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

Shaka

Mantra

Anuvaka

Prapathaka

Adhyaya

Kanda

Sukta

Sloka

Stuti

Karmakanda

Jnanakanda

Devi/Devata/Deva

Sura

Asura

Dasyu

Pani

Yagnam

Yagam

Isthi

Purodasha

Havishya