A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.2033

c5.2033

As before stated, the *Rig-veda* is the original Veda from which the *Yajur* and *Sāman* are almost exclusively derived. It consists of 1017 Sūktas or hymns, or with eleven additional hymns called Vālakhilyas of an apocryphal character, 1028. These are arranged in eight Ashtakas, ‘octaves,’ or Khandas, ‘sections,’ which are again subdivided into as many Adhyāyas, ‘chapters,’ 2006 Vargas or ‘classes,’ 10,417 Riks or ‘verses,’ and 153,826 Padas or ‘words.’ There is another division, which runs on concurrently with this division, in ten Mandalas, ‘circles’ or ‘classes,’ and 85 Anuvākas or ‘sections.’ The total number of hymns is the same in both arrangements. It is a generally received opinion that the hymns of the tenth Mandala are later in date than the others.