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Hinduism and Tribal Religions pp 1–2Cite as

Atharva Veda

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Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Indian Religions ((EIR))

The ancient Indian civilization is primarily illustrious in the world history for its precious contribution of four Vedas: the Rigveda, Sama Veda, the Yajur Veda, and the Atharva Veda. The knowledge of Vedas was inherited from Guru to Shishya (disciple), down the ages, in the tradition of hearing, memorizing, and transferring the text, and for this feature these scriptures are called Shruti (something that is heard) too. The Vedas are believed to be the words of the Almighty and store the canons of Hindu religion, philosophy, and culture in them.

Sanskrit expression Atharva Veda consists of two terms – atharvanas and veda – denoting the storehouse of knowledge. Expressed in the Vedic Sanskrit, the Atharva Veda comprises 730 hymns and 6,000 mantras, arranged in 20 books. Approximately a sixth of its content is borrowed from the Rigveda, which is the oldest among the Vedas. The Rigveda, the Taittiriya Brahmana (3.12.9.1), the Aitareya Brahmana(5.32–33), and several other texts of Vedic...

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References

  1. Olson C (2007) The many colors of Hinduism. Rutgers University Press, New Brunswick, p. 13

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of English and Modern European Languages, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, UP, India

    R. P. Singh

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  1. R. P. Singh
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Correspondence to R. P. Singh .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept of Anthropology, The University of North Texas Dept of Anthropology, Denton, TX, USA

    Pankaj Jain

  2. The Graduate Theological Union , Berkeley, CA, USA

    Rita Sherma

  3. Jamia Millia Islamia, Centre for the Study of Comparative Reli Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India

    Madhu Khanna

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Singh, R.P. (2019). Atharva Veda. In: Jain, P., Sherma, R., Khanna, M. (eds) Hinduism and Tribal Religions. Encyclopedia of Indian Religions. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1036-5_154-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1036-5_154-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-024-1036-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-024-1036-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Religion and PhilosophyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Humanities

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