A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.2035

c5.2035

To each hymn of the *Rig-veda* there is prefixed the name of the *Rishi* to whom it was revealed, as Vasishtha, Viswāmitra, Bharadwāja, and many others; and these sages are frequently spoken of as authors of the hymns bearing their names. It is quite unknown when the hymns were first committed to writing. They were transmitted orally from generation to generation, and continued to be so handed down even after they had been collected and arranged by Krishna Dwaipāyana, ‘the arranger.’ The oral teaching of the Vedas produced what are called the *Sākhās* or ‘schools’ of the Vedas. Different learned men, or bodies of men, became famous for their particular versions of the text, and taught these versions to their respective pupils. These different versions constitute the *Sākhās*; they present, as might be expected, many verbal variations, but no very material discrepancies.