Samhita
The
Samhita (
Sanskrit: "joined" or "collected") is the basic text of each of the
Vedas, comprising collections of
hymns and
ritual texts. This term was originally used in reference to the style of recitation used during hymns and
chants. In the Vedas the Samhitas are supplemented by later explanatory commentaries, notably the
Brahmanas and
Upanishads.
The term is also sometimes spelled 'Sanhita'.
In later times, the term Samhita also came to be applied to the names of texts belonging to various fields of knowledge, not directly connected to the Vedas. e.g.
*
Gherand Samhita*
Charak Samhita*
Ashtavakra Samhita
