Why Is Atharva Veda Sometimes Not Counted Among The Vedas?
The Atharva Veda is sometimes not counted among the Vedas
for several reasons rooted in historical, cultural, and religious contexts.
Here are the main reasons:
Later Compilation: The Atharva Veda is considered to have
been compiled later than the other three Vedas (Rigveda, Samaveda, and
Yajurveda). As a result, it was not always included in the early Vedic canon by
some traditions.
Different Content and Focus: Unlike the other three Vedas,
which focus primarily on rituals, hymns, and the worship of various deities,
the Atharva Veda includes a variety of material such as spells, incantations,
and practical knowledge related to healing, magic, and everyday life. This
divergence in content made it distinct and sometimes considered less orthodox
by certain Vedic scholars and practitioners.
Status and Acceptance: In the early Vedic period, the
Atharva Veda did not enjoy the same level of prestige and sanctity as the other
three Vedas. Some orthodox Brahminical traditions viewed its contents with
suspicion or as less authoritative because of its association with sorcery and
folk practices.
Sectarian Preferences: Different Vedic schools (Shakhas) and
traditions within Hinduism have varied in their acceptance and emphasis on the
Vedas. Some of these schools emphasized the trio of the Rigveda, Samaveda, and
Yajurveda more, relegating the Atharva Veda to a secondary status or excluding
it altogether from their primary canon.
Terminological Practices: The term "Trayi Vidya"
(the threefold knowledge) refers to the traditional tripartite classification
of the Vedas into Rigveda, Samaveda, and Yajurveda. This term itself
underscores the exclusion of the Atharva Veda in certain contexts, which has
historical and cultural precedent.
Overall, while the Atharva Veda is an integral part of the
Vedic literature, its unique content and historical context have contributed to
it sometimes being considered separately or not included in the core group of
the other three Vedas by some traditions and scholars.