सामवेदः

Sāmaveda — The Veda of Sacred Melody & Devotional Song

In the Bhagavad Gītā (10.22), Lord Kṛṣṇa declares: 'Vedānāṁ Sāmavedo'smi'—'Among the Vedas, I am the Sāmaveda.' The Sāmaveda is the fountainhead of Indian classical music (Gandharva Veda), setting the sacred mantras of the Rishis to soaring liturgical melodies (Sāmagāna).

Internal Structure & Lineage: Divided into two great parts: the Pūrvārcika (organized by deity: Āgneya, Aindra, Pavamāna, and Āraṇya Parvas plus the Mahānāmnī Ārcika) and the Uttarārcika (complete liturgical song-triplets arranged for sacred ceremonies).