Vedāngas
Vedāngas are auxiliaries of Vedas. Vedāngas form an important component in comprehending and utilizing the Vedic sounds and syllables. That is the reason why Vedāngas form the most important part in the study of Vedas. Vedāngas are six in number. They are Śikṣā or euphony and pronunciation, Vyākaraṇa or grammar, Chandas or metre, Nirukta or etymology, Jyotiṣa or astronomy and Kalpa or procedure. Each of these six is perceived of as an organ or anga of Vedas and hence the name Vedāngas.
Śikṣā, the first of the Vedāngas, deals with the rules of the phonetics or euphony. Śikṣā is perceived as nose of the Vedas. Just like nose helps us in breathing and in turn sustaining life force, Śikṣā is the life breath of Veda mantras. Veda mantras have to be pronounced and recited properly to get the desired effects. In this respect, Śikṣā that lays down the rules of syllable and tonal purity gains importance. For even a small change in the Vedic sound leads to undesirable and sometimes even adverse results.
Vyākaraṇa, the second of the Vedāngas, deals with grammar. It is perceived as mouth of the Vedas. Sound is the most important of the perceived forms of Supreme Being. Vyākaraṇa, along with Śikṣā, helps us in refining and clarifying those sound forms and make them as means for our well being.
Chandas or metre, is the third Vedānga. It is perceived as the feet of the Vedas. Chandas lays down the rules of metrical composition. While Śikṣā ensures correct pronunciation and Vyākaraṇa ensures correctness of the akṣaras, Chandas ensures that form of the Vedic sound does not altered or changed. In this sense, Chandas functions as a major component in the preservation of Vedic sounds and mantras. Just as wrong pronunciation can lead to adverse results in respect of Veda mantras, omission and commission of syllables can also lead to similar effect. Therefore, Chandas is also a very important part of Vedic study.
Nirukta or etymology is the fourth Vedānga. It is perceived to be the ear of Vedas. Nirukta is a Vedic etymological dictionary. Like any other etymology of a language Nirukta also traces the origin of each word. But unlike other languages, Vedic language has many uncommon and difficult words to decipher. Nirukta not only delineates the origin and meaning of these words, but even in the case of common words it demonstrates by breaking the word and mapping the origin, why that particular word is used in a particular context. So, Nirukta helps a student of Vedas to understand deeper meaning of the mantras thereby enabling him/her to grasp metaphysical content conveyed merely by few words or a pithy sentence.
Jyotiṣa or astronomy is the fifth Vedānga. It is perceived to be the eye of the Vedas. Jyotiṣa is also known by the name Nayana, hence it is considered as the eye. There are numerous injunctions as to the time when certain planets are in certain positions and at that time one should perform Vedic rites. Hence, Jyotiṣa is very useful part of the Vedic study. Since monitoring such far off objects like the stars and planets require complex calculations mathematics is inevitably part of this Śāstra. For this purpose, this science is divided into three parts or skandas, namely, Siddhānta Skanda, Saṁhitā Skanda and Hora Skanda. Siddhānta Skanda deals with mathematical subjects like, algebra, trigonometry, geometry and arithmetic. Saṁhitā Skanda deals with astronomy and astrology. Hora Skanda deals with the effects of planetary movements on earth and her subjects.
Kalpa or procedure is the sixth and the last of the Vedāngas. It is perceived as the arm of the Vedas. Though technically Kalpa is meant to induct a person into all Vedic action, it tells us how to lead to good and virtuous life, how each person in different stations of life in a society should conduct oneself, what kind of activities should take place in one's home, how to do Vedic rituals etc. As the subject is vast lot many sages have compiled the Śāstras that fall under Kalpa. They are broadly divided into three categories, namely, Dharma Sūtras, Grihya Sūtras and Srauta Sūtras.
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