Vedic Terminology

Vedas have evolved over a period of time and the language and structure of these texts are highly preserved over thousands of years. However, as the vedic literature expanded the need to understand different aspects of them was required and thus developed the study of ancillary subjects such as Vedaangas and Puranas.

The vast vaidika vaangmaya came to include new terms which where defined in subsequent ages by maharishis. Following are the definitions of some terms associated with vedas and vaidika vaangmaya some of which were not used in the Vedas but came into being in an attempt to understand them.

Srutis

Smritis

Itihasas

Puranas

Aagamas

Darsanas

Shastras

Vedanta/Upanishad

Parishistha

Shaka

Mantra

Anuvaka

Prapathaka

Adhyaya

Kanda

Sukta

Sloka

Stuti

Sutra

Karmakanda

Jnanakanda

People of Vedic times

Rishi : According to Rig Veda

प्रत्यर्धिर्यज्ञानामश्वहयो रथानाम्। ऋषि: स यो मनुर्हितो विप्रस्य यावयत्सख: ॥ (Rig. Veda. 10.26.5)

Accordingly, the term ऋषि:॥ Rishi is one who is

यज्ञानां प्रति अर्धि: = One who effectively promotes and accomplishes

रथानाम् अश्व:-हय: =

मनु: हित: =

विप्रस्य सख: =

यावयत् सख: =

Devi/Devata/Deva

Sura

Asura

Dasyu

Pani

Yagnam

Yagam

Isthi

Purodasha

Havishya