The word Veda means knowledge. The Vedas are ancient texts written in India in the time period between 1500 BCE and 1000 BCE. These Vedic texts are primeval sources of human culture and civilization. The Vedas refers to wisdom, knowledge or vision. We don't know much about who wrote the Vedas. The origin can be traced from 1500 BCE, when Aryans came from central Asia, crossed Hindu Kush mountain. Vedic texts were written in Sanskrit which is the language of ancient India with a history of 3500 years.
There are four Vedas - Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, Atharva Veda. Out of these four Vedas,the earliest specimen of Indian literature is Rig Veda. It is an anthology of hymns in ten books, I-X. Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, Atharva Veda were written after the age of Rig Veda.
Rig Veda(10589 Verses) - Gyana or Knowledge
Yajur Veda(1975 Verses) - Concepts of KARMA
Sama Veda(1875 Verses) - Practice of BHAKTI
Atharva Veda(5977 Verses) - VIGYANA (Science)
The ancient Vedic texts include Samhitās, Brāhmanas, Āranyakas, Upnishads, Vedāngas and Kalpa-Sūtras. These present hymns, prayers and ritual formulae. The most ancient form of Brāhmanism is Vedism which was establishd by four Vedas and Vedic texts.
The Brāhmanas
It was composed after closure of Rig Veda. It contains ritualistic texts and religious duties. It is a guidebook for priests who perform sacrfices and rites. The episodes of dharma and interpretation of satya are narrated in it which forms basis of every philosophy. It forms the bridge betwen Samhitās on one hand and Upanisads on the other hand.
The Āranyakas
These are forest texts having magical powers, which are kept away from people and are read in isolated places, mostly in forests. It aism of persuing religious and spiritual goals. Āranyakas and Upanisads continue the tradition of metaphysical sections of Brāhmanas. In addition to ritual elements, we can trace physical, cosmic, academic and philosophical materials in Āranyakas. In Āranyakas, time is treated as indivisble and eternal.
The Upanishads
It contains concluding portions of Vedas and essence of Vedic teaching. Thus it is also known as "Vedanta". Its paths are more scietific than religious. Period of Upanisads was followed by composition of texts known as Vedāngas or Sūtras. These texts are recognized as written by humans. Upanishads along with Āranyakas form the concluding portions of Brāhmanas and it discuss philosophical problems.
The Āranyakas
These are forest texts having magical powers, which are kept away from people and are read in isolated places, mostly in forests. It aism of persuing religious and spiritual goals. Āranyakas and Upanisads continue the tradition of metaphysical sections of Brāhmanas. In addition to ritual elements, we can trace physical, cosmic, academic and philosophical materials in Āranyakas. In Āranyakas, time is treated as indivisble and eternal.
The Upanishads
It contains concluding portions of Vedas and essence of Vedic teaching. Thus it is also known as "Vedanta". Its paths are more scietific than religious. Period of Upanisads was followed by composition of texts known as Vedāngas or Sūtras. These texts are recognized as written by humans. Upanishads along with Āranyakas form the concluding portions of Brāhmanas and it discuss philosophical problems.