Basics of Vedas (from web)

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Hinduism is referred to as Sanathana Dharma, the eternal faith.

Hinduism is based on the practice of Dharma, the code of life.

Hinduism has no founder.

 

While religion means to bind, Dharma means to hold. What man holds on

to is his inner law, which leads from ignorance to Truth. Though

reading of the scriptures (saastras) would not directly lead you to

self-realization, the teachings of the seers provide a basis and a

path for spirituality. Despite being the oldest religion, the truth

realized by the seers proves that the truth and path provided by

Hinduism is beyond time.

 

Hinduism is more a way of life than a specific religion. In Hinduism

one can find all religions of the world. Various religions like

Buddhism, Sikhism emerged from it. The most important aspect of

Hinduism is being truthful to oneself. Hinduism has no monopoly on

ideas. It is open to all. Hindus believe in one God expressed in

different forms. For them, God is timeless and formless entity. Hindus

believe in eternal truths and these truths are opened to anyone who

seeks them, even if he or she is ignorant of Hindu scriptures or

ideas. This religion also professes Non-violence - " Ahimsa Paramo

Dharma " - Non violence is the highest duty. True Ahimsa implies

curtsey, kindness, hospitality, humanity and love.

 

Most of the Hindus do not know about their scriptures. They are aware

of Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavat Gita only. But we have lot of

scriptures. Every Hindu must be aware of his/her scriptures. This is a

small attempt to give the reader a brief knowledge about our scriptures.

 

The primary texts of Sanathana Dharma are

 

I. VEDAS

 

The oldest and the most important scriptures of Sanathana Dharma are

the Vedas. Veda means knowledge. Vedas are apauruseya, which means

they are not compilations of human knowledge. Vedic knowledge comes

from the spiritual world, from Lord the Supreme Personality.

 

The Vedas are known as the revealed Truths. Vedas are the recordings

of the revelations received through transcendental experiences of the

Rishis of ancient India.

 

Vedic knowledge is complete because it is above all doubts and

mistakes, and Bhagavad-gita is the essence of all such Vedic

knowledge. Out of many standard and authoritative revealed scriptures,

the Bhagavad-gita is the best. The Bhagavad-gita however is a part of

the epic Mahabharata.

 

The humans are divided by vedas according to their orders of life

namely Brahmacharya, Grihasthashram, Vanaprastha and Sanyasa and vedas

teach us how a soul could be purified. To simplify the process and

make them more easily performable, Maharshi Vyasa divided the Vedas

into four, Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva in order to expand them among men.

 

1. Rig-Veda

 

The Rig-Veda Samhita is the grandest and oldest book of the Hindus.

Its immortal mantras embody the greatest truths of existence and its

priest is called the Hotri. The Rig-veda contains 10,552 verses

divided into 64 chapters. Besides that it has got twenty-five branches

written by several Rishis. The Rig-veda contains the most sacred

Gayatri mantra.

 

2. Yajur-Veda

 

Its name is derived from the root word 'yaj' meaning worship. The term

for sacrifice i.e. yajna is also derived from here. It primarily deals

with the procedural details for performing different yajnas

 

There are two distinct Yajur Veda Samhitas, the Shukla Yajur Veda or

Vajasaneyi Samhita and the Krishna Yajur Veda or Taittireya Samhita.

The Krishna or the Taittireya is the older book and the Sukla or the

Vajasaneyi is a later revelation to sage Yajnavalkya from the

resplendent Sun God. About half of the Yajur-Veda are composed of

verses taken from the Rig-Veda. They are arranged according to their

importance in various rituals. The remaining part (mainly prose) deals

with the formulae for performing the yajna, external as well as

internal. The famous Rudra hymns belong to the Krishna Yajur Veda. The

Yajur-Veda contains 1875 verses. Besides that it has got one hundred

and eight branches.

 

3. Sama-Veda

 

The Sama-Veda Samhita is mostly borrowed from the Rig-vedic Samhita,

and is meant to be sung by the Udgatri, the Sama-vedic priest, in

sacrifices. 'Sama' means peace. Accordingly this Veda contains chants

to bring peace to the mind. Many of the hymns of the Rig-Veda are set

to musical notes in Sama Veda. Sama Veda is the basis of the seven

notes (Sapta Swaras), fundamental to Indian classical music. The

listening of the musical chants gives one a sense of universality and

a mingling with the divine. The 'udgaata' or beginning ceremony before

a yajna is actually a chanting of hymns from Sama Veda to ensure the

grace of all the Devas. The Sama-Veda contains approximately 2000

verses. Besides that it has got one thousand branches.

 

4. Atharva-Veda

 

This Veda is named after a sage called Atharvan who discovered the

mantras contained in it. It is basically a book of magic spells to

ward off evil and suffering and to destroy one's enemies. It deals

more with the things here and now, than the hereafter, and with the

sacrifices which are a means to them. The mantras are in prose as well

as verse. There also hymns addressed to devas other than the ones

mentioned in the other three Vedas. There are hymns, which deal with

creation also. Brahma is the representative of Atharva Veda. The

Atharva Veda gives a useful insight into the rich landscape of India

at the time of its composition.

The Atharva Veda contains of 5987 verses. Besides that it has got

fifty branches.

 

Yajur-veda and Sama-veda use the hymns of Rig-Veda and Atharva-Veda

and rearrange them in a manner suitable for rituals.

 

In all, the four Vedas have got One thousand one hundred and eighty

three (1183) branches. Each Veda consists of four parts to suit the

four stages in a man's life- Brahmacharya, Grihasta, Vanaprastha and

Sanyasa. The four divisions are Mantra Samhitas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas

and Upanishads.

 

The Mantra-Samhitas which are hymns in praise of the Vedic God for

acquiring material prosperity and happiness. They are poems comprising

prayers, hymns and incantations addressed to various deities. This

portion also contains information about the creative process, the

universal laws, about the creation and the universe in detail. It is

useful to Brahmacharins.

 

 

II. BRAHMANAS

 

The Brahmanas are explanations of Mantras or rituals, which give

guidance to people as to how; the sacrificial rites are to be

performed. They are explanations of the method of using the Mantras in

Yajnas or other rites. Details for various ceremonies like birth,

naming, study, marriage, death are in this portion. The Brahmana

portion is suitable for householders (Grihastashram).

 

Brahmanas of Rig-veda

 

There are three Rig-vedic Brahmanas.

 

1. Ithareya Brahmana

2. Sankhayana Brahmana

3. Kausheethaki Brahmana

 

Brahmanas of Yajur-veda

 

There are three Yajur-vedic Brahmanas.

 

1. Shatapadha Brahmana

2. Thaiththareeya Brahmana

3. Maithrayaneeya Brahmana

 

Brahmanas of Sama-veda

 

There are nine Sama-vedic Brahmanas.

 

1. Jaimineeya Brahmana

2. Thandya Brahmana

3. Aarsheya Brahmana

4. Shadvimsadhi Brahmana

5. Chandhokya Brahmana

6. Samavidhana Brahmana

7. Abhootha Brahmana

8. Vamsa Brahmana

9. Samhithopanishathi Brahmana

 

Brahmanas of Atharva-veda

 

1. Gopadha Brahmana

 

III. ARANYAKAS

 

The Aranyakas are the forest books, the texts that give philosophical

interpretations of the rituals. After a man has finished all his

worldly duties ( taking care of parents, marrying off children etc.)

he proceeds to the forest to spend the rest of his days in solitude

and meditation. The Aranyakas are intended for such people, hence the

name. It explains the different kinds of rituals to be performed in

forest by people, who go for Vanaprastha.

 

The Aranyakas are expositions on the inner meaning of the Vedic hymns

and sacrifices. The hymns are interpreted symbolically to gain an

insight into the reasons for performing yajnas and thus deal with

higher metaphysical concepts.

 

Aranyakas of Rig-veda

 

There are two Rig-vedic Aranyakas.

 

1 Ithareya Aranyaka

2 Kausheethaki Aranyaka

 

Aranyakas of Yajur-veda

 

There are two Yajur-vedic Aranyakas.

 

1 Maithrayaneeya Aranyaka

2 Thaiththareeya Aranyaka

 

There is no Aranyakas for Sama and Atharva vedas.

 

IV. UPANISHADS

 

The Upanishads are the essence of Vedic teaching. They are called

Vedantas meaning the concluding portion of the Vedas as well as the

ultimate conclusions of Vedic wisdom. Upanishads happen to be the most

foremost authorities of the Vedanta system of philosophy that

developed in later times in different forms.

 

They reveal the most subtle and deep spiritual truths and are meant

for Sanyasins. The collection of teachings generated by the ascetics

who meditated on the mysteries of human existence came to be known as

the Upanishads, which literally means " sitting close to " the teacher

thereby indicating that the knowledge that it imparts is esoteric.

Many, many Upanishads existed ages ago; a lot of them have been lost

in the dark backward abysm of time. Only one hundred and eight have

been preserved so far some in prose, some in verse. They are:

 

Upanishads of Rig-veda

 

There are ten Rig-vedic Upanishads. They are

 

1 Ithareya Upanishad

2 Kausheethaki Upanishad

3 Nadhabindhu Upanishad

4 Aathmabhodha Upanishad

5 Nirvana Upanishad

6 Mulgala Upanishad

7 Akshamalika Upanishad

8 Tripura Upanishad

9 Sowbhagyalakshmi Upanishad

10 Bhahvrucha Upanishad

 

Upanishads of Sukla Yajur-veda

 

There are eighteen Sukla Yajur-vedic Upanishads. They are

 

1 Isovaasya Upanishad

2 Bruhadharanyaka Upanishad

3 Hamsa Upanishad

4 Paramahamsa Upanishad

5 Subhala Upanishad

6 Mantrika Upanishad

7 Thrisikibrahmana Upanishad

8 Niralamba Upanishad

9 Mandalabrahmana Upanishad

10 Adhwya Upanishad

11 Taraka Upanishad

12 Bhikshuka Upanishad

13 Adhyaatma Upanishad

14 Muktika Upanishad

15 Tarashara Upanishad

16 Yanjavalkya Upanishad

17 Shatyayana Upanishad

18 Turiyatheeya Avadhootha Upanishad

 

Upanishads of Krishna Yajur-veda

 

There are thirty two Krishna Yajur-vedic Upanishads. They are

 

1 Kada Upanishad

2 Thaiththireeya Upanishad

3 Brahma Upanishad

4 Kaivalya Upanishad

5 Swetaswetara Upanishad

6 Garbha Upanishad

7 Mahanarayana Upanishad

8 Amrithabindhu Upanishad

9 Amrithanadha Upanishad

10 Kalagnirudra Upanishad

11 Kshurika Upanishad

12 Sarvasara Upanishad

13 Shukarahasya Upanishad

14 Tejabindhu Upanishad

15 Dhyanabindhu Upanishad

16 Brahmavidhya Upanishad

17 Yogatatva Upanishad

18 Dhakshinamoorthy Upanishad

19 Skanda Upanishad

20 Saareerika Upanishad

21 Yogashika Upanishad

22 Ekakshara Upanishad

23 Akshi Upanishad

24 Avadhootha Upanishad

25 Kadarudra Upanishad

26 Rudrahrudhaya Upanishad

27 Panchabrahma Upanishad

28 Pranagnihotra Upanishad

29 Varaha Upanishad

30 Yogakundalini Upanishad

31 Kalisantarana Upanishad

32 Saraswatheerahasya Upanishad

 

Upanishads of Sama-veda

 

There are sixteen Sama-vedic Upanishads. They are

 

1 Kena Upanishad

2 Chandokya Upanishad

3 Aaruni Upanishad

4 Maitrayanee Upanishad

5 Maitreyee Upanishad

6 Vajrasuchika Upanishad

7 Yogachoodamani Upanishad

8 Vasudeva Upanishad

9 Maha Upanishad

10 Sanyasa Upanishad

11 Avyakta Upanishad

12 Kundika Upanishad

13 Savitri Upanishad

14 Jabhala Upanishad

15 Darsana Upanishad

16 Rudraksha Jabhala Upanishad

 

Upanishads of Atharva-veda

 

There are thirty two Atharva-vedic Upanishads.They are

 

1 Prasna Upanishad

2. Mundaka Upanishad

3. Maandukya Upanishad

4. Atharvasira Upanishad

5. Atharvasikha Upanishad

6. Bruhat Jaabhala Upanishad

7. Sita Upanishad

8. Sarabha Upanishad

9. Mahanarayana Upanishad

10. Ramarahasya Upanishad

11. Ramatapini Upanishad

12. Sandilya Upanishad

13. Paramahamsa Upanishad

14. Annapoorna Upanishad

15. Surya Upanishad

16. Aathma Upanishad

17. Pasuptha Upanishad

18. Parabrahma Upanishad

19. Tripuratapini Upanishad

20. Devi Upanishad

21. Bhavana Upanishad

22. Bhasma Jaabhala Upanishad

23. Ganapati Upanishad

24. Mahakavya Upanishad

25. Gopalatapini Upanishad

26. Sreekrishna Upanishad

27. Hayagriva Upanishad

28. Dhaththathreya Upanishad

29. Garuda Upanishad

30. Narasimhapurvatapini Upanishad

31. Naradapariprajaka Upanishad

32. Narasimha Uththaratapini Upanishad

 

Besides this 108 Upanishads, so many Upa-Upanishads are also there.

 

V. VEDANGAS

 

The Vedangas and Upavedas are collections of texts that augment and

apply the Vedas as a comprehensive system of sacred living. There are

six Vedangas.

 

1. Siksha (The nose of the Vedas)

 

Siksha means Vedic phonetics and lays down the rules of phonetics -

sounds of syllables, of pronunciation- euphony. It lays down the

parameters of Vedic words. Phonetics are very important in Vedic

language because a slight change in sound may lead to change in the

meaning of a mantra and consequently have undesirable effects on the

sacrifice. Siksha explains how the sound of each syllable should be

produced, how high or low should be it's pitch and for how much

duration (maatra) the sound must last.

 

2. Nirukta (The ears of the Vedas)

 

Nirukta is the Vedic dictionary. Nirukta may be regarded as the Vedic

equivalent of etymology i.e. the study of words. Nirukta explains the

origin of each Sanskrit word in the Vedas. In Sanskrit, names or words

are not assigned ad-hoc but there is a systematic way of forming

words. Every word has a deep meaning and may sometimes be formed by

the combination of two or more nouns. All words are derived from the

basic roots or Dhatus. As Nirukta breaks each word into its component

roots and analyses its meaning, so it is likened to the ear, which

distinguishes speech by breaking words into its component phonemes. It

is also regarded as the World's first Encyclopedia.

 

3. Vyakarana (The mouth of the Vedas.)

 

Vyakarana deals with grammar and so is very important. There are many

books on Sanskrit grammar, but the most famous and most extensively

used is the Vyakarna of Sage Paanini. Paanini's grammar is in the form

of aphorisms (Sutras).

 

 

4. Chanda Saastra (The feet of the Vedas)

 

Chanda Saastra deals with metric composition. Any verse has to have a

specified 'metre' and number of letters in it, for a good fit. Chanda

Saastra lays down the rules for this. It defines the boundaries of

metrical composition into metre, rhyme, etc.

 

5. Kalpa Saastra (The arms of the Vedas)

 

Kalpa Saastra is a collection of books of Shauwta Sutra , Dharma Sutra

, Pithrumedha Sutra , Sulba Sutra , Gruhya Sutra and Prayaschitham.

All our customs and rituals are explained in Kalpa saastra.

 

Kalpa Saastra answers the questions like:

 

How should a ritual be performed?

What are the duties of the child, student, householder, King

,mendicant etc?

Which ritual involves which mantra, which material and which Deva?

How many priests should be employed for a sacrifice?

What objects should be used in various rituals?, and so on.

 

The Kalpa Saastra details the vedic rituals to be performed from the

time the embryo forms in the womb to birth leading upto the final

sacrifice of death. Cremation or Antiyeshti, meaning the last rite is

seen as a sacrifice of the whole body to Agni, the fire god. The

Namakarana (naming ceremony), the Upanayana (sacred thread investiture

ceremony), Vivaaha (marriage) are also described within the Kalpa. The

Vedic system of architecture i.e. Vaastu Shastra is also described in

Kalpa. The entire Kalpa Saastra weighs more than 250 Kilograms. (i.e.,

2.5 quintals)

 

6. Jyothisha (Astronomy + Astrology) The eyes of the Vedas

 

Jyothisha includes Ganitham, Kalakriya, Golam, Jatakam, Muhurtham,

Prasnam and Nimiththam.

Perhaps the most famous of all Vedangas, it is the science of

astrology. Jyotisha gives rules to calculate the positions of the

planets and stars at any instant in the future or past. Based on these

positions and certain well defined rules, the fate of a person can be

reasonably determined provided his/her birthdate, time and place of

birth are accurately known. Vedic astrology is based on lunar signs in

direct contrast to the solar sign system prevalent in the west. The

premise is that the moon being closer to the Earth, extends a greater

influence on mankind than the distant Sun.

 

VI. UPAVEDAS

 

There are five Upavedas

 

1. Arththasaastra

Unfolds statecraft. It can be called as the Hindu science of

governing by Kings.

 

2. Dhanur Veda

Discusses military science. Discusses different kinds of weapons

and war rules.

 

3. Gandharva Veda

The science which enlighten music and arts. Discusses different kinds

of music, musical instruments and arts.

 

4. Ayurveda

Deals with medicine , health and longevity.

 

5. Saapadhyaveda ( Tachchu Saastra )

Deals with the architecture. Vasthu Saastra also comes under this.

 

VII. PURANAS

 

Puranas are compiled from related historical facts, which explain the

teachings of the four Vedas. The Puranas explain the Vedic truths and

are intended for different types of men. All men are not equal. There

are men who are good, others who are driven by passion and others who

are under the veil of ignorance. The Puranas are so divided that any

class of men can take advantage of them and gradually regain their

original nature and get out of the hard struggle for existence

 

Mahapuranas

 

There are eighteen Mahapuranas. They are

 

1. Vishnu Purana

2. Bhavishya Purana

3. Garuda Purana

4. Agni Purana

5. Mahabhagavata Purana

6. Siva Purana

7. Markandeya Purana

8. Linga Purana

9. Brahmavaivarththa Purana

10. Matsya Purana

11. Kurma Purana

12. Varaha Purana

13. Vamana Purana

14. Skanda Purana

15. Brahmaanda Purana

16. Patma Purana

17. Vayu Purana

18. Naradheeya Purana

 

Upa-puranas

 

There are eighteen Upa-puranas. They are

 

1. Samba Purana

2. Devibhagavata Purana

3. Kalika Purana

4. Lakhunaradheeya Purana

5. Harivamsa Purana

6. Vishnudharmmoththara Purana

7. Kalki Purana

8. Mulgala Purana

9. Aadhi Purana

10. Aathma Purana

11. Brahma Purana

12. Vishnudharma Purana

13. Narasimha Purana

14. Kriyaayoga Purana

15. Surya Purana

16. Bruhat Naradheeya Purana

17. Prushoththama Purana

18. Bruhat Vishnu Purana

 

VIII. DARSANAS

 

Darsana means, sight or vision. In the Vedanta philosophy, the first

question is, what is the source of everything? There are philosophers

who saw different stages of the original source, and explained

philosophy according to their vision. These are known as Darsanas.

They are also known as Sad-darsanas (six systems of philosophy).

 

1. Nyaya Darsana

 

Nyaya means the science of logic and expediency. It is also known as

Tarka Shastra. This was composed by Sage Gautama and contains

passages, which establish by means of disputation that God is the

creator of this universe. It establishes the existence of God by means

of inference.

 

2. Vaiseshika Darsana

 

Vaisesika, philosophy of specialised logic, maintains that the

combination of atoms is the cause of the cosmic manifestation. It was

composed by Maharshi Kanada He was the first philosopher who

formulated ideas about the atom in a systematic manner.

 

Nyaya and Vaiseshika deal mainly with physics, chemistry and other

material sciences and include reasoning or logic. Metaphysical studies

or search for knowledge of God, however, formed the ultimate aim of

the study of these saastras also.

 

3. Sankhya Darsana

 

Sankhya, philosophy of analytical study, maintains that the material

nature is the cause of the cosmic manifestation. Sage Kapila composed it.

 

4. Yoga Darsana

 

Yoga, philosophy of mystic perfections, maintains that universal

consciousness is the cause of the cosmic manifestation. It was

composed by Padanjali Maharshi. He is the first systematiser of the

Yoga school .

 

5. Purva Meemamsa Darsana

 

Sage Jaimini composed the sutras for the Purvameemamsa, philosophy of

actions and reactions, maintains that fruitive activities are the

cause of the cosmic manifestation. This book consists of 12 chapters -

1000 Adhikaranas in all. In these Adhikaranas, selected Vedic verses

are examined in details. In the 1000 Adhikaranas a thousand types of

problems are taken up and various arguments against an apparent

explanation are raised before coming to a conclusion.

 

6. Uththara Meemamsa Darsana

 

The Uttarameemamsa deals with Vedanta and is thus close to the

philosophy of the Upanishads. Maharshi Veda Vyasa composed Uththara

Meemamsa.

 

IX. SMRITIS

 

Smriti means memory and are writings devised to fix in memory, the

practical use of the messages stated or implied in the Vedas. '

Smritis ' embodies the teachings of Divine Incarnations or prophets,

saints and sages. It is an explanation of the 'Srutis' ' Srutis ' are

the revealed scriptures, as mentioned in the Vedas and ' Smritis ' are

the commentaries and derived literatures, based on the messages of the

Vedas; Some of the Smritis are in the form of Laws formulated by

saints and sages for mankind. There are eighteen important

Smritis.They are

 

1. Usana Smriti

2. Yanjavalkya Smriti

3. Vishnu Smriti

4. Manu Smriti

5. Angeerasa Smriti

6. Yama Smriti

7. Atri Smriti

8. Samvarththa Smriti

9. Bruhatparasara Smriti

10. Bruhaspati Smriti

11. Daksha Smriti

12. Saataatapa Smriti

13. Likhita Smriti

14. Vyasa Smriti

15. Parasara Smriti

16. Sanka Smriti

17. Gautama Smriti

18. Vasishta Smriti

 

X. ITIHASAS

 

Itihasas are literatures describing historical events pertaining to

either a single hero or a few heroic personalities in a lineage: for

example, Ramayana describing the pastimes of Sri Ramachandra and

Mahabharata describing the pastimes of the Pandavas in the lineage of

the Kurus. In these books there are topics on transcendental subjects

along with material topics. The whole idea of the Mahabharata

culminates in the ultimate instructions of the Bhagavad-gita that one

should give up all other engagements and should engage oneself solely

and fully in surrendering unto the lotus feet of Krishna. The

conclusive teaching of the Ramayana also is to fully surrender and

take shelter of Lord Sri Ramachandra.

 

1. Ramayana

 

The traditional author of this Epic, is the sage Valmiki. This Epic is

regarded as the first poetical work in the world, of purely human

origin. The verses have great diffusivity, simplicity and charm. There

are totally seven books of this great epic.

 

2. Mahabharata

 

This epic is traditionally authored by the sage Vyasa It is a rich

collection of many histories and legends. The scene of the poem is the

ancient kingdom of the Kurus; and the central story - ' the germ of

which is to be found in the Vedas ' - concerns a great dynastic war. A

very important portion of the Mahabharata is the Song of the God (

called the Gita ). Bhagavad Gita, as it is called, is the essence of

all the messages to mankind contained in the Veda.