Vedic Sakhas: Past, Present, Future

The 41 papers in the present volume by Vedic scholars from Europe (Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Switzerland, U.K.), from the U.S.A., from India and from Japan, contribute to “the study of a civilization based on its texts” – the brief definition of philology given in Michael Witzel’s Introduction to the Proceedings of the First International Vedic Workshop edited by Michael Witzel (1997). The papers, although many may cover more than one field or topic, are placed in three broad categories. The second category is further divided Veda-wise. : 1) GENERAL STUDIES AND TOPICS ON ŚĀKHĀS: twelve papers in connection with the theme of the conference, Vedic Śākhās: past, present, future; 2) Twenty three SPECIFIC STUDIES ON ŚĀKHĀS: five on g Veda, ten on Yajur Veda, three on Sāma Veda, five on Atharva Veda; 3) LINGUISTIC STUDIES: six studies on linguistic issues in connection with the Vedas and the Vedic Śākhās.