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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. Composed in Vedic samskrit, these texts constitute the oldest layer of samskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of the world. 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 Vedas (Samskrit: वेद véda, "knowledge") are a large body of sacred ancient texts which have originated in [[Bharatvarsha|भारतवर्ष || Bharatavarsha]] or the Indian subcontinent. Composed in Vedic samskrit, these texts constitute the oldest layer of samskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of the world. 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 ||</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.  

== परिचय || Introduction ==

== परिचय || Introduction ==

[[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.  

[[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.  

Vedas are also called श्रुति || Shrutis ("what is heard") distinguishing them from other religious  

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.  

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.  

In the Mahabharata, the creation of Vedas is credited to  

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  

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.

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.

# Modernization or replacement of ancient tools of work with modern instrumentation has led to loss of knowledge of such ancient systems which promote dharmic lifestyle inconveniencing the scholars and forcing many of them to adapt to such new lifestyles.

# Modernization or replacement of ancient tools of work with modern instrumentation has led to loss of knowledge of such ancient systems which promote dharmic lifestyle inconveniencing the scholars and forcing many of them to adapt to such new lifestyles.

# Present day adaptation of western ways of life has replaced the ancient lifestyle leading to a cultural loss of vedic rituals and traditions, whereby the younger generations are unwilling to study or practice the older traditions. This led to formation of only a few scholars in the later generations.

# Present day adaptation of western ways of life has replaced the ancient lifestyle leading to a cultural loss of vedic rituals and traditions, whereby the younger generations are unwilling to study or practice the older traditions. This led to formation of only a few scholars in the later generations.

== The Dharmic (Indian) Worldview ==

== The Dharmic (Indian) Worldview ==