The Veda is known as Chhandas also. This name means pleasant, joyous. It is also associated with the kindred meanings—strong, vital, shielded. Since all the attributes and characteristics can be predicated of the Vedas, the name referred to above is very appropriate. The sacred ceremonies and rituals which the Vedas expound confer joy not only on the participants but on the entire world and even on worlds beyond. The Supreme Lord who is the source of Bliss, is known in the scriptural texts as Yajnaanga (having the Vedic ritual as His Limbs),Yajna-vahana (using the Vedic ritual as His Vehicle). When Godhead assumes Form the first
manifestation is Hiranyagarbha (the Golden Womb). This too is embodied Bliss, having as vehicle the Bird with wings of Beauty, or Garuda. The Supreme Lord is also known as Vrsha-ratha, He whose chariot is the Bull, the symbol of Dharma (Righteousness). This is the reason why in temples we find the bird Garuda carved or kept as an idol before the shrine of Vishnu and the figure of the Bull or its idol placed before shrines of Shiva.
Chha or Chhadana has as its root meaning another important aspect of the Vedas—shielding, fostering or promoting, promoting the welfare, the ultimate liberation of humans engaged in the unceasing round of worldly affairs. Humans are ever caught up in activities pursued with the profit available as the purpose. They have to be moulded as righteous men and women at the same time. The Tree of Life has to be guarded to offer them fruits and shade. The Veda has to shield from destruction the activist ‘doers’ (Karma lovers) from the evil temptation to court unrighteousness, and the inquiry-fond thinkers (Jnana seekers) from the evil temptation to pursue the pleasure bound senses. Since the Veda both guides and shields, these verses are called, in totality, Chhandas. Through their role as armour or shield, they shower Bliss on all who rely on them. Chhadanath chhandasi. By shielding they become Chhandas.
There is a myth about the Vedic rituals, collectively known as Yajna. Once, Yajna fled from the gods taking the form of a black antelope. The gods went in pursuit, but they succeeded only in retrieving its skin. That skin became the Yajna, the symbol of the rite. The white, dark and tawny colours on that skin represent the Vedas,Rig, Yajur and Sama, and it was adored as sacred for this very reason. It was honoured as symbolising the Triple Knowledge, that is to say, Mastery of the three Vedas. The skin is used by the officiating priests and other participants in all Vedic ceremonials in order to invoke the protecting hymns, called Chhandas. The three colours are believed to represent the three worlds too, and therefore, he who is seated on the skin or wears it benefits the three worlds by his Vedic recitations and oblations.
The master of the ceremonials at the Vedic Yajna is described in the Vedic scripture as the ‘Foetus in the Womb.’ As the foetus is safe and secure, with its fingers clasped and body prostrate enveloped in the mother, the priest-initiate must be enveloped in the antelope skin symbolising Mother Veda. To human eyes, it is just a skin but during Vedic rites, it becomes a shield. This is the reason why, before wearing it, the initiate prays, addressing it, ‘You are the shield, Charma, shield me as Charma’. Charma since it shields man from grief, injury, and wrong has come to mean happiness and bliss.Vishnu, the second of the Trinity, is the embodiment of Bliss. And Vedic sacrifices confer bliss. Vishnu is praised as Yajna itself (Yajno vai Vishnuh). The Lord Vishnu is the embodiment of the Triple Veda. (SSVahini, pp. 235-238)