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Chhand

Chhand

Chhand is one of the structuring dynamics of Rk Veda. It highlights the MEASURING and QUANTIFYING qualities involved in structuring Rk Veda. With reference to consciousness, Chhand comprises the specific sets of laws of Nature that are engaged in promoting the quality of Devata — the process of observation, the dynamism of observing in the witnessing quality of Rishi — within the Samhita level of consciousness, providing a structure to the eternally silent, self-referral, self-sufficient, fully awake state of consciousness, which is intimately personal to everyone. (complete table of qualities)

In the physiology, Chhanda is found within the feedback loops of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and sensory-motor systems. These are the resetting mechanisms that maintain proper balance within the range of transformation anticipated or ordained by the body. In a way, these maintain the proper rhythm, or metre.

They therefore play the role of a transforming, a predominantly Devata quality, even though they have an inherent covering and uncovering quality, associated with the name Chhand.

Human Physiology: Expression of Veda and the Vedic Literature — Prof. Tony Nader-Ram in Human Physiology: Expression of Veda and the Vedic Literature,
pp. 94-95
Chhand Physiology
(click for a larger view)
 
Piṅgala Chhandaḥsūtra
 — describes the different metres that occur in Rik Veda and in the whole of Vedic Literature

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi


Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
on the importance of
regular practice of the
Transcendental Meditation technique:

Transcendental Meditation is a MUST for everyone who wants to be self-sufficient in every way — that means anyone who wants to bring his level of intelligence to that level of total intelligence of Nature from where infinite order and evolution of everything is spontaneously sustained, and from where his thoughts and actions will spontaneously be in the evolutionary direction.

— Introduction to Maharishi Vedic University, p. 353
 
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Atharva Veda Yajur Veda Sama Veda Atharva Veda Pratishakhya (Chaturadhyayi) Krishna-Yajur-Veda Pratishakhya (Taittiriya) Sama Veda Pratishakhya (Pushpa Sutram) Atharva Veda Pratishakhya Shukl-Yajur-Veda Pratishakhya Rk Veda Pratishakhya Itihas Puran Smriti Brahmana Aranyak Upanishad Vyakaran Kalp Shiksha Jyotish Chhand Nirukt Nyaya Vaisheshik Samkhya Yoga Karma Mimansa Vedant Gandharva Veda Dhanur Veda Sthapatya Veda Harita Samhita Bhel Samhita Kashyap Samhita Charak Samhita Sushrut Samhita Vagbhatt Samhita Bhava-Prakash Samhita Sharngadhar Samhita Madhav Nidan Samhita