Yajur Veda is the second of the four Vedas after Rig Veda. The Yajur Veda has two broad branches, viz. Shukla Yajur Veda and Krishna Yajur Veda. The difference between these two branches is now briefly explained. Every Veda has two components:Mantra and Brahmana. The Upanishads are part of Brahmana. In Krishna Yajur Veda these two (Mantras and Brahmana) are given together. In Shukla Yajur Veda, these are separated. Shukla means “brightness. Krishna means ‘dark’. Since the Mantra (referred to alternately as Samhita) and Brahmana are separated in Shukla Yajur Veda, it is relatively easier to grasp, and hence the term ‘brightness’ or ‘Shukla’ is used. In contrast, in Krishna Yajur Veda, the two major components are intertwined, making it relatively more challenging to decipher. These matters have been elaborately explained by Sayana Acharya in his treatise on Shukla Yajur Veda. He was proficient in both these branches of Yajur Veda.

Yajur Veda is one among the four Vedas. Yajur Veda had at one time 101 Shakha. Presently there are only six existing shakhas. These include four of Krishna Yajur Veda: Taittireeya, Maitrayani, Katha, and Kapishchal. Shukla Yajur has two Shakhas: Kanvya and Madhyandini.

A group of Mantras are referred to as Samhita. The elaboration of these mantras are encapsulated in the Brahmana section of the Veda.in Sama Veda, there are two parts: Mantra Samhita and Gaana Samhita. Mantra Samhita is divided into Purvarchik and Uttararchik. In turn, Purvarchik has two components: Veyagaan and Aaranyakgaan. Uttararchik has two parts, namely, Oohagaan and Rahasyagaan.

The next major component is Brahmana, which is comprised of 8 granths (“Astha Brahman”). These are: Tandya Brahman, Shadvimsha, Samhitopanisha, Devatadhyaya, Samavidhaan, Vamsha, Mantra Brahman, and Chandogya Brahman.

There were 1131 Veda Shakas in India. Of these, 1000 were Sama Veda, which is described in Vayu Purana, Agni Purana, Matsya Pruana and Srimad Bhagavatam. However, presently in Sama Veda, only three shakhas are available: Ranayani, Kouthumi and Jaimini. The spiritual aspects of Brahmana have been extracted and available in Aaryankas, the contents of which are not intelligible to the common man. These must be contemplated in the quietude of a solitary place such as in a forest. Of the 108 Upanishads among the four Vedas, 11 are considered important. Of these, Kena and Chandogya are from Sama Veda. Kena Upanishad is from Jaimini Shakha, while Chandogya is available in Ranayani Shakha and Kouthumi Shakha. These are in the form of dialog between Guru and Disciple, and contain topics such as Paramatma and Jivatma; the origin of universe, liberation, etc.

Each Veda has six parts. These are: Siksha (rules); Vyakarana (grammar), Nirukta (meaning of rare Vedic words, which are not available elsewhere), Chandas (rules of composition of Vedic mantras), Kalpa (rules for right conduct of human being) and Jyotish (astrology).

The specialty of Sama Veda is praise and invocation of various Gods in musical form. This aspect is highlighted in Srimad Bhagavad Gita and in Chandogya Upanishad. The Science of Music (Gandharva Veda, which is considered an Upaveda) in India is derived from Sama Veda. Ways to derive material as well as spiritual benefits are given in Sama Veda. These fruits can be derived by chanting the relevant mantras of Sama Veda. For example, if we need protection from God in the face of attack by an adversary, there is appropriate mantra in Sama Veda. Likewise, for victory in battle, obtaining the right mind, etc., there are appropriate mantras in Sama Veda.

The various stages in learning Sama Veda are: moolanta (learning mantra Samhita, gaana Samhita and Brahmana); Ooha Rahasyanta (comprising of sampoorna pada paath, sampoorna Upanishad and Ooha Rahasya Gaan); Astha Brahman; Praatishaakhya (Salakshan); Shrouta (for conducting Yagnas) and Smartha (for conducting poojas for shodasa samskara). One who has learnt Astha Brahman is said to have acquired Sabhashya Brahmanantam. One who has acquired Salakshana (comprising 15 Granthas) is said to have completed Salakshananta. Likewise, one who has completed Shrouta is called Shrouti and one who has completed Smratha is called Purohit. Moolanta and Ooha Rahasyanta take respectively 5 and 10 years to learn. Further, for the stages of Astha Brahmana, Salakshana, Shrouta and Smartha, the time needed for learning each of them are respectively 3, 3, 4 and 2 years.