Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A sacred Hindu scripture: The Yajur-Veda is one of the four primary canonical texts (Vedas) of Hinduism, specifically a collection of ritual formulas, sacrificial mantras, and prayers used by priests during Vedic ceremonies.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • Priests chant verses from the Yajur-Veda during the fire ritual.
  • The Yajur-Veda provides detailed instructions for performing sacrifices.
  • Scholars study the Yajur-Veda to understand ancient Vedic rituals.

Advanced Usage

• "The prose of the Yajur-Veda": This phrase highlights the text's distinctive characteristic of containing explanatory prose passages alongside metrical mantras, differentiating it from the other Vedas.
  • The prose of the Yajur-Veda clarifies the application of the ritual mantras.

Variants and Related Words

• Veda (noun): Refers to the entire corpus of ancient Sanskrit sacred literature. The Yajur-Veda is one of its four main divisions.
• Yajurveda: An alternative spelling for Yajur-Veda.
• Shukla Yajur-Veda (proper noun): The "White" Yajur-Veda, a recension where mantras and explanatory Brahmana portions are separate.
• Krishna Yajur-Veda (proper noun): The "Black" Yajur-Veda, a recension where mantras and explanatory Brahmana portions are mixed.

Synonyms

• Sacrificial Veda: A descriptive synonym emphasizing its primary ritual content.
• Vedic ritual text: A general term describing its nature and function.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "As prescribed in the Yajur-Veda": Used to indicate that an action, especially a ritual, is performed according to the authoritative guidelines of this text.
  • The ceremony was conducted as prescribed in the Yajur-Veda.

Noun

1. a collection of sacrificial formulas and prayers