Books published by NMM related to Vedic tradition

Published Books

Matralaksanam

The publication of this volume has laid the foundation of the IGNCA’s programme of publishing fundamental texts of the Indian traditions in original with translations. The importance of this text is enhanced by the fact that it represents two very important śakhās (recensions) of the Sāmaveda – Rāṇāyanīya and Kauthuma-on chanting.The contents of the Mātrālakṣaṇam are of fundamental importance because this is perhaps the first text to discuss the concept of a time-unit measure (mātrā). The importance of mātrā as measure with mathematical syllabic time value of vowels in their aspects of elongation, tempo, pitch and interval cannot be understood without taking into account sound as measure. In delineating the semantic relationship between syllable and letter, vowels and consonants, it lays the foundation of disciplines today recognized as phonetics, linguistics and prosody. Equally important is the discussion on sound and notes, in doing so it is a proto fore-runner of the “modal” system of lndian music.As an exacting system of oral articulation and recitation this text was used for recitation with hand gestures like ārcika. In relating the articulation of sound with body language, gesture, especially hands and fingers, the system of orally rendering a text according to its manuals, provides the basis of the emergence of a structure of artistic expression through the body (viz. āṅgikābhinaya). In more senses than one Vedic intonation is a precursor of both theory and practice (śāstra and prayoga) of the arts, in their original framework of interrelatedness.

SKU: 81-208-0585-5 Price:
150.00


Kanvasatapatha Brahmanam

While the texts on a particular art or a group of related arts, provide details of the principles of form and delineate intricacies of techniques, the foundations of these lie in the articulation of a worldview in the Vedas, the speculative thought of the Upani ads and the elaborate system of rites and rituals enumerated in the Brāhmaṇas. The Kāṇḍas Śatapatha,Brāhmaṇa is the only available Brāhmaṇa related to Śukla Yajurveda. It has two recensions, namely Mādhyandina and Kāṇva.It is for the first time that a complete critical edition of the Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa of the Kāṇva recension, along with its English translation, is published. This edition takes into account for the first time the readings available in a few more manuscripts, besides those in the published edition in Telugu script. It is also the first attempt at providing a complete English translation. No doubt, the texts of the Śatapatha of the Mādhyandina and Kāṇva recensions do not differ much from Kāṇḍas VIII to XVI and Prof. Eggling’s translation of the former is available. Still a fresh attempt at translating the latter portion was felt necessary as a result of detailed discussions with traditional scholars who are actively engaged in Śrauta sacrificial performances.The remaining text will be appearing soon in the volumes VII and VIII of this series along with glossary and indices.

SKU: 81-208-1126-7 Price:
300.00


Latyayana-Srauta-Sutra

The Śrauta Sūtras form a very important unit of the Sūtras literature which lays down in brief the quintessence of the Vedic texts, i.e. the Saṁhitās and the Brāhmaṇas strengthening further the sacrificial tradition in India… [read more=”Read More” less=”Read Less”]The Lāṭyāyana-Śrauta-Sūtra is dealing with the duties of the chanting priests, viz. the Udgātṛ, Prastotṛ, Pratihartṛ and Subrahmaṇya in the Śrauta ritual with special reference to the Soma sacrifice, belonging to the Kauthuma recension, of the Sāmaveda. Along with the duties of the chanters (Udgātṛ) in ekāha (one day), ahzna (multiday) and sattra (session), Soma sacrifices concerns with the role of the brāhmaṇa priest in Soma and various other sacrifices.The edition includes excerpts from the commentary of Agnisvāmin, parallel passages from the Drahyāyaṇa-Śrauta-Sūtra and Dhanvin’s commentary there upon.

SKU: 81-208-1565-3 Price:
2,200.00


The Puspasutra – A Pratisakhya Of The Samaveda

The Puṣpa-Sūtra is one of the major ancillary works in the Sāman technical literature attributed to the Kauthuma and Rāṇāyaṇīya schools. It deals with the Sāman melodies and their structure. The term pa, in the present context, means t syllabic expansion that takes place when a melody is formed out of a verse The Puṣpa-Sūtra was written long after the Sāman melodies had been developed.It is difficult to fix the exact date of the Puṣpa-Sūtra. There were additions to the original nucleus, like the vikalpas (alternatives), remaining bhāvas, the detailed treatment of prastāva and the first two prapāṭhakas. Its present form of having ten prapāṭhakas is a great help to the scholars working in the field of the study of Sāmavedic chants. The explanation of the technical terms provided in this edition could also be of great help to the readers.The present edition prepared by G.H. Tarlekar who was a living authority on the science of Sāman-chanting, contains the accurate text in Sanskrit with English exposition bringing out all the intricate points discussed in the Sūtras in a highly technical language. This important text on the Sāman-chanting has been exposited in English in this edition for the first time.

SKU: 81-208-1792-3 Price:
1,550.00


The Baudhayana-Srauta-Sutra

The Baudhāyana-Śrauta-sutra together with an English translation is being presented here in four volumes. The Baudhāyana-Śrauta-sutra belongs to the Kṛṣṇa Yajurveda Taittirīya recension. It represents the oral lectures delivered by the teacher Baudhāyana, hence is the oldest Śrauta­text. The text is revised here in the light of the variant readings recorded by W. Caland in his first edition (Calcutta 1906), and is presented in a readable form. The mantras forming part of the Siitras have been fully rendered into English. The translation is supplied with notes giving reference to the mantras and explanations of the rituals. The work is expected to serve as an advancement of Taittirīya ritualistic studies.There will be other volumes also presenting Bhavasvāmin’s Bhāṣya and the word-index of the Śrauta-text.

SKU: 81-208-1852-0 Price:
4,200.00


Asvalayana Samhita Of The Rgveda With Padapatha

The Purāṇa literature gives ample information about the existence of Śākhā-Saṁhitās. Deviations in text, order and number of ṛk mantras started giving rise to different Śākhā-Saṁhitās from the time of Ācārya Paila; Patañjali referring to twenty­ one Śākhā-Saṁhitās of the Ṛgveda. This publication is an attempt to examine the existence of Śākhā-Saṁhitās of the Ṛgveda as mentioned by the Purāṇas, Patañjali, Mahīdāsa and other authorities, scrutinizing textual evidence in support of them. The focus is, however, on the Āśvalāyana-Saṁhitā, with a background on Ācārya Āśvalāyana and exploring the antiquity, treatment of accent and Padapāṭha of the text by referring to various sources. Published in two volumes it presents a detailed and systematic study of the full text of the Āśvalāyana-Saṁhitā of the Ṛgveda. The verses of the ten Maṇḍalas are given in original form and examined critically in a thorough study. The additional mantras of the Āśvalāyana­Saṁhitā are also presented with the original Sanskrit verses followed by their translation in Hindi and English. Āśvalāyana­Saṁhitā of theṚgveda, a critical edition (with Padapāṭha) of which has been made available in print for the first time, must be put on shelves by every library which has interest in Indian classical literature. Moreover these volumes are bound to interest Vedic scholars and students in particular and Indological scholars of Indian religion and culture in general.

SKU: 978-81-85503-18-9 Price:
2,500.00


Illustrated Dictionary Of Vedic Rituals

The present lexicon explains the meaning and significance of ritualistic terms frequently occurring in the Śrauta-Sūtras, together with a short description of the sacrificial rites connected or meant therewith. It is an outcome of the engagement of the author with Śrauta ritual for a very long time. He has not only a first-hand knowledge… [read more=”Read More” less=”Read less”] of the texts but also a practical acquaintance with the subject acquired through participating in such sacrifices. Every term has been traced back to its original source for which exact references have been provided. A proper understanding of the technical terminology of the Vedic ritual is a precondition for understanding ritualistic texts connected with the Vedas and also the sacrificial performances mentioned therein. No proper understanding of a Śrauta-Sūtras is possible without knowing the basic concepts and the details of the ritualistic terms. Sketches and photographs of Vedic implements and performances are an added advantage of this lexicon, which will help the reader immensely in understanding the related terms.The dictionary is the first of its kind in view of its vast coverage, authenticity and reliability. We are sure that it will prove to be an indispensable asset for every scholar who wants to familiarize himself with the Vedic ritual and the philosophy behind it.

SKU: 81-7305-309-X Price:
1,500.00 Distributor: Aryan Books International, New Delhi.


Rgvediya Sankhayana Rudradhyaya Volume I & II

भारतीय श्रौत एवं स्मार्त दोनों परम्पराओं में शिव आराधरा, वृषोत्सर्ग आदि अनेक याज्ञिक क्रियाओं में रुद्राध्याय का पाठ आदि काल से होता आ रहा है। नियमतः जो व्यक्ति वेद की जिस शाका में प्रतिपादित रुद्राध्याय का पाठ करना अनिवार्य होता है. ऋग्वेदीय रुद्राध्याय अभी तक एकमात्र शाकल-संहिता के पाठ के रूप में उपलब्ध था। पहली बार दक्षिण राजस्थान के बाँसवाड़ा जिले में नागर ब्राह्मणों के द्वार संरक्षित ऋग्वेद की शाख्ङायन शाखा का रुद्राध्याय प्रकाशित हो रहा है। प्रस्तुत रुद्राध्याय अन्य प्रसिद्ध रुद्राध्यायों से कई दृष्टियों से विशिष्ट तथा महत्त्वपूर्ण है क्योंकि इससे एक सर्वथा प्राचीन पाठ एवं उसकी पाठ-परम्परा से पाठकों को परिचय प्राप्त होगा।। इसके प्रकाशन से निश्चत् रूप से वैदिक साहित्य, इतिहास एवं संस्कृत के प्रेमी, अध्येता एवं विद्यार्थी लाभान्वित होंगे।

SKU: 978-81-855-3-15-8 Price:
320.00 Distributor: D.K. Print World (P) Ltd., New Delhi-1


Catalogue Of Vedic Implements Available With IGNCA

(abhri) adj. spade (-like) goblet or Agnidhra,Mss 8.14.1; f. a spade one aratni or pradesalong used for digging up the site of theaudumbari (in the sadas shed) or of the Ukha(cayana), Apss 16.1.1.7. It is made of a spotter(kalmasi) bamboo (vainavi) having one or two blades, Sb 6.3.1.30-34; used by the Adhvaryufor digging around the line drawn with asphya for making the altar, Bhss 7.3.3 (Pasu); ascraper or shovel, used for digging pits of thepillars (bamboo) of a house, HGS 1.27.1.


Perception Of The Vedas

This is the twelfth volume in the series of the collected works of Ananda Coomaraswamy in the IGNCA’s Publication programme.

In 1933, Coomaraswamy published a New Approach to the Vedas and thereafter be regularly brought out longer and shorter studies of the Vedas and Upanishads till the year 1947. These works were published in a variety of American, European and Indian journals. His essays have been arranged in this volume in relation to some aspect or the other of Vedic text as one integrated perception.

Coomaraswamy’s writings are an exposition of Vedic ideas by means of a translation and commentary in which the resources of other forms of the universal tradition are taken for granted. He has used the resources of Vedic and Christian scriptures side by side. He has tried to make accurate, evocative translations of Vedic and Upanisadic texts through the use of scholastic language and archaic or composite words. He has employed the technical terms of scholastic philosophy in their proper context for the maintained that the content of Indian religions or philosophical text cannot be conveyed in any other way.

SKU: 81-7304-254-3| Price:
800.00