Author: Sweety Vyas
The word Veda is derived from the Sanskrit root “veda,” meaning knowledge. The Vedas are the oldest known spiritual texts in Hinduism, revered as divine revelations or Śruti—truths heard directly from the Supreme by sages. Śruti means “that which is heard,” and this knowledge was passed down through generations before being written down in the 2nd century BCE. The Vedas are of universal appeal, addressing timeless knowledge.
There are four Vedas: Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, and Atharva Veda.
Rig Veda
This is the oldest and largest of the Vedas, composed of hymns dedicated to various deities. The word “rig” means praise, making it the foundation for the other Vedas. Within it, one finds knowledge on yoga, mantra, and meditation. The Rig Veda comprises ten books called Mandalas, and it includes the renowned Gayatri Mantra, dedicated to the sun deity Savitar, found in Mandala 3. The famous Purusha Sukta hymn is also part of this Veda. The verses were traditionally recited by priests known as Hotris.
Yajur Veda
The Yajur Veda addresses knowledge of worship and consists of invocations and prayers for ceremonies and rituals. Its mantras are in prose, recited softly, and serve as a guide for the Adhvaryu priests who performed ritualistic work in Yajna (sacrifice). This Veda is divided into two branches—Shukla Yajur Veda (White Yajur Veda) and Krishna Yajur Veda (Black Yajur Veda). The White Yajur Veda is “arranged,” focusing on mantra recitations, while the Black Yajur Veda includes additional explanations.
Sama Veda
The word “sama” means song, and the Sama Veda is the Veda of melodies. It is the shortest Veda and is often regarded as the most prominent. Its central theme is devotion and worship, featuring musical chants and melodies used in Vedic rituals. Derived from the Rig Veda, the hymns in Sama Veda are arranged in musical patterns called Samaganas, chanted during rituals. Indian classical music and dance trace their origins back to the Sama Veda.
Atharva Veda
The Atharva Veda imparts knowledge of medicine, compiled by sages Atharvan and Angiras. It explores healing herbs, charms, and magical spells and introduces meditation techniques. Often seen as the root of Ayurveda, it includes mantras for curing mental and physical diseases, along with protection from snakebites and other dangers. Topics within Atharva Veda range from geography, herbs, and Ayurveda, to politics, virtue, surgery, salvation, and philanthropy.
Conclusion
The Vedas are the cornerstone of Indian spirituality, studied and revered since ancient times. Written in Sanskrit, they explore diverse subjects, including knowledge, worship, science, and righteous action. Many sages have deeply studied the Vedas and authored works based on them.
The Gayatri Mantra, known as Ved Mata (Mother of the Vedas), is considered the essence of the Vedas. Based on a verse from the Rig Veda and attributed to sage Vishwamitra, it dispels ignorance. Chanting this mantra purifies the mind, fosters higher knowledge, and removes sins, instilling spiritual confidence in the seeker. All Vedic mantras find their origin in the Gayatri Mantra.
References:
- Milk, Honey, and Grapes – Simple Hinduism Concepts for Everyone by Kiran Mehta
- Vedic Heritage
