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The Vedas (Samskrit : वेदाः) are a large body of ancient sacred 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 authorship.<ref name=":022">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 : वेदाः) are a large body of ancient sacred texts which have originated in [[Bharatvarsha|भारतवर्षः || Bharatavarsha]] (the ancient Indian subcontinent). The Vedic Seers have received the Vedas through revelation. Vedas are considered to be अपौरुषेयः ॥ ''[[Apauruseya|Apauruṣeya]]'', or entirely superhuman, without any authorship.<ref name=":022">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 Taittriya is the older version and the Sukla or the Vajasaneya is a later revelation to sage Yajnavalkya from Surya.<ref name=":022" /> 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 shakas (recensions).<ref name=":022" />

There are four Vedas: the ऋग्वेदः ॥ [[Rigveda]], the यजुर्वेदः ॥ [[Yajurveda]], the सामवेदः ॥ [[Samaveda (सामवेद)|Samaveda]] and the अथर्ववेदः ॥ [[Atharvaveda]]. The यजुर्वेदः ॥ Yajurveda is again divided into two parts- The शुक्लः ॥ Shukla and the कृष्णः ॥ Krishna. The कृष्णः ॥ Krishna or the तैत्तिरीयः ॥ Taittiriya is the older version and the शुक्लः ॥ Shukla or the वाजसनेयी ॥ Vajasaneyi is a later revelation to sage याज्ञवल्क्यः ॥ Yajnavalkya from सूर्यः ॥ Surya.<ref name=":022" /> The ऋग्वेदः ॥ Rigveda is divided into twenty one sections, the यजुर्वेदः ॥ Yajurveda into one hundred and nine sections, the सामवेदः ॥ Samaveda into one thousand sections and the अथर्ववेदः ॥ Atharvaveda into fifty sections. In all, the वेदः ॥ Veda is thus divided into one thousand one hundred and eighty शाखाः ॥ shakhas (recensions).<ref name=":022" />

== परिचयः|| Introduction ==

== परिचयः|| 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>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>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 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 name=":1">Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Sanskritiya Parichaya''. Hubli:​Sahitya Prakashana​.</ref>

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 name=":1">Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Sanskritiya Parichaya''. Hubli:​Sahitya Prakashana​.</ref>

== Vaidika and Loukika Sahityam ==

== वैदिकसाहित्यं लौकिकसाहित्यं च ॥ Vaidika and Loukika Sahitya ==

Classical samskrit works (loukika sahityam), 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 in them are 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.  

Classical samskrit works (loukika sahityam), 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 in them are 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.  

Regarding the origin of Vedas, Shabdakalpadruma further states that according to the Puranas and Markandeya rishi - once Brahma meditated on how to create and the Vedas then took birth out of Brahma's four faces with 21 shakas of Rigveda, 100 shakas of Yajus shakas, 1000 shakas of Samaveda and 9 shakas of Atharvaveda as given below<blockquote>वेदस्य प्रादुर्भावो यथा कदाचित्कथं सृक्ष्यामीति ध्यायतो ब्रह्मणो मुखचतुष्टयेभ्यश्चत्वारो वेदाः प्रादुरासन् यथा </blockquote><blockquote>एकविंशतिशाखात्मक - ऋक् १ शतशाखात्मक - यजुः २ सहस्रशाखामयसाम ३ नवशाखामयाथर्व्व ४ इति पुराणम् अपि च श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच । </blockquote>In the Mahabharata a also 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 texts based on Vedas such as श्रौत सूत्र || Shrauta Sutras and गृह्य सूत्र || Gryha Sutras, which are smriti texts.<ref name=":03">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:Sarvadeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha.</ref><blockquote>तेभ्यस्तप्तेभ्यस्त्रयो वेदा अजायन्त । अग्नेर्ऋग्वेदो वायोर्यजुर्वेदः सूर्यात् सामवेदः । (Shat. Brah. 11.5) as given by Pt. Sri Jayadevaji Sharma<ref name=":2">Sharma, Pt Sri Jayadevaji (2008) ''Rigveda Samhita Bhashabhashya Volume 1'' Ajmer: Arya Sahitya Mandal Ltd</ref><ref>Singh, Ahilya. (2010) PhD Thesis Title: [http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/180070/3/03_chapter%201.pdf Pracheen bharat mein aarthik jeevan prarambh se vaidik kaal tak]. V. B. S. Purvanchal University.</ref></blockquote><blockquote>तेभ्योऽभितप्तेभ्यस्त्रयो वेदा अजायन्त ऋग्वेद एवाग्नेरजायत यजुर्वेदो वायोः सामवेद आदित्यात् (Aite. Brah. 5.32)<ref>Aitareya Brahamana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%90%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%AF_%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE_%E0%A5%AB_(%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%AE_%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE) Panchaka 5])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>अग्निवायुरविभ्यस्तु त्रयं ब्रह्म सनातनम् । दुदोह यज्ञसिद्ध्यर्थं ऋग्यजुःसामलक्षणम् । । १.२३ । ।(Manu. Smri. 1.23)<ref>Manusmriti ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 1])</ref></blockquote>As seen all the above three mantras from different sources speak of the origin of Rigveda from Agni, Yajurveda from Vayu and Samaveda from Surya (also called Ravi and Aditya). Brahmanas ascribe the origin of Vedas from the Creator of the Universe, Brahma or Prajapati.

Regarding the origin of Vedas, Shabdakalpadruma further states that according to the Puranas and Markandeya rishi - once Brahma meditated on how to create and the Vedas then took birth out of Brahma's four faces with 21 shakas of Rigveda, 100 shakas of Yajus shakas, 1000 shakas of Samaveda and 9 shakas of Atharvaveda as given below<blockquote>वेदस्य प्रादुर्भावो यथा कदाचित्कथं सृक्ष्यामीति ध्यायतो ब्रह्मणो मुखचतुष्टयेभ्यश्चत्वारो वेदाः प्रादुरासन् यथा </blockquote><blockquote>एकविंशतिशाखात्मक - ऋक् १ शतशाखात्मक - यजुः २ सहस्रशाखामयसाम ३ नवशाखामयाथर्व्व ४ इति पुराणम् अपि च श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच । </blockquote>In the Mahabharata a also 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 texts based on Vedas such as श्रौत सूत्र || Shrauta Sutras and गृह्य सूत्र || Gryha Sutras, which are smriti texts.<ref name=":03">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:Sarvadeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha.</ref><blockquote>तेभ्यस्तप्तेभ्यस्त्रयो वेदा अजायन्त । अग्नेर्ऋग्वेदो वायोर्यजुर्वेदः सूर्यात् सामवेदः । (Shat. Brah. 11.5) as given by Pt. Sri Jayadevaji Sharma<ref name=":2">Sharma, Pt Sri Jayadevaji (2008) ''Rigveda Samhita Bhashabhashya Volume 1'' Ajmer: Arya Sahitya Mandal Ltd</ref><ref>Singh, Ahilya. (2010) PhD Thesis Title: [http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/180070/3/03_chapter%201.pdf Pracheen bharat mein aarthik jeevan prarambh se vaidik kaal tak]. V. B. S. Purvanchal University.</ref></blockquote><blockquote>तेभ्योऽभितप्तेभ्यस्त्रयो वेदा अजायन्त ऋग्वेद एवाग्नेरजायत यजुर्वेदो वायोः सामवेद आदित्यात् (Aite. Brah. 5.32)<ref>Aitareya Brahamana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%90%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%AF_%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE_%E0%A5%AB_(%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%AE_%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE) Panchaka 5])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>अग्निवायुरविभ्यस्तु त्रयं ब्रह्म सनातनम् । दुदोह यज्ञसिद्ध्यर्थं ऋग्यजुःसामलक्षणम् । । १.२३ । ।(Manu. Smri. 1.23)<ref>Manusmriti ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 1])</ref></blockquote>As seen all the above three mantras from different sources speak of the origin of Rigveda from Agni, Yajurveda from Vayu and Samaveda from Surya (also called Ravi and Aditya). Brahmanas ascribe the origin of Vedas from the Creator of the Universe, Brahma or Prajapati.

== वेदलक्षणम् || Vedalakshanam ==

== वेदलक्षणम् || Vedalakshana ==

Vedas have the following important attributes summarized here, apart from the many other characteristics, as discussed by scholars over ages.

Vedas have the following important attributes summarized here, apart from the many other characteristics, as discussed by scholars over ages.

* आस्तिक्यम् ॥ Astika (Belief in existence of a Supreme power)

* आस्तिक्यम् ॥ Astika (Belief in existence of a Supreme power)