The 'Vedanga' ( '', "member of the Veda") are six auxiliary disciplines for the understanding and tradition of the
Vedas.
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Shiksha (''):
phonetics and
phonology (
sandhi)
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Chandas (''):
meter
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Vyakarana (''):
grammar
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Nirukta (''):
etymology
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Jyotisha (''):
astrology and
astronomy, dealing particularly with the auspicious days for performing sacrifices.
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Kalpa (''):
ritual
The Vedangas are first mentioned in the
Mundaka Upanishad as topics to be observed by students of the Vedas. Later, they developed into independent disciplines, each with its own corpus of
Sutras.
Literature
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Moritz Winternitz: ''Geschichte der Indischen Literatur'', Leipzig, 1905 - 1922, Vol. I - III. English translation: ''History of Indian Literatur'', Motilal Barnarsidass, Delhi, 1985, Vol I - III