Samaveda

The Samaveda is the Veda of melodies and chants, often called the 'Book of Songs.' Most of its verses are derived from the Rigveda but are set to musical notations for liturgical singing during Soma sacrifices. It is considered the origin of Indian classical music and the art of singing. The text is divided into two major parts: the Purvarchika (first collection) and the Uttararchika (second collection), containing a total of 1,875 verses meant to be sung by the Udgatri priest during rituals.

The Samaveda holds a special place as the foundation of Indian musical tradition. Lord Krishna declares in the Bhagavad Gita: 'Among the Vedas, I am the Samaveda,' highlighting its exalted spiritual status. It demonstrates how music and spirituality are intertwined in Hindu philosophy.

The Purvarchika contains 585 stanzas arranged in melodic groups, while the Uttararchika has 1,225 stanzas organized for ritual application. The musical annotations (saman) indicate pitch, rhythm, and melodic patterns for chanting during Soma and other sacrificial ceremonies.