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# [[Yajurveda|यजुर्वेदः || The Yajurveda]]  

# [[Yajurveda|यजुर्वेदः || The Yajurveda]]  

# [[Samaveda (सामवेद)|सामवेदः || The Samaveda]]  

# [[Samaveda (सामवेद)|सामवेदः || The Samaveda]]  

# [[Atharvaveda|अथर्वणवेदः || The Atharvaveda]]''.''  

# [[Atharvaveda|अथर्वणवेदः || The Atharvanaveda]]''.''  

Of these, the first three were the principal original division, also called त्रयी-विद्या || Trayi vidya, 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 Samaveda and the Atharvaveda are known, and many different versions of the Yajurveda have been found in different parts of South Asia.   

Of these, the first three were the principal original division, also called त्रयी-विद्या || Trayi vidya, 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 Samaveda and the Atharvaveda are known, and many different versions of the Yajurveda have been found in different parts of South Asia.   

== वेदविभागाः || Sub Classification of Vedas ==

== वेदविभागाः || 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 || Samhita (mantras)

# अरण्यक || Aranyakas (method of conducting rituals, ceremonies, sacrifices and symbolic-sacrifices)

# ब्राह्मणम् || [[Brahmana]] (commentaries on rituals, ceremonies and sacrifices)

# ब्राह्मण || Brahmanas (commentaries on rituals, ceremonies and sacrifices)

# अरण्यकम् || Aranyaka (method of conducting rituals, ceremonies, sacrifices and symbolic-sacrifices)

# उपनिषद् || Upanishads (discussion about meditation, philosophy and spiritual knowledge).

# उपनिषद् || [[Upanishads|Upanishad]] (discussion about meditation, philosophy and spiritual knowledge).

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

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

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.

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 आस्तिकाः || astika (orthodox). Other traditions, such as लोकायतम् ॥ Lokayata, चार्वाकः ॥ Charvaka, आजीविकाः ॥ Ajivika, Buddhism and Jainism, which did not regard the Vedas as authorities are referred to as नास्तिकाः || nastika (heterodox or non-orthodox) schools. Despite their differences, just like the texts of the श्रमणपरम्परा || shramana 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.  

The Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and Upanishads, among other things, interpret and discuss the Samhitas in philosophical and metaphorical ways to explore abstract concepts such as the Absolute (Brahman), and the soul or the self (Atman). The subjects of soul, परब्रह्म || parabrahma and the Ultimate purpose of life being moksha or liberation are extensively discussed in the end part of Vedas hence they are called Vedanta.   

The Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and Upanishads, among other things, interpret and discuss the Samhitas in philosophical and metaphorical ways to explore abstract concepts such as the Absolute (ब्रह्मन् ॥ Brahman), and the soul or the self (आत्मन् ॥ Atma). The subjects of soul, परब्रह्म || parabrahma and the Ultimate purpose of life being मोक्षः ॥ [[Moksha Dristipath|moksha]] (liberation) are extensively discussed in the end part of Vedas. Hence they are called वेदन्तः ॥ Vedanta.   

Vedanta includes philosophical discussions collectively put together in the Upanishads and is one of the major trends of Hinduism. In other parts, they show evolution of ideas, such as from actual sacrifice to symbolic sacrifice, and of spirituality in the Upanishads.

Vedanta includes philosophical discussions collectively put together in the Upanishads and is one of the major trends of Hinduism. In other parts, they show evolution of ideas, such as from actual sacrifice to symbolic sacrifice, and of spirituality in the Upanishads.

Adi Shankara classified each Veda into कर्मकाण्ड || karma-kanda (action/ritual-related sections) and ज्ञानकाण्ड || jnana-kanda (knowledge/spirituality-related sections).

आदिशङ्कराचार्यः ॥ Adi Shankara classified each Veda into कर्मकाण्डम् || karma-kanda (action/ritual-related sections) and ज्ञानकाण्डम् || jnana-kanda (knowledge/spirituality-related sections).

== Dating सनातन-धर्मः || Sanatana Dharma ==

== Dating सनातन-धर्मः || Sanatana Dharma ==

Vedas will have historical implications when the rishis are assumed to be the authors of these vedas. So the primary question of whether these rishis are मन्त्रकर्तारः authors of mantras or मन्त्रद्रष्टारः drastas to whom the Vedas were revealed to needs to be understood clearly.<ref name=":2">Sharma, Pt Sri Jayadevaji (2008) ''Rigveda Samhita Bhashabhashya Volume 1'' Ajmer: Arya Sahitya Mandal Ltd</ref> Only when historicity needs to be verified does dating of vedas becomes important.   

Vedas will have historical implications when the rishis are assumed to be the authors of these vedas. So the primary question of whether these rishis are मन्त्रकर्तारः authors of mantras or मन्त्रद्रष्टारः drastas to whom the Vedas were revealed to needs to be understood clearly.<ref name=":2">Sharma, Pt Sri Jayadevaji (2008) ''Rigveda Samhita Bhashabhashya Volume 1'' Ajmer: Arya Sahitya Mandal Ltd</ref> Only when historicity needs to be verified does dating of vedas becomes important.