.The Yajurveda-samhitaa is in two major forms the Krishna and the Shukla, meaning the Black and the White. It is rather difficult to explain why these two major branches got these names. Though a Samhitaa [and hence should have been purely in poetry] the former is a mixture of prose and poetry and hence not pure.
So, it has been called Krishna, the Black one. In contrast, the latter being entirely in poetry, is Shukla, the White one. This is the first explanation. Being more ancient, the former is rather difficult to comprehend and so is Krishna or Black. The latter is of more recent origin and hence easier to grasp. So it is Shukla, the White one. This is the second explanation.
Though the Krishna-Yajurveda-samhita is reputed to have had 85 saakhaas or recensions, only four are available now:
a. Taittiriya;
b. Maitraayaniya;
c. Katha;
d. Kapisthala.
The Taittiriya-samhitaa which is widely prevalent in South India, has 7 kaandas or books, 44 prapaathakas or chapters,and 651 anuvaakas or mantras. It deals mainly with the detailed descriptions of sacrifices like Paurodaasa, Yaajamaana, Vaajapeya, Raajasuya, Darsapurnamaasa and Somayaagas.
The other three saakhaas are not so well-known though they too deal with similar sacrifices. The last of these, the Kapisthala, as available now, seems to be incomplete.Associated with the Taittiriya-samhitaa are the Taittiriya-braahmana, Taittiriya-aranyaka and the Taittiriya-upanisad. The well-known Kathopanisad also belongs to the Krishna-Yajurveda, but to the Katha recension.
The Sukla-Yajurveda-samhitaa, also known as the Vaajasaneyi-samhitaa, is said to have been collected and edited by the famous sage Yajnavalkya. It is entirely in verse and resembles the Rigveda-samhitaa in form. However, three are no suktas in this. Though 17 shakhas of this Samhitaa are said to have existed, only two-the Kaanva and the Maadhyandina-are available now.
The former, more prevalent in the South, has 40 adhyaayas or chapters, 328 anuvaakas or sections, and 2,086 mantras. The latter, more common in the North, has 40 adhyaayas, 328 anuvaakas, and 1,975 mantras.
Like the Taittiriya-samhitaa, this Samhitaa also deals mainly with sacrifices like Agnistoma, Vaajapeya and Raajasuya.The Satapatha-brahmana, the biggest of the Braahmanas, and the Brhad-aranyaka are the Braahmana and the Aaranyaka attached to the Shukla-Yajurveda. Ishaavaasyopanisad and Brahadaaranyakopanisad are the Upanisads of this Veda.
So, it has been called Krishna, the Black one. In contrast, the latter being entirely in poetry, is Shukla, the White one. This is the first explanation. Being more ancient, the former is rather difficult to comprehend and so is Krishna or Black. The latter is of more recent origin and hence easier to grasp. So it is Shukla, the White one. This is the second explanation.
Though the Krishna-Yajurveda-samhita is reputed to have had 85 saakhaas or recensions, only four are available now:
a. Taittiriya;
b. Maitraayaniya;
c. Katha;
d. Kapisthala.
The Taittiriya-samhitaa which is widely prevalent in South India, has 7 kaandas or books, 44 prapaathakas or chapters,and 651 anuvaakas or mantras. It deals mainly with the detailed descriptions of sacrifices like Paurodaasa, Yaajamaana, Vaajapeya, Raajasuya, Darsapurnamaasa and Somayaagas.
The other three saakhaas are not so well-known though they too deal with similar sacrifices. The last of these, the Kapisthala, as available now, seems to be incomplete.Associated with the Taittiriya-samhitaa are the Taittiriya-braahmana, Taittiriya-aranyaka and the Taittiriya-upanisad. The well-known Kathopanisad also belongs to the Krishna-Yajurveda, but to the Katha recension.
The Sukla-Yajurveda-samhitaa, also known as the Vaajasaneyi-samhitaa, is said to have been collected and edited by the famous sage Yajnavalkya. It is entirely in verse and resembles the Rigveda-samhitaa in form. However, three are no suktas in this. Though 17 shakhas of this Samhitaa are said to have existed, only two-the Kaanva and the Maadhyandina-are available now.
The former, more prevalent in the South, has 40 adhyaayas or chapters, 328 anuvaakas or sections, and 2,086 mantras. The latter, more common in the North, has 40 adhyaayas, 328 anuvaakas, and 1,975 mantras.
Like the Taittiriya-samhitaa, this Samhitaa also deals mainly with sacrifices like Agnistoma, Vaajapeya and Raajasuya.The Satapatha-brahmana, the biggest of the Braahmanas, and the Brhad-aranyaka are the Braahmana and the Aaranyaka attached to the Shukla-Yajurveda. Ishaavaasyopanisad and Brahadaaranyakopanisad are the Upanisads of this Veda.
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