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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 authorship.<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 authorship.<ref name=":02">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=":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 shakas (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 Taittriya is the older version and the Sukla or the Vajasaneya is a later revelation to sage Yajnavalkya from Surya.<ref name=":02" /> 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=":02" />

== परिचय || Introduction ==

== परिचय || Introduction ==

== Vedalakshanam ==

== Vedalakshanam ==

Vedas have the following important attributes summarized here as discussed by scholars over years.

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

* आस्तिकता ॥ Astika

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

* अपौरुषेयता ॥ Apauruṣeya

* सनातनता ॥ Sanatana

* अपौरुषेयता ॥ Apauruṣeya (Authorless)

* धर्मसाधनता ॥ Dharmasadhana

* सनातनता ॥ Sanatana (Eternal)

* सर्वज्ञानमौलिकता ॥ Source of all knowledge

* धर्मसाधनम् ॥ Dharmasadhana (Means of Dharma)

* सर्वज्ञानमौलिकता ॥ Sarvajnanata (Source of all knowledge)

In Manusmriti, Manu extensively discusses various aspects of Vedas in the 12th Adhayaya.

In Manusmriti, Manu extensively discusses various aspects of Vedas in the 12th Adhayaya.

=== सनातनता ॥ Sanatana ===

=== सनातनता ॥ Sanatana ===

In the opinion of Manu, Veda is the eternal eye सनातनं चक्षुः of पितृ, देव, and मनुष्य. Veda is beyond the sphere of human power to create (अशक्यम्) and beyond the human comprehension too (अप्रमेयम्).<ref name=":1">Patel, Gautam. (1999). ''Traditional Vedic Interpretations.'' New Delhi : Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan</ref>

In the opinion of Manu, Veda is the eternal eye सनातनं चक्षुः of पितृ, देव, and मनुष्य. Veda is beyond the sphere of human power to create (अशक्यम्) and beyond the human comprehension too (अप्रमेयम्).<ref name=":12">Patel, Gautam. (1999). ''Traditional Vedic Interpretations.'' New Delhi : Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan</ref>

पितृदेवमनुष्याणां वेदश्चक्षुः सनातनम् । अशक्यं चाप्रमेयं च वेदशास्त्रं इति स्थितिः । । १२.९४ (Manu. Smri. 12.94)<ref name=":2">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%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 12])</ref>  

पितृदेवमनुष्याणां वेदश्चक्षुः सनातनम् । अशक्यं चाप्रमेयं च वेदशास्त्रं इति स्थितिः । । १२.९४ (Manu. Smri. 12.94)<ref name=":22">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%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 12])</ref>  

[[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").  

[[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").  

=== सर्वज्ञानमौलिकता ॥ Source of all knowledge ===

=== सर्वज्ञानमौलिकता ॥ Source of all knowledge ===

Manusmriti says - The eternal scriptures, the Vedas, uphold all created beings, hence I hold that to be Supreme which is the means of obtaining happiness to these creatures.<ref name=":1" />

According to Brhadyogi-Yajnavalkya-Smriti (Page No. 11 of Ved aur Vedarth)<ref>Shastri, Jwalanth Kumar. (2009) ''Ved aur vedarth'' Rajasthan: Shridoodhmal Prahladkumar Arya Dharmarth Nyasa</ref>

बिभर्ति सर्वभूतानि वेदशास्त्रं सनातनम् । तस्मादेतत्परं मन्ये यज्जन्तोरस्य साधनम् । । १२.९९ । । (Manu. Smri. 12.99)<ref name=":2" />

न वेदशास्त्रादन्यत्तु किंचिच्छास्त्रं हि विद्यते । निःसृतं सर्वशास्त्रं तु वेदशास्त्रात् सनातनम् ॥ (Brha. Smri . 12.1)

=== धर्ममौलिकता ॥ Source of Dharma ===

Manusmriti has attached great importance to the Vedas and advocates primarily that the source of Dharma are the Vedas. Secondly its source is attributed to tradition and the virtuous conduct of those who the Veda, thirdly, to the customs of holy men and finally आत्मनस्तुष्टिः or satisfaction of the inner self.<ref name=":1" />  

 

 

 

=== धर्मसाधनम् ॥ Source of Dharma ===

Manusmriti has attached great importance to the Vedas and advocates primarily that the source of Dharma are the Vedas. Secondly its source is attributed to tradition and the virtuous conduct of those who the Veda, thirdly, to the customs of holy men and finally आत्मनस्तुष्टिः or satisfaction of the inner self.<ref name=":12" />  

वेदोऽखिलो धर्ममूलं स्मृतिशीले च तद्विदाम् । आचारश्चैव साधूनां आत्मनस्तुष्टिरेव च । । २.६ । । (Manu. Smri. 2.6)<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%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 2])</ref>

वेदोऽखिलो धर्ममूलं स्मृतिशीले च तद्विदाम् । आचारश्चैव साधूनां आत्मनस्तुष्टिरेव च । । २.६ । । (Manu. Smri. 2.6)<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%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 2])</ref>

Manu declares that He alone knows the Dharma who explores the utterances of the ancient sages by the means of reasoning which is not against the Vedas.<ref name=":1" />

Manu declares that He alone knows the Dharma who explores the utterances of the ancient sages by the means of reasoning which is not against the Vedas.<ref name=":12" />

आर्षं धर्मोपदेशं च वेदशास्त्राविरोधिना । यस्तर्केणानुसंधत्ते स धर्मं वेद नेतरः । । १२.१०६ । । (Manu. Smri. 12.106)<ref name=":2" />

आर्षं धर्मोपदेशं च वेदशास्त्राविरोधिना । यस्तर्केणानुसंधत्ते स धर्मं वेद नेतरः । । १२.१०६ । । (Manu. Smri. 12.106)<ref name=":22" />

== अधिकारः ॥ Ownership of Vedas ==

== अधिकारः ॥ Ownership of Vedas ==

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?" 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/>''

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.

== सम्वाद || Discussion ==

== सम्वाद || Discussion ==

== References ==

== References ==

<references />

<references /><nowiki/><nowiki/><nowiki/><nowiki/>''<nowiki/>''

[[Category:Hindu texts]]

[[Category:Hindu texts]]

[[Category:Sanskrit texts]]

[[Category:Sanskrit texts]]

[[Category:Works of unknown authorship]]

[[Category:Works of unknown authorship]]