Limb, branch. (Glossary for the Vahinis)

Shakha means ‘limbs’, a text arising out of the main Veda. A tree has branches; each branch has twigs and bunches of leaves. When all these are conceived together, the tree emerges. Each Veda has large number of main branches, and subsidiary branches. Not all have come to light. Only a few have been identified and studied. The number of shakhas lost from memory and practice will add up to thousands and even lakhs. Even their names have disappeared; no one can recall them. This is the reason why the scriptures declare, ‘The Vedas are endless (Ananta Vai Vedaha)’. As a result, each of the great saints and sages took up for study and practice of a few shakhas from one Veda or other. (LKV, p.10)