Gandharvaveda or the science of music.

2. 6 Shashtras (I) Shiksha [Phonetics science of morals and duties]; (ii) Kalpa [geometry]; (iii) Vyakarana [Grammar]; (iv) Chhanda [metrics i.e. Philology]; (v) Nirukta [etymology] and (vi) Jyotisha [astronomy and astrology].

3. 6 Darshans --Purva Mimansa, Vaisheshika, Nyaaya, Yoga, Sankhya and Vedanta these are also commonly called the six schools of Indian philosophy. They have profound respect for the four Vedas. These philosophical system show that human mind soared to highest peak of the imagination. Usually most people believe Vedanta means ending portion of the Veda, which is wrong. The real meaning of "Vedanta" is so called "the theory of the Vedas." Here 'Anta' stands for the theory and not for the end.

4. 4 Brahmans-- Aitreya, Shatapatha, Sama and Gopatha.

5. 10 Upanishads e.g. I'sh, Kena, Katha, Prashna, Munduka, Muanduka, Aitreya, Taitreya, Chhandogya and Vrihadaranyka. Upanishads, which deal with the spiritual science as well as physical science in some cases, are the offshoots of the careful examination of the Vedic verses.

Whatever is enjoined by the Vedas, are right, whilst whatever is condemned by them we believe to be wrong. Among the Shruties, manu Smriti alone is authoritative, the interporated verses being excepted.

Regards,
Ashok

***