The Vedas

The Vedas are a large body of texts composed in Vedic Sanskrit originating in the Indian Subcontinent. The Vedas are the oldest body of Indian Literature and scriptures. Vedas have their root in the Sanskrit word Vid which means without limit.

Those that consider the Vedas as scriptural authority of Hinduism are called आस्तिक (aastika - believers). These believe that the Vedas are अपौरुषेय (apauruseya - not of man). Those that do not accept the authority of the Vedas are called नास्तिक (naasthik – nonbelievers), such as followers of Christianity, Islam, Jainism, Buddhism and any Hindu with similar views.

Vedas are also called Shruti (that which is heard), possibly because these were composed around 2000 BCE, well before the formulation of Sanskrit grammar, syntax and rules by Panini around 400 BCE.

The Vedas can be divided into four major schools or shakas – Rig, Yajur,Sama and Atharva.

1.     Rig Veda – is the oldest extant vedic text. It is a collection of 1028 stanzas and 10600 verses organised into 10 mandalas or books/ chapters. This Veda deals primarily with the origins of the universe, various Gods and ancient rituals and practices.

2.     Yajur Veda – this Veda was composed much later than Rig Veda and has around 1875 shokas or verses. It contains detailed instructions for conducting yagna or sacrifice and is split into two major subgroups;

\  Krishna (dark) Yajur Veda – where Samhita (hyms) are interspersed with Brahmana (commentary).

\  Shukla (white) Yajur Veda – where Samhita are kept discrete from the corresponding Brahmana (commentary).

3.     Sama Veda – consists of 1549 shokas or verses, almost all taken from Rig Veda. The Sama Veda consists of;

\  Gaana (गान=) – a set of 4 melody collections.

\  Aarchika (आर्चिक) – a set of 3 books containing verses sung to the melody of Gaana.

4.     Atharva Veda – consist of 760 shlokas or hymes out of which 160 are common with the Rig Veda. Composed primarily by Angiras and Atharvan, it is a later Veda, composed between 900 BC and 1000 BC. It deals with rites, rituals and practices of the period, mainly marriage and cremation.

Each Veda is subdivided into;

l  Mantra or Samhita (संहिता) portion, this being a collection of hyms used in yagna or sacrifice.

l  Brahmanas (ब्राह्मण) portion, where the procedures, meanings and commentaries of the mantra are detailed. 

What you should know after reading this blog;

Ø  What are the Vedas? Why are they important?

Ø  How many Vedas exist?

Ø  What are the elements of each Veda?

Ø  How are each of the Vedas designed?

Ø  What is the difference between each of the Vedas?