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The Vedas (Samskrit: वेद véda, "knowledge") are a large body of sacred ancient texts which have originated in [[Bharatvarsha|भारतवर्ष || Bharatavarsha]] or the Indian subcontinent. The Hindus have received the Vedas through revelation. Vedas are considered to be ''[[Apauruseya|Apauruṣeya]]'', or entirely superhuman, without any author.<ref name=":0">Swami Sivananda, All About HInduism</ref> Composed in Vedic samskrit, these texts constitute the oldest layer of samskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of the world.

The Vedas (Samskrit: वेद véda, "knowledge") are a large body of sacred ancient texts which have originated in [[Bharatvarsha|भारतवर्ष || Bharatavarsha]] or the Indian subcontinent. The Hindus have received the Vedas through revelation. Vedas are considered to be ''[[Apauruseya|Apauruṣeya]]'', or entirely superhuman, without any author.<ref name=":0">Swami Sivananda, All About HInduism</ref> Composed in Vedic samskrit, these texts constitute the oldest layer of samskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of the world.

There are four Vedas: the [[Rigveda]], the [[Yajurveda]], the [[Samaveda (सामवेद)|Samaveda]] and the [[Atharvaveda]]. The Yajurveda is again divided into two parts- The Sukla and the Krishna. The Krishna or the Taittirya is the older book and the Sukla or the Vajasaneya is a later revelation to sage Yajnavalkya from Sun-God.<ref name=":0" /> The Rig-Veda is divided into twenty one sections, the Yajur Veda into one hundred and nine sections, the Sama Veda into one thousand sections and the Atharva Veda into fifty sections. In all, the Veda is thus divided into one thousand one hundred and eighty recensions.<ref name=":0" />

There are four Vedas: the [[Rigveda]], the [[Yajurveda]], the [[Samaveda (सामवेद)|Samaveda]] and the [[Atharvaveda]]. The Yajurveda is again divided into two parts- The Sukla and the Krishna. The Krishna or the Taittirya is the older version and the Sukla or the Vajasaneya is a later revelation to sage Yajnavalkya from Surya.<ref name=":0" /> The Rig-Veda is divided into twenty one sections, the Yajur Veda into one hundred and nine sections, the Sama Veda into one thousand sections and the Atharva Veda into fifty sections. In all, the Veda is thus divided into one thousand one hundred and eighty recensions.<ref name=":0" />

== परिचय || Introduction ==

== परिचय || Introduction ==

The great Vedic commentator, of the thirteenth century, [[Sayanacharya (सायनाचार्यः)|Sayana]] has given a definition of the Veda- <blockquote>"इष्टप्राप्ति - अनिष्टपरिहर्योर - अलौकिकम् - उपयम् यो ग्रन्थो वेदयति स वेदः ||"</blockquote><blockquote>"ishtaprapti-anishtapariharyor-alaukikam-upayam yo grantho vedayati  sa vedah ||"</blockquote>Meaning : The  scripture,  which  describes  the  divine  method  for obtaining what is desirable and for giving up what is undesirable, is called Veda.  

The great Vedic commentator, of the thirteenth century, [[Sayanacharya (सायनाचार्यः)|Sayana]] has given a definition of the Veda <blockquote>इष्टप्राप्ति - अनिष्टपरिहर्योर - अलौकिकम् - उपयम् यो ग्रन्थो वेदयति स वेदः ||</blockquote><blockquote>ishtaprapti-anishtapariharyor-alaukikam-upayam yo grantho vedayati  sa vedah ||</blockquote>Meaning : The  scripture,  which  describes  the  divine  method  for obtaining what is desirable and for giving up what is undesirable, is called Veda.  

This definition presents the purpose of the Veda. According to another definition, as per the sage [[Apastamba|अपस्तम्ब || Apastamba]]  <blockquote>"मन्त्र - ब्रह्मन्योर् - वेदनामधेयम् ||"</blockquote><blockquote>"mantra-brahmanyor-vedanamadheyam ||"</blockquote>Meaning : 'The Veda is the name given to the Mantras and the Brahmanas’.This definition describes the form of the 'Veda' because it could be divided mainly into these two great divisions--the Mantras and the Brahmanas. Accordingly, मन्त्र || Mantra part is the main part of the Veda and whatever is not Mantra is ब्राह्मण || Brahmana. Here it is interesting to know that many  ancient  definitions  of  Veda,  showing  its  significance,  form  or contents are given in ancient Indian texts. Generally speaking the word वेद || Veda signifies highest, sacred, eternal  and  divine  knowledge  as  well  as  the  texts embodying  that knowledge.  

This definition presents the purpose of the Veda. According to another definition, as per the sage [[Apastamba|अपस्तम्ब || Apastamba]]  <blockquote>मन्त्र - ब्रह्मन्योर् - वेदनामधेयम् || mantra-brahman or-vedanamadheyam ||</blockquote>Meaning : 'The Veda is the name given to the Mantras and the Brahmanas’.  

[[Sanatana Dharma|सनातन धर्म || Sanatana Dharma]], the lifestyle of Hindu people living in the Indian subcontinent, advocates that the Vedas are अपौरुषेय ॥ apauruṣeya ("not of a man" and "impersonal, authorless"). However, classical samskrit works which are different from the Vedic texts such as the महाकाव्य || mahakavyas and गद्य काव्य || gadya kavyas by different poets are available in great volumes. These texts are essentially different from the Vedas where the usage of Samskrit language is also different from the Vedic period. Vedic Samskrit is more ancient than classical Samskrit. Long before [[Panini]] systematized classical Samskrit grammar, निरुक्तम् || Niruktam was used to interpret Vedic Samskrit words.  

This definition describes the form of the 'Veda' because it could be divided mainly into these two great divisions--the Mantras and the Brahmanas. Accordingly, मन्त्र || Mantra part is the main part of the Veda and whatever is not Mantra is ब्राह्मण || Brahmana. Here it is interesting to know that many  ancient  definitions  of  Veda, showing  its  significance, form  or contents are given in ancient Indian texts. Generally speaking the word वेद || Veda signifies highest, sacred, eternal  and  divine  knowledge  as  well  as  the  texts embodying  that knowledge.<ref>Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Sanskritiya Parichaya''. Hubli:​Sahitya Prakashana​.</ref>

Vedas are also called श्रुति || Shrutis ("what is heard") distinguishing them from other religious texts, which are called स्मृति || Smṛti (what is remembered). The Vedas are revelations of ancient sages after intense meditation, passed on to thousands of future generations by शब्द ॥ shabd (sound) or transmitted verbally, thus carefully preserved since ancient times. Texts have been written and preserved in later ages.  

[[Sanatana Dharma|सनातन धर्म || Sanatana Dharma]], based lifestyle of Hindu people living in the Indian subcontinent, advocates that the Vedas are अपौरुषेय ॥ apauruṣeya ("not of a man" and "impersonal, authorless"). However, classical samskrit works, such as the महाकाव्य || mahakavyas and गद्य काव्य || gadya kavyas by different poets, are different from the Vedic texts and are available in great volumes. These texts and the usage of Samskrit language is also different from the Vedic texts. Vedic Samskrit is more ancient than classical Samskrit. Long before [[Panini]] systematized classical Samskrit grammar, निरुक्तम् || Niruktam was used to interpret Vedic Samskrit words.  

In the Mahabharata, the creation of Vedas is credited to Brahma. The Vedic hymns themselves assert that they were skillfully created by ऋषि || Rishis (sages), after inspired creativity, just as a  

carpenter builds a chariot. The Vedas (sruti) are different from other Vedic era texts such as श्रौत सूत्र || Shrauta Sutras and ग्र्यह सूत्र || Gryha Sutras, which are smriti texts.

 

In the Mahabharata, the creation of Vedas is credited to Brahma. The Vedic hymns themselves assert that they were skillfully created by ऋषिः || Rishis (sages), after inspired creativity, just as a carpenter builds a chariot. The Vedas (sruti) are different from other Vedic era texts such as श्रौत सूत्र || Shrauta Sutras and ग्र्यह सूत्र || Gryha Sutras, which are smriti texts.<ref>Acharya Dharma Deva Vidya Martanda. (2002). ''[https://archive.org/details/RigvedaWww.aryamantavya.in The Rigveda, with Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati's commentary, English translation, Vol I]''. New Delhi:Sarvadeshi Arya Pratinidhi Sabha.</ref>

[[Vedic language (वैदिक भाषा)|Vedic samskrit language]] being ancient is difficult to understand without the knowledge of [[Vaidika Vaangmayam|Vedaangas]], especially [[Nirukta (निरुक्तम्)|निरुक्तम् || Nirukta]] of Maharshi Yaska and the grammar of Panini and Patanjali. Maharshi [[Yaska']]<nowiki/>s Nirukta is special in that it is not only a dictionary of Vedic words but also an explanatory text for different Vedic terms.   

[[Vedic language (वैदिक भाषा)|Vedic samskrit language]] being ancient is difficult to understand without the knowledge of [[Vaidika Vaangmayam|Vedaangas]], especially [[Nirukta (निरुक्तम्)|निरुक्तम् || Nirukta]] of Maharshi Yaska and the grammar of Panini and Patanjali. Maharshi [[Yaska']]<nowiki/>s Nirukta is special in that it is not only a dictionary of Vedic words but also an explanatory text for different Vedic terms.   

The ownership of our knowledge systems are mainly in the hands of foreigners (through Indology) or Indians trained by Westerners who write our इतिहास || Itihasa (history) from the colonial standpoint, which is to maintain Western hegemony in academia and promote Western Universalism. This strategy of conquest has been in operation since the Edinburgh enlightenment (1750, as cited by Dharampal 2000) which compelled the East India Company to change its barbaric methodologies of conquest used in Europe, the Africas & Americas (Todorov 1974) to a more subtle & devious method to conquer India. The result was a complete infiltration of western false interpretation of Vedas in our knowledge networks through gross error.

The ownership of our knowledge systems are mainly in the hands of foreigners (through Indology) or Indians trained by Westerners who write our इतिहास || Itihasa (history) from the colonial standpoint, which is to maintain Western hegemony in academia and promote Western Universalism. This strategy of conquest has been in operation since the Edinburgh enlightenment (1750, as cited by Dharampal 2000) which compelled the East India Company to change its barbaric methodologies of conquest used in Europe, the Africas & Americas (Todorov 1974) to a more subtle & devious method to conquer India. The result was a complete infiltration of western false interpretation of Vedas in our knowledge networks through gross error.

Vedic scholarship in India, in the true sense of the term, appears to have ceased with the great work of Maharishi Yaska, albeit with a few exceptions like Swami Dayanand, Shri Aurobindo and Shri Tulsi Ram. Swami Dayananda asserts that the commentaries of modern writers like Sayana, Skanda, Vejikaa, Mahidhara and Western Indologists are gross misinterpretations. Many great Indian scholars endeavor to bring back the great Vedic tradition by translations conducted with Bharatiya perspective. Many drawbacks can be pointed out as to the lack of visibility of Indian Scholars well versed in Vedas.

Vedic scholarship in India, in the true sense of the term, appears to have ceased with the great work of Maharishi Yaska, albeit with a few exceptions like Swami Dayanand, Shri Aurobindo and Shri Tulsi Ram. Swami Dayananda asserts that the commentaries of modern writers like Sayana, Skanda, Vejikaa, Mahidhara and Western Indologists are gross misinterpretations. Many great Indian scholars endeavor to bring back the great Vedic tradition by translations conducted with Bharatiya perspective. Many drawbacks can be pointed out as to the lack of visibility of Indian Scholars well versed in Vedas.

# Many vedic scholars are aged seniors who chose to live in distant remote areas, silently practicing their knowledge.  Unable to imbibe different modern ways of life their existence has become obscure.   

# Many vedic scholars are aged seniors who chose to live in distant remote areas, silently practicing their knowledge.  Unable to imbibe different modern ways of life their existence has become obscure.   

# Mental and physical connect with the modern systems is lacking owing to simple lifestyle and lack of funds to these scholars.

# Mental and physical connect with the modern systems is lacking owing to simple lifestyle and lack of funds to these scholars.

# Indian Urban society discusses or views the modern so called "Indology", with the western indoctrination, refusing to accept the fundamental theories of the Vedic scholars.

# Indian Urban society discusses or views the modern so called "Indology", with the western indoctrination, refusing to accept the fundamental theories of the Vedic scholars.

# English language given it's present day glory and spread, is grossly insufficient to explain the numerous nuances of the divine language samskrit.

# English language given its present day glory and spread, is grossly insufficient to explain the numerous nuances of the divine language samskrit.

# Extensiveness of the Vedas and sufficiency of a lifetime to study and interpret them in modern sense requires expertise in both the subject and language which is difficult to achieve in a life time.  

# Extensiveness of the Vedas and sufficiency of a lifetime to study and interpret them in modern sense requires expertise in both the subject and language which is difficult to achieve in a life time.  

# Invasion of Bharatavarsha by various foreigners have brought about adjustments and alterations in the धार्मिक || dharmic lifestyle as survival tactics against the foreign rulers, which brought about a loss of the fundamental principles advocated by the scriptures.  

# Invasion of Bharatavarsha by various foreigners have brought about adjustments and alterations in the धार्मिक || dharmic lifestyle as survival tactics against the foreign rulers, which brought about a loss of the fundamental principles advocated by the scriptures.  

Dharma is a samskrit expression of the widest import. There is no corresponding word for Dharma in any other language in this world as it is a unique and ancient concept promulgated by rishis since times immemorial. It would be futile to attempt to give any definition of the word. It can only be explained and has a wide variety of meanings. For instance, the word "Dharma" is used to mean न्याय || Nyaya (Justice), what is right in a given circumstance, moral values of life, pious obligations of individuals, righteous conduct in every sphere of activity, being helpful to the the needy, giving charity to individuals in need or for a public cause, natural qualities or properties of characteristics of a living being or things, duty and law as also constitutional law.  Dharma is regarded as the greatest and most valuable contribution to humanity by Bharatavarsha.   

Dharma is a samskrit expression of the widest import. There is no corresponding word for Dharma in any other language in this world as it is a unique and ancient concept promulgated by rishis since times immemorial. It would be futile to attempt to give any definition of the word. It can only be explained and has a wide variety of meanings. For instance, the word "Dharma" is used to mean न्याय || Nyaya (Justice), what is right in a given circumstance, moral values of life, pious obligations of individuals, righteous conduct in every sphere of activity, being helpful to the the needy, giving charity to individuals in need or for a public cause, natural qualities or properties of characteristics of a living being or things, duty and law as also constitutional law.  Dharma is regarded as the greatest and most valuable contribution to humanity by Bharatavarsha.   

Contemporary knowledge and academia is not able to help us ascertain the right direction in life,. To understand Bharatiyata as experienced by our ancient Rishis and lead a Dharmic life requires revisiting our civilisational heritage through the wisdom bank of the Vedas. Compiling relevant literature that is timely, supportive and relevant to the original वेदविद्या || VedaVidya may be seen as regressive by self-styled modernists and liberals, but this should not deter us as it is an indication of the power of the annihilating  forces. Predictions of the future being bleak and bringing destruction are made regularly, yet the same destructive systems are seen as wisdom?  Notably, "If the future is seen as destructive, how come revisiting time-tested successful systems is seen as unproductive?"

Contemporary knowledge and academia is not able to help us ascertain the right direction in life,. To understand Bharatiyata as experienced by our ancient Rishis and lead a Dharmic life requires revisiting our civilisational heritage through the wisdom bank of the Vedas. Compiling relevant literature that is timely, supportive and relevant to the original वेदविद्या || VedaVidya may be seen as regressive by self-styled modernists and liberals, but this should not deter us as it is an indication of the power of the annihilating  forces. Predictions of the future being bleak and bringing destruction are made regularly, yet the same destructive systems are seen as wisdom?  Notably, "If the future is seen as destructive, how come revisiting time-tested successful systems is seen as unproductive?" The compilation of our Dharmic texts also becomes essential as the self-appointed ‘knowledge leaders’ will need  some definitive yardstick to judge both the progressive and the destructive. Without such a yardstick, knowledge creation remains the outcome of a whimsical mind, or propaganda for political/territorial gains or media-generated fodder for control of the world’s resources by a few rich corporations, leading to eventual destruction.<nowiki/><nowiki/><nowiki/>''<nowiki/>''

The compilation of our Dharmic texts also becomes essential as the self-appointed ‘knowledge leaders’ will need  some definitive yardstick to judge both the progressive and the destructive. Without such a yardstick, knowledge creation remains the outcome of a whimsical mind, or propaganda for political/territorial gains or media-generated fodder for control of the world’s resources by a few rich corporations, leading to eventual destruction.<nowiki/><nowiki/><nowiki/>''<nowiki/>''

== सम्वाद || Discussion ==

== सम्वाद || Discussion ==

<references />

<references />

# Acharya Dharma Deva Vidya Martanda. (2002). ''[https://archive.org/details/RigvedaWww.aryamantavya.in The Rigveda, with Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati's commentary, English translation, Vol I]''. New Delhi:Sarvadeshi Arya Pratinidhi Sabha.

#  

 

[[Category:Hindu texts]]

[[Category:Hindu texts]]

[[Category:Sanskrit texts]]

[[Category:Sanskrit texts]]

[[Category:Works of unknown authorship]]

[[Category:Works of unknown authorship]]