The Vedic Samhitas, the oldest layer of Vedic texts, have been meticulously preserved for millennia through a sophisticated system of ‘svaras’ or intonations. These svaras are integral to the Vedic chanting tradition and are of three primary types: udatta, anudatta, and svarita. These are typically translated as ‘raised,’ ‘not raised,’ and ‘falling,’ respectively, and are inherently musical in nature.
Types of Svaras
- Udatta (Raised)
- The udatta is the basic or neutral pitch in Vedic chanting. It does not carry any specific diacritical mark and serves as the reference point or base note ('sa' or ṣaḍja in classical Indian music).
- Anudatta (Not Raised)
- The anudatta is indicated by a horizontal line below the letter. It is chanted one note below the basic pitch ('ni' or niṣāda). The anudatta intonation provides a grounding effect and is used to prepare the voice for the svarita.
- Svarita (Falling)
- The svarita is marked by a vertical line above the letter. It is chanted one note above the basic pitch ('ri' or ṛṣabha). The svarita often signifies a combination of the udatta and anudatta, creating a gliding or falling effect in the chant.
Example of Vedic Chanting
Consider the Vedic phrase: Oṁ saha nā̍avavatu.
- Here, ‘sa’ is marked as an anudatta (indicated by the horizontal line below), which means it should be chanted one note below the base pitch.
- The syllable ‘n̍a’ is a svarita (indicated by the vertical line above), which should be chanted one note above the base pitch.
- The remaining syllables, not marked with any diacritical sign, are udatta and are chanted at the base pitch.
In this example:
- Oṁ (udatta, base pitch)
- sa (anudatta, one note below)
- ha (udatta, base pitch)
- nā̍ (svarita, one note above)
- va (udatta, base pitch)
- vatu (udatta, base pitch)
Importance of Intonations
The precision of these intonations is crucial for several reasons:
- Preservation of Meaning: In Vedic Sanskrit, the meaning of words can change with the intonation. Accurate intonation ensures that the sacred texts are preserved without alteration in meaning.
- Ritual Efficacy: The Vedas are not just texts but are meant to be recited as part of rituals. The correct intonation is believed to have spiritual and cosmic significance, affecting the efficacy of the rituals.
- Oral Tradition: The Vedas were transmitted orally for thousands of years. The system of svaras helped in maintaining uniformity and accuracy across generations.
Musical Correlation
The Vedic intonations correlate with the notes in classical Indian music:
- Udatta corresponds to 'sa' (ṣaḍja), the fundamental note.
- Anudatta corresponds to 'ni' (niṣāda), one note below.
- Svarita corresponds to 'ri' (ṛṣabha), one note above.
This correlation underscores the inherent musicality of the Vedic chants and highlights the sophisticated understanding of sound and pitch in ancient Indian culture.
The svaras or intonations in the Vedas exemplify the intricate and precise nature of ancient Indian oral traditions. The systematic use of udatta, anudatta, and svarita ensures the faithful transmission of sacred knowledge across millennia, preserving not only the textual integrity but also the spiritual and ritualistic essence of the Vedic hymns.