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== Etymology and usage ==

== Etymology and usage ==

The samskrit word véda "knowledge, wisdom" is derived from the root vid- "to know".  

The samskrit word वेद (véda) "knowledge, wisdom" is derived from the root विद् (vid) - "to know".  

The samskrit term veda as a common noun means "knowledge", but can also be used to refer  

The samskrit term veda as a common noun means "knowledge", but can also be used to refer  

# निगमम् || Nigamam

# निगमम् || Nigamam

The term "Vedic texts" is used in two distinct meanings:  Texts composed in Vedic Samskrit during the Vedic period and other texts considered as "connected to the Vedas" or a "corollary of the Vedas".

The term "Vedic texts" is used in two distinct meanings:  Texts composed in Vedic Samskrit during the Vedic period and other texts considered as "connected to the Vedas" or a "ancillary of the Vedas".

== महर्षिवेदव्यासेम संहितीकरण || Codification by Maharshi Vedavyasa ==

== महर्षिवेदव्यासेन संहितीकरण || Codification by Maharshi Vedavyasa ==

It is believed that the potency of the Vedas started decaying with the departure of Bhagavan Sri Krishna from this world. Even this was considered to be a Divine Plan for the Kali Yuga as per which only a part of the glory and effulgence of the Vedas is to be left over from total extinction. This Divine Arrangement could be put through the agency of [[वेदव्यासः ॥ Vedavyasa|वेदव्यासः ॥ Vedavyasa,]] the son of Sage Parashara. He was known as Dwaipayana as he was born in an island (Dweepa). He was considered as a manifestation of Bhagawan Sri Krishna himself for fulfilling a specific purpose in this world and hence he was known as Krishna Dwaipayana. He was also known as Badarayana.

It is believed that the potency of the Vedas started decaying with the departure of Bhagavan Sri Krishna from this world. Even this was considered to be a Divine Plan for the Kali Yuga as per which only a part of the glory and effulgence of the Vedas is to be left over from total extinction. This Divine Arrangement could be put through the agency of [[वेदव्यासः ॥ Vedavyasa|वेदव्यासः ॥ Vedavyasa,]] the son of Sage Parashara. He was known as Dwaipayana as he was born in an island (Dweepa). He was considered as a manifestation of Bhagawan Sri Krishna himself for fulfilling a specific purpose in this world and hence he was known as Krishna Dwaipayana. He was also known as Badarayana.

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|<nowiki> ऋग || Rig </nowiki>

|<nowiki> ऋग् || Rig </nowiki>

| Paila

| Paila

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|-

|<nowiki> यजुस || Yajus</nowiki>

|<nowiki> यजुस् || Yajus</nowiki>

| Vaishampayana

| Vaishampayana

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|<nowiki> सम || Sama</nowiki>

|<nowiki> साम || Sama</nowiki>

| Jaimini

| Jaimini

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|<nowiki> अथर्वन || Atharvan</nowiki>

|<nowiki> अथर्वण || Atharvan</nowiki>

| Sumantu

| Sumantu

|}

|}

== वेदवर्गीकरण || Classification of Vedas ==

== वेदवर्गीकरण || Classification of Vedas ==

There are four Vedas as compiled by the Great Rushi Veda Vyasa said to be for the ease of understanding them:  

There are four Vedas as compiled by the Great Rushi Veda Vyasa said to be for the ease of understanding them:  

# ऋग्वेद || The Rigveda  

# ऋग्वेदम् || The Rigveda  

# यजुर्वेद || The Yajurveda  

# यजुर्वेदम् || The Yajurveda  

# सामवेद || The Samaveda  

# सामवेदम् || The Samaveda  

# अथर्ववेद || The Atharvaveda''.''  

# अथर्वणवेदम् || The Atharvaveda''.''  

Of these, the first three were the principal original division, also called त्रयी विद्या || trayī vidyā, that is, "the triple science" of reciting hymns (Rigveda), performing sacrifices (Yajurveda), and chanting songs (Samaveda). The Rigveda is the oldest work, which according to the Western Indologist Witzel, is probably from the period of 1900 to 1100 BC. However, till date no authentic dating method has been able to date literary works accurately.  Only one version of the Rigveda is known to have survived into the modern era. Several different versions of the Sama Veda and the Atharva Veda are known, and many different versions of the Yajur Veda have been found in different parts of South Asia.   

Of these, the first three were the principal original division, also called त्रयी विद्या || trayī vidyā, that is, "the triple science" of reciting hymns (Rigveda), performing sacrifices (Yajurveda), and chanting songs (Samaveda). The Rigveda is the oldest work, which according to the Western Indologist Witzel, is probably from the period of 1900 to 1100 BC. However, till date no authentic dating method has been able to date literary works accurately.  Only one version of the Rigveda is known to have survived into the modern era. Several different versions of the Sama Veda and the Atharva Veda are known, and many different versions of the Yajur Veda have been found in different parts of South Asia.   

== वेदविभाग || Sub Classification of Vedas ==

== वेदविभागम् || Sub Classification of Vedas ==

Each Veda has been sub-classified into four major text types –  

Each Veda has been sub-classified into four major text types –  

# संहिता || Samhitas (mantras)

# संहिता || Samhitas (mantras)

Some scholars add a fifth category namely the उपासना || Upasanas (worship).

Some scholars add a fifth category namely the उपासना || Upasanas (worship).

The various Indian philosophies and denominations have taken differing positions on the Vedas. Schools of Indian philosophy which cite the Vedas as their  

The various Indian philosophies and denominations have taken differing positions on the Vedas. Schools of Indian philosophy which cite the Vedas as their scriptural authority are classified as आस्तिक || āstika (orthodox). Other traditions, such as Lokayata, Charvaka, Ajivika, Buddhism and Jainism, which did not regard the Vedas as authorities are referred to as नास्तिक || nāstika ("heterodox" or "non-orthodox") schools. Despite their differences, just like the texts of the श्रमण || śramaṇa traditions, the layers of texts in the Vedas discuss similar ideas and concepts.

scriptural authority are classified as "orthodox" (āstika). Other traditions, such as Lokayata, Charvaka, Ajivika, Buddhism and Jainism, which did not regard the Vedas as authorities are referred to as नास्तिक || nāstika ("heterodox" or "non-orthodox") schools. Despite their differences, just like the texts of the श्रमण || śramaṇa traditions, the layers of texts in the Vedas discuss similar ideas and concepts.

While composition of Brahmanas and Aranyakas ceased with the end of the Vedic period, additional Upanishads were composed after the end of the Vedic period.  

While composition of Brahmanas and Aranyakas ceased with the end of the Vedic period, additional Upanishads were composed after the end of the Vedic period.  

== Dating सनातन धर्म || Sanatana Dharma ==

== Dating सनातन धर्म || Sanatana Dharma ==

The Vedas are among  

The Vedas are among the oldest sacred texts known to mankind. Although many Western scholars

the oldest sacred texts known to mankind. Although many Western scholars

have given their versions about the age of Vedas, it is generally  

have given their versions about the age of Vedas, it is generally  

accepted that Vedas are the oldest known texts available as is Sanatana  

accepted that Vedas are the oldest known texts available as is Sanatana Dharma.  The Vedic period was blooming with the composition of the  

Dharma.  The Vedic period was blooming with the composition of the  

mantra texts, with discussions and debates on the Samhitas and Brahmanas, with the exposition of Dharmic principles by Suta and Sounaka rishis, with the establishment of the various shakhas all over भारतखण्ड || Bharatakhanda which was as far as Afghanistan or खण्डहार || Khandahar on the west and Indonesia in the South East. It flourished well and was given the grammatical structure by Panini, in the 2nd Century B.C.   

mantra texts, with discussions and debates on the Samhitas and  

Brahmanas, with the exposition of Dharmic principles by Suta and Sounaka

rishis, with the establishment of the various shakhas all over  

भारतखण्ड || Bharatakhanda which was as far as Afghanistan or खण्डहर || Khandahar on the west  

and Indonesia in the South East. It flourished well and was given the  

grammatical structure by Panini, in the 2nd Century B.C.   

The modern researchers are still struggling to fix up the exact period of the Vedas and there is no final conclusion as yet. Their conclusions differ as widely as 25000 years B.C. to 1000 years B.C. However, the general consensus among most of the Indian scholars is to consider the Mohenjadaro-Harappa culture i.e. about 3000 B.C. to be the later phase of Vedic culture. This brings us to conclude that the date of the Rig-Veda, considered as the earliest in human history, is around 10,000 B.C.  

The modern researchers are still struggling to fix the exact period of the Vedas and there is no final conclusion as yet. Their conclusions differ as widely as 25000 years B.C. to 1000 years B.C. However, the general consensus among most of the Indian scholars is to consider the Mohenjadaro-Harappa culture i.e. about 3000 B.C. to be the later phase of Vedic culture. This brings us to conclude that the date of the Rig-Veda, considered as the earliest in human history, is around 10,000 B.C.  

However, with  

However, with the advent of Islam and Christianity in the West and Buddhism and Jainism, with various shakhas at war with each other,various philosophies with different ideologies have impacted the Indian religious concepts, with many views questioning the veracity of Vedas in the present age.  

the advent of Islam and Christianity in the West and Buddhism and  

Jainism, with various shakhas at war with each other,various  

philosophies with different ideologies have impacted the Indian  

religious concepts, with many views questioning the veracity of Vedas in

the present age.  

The largely  

The largely publicized myths about Vedas, by Western Indologists such as Witzel, Jack Goody, Renou, Bloomfield, Kenneth Zysk, Axel Michaels, Max Muller and the many others, have been around, for the past three hundred years when Indian subcontinent was colonized and plundered by the Western civilizations. Many of these myths are being questioned and are diligently being proved false by the present generations of Vedic scholars lately.  

publicized myths about Vedas, by Western Indologists such as Witzel,  

Jack Goody, Renou, Bloomfield, Kenneth Zysk, Axel Michaels, Max Muller and the many others,  

have been around, for the past three hundred years when Indian  

subcontinent was colonized and plundered by the Western civilizations.

Many of these myths are being questioned and are diligently being proved

false by the present generations of Vedic scholars lately.  

== वेदपरिरक्षण || Preservation of Vedas ==

== वेदपरिरक्षण || Preservation of Vedas ==

Transmission of  

Transmission of texts in the Vedic period was by oral tradition, preserved with precision with the help of elaborate mnemonic techniques. A literary tradition is traceable in post-Vedic times, after the rise of Buddhism in the Maurya period, perhaps earliest in the Kanva recension of the Yajurveda about the 1st century BC; however oral tradition of transmission remained active. The Vedas were likely written down for the first time around 500 BC.  However, all printed editions of the Vedas that survive in the modern times are likely the version existing in about the 16th century AD.  

texts in the Vedic period was by oral tradition, preserved with  

precision with the help of elaborate mnemonic techniques. A literary  

tradition is traceable in post-Vedic times, after the rise of Buddhism  

in the Maurya period, perhaps earliest in the Kanva recension of the  

Yajurveda about the 1st century BC; however oral tradition of  

transmission remained active. The Vedas were likely written down for the first time around 500 BC.  However, all printed editions of the Vedas that survive in the modern times are likely the version existing in about the 16th century AD.  

Due to the ephemeral nature of the manuscript material (birch bark or palm leaves), surviving manuscripts rarely surpass an age of a few hundred years. The Sampurnanand Samskrit University has a Rigveda manuscript from the 14th century; however, there are a number of older Veda manuscripts in Nepal that are dated from the 11th century onwards.     

Due to the ephemeral nature of the manuscript material (birch bark or palm leaves), surviving manuscripts rarely surpass an age of a few hundred years. The Sampurnanand Samskrit University has a Rigveda manuscript from the 14th century; however, there are a number of older Veda manuscripts in Nepal that are dated from the 11th century onwards.     

# क्रम पाठ || Krama-Patha-  in which two words of a Mantra are spoken jointly as  Ka-kha, kha-ga.

# क्रम पाठ || Krama-Patha-  in which two words of a Mantra are spoken jointly as  Ka-kha, kha-ga.

There were eight ways i.e., विकृति || Vikritis of memorizing Vedas. These are   

There were eight ways i.e., विकृति || Vikritis of memorizing Vedas. These are   

# पाठ || Jatapatha

# जातपाठ || Jatapatha

# मालपाठ || Malapatha

# मालापाठ || Malapatha

# शिखापाठ || Shikhapatha  

# शिखापाठ || Shikhapatha  

# रेखापाठ || Rekhapatha  

# रेखापाठ || Rekhapatha