From what I understand there is a lot of overlap between Rig Veda Samhita and the other Vedas. Atharva Veda is considered a late addition to the Vedic corpus. At least linguistically, Rig Veda Samhita is the oldest Hindu scripture (although other works occasionally have older material).
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samaveda is said to be the best among vedas not rigveda. Rigveda is counted first but the best is samaveda according to upnishads and bhagawata geeta.– Fierce lordCommented Feb 10, 2018 at 15:29
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that maybe for its music, but aren't the sama veda verses mostly from the rig veda? also my question relates to authority - is rig veda samhita he ultimate authority in hinduism?– S KCommented Feb 10, 2018 at 15:31
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No not scriptually but now being oldest it has been given importance like it does not have caste etc apart from purush sukta's one verse which is thought to be later added ,respect of women etc. Although samaveda is recognised as best. apart all vedas are great.– Fierce lordCommented Feb 10, 2018 at 16:07
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if rig veda samhita contradicts some other portion of shruti,which prevails? @fierce lord– S KCommented Feb 10, 2018 at 16:10
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wiki says "Almost all of the 1,875 verses found in Samaveda are taken from different parts of the Rigveda, either once or as repetition, and rewritten in a chant song form."– S KCommented Feb 10, 2018 at 16:21
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1 Answer
Note:— This answer compares the greatness and result given by each veda as per prashna upnishsda and refrence from bhagawata-geeta rest all vedas are great.
Then Satyakama Saibhya asked him, "Godman, he who among men mentally fixes his mind upon Aum until the end of his life, which world he wins by that?
To him he said, "Satyakama, this very transcendental and immanent Brahman, indeed, is that Aum only. Therefore, the knowledgeable one arrives at one or the other through this means only."
If he meditates upon the one letter (A), having attained equanimity quickly by that alone, he attains the physical world. The Rics lead him to the world of humans, and there through austerities, the practice of celibacy, endowed with faith, he experiences greatness.
Now, if (he meditates) upon the two letters (AU) the attains the subtle world. Led by the Yajus through the mid-region, he is lifted to the world of the moon. Having experienced supernatural existence, he returns again.
Again, he who meditates upon the Supreme Self with the three letters of Aum, he becomes endowed with the light of the sun. Just as a snake is freed from its slough, in the same manner he becomes free from sin. Led by the Samans, he is lifted to the world of Brahman. In the congregation of living entities, he sees the highest of the high and the Person hidden in the persons.
The three letters are within the confines of death. They should be yoked and applied together. By applying (the unified Aum) in kriya yoga, the awakened one does not waver in the external, internal, intermediate and self-absorbed states.
The knowledgeable one knows this world by the Riks, the mid-region by the Yajus, and That (Brahman world) by the Samans. However, with the help of Aum, the learned one attains that which is the highest, calm, free from old age and death, harmonious, without fear and supreme.
It can be seen that om yet have place above all vedas.
Bhagawata geeta
वेदानां सामवेदोऽस्मि देवानामस्मि वासव: | इन्द्रियाणां मनश्चास्मि भूतानामस्मि चेतना || 22||
vedānām — amongst the Vedas ; sāma-vedaḥ — the Sāma Veda ; asmi— I am ; devānām — of all the celestial gods ; asmi— I am ; vāsavaḥ̣— Indra ; indriyāṇām— of amongst the senses ; manaḥ — the mind ; ca— and ; asmi — I am ; bhūtānām — amongst the living beings ; asmi — I am ; chetanā— consciousness Translation
BG 10.22 : I am the Sāma Veda amongst the Vedas, and Indra amongst the celestial gods. Amongst the senses I am the mind; amongst the living beings I am consciousness.
