Part-V, Synopsis of Vedas

Part-V, Synopsis of Vedas

(Copy right protected by Dr. G.S. Tripathy)

The Vedas are sacred texts that provide knowledge. There are four Vedas known as Rig-Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharv-Veda.

These Vedas teach three paths – to salvation –

Jnana (Knowledge), Bhakti (Devotion) and Karma (Action).

The Rig-Veda is identified with the path of knowledge, the Yajurveda with the path of action, the Samaveda with the path of devotion.

Unlike other Vedas, the Atharv-Veda in addition to prayers, contains charms and spells and used to be recited to counteract evil influences during the course of sacrifice.

Some Important Points:

1. The word Veda literally means knowledge.

2. The root is –vid- to know.

3. Vedas are referred to “Trayi” or three.

4. They are acknowledged to have been Rig, Sama & Yajur Vedas.

5. The path to salvation are believed to be those of Jnan (Knowledge), Bhakti (Devotion) and Karma (Action).

6. Rig Veda - the path of knowledge.

Sama Veda - the path of devotion

Yajur Veda - the path of action

7. Each Veda has two parts - namely Samhita & Brahman.

8. Samhita consists of Mantras or incantations which are hymns used in sacrifices.

Mantras are difficult to interrupt without commentaries. This is what the Brahmins set out to do. They explain hymns and indicate how these are to be used in sacrifices.

9. Samhita and Brahmans are known as karmakanda.

10. Vedic literature includes Jnana Kanda which is the Aranyakas and Upanishads.

11. The Vedas were revealed not written or composed. They were Shrutis.

12. Vedas were communicated by Supreme God head or divine essence to the ancient seers or sages.

13. Rishis did not compose the Vedas. They merely obtained the divine knowledge through their extra-ordinary powers. In this sense Vedas are Apouneesheya

14. The authority cannot be ascribed to any human author.

15. In Hindu conception of time, the time is divided into four eras- Satya, Treta, Dvapar & Kali.

16. As one moves from Satya to kali- the power of righteousness diminishes and evil starts with its ugly head.

17. To bring man to the righteous path, the sacred knowledge of Vedas might be disseminated amongst them.

18. Vedas are abstract an esoteric-too difficult to comprehend.

19. To make dissemination and assimilation easier, the Vedas must be conveniently partitioned and divided into various groups.

20. A knowledgeable person who has thus divided Vedas has the Title Veda-vyas or Vyasdeva.

21. In every Dvapar yuga, such a brilliant vedavyas is born to perform this sacred task.

22. Krishna Dvaipayana vedavyas divided the original unified Vedas in to four segments. He only recapitulated what was already known before him. But he composed Mahabharata epic as a whole.

23. It is impossible to determine as to who composed Veda and when?

24. Widely different data’s have been suggested by scholars.

25. Earliest Veda is Rig-Veda. It is difficult to ascertain the date of final compilation.