Nigada
From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
By Swami Harshananda
Types of Vedic Mantras[edit]
The Vedic mantras used in yāgas or sacrifices are of four types:
- Ṛk - The ṛks are metrical compositions.
- Yajus - The yajus are complete sentences in prose.
- Sāman - The sāmans are set to music and sung.
- Nigada - The nigadas are also called as ‘praiṣas'.
Nigada Definition[edit]
Nigada are the words addressed by one priest, generally the adhvaryu, to another. It is called loudly by the former to the latter to do a certain thing. For example:
‘prokṣaṇīr āsādaya,’ ‘Approach the vessel containing the holy waters.’
On a second note, they are yajus but distinguished from them since they are uttered loudly whereas the yajus mantras are recited softly.
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore