Teachings of the Vedas

The word Veda is a sanskrit word derived from the root, Vid meaning to know (knowledge), to be (one with God), to obtain (salvation). The Vedas are considered apauruṣeya or non-human in origin & hence infallible. They are considered to have originated by Shruti meaning heard by Rishis in their deep states of meditation. That which is rendered from what is remembered is known as Smriti literature, which is composed by Rishis based of their memory. There are four vedas as follows:

i. Rigveda (consisting of 1028 hymns)

ii. Yajurveda (dealing with procedures of sacrifices)

iii. Samveda (dealing with Indian music)

iv. Atharvaveda (dealing with medical sciences)

Each of the four vedas have four parts as follows:

i. Samhitas : Collection of mantras or chants that contain expressions of joy at the majesty of nature. Thre phenomenal powers raised to the level of deities were worshipped through Mantras.

ii. Brahmanas : Prose made up of rituals and prayers containing instructions and methods for various rituals and sacrifices to invoke divine powers.

iii. Aranyakas : Appendages of Brahmanas. Aranya means a forest and Aranyakas are forest treatises which were products of contemplation of individuals who retired into quiet of Himalayas.

iv. Upanishads : The word is made up of upa (nearby) + ni (devotedly) + shad (sitting) meaning knowledge passed from Guru to disciple where the latter sits close to Guru. Being the last of Vedas, these are also called Vedanta ie. veda + anta (last or essence). There are are 108 accepted authentic Upanishads.

The Samhitas contain the main body of hymns and the portions containing commentaries are Brahmanas, Aranyakas & Upanishads. The Brahmanas are brahminical compositions whereas in Aranyakas & Upanishads the Kshatriyas came in for a substantial share. The former represent karma marg, the way of ritualistic duties, whereas the latter emphasized the jnana marg or the way of the intellect. If the Samhita is considered to be the tree, the Brahamanas is the flower, Aranyakas are the fruits (unripe) while Upanishads can be metaphorically compared to the phala or the ripe fruit.

There are also Vedangas that help understanding the Vedas & Upavedas that deal with different topics.

The six different Vedangas are as listed below:

i. Vyakarna (grammar)

ii. Shiksha (Phonetics)

iii. Chandas (metres)

iv. Nirukta (Etymology)

v. Jyotish (astrology/astronomy)

vi. Kalpas (rituals)

The four Upavedas or subsidiary Vedas are as follows:

i. Ayurveda (Medicine)

ii. Dhanurveda (Military science)

iii. Gandharvaveda (Music)

iv. Shilpaveda (Art & Architecture)

The Vedas and truths embodied in them are eternal in nature and hence we speak of sanatana (eternal) dharma (essence).