The Vedāṅga Status of Śikṣā among the Vedāṅgas

Abstract

The fundamental sources of Indian culture, philosophy, and religion are the Vedas. For their preservation and proper study, the sages composed six Vedāṅgas. These Vedāṅgas—Śikṣā (phonetics), Kalpa (ritual procedures), Vyākaraṇa (grammar), Nirukta (etymology), Chandas (prosody), and Jyotiṣa (astronomy/astrology)—assist in understanding the Vedas and in the accurate performance of Vedic rituals.

Among them, Śikṣā Vedāṅga holds the highest position both in terms of enumeration and significance, because it is the science of correct pronunciation of Vedic mantras. Without correct articulation of letters, accents, duration, force, melody, and continuity, the study of the Vedas cannot be successful; incorrect pronunciation may render a mantra meaningless or even harmful. Śikṣā is described as the nose of the Vedic Person (Veda Puruṣa) and is regarded as the foundation of ancient phonetic science.

In the Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad, the Vedāṅgas are mentioned under aparā vidyā (lower knowledge), where Śikṣā is placed first, indicating its indispensability. Thus, Śikṣā Vedāṅga serves as the gateway to Vedic study and stands as the foremost jewel among all the Vedāṅgas.