Vedas

What are Vedas?

The Vedas are the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism and are considered the foundational scriptures of the Hindu tradition.

The word Veda comes from the Sanskrit word vid, meaning knowledge.

The Vedas form the basis of many Hindu beliefs, rituals, and philosophies and were transmitted orally for centuries before being written down

In Hindu tradition, the Vedas are regarded as Shruti ("that which is heard"), meaning they are believed to be divinely revealed to ancient sages (rishis).

There are four Vedas:

• Rigveda – A collection of hymns and prayers dedicated to various deities.
• Samaveda – Melodies and chants, mainly derived from the Rigveda, used in rituals.
• Yajurveda – Instructions and formulas for performing religious ceremonies and sacrifices.
• Atharvaveda – Hymns, spells, prayers, and teachings related to daily life, healing, and spirituality.

Each Veda is traditionally divided into four parts:

• Samhitas – Collections of hymns and mantras.
• Brahmanas – Explanations of rituals and ceremonies.
• Aranyakas – "Forest texts" that discuss meditation and symbolic meanings of rituals.
• Upanishads – Philosophical teachings about the self (Atman), ultimate reality (Brahman), and liberation (Moksha).