The Sama Veda or Veda of Holy Songs

The Sama Veda, Samveda, or Samaveda (Sanskrit: ???????, samaveda, from saman "melody" and veda "knowledge"), is the third of the four Vedas, the ancient core Hindu scriptures, along with the Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda. Its earliest parts are believed to date from 1700 BC,[citation needed] and it ranks next in sanctity and liturgical importance to the Rigveda. It consists of a collection (samhita) of hymns, portions of hymns, and detached verses, all but 75 taken from the Sakala ...