An Explanation About Vedic Text

Vedic texts are an integral component of the early Vedic period of India. This period began with the formation of many kingdoms in the north western parts of India. The Vedic culture is associated with the emerging domains and communities such as Mahajanapadas and the beginning of the Mauryan empire. The Vedic period was the prime period where the sudden growth of literature, especially the influence of Sanskrit literature, began. From this period India never looked back on because of substantial development and cultural advancements in the society. In this article, you can expect to learn everything about the Vedic period, from when the early Vedic period began and the importance of Vedic texts in those days.

What are Vedas? 

• The Vedas came into existence during the period of the Indo-Aryan civilization and were given the designation of the highest sacred book of all time in Hinduism
• The Vedas work to provide solutions to the problems faced by ordinary people in solving traditional problems in life with the help of imparting spiritual knowledge
• The Vedas are treated as the language of some God, which serves the purpose of getting a fixed vision in life and getting some wisdom and knowledge to face through the test of time with bravery and hope
• The Vedic texts were the proven scriptures ever followed to check the actions based on legal,  social, domestic, and religious customs
• The Vedic texts were the first hand-written wisdom book made by a human being
• The early Vedic period began around 1700 BCE 

Who Wrote These Vedic Texts?

• The official paperback version and document version of this precious Vedic period literature was proposed by V K. Dwaipayana around the period of 1500 BC.As per the legends, the Vedas have been told to be given to the Indian sages a long time ago by the gods
• The insightful texts were passed down from one generation to another by a regular recitation of the ancient sacred texts
• Going back to the time of origin of the Vedic texts, everything started after the disputed invasion theory of Aryans. It was believed that the actual origin of the Sanskrit language came from the Indo-European dialects 

Classification Of The Vedic Texts

• The Vedas comprise four pillars of Indian literature: the Rig-Veda, the Yajur Veda, the Sama Veda, and the Atharva Veda
• These four components of Vedas, when combined are called “Chaturveda,” Each component of the Vedic texts contained four aspects of the literature, the rituals (Brahamans), the philosophies (Upanishads), the theologies (Aranyakas), and the hymns (Samhitas) 

There are four categories of Vedas, and each veda from the Chaturveda has these four aspects.

• The Brahamanas have to deal with the teaching about the perception and respective religious responsibilities and duties that everyone should do

• The Aranyakas are also called forest texts that serve the purpose of providing meditation to the ascetics, the peoples who deal with mysticism in the forest

• The Upanishads are the end portions of each Vedas. It has to do with providing wisdom and lessons every common man should learn to face the test of life wisely

Four Pillars Of Early Vedic Period

• Although Vedas are not very common nowadays, and you’ll rarely see people infatuated or interested in reading these historical Vedic texts. But, there is no doubt in stating the fact that the original foundation of Hinduism that is “Sanatan Dharma” which means a universal religion, is the product of these Vedic texts

1. Rig Veda: – The Rig Veda is the collection of inspired hymns and information on the deities of Gods from the Aryans community. The Rig Veda is the oldest book that contains details of Vedic period in Sanskrit language. The Rig Veda comprises 1028 hymns, inside which it has 10,600 paragraphs, the hymns are written in the form of eight ‘astakas, that has eight chapters or “adahyays”. In total, Rig Veda has 10 books (mandalas). 
2. Sama Veda: – Some of the verses present in the Sama Veda have been derived from the Rig Veda itself. The Sama Veda is the book that has a collection of musical notes and melodies (samans). The difference in all the teaching and wisdom from the texts of Rig Veda has been given a form of mantras for making it easier to recite in prayers and the application of the Sama Veda comes while chanting the mantras. 
3. Yajur Veda: – The word “Yajur” has been derived from the original word “Yajus” which means sacrificial texts. The Yajur Veda has to serve its purpose by being a guidebook or helpbook for the priests or sages by imparting them practical knowledge on the basis of demands in the ceremonial religion. The priests who are involved in sacrificial acts while muttering the sacrificial poems and sacrificial vedic texts.
4. Atharva Veda: – The Atharva Veda is also known as the book of spells. The Atharva Veda holds the second most importance of these four Vedas after the Rig Vedas when it comes to sociology and history. The Atharva Veda has hymns and poems just like the Rig Veda but in a more sophisticated manner. The hymns of the Atharva Veda have major portions of magic incantations and charms written in the form of more diverse character and in easy language. 

Conclusion

The Vedic texts are the embodiment of all the wisdom and lessons in the form of Sanskrit literature from sages that have been passed down from one generation to another by oral traditional mode of communication from the early Vedic period. The Vedic texts are primarily made up of Sanskrit poems, hymns, religious literature, and prayers.

Related Articles: