A History of Sanskrit Literature c10.2

c10.2

OF the three later Vedas, the *Sāmaveda* is much the most closely connected with the *Rigveda*. Historically it is of little importance, for it contains hardly any independent matter, all its verses except seventy-five being taken directly from the *Rigveda*. Its contents are derived chiefly from the eighth and especially the ninth, the Soma book. The *Sāmaveda* resembles the *Yajurveda* in having been compiled exclusively for ritual application; for the verses of which it consists are all meant to be chanted at the ceremonies of the soma sacrifice. Removed from their context in the *Rigveda*, they are strung together without internal connection, their significance depending solely on their relation to particular rites. In form these stanzas appear in the text of the *Sāmaveda* as if they were to be spoken or recited, differing from those of the *Rigveda* only in the way of marking the accent. The *Sāmaveda* is, therefore, only the book of words employed by the special class of Udgātṛi priests at the soma sacrifice. Its stanzas assume their proper character of musical *Sāmans* or chants only in the various song-books called *gānas*, which indicate the prolongation, the repetition, and the interpolation of syllables necessary in singing, just as is often done in European publications when the words are given below the musical notation. There are four of these songbooks in existence, two belonging to each division of the Veda. The number of *Sāmans* here given of course admitted of being indefinitely increased, as each verse could be sung to many melodies.