Vedas: Ancient Indian Scriptures

THE BOOKS THAT SHAPED INDIAN TRADITIONS & SCIENCE .

Since the dawn of humankind, people have been curious about surroundings and
what goes on in nature. Observing all of these phenomena and then shaping them
into books is what our ancestors did. The Aryans who seem to have migrated from the
high plains to the Indian subcontinent in search of grasslands for feeding the cattle.
These people had phenomenal wisdom and this is what is reflected in these treatises
which are known by the name of Vedas. They played an integral role in shaping the
course of Indian traditional and cultural beliefs. The vedas are essentially a collection
of hymns (short poems) from 1500 to 1000 BCE. It is jam packed with not only
literary material but also mythological accounts, poems, prayers, and mantras.
THE ORIGIN OF VEDAS :- The Vedas are written in Sanskrit which was the most
used language at that time. Sanskrit is the reason why many languages in India and
around the world exist. Not much is known about the authors of the Vedas but the
general consensus is that many ancient sages and poets contributed in making of these
scriptures. The Vedas contain the secrets to achieving the ultimate truth which is the
Hindu principle of Moksha. The Vedas are divided into four parts
1) Rig Veda
2) Yajur Veda
3) Sama Veda
4) Atharva Veda
BELOW IS THE GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE VEDAS
RIGVEDA
Rigveda is essentially the oldest Veda ever written and it dates back to almost end of
2nd Millennium BCE. Rigveda is considered to be the most important text of all the
four Vedas. It contains 1028 Hymns and is further divided into 10 Sub-parts with each
sub part depicting certain aspects. These books are also called as Mandalas. It is the
most difficult Veda to understand and interpret.
YAJURVEDA
Yajurveda is a another such an important Veda but is much less complicated. It’s
mainly contains information about how to perform religious rituals and sacrifices.
Yajurveda is divided into two sections (Black & White). It contains tantrik vidya
information as well. It contains the holy as well as dark side of the scriptures which
can be used by the individual for his growth and development.

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ATHARVA VEDA
Atharva Veda is the poetic format for Rigveda as most of the verses are taken from
Rigveda itself. Atharva Veda is also very easy to understand and interpret as most of
the hymns from Rigveda are modified and written in a much more lucid and readable
manner. Atharva Veda is hence better for pundits as the verses are in exact order of
recitation.
SAMA VEDA
Sama-Veda was written after the prior 3 Vedas and hence is much newer. It was
written in 1000 BCE. Many of the shlokas are taken from Rigveda itself.It is
considered to be a contemporary to Atharva Veda and Yajurveda. Sama Veda is
dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva and is rich in aspects of dance, music etc.
AYURVEDA
Although not a part of premier 4 Vedas, it is a complete science in itself. Ayurveda
seems to have its roots in Rigveda where it is said to be originated from Lord
Dhanvanthri. Ayurveda was researched by many physicians such as Caraka ,
Sushruta ,Vagbhata, and Chakrapani. These physicians are said to have been taught
by incarnation of Lord Dhanvanthri himself at Varanasi.
DHANURVEDA
Although dhanurveda might seem the art of fighting with bows only, there are a lot of
different martial arts taught in the treatise. All of the important aspects of battling
with weapons is covered in great detail in there with certain rules and restrictions. The
martial arts are said to come from the mouth of Lord Shiva himself.
THE EMERGENCE OF VEDAS AND IMPORTANCE
All of the Vedas and Upavedas have been originated from Adinath Shiva himself.
He gave the knowledge to Lord Vishnu who in turn gave it to the earth during
Satyuga. The Vedas are books of divine knowledge who were then compiled together
by the great Rishis of that time. They were then passed on to their disciples by the
word of mouth. The Vedas were studied by Brahmins and considered to be holy at
that time. All of the laws were laid down according to the Vedas and Shastras. All
kings and people revered the Brahmins who were Trivedis (knowing three Vedas) or
Chaturvedis(knowing all the four Vedas). The Vedas laid and maintained the
foundation of Sanatan Dharma. It was said that a person knowing all of the four
Vedas and 8 Upavedas would be the most knowledgeable and spiritually enlightened
being who would be worshipped by gods and people alike. The concepts of Yugas,
gotras and all such important aspects are given in the Vedas. The Vedas gave the
central idea of Bramhan and Atman.

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UPANISHADS
Upanishads are considered to be an integral part of the Vedas and are also said to be
the arms of Vedas which helped pave the way for modern thoughts and Vedic
ritualistic behaviour. Upanishads were generally at the end of Bramhanas and
Aranyakas and are hence very important. These were importantly known as Mukhya
Upanishads. There were later ones complied by Sages like Arsheya, Saunaka, and
Chhagaleya. But these are not considered to be complete. There are also Tantric
Upanishads. Hence we can see that the Vedas, Upavedas and Upanishads form an
integral and comprehensive knowledge base which is unmatched by anything taught
today. The study of these treatises can bring about physical, mental and physiological
changes in a person wherein a person will become more connected with the world and
become much more knowledgeable.
THE GRANTHAS LIKE MAHABHARATA, RAMAYANA AND EVEN BHAGVAD GITA
HAVE ORIGINATED FROM THE VEDAS.

QUOTES ABOUT VEDAS

“ACCESS TO THE VEDAS IS THE GREATEST PRIVILEGE THIS

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