Which Veda is mainly made up of prose formulas for rituals?

The Veda mainly made up of prose formulas for rituals is the Yajurveda.

Its name combines yajus, meaning a sacrificial formula or ritual utterance, with Veda, meaning knowledge. The Yajurveda provided instructions and spoken formulas for priests conducting yajnas, especially offerings made before the sacred fire. This practical ritual focus distinguishes it from the other Vedas.

The Yajurveda survives in two main textual traditions: the Shukla, or White, Yajurveda and the Krishna, or Black, Yajurveda. The White tradition separates its mantra collection from explanatory prose, while the Black tradition interweaves mantras and commentary.

The Rigveda is primarily a collection of hymns, and the Samaveda adapts many Rigvedic verses into melodies for chanting. The Atharvaveda contains spells, prayers, healing material, and domestic rituals. The Yajurveda is not entirely prose, but prose ritual formulas are its defining feature.