Śākhā

views updated

Śākhā (Skt., ‘branch’). A branch or school of the Veda, especially any one of the particular recensions of one of the four Vedic collections (saṃhitās) as represented by a brahmanic lineage (caraṇa) entrusted with its preservation. According to Śaunaka there are five śākhās of the Ṛg Veda Saṃhitā (namely, Śākala, Bāśkala, Āśvalāyana, Śānkhāyana, and Māṇḍukāyana). Of these five, only the Śākala śākhā is extant.