Yajurveda Full Chanting - Part 5
Channel: Calm N Relax
Date: 28/04/2020

The Yajurveda (Sanskrit: यजुर्वेद, yajurveda, from yaj meaning "worship",[1] and veda meaning "knowledge") is the Veda primarily of prose mantras for worship rituals.[2] An ancient Vedic Sanskrit text, it is a compilation of ritual offering formulas that were said by a priest while an individual performed ritual actions such as those before the yajna fire.[2] Yajurveda is one of the four Vedas, and one of the scriptures of Hinduism. The exact century of Yajurveda's composition is unknown, and estimated by scholars to be around 1200 to 1000 BCE, contemporaneous with Samaveda and Atharvaveda.[3]

The Yajurveda is broadly grouped into two – the "black" or "dark" (Krishna) Yajurveda and the "white" or "bright" (Shukla) Yajurveda. The term "black" implies "the un-arranged, unclear, motley collection" of verses in Yajurveda, in contrast to the "white" which implies the "well arranged, clear" Yajurveda.[4] The black Yajurveda has survived in four recensions, while two recensions of white Yajurveda have survived into the modern times.[5]

Yajur Veda seeks to create a deeper level of consciousness among people. It sets forth a yogic practice that purifies not just the body, but also the mind. This helps in awakening the inner consciousness, which opens up new avenues of learning and understanding of life and existence. The Vedic scriptures are full of mantras that help in religious rituals. The Yajur Veda bears resemblance to the Book of the Dead of Egypt. Contrary to popular belief, it does not help raise the dead, but instead helps the soul of the deceased to lead a comfortable afterlife.

The Yajur Veda also emphasizes on the same deities as the Rig Veda but in a different way. The main aim of reciting the sacred hymns is to awake the inner consciousness and bring together the Cosmic energies within oneself. This opens up avenues for recreating a universal energy within the human psyche.

 This cosmic level of consciousness is very necessary in order to lead a life that is both meaningful and satisfying. Once ego and other vices are surrendered to the Divine force, a person can attain higher forms of happiness. But the biggest sacrifice is Self-sacrifice, which helps in the attainment of Moksha, Nirvana or immortality.