ShriGuruCharitra

  Later, sage Paila of yore studied the Rigveda; Vaisampaayana studied the Yajurveda; jaimini

studied the Saamaveda; Sumanta studied the Atharvanaveda. Sage Vedavyasa was their guru. In

the previous cycles of existence, those endowed with very long life studied all the existing portions of

the veda. But in this dark age of Kali, people are dull-witted and are content with learning a few

branches (Saakhas) of each of the vedas and yet they proudly claim to have mastered them in

tota. Indeed, they are slaves to wealth, delicious food and women. Hence, they do not attain

spiritual perfection despite all their life of learning.

 Once sage Vyaasa enumerated the branches (Saakhas) and 'limbs' of the vedas

(Vedaangas). Ayurveda is the secondary branch of knowledge related to the Rigveda; it is bright as

gold; it belongs to Atri goha and has the Gayatri metre (Chandas). It has Brahma as its presiding

deity and is two forearms in length****. It has wide and long eyes and a vividly built neck. It has four

branches in it, viz., Saakala, Bhaashkala, Saamkhyaayani, Aswalaayani and Maanduukya Saakhas.

It has eight other branches called Jata, Maala, Sikha, Lekha, Dhwaja, Danda, Radha and Ghana . It

has six limbs of learning called Niruktha, Vyaakarana, Jyotisha, Chandas, Sikha and Suutra. Who can

ever hope to master the whole of the Rigveda which is so vast?

 Now about Yajurveda: It is bright like the sun and is five forearms high. It bears a skull. It is lean

and tall. Dhanurveda is its secondary veda; it has the Trishtup metre (Chandas). It belongs to the

Bharadwaja gotra. Its presiding deity is Lord Vishnu. It has eighty six branches. At present, only

eighteen of them are extant. It has six limbs. Who can thoroughly master this veda which is so

extensive?

Saamaveda is self-restrained (Daanta), pure and is decked with flower-garlands. It wears skin

as raiment and bears a staff. It is six fore-arms in height. Gaandharva or the knowledge of music is its

secondary veda. Lord Rudra (or Shiva) is its presiding deity. Jagati is its metre. It belongs to Kaasyapa

goha. It has seventeen branches and six limbs. Now, only nine of its branches are extant. Who can

ever hope to master it a11?

Atharavana Veda is mighty and turbulent in nature, white in complexion and is of the form of

desire. It is auspicious and is well-contented with its own spouse. Yantraveda or knowledge of

mechanics is its secondary veda. Anushtup is its metre. Lord Indra is its presiding deity. It has nine

branches and five Kalpaas. Who has ever known it through? 

https://trinitygods.blogspot.com/search/label/ShriGuruCharitra