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The Vedas (Samskrit : वेदाः) are a large body of ancient sacred texts which have originated in [[Bharatavarsha (भरतवर्षम्)|Bharatavarsha]] ( भारतवर्षः | the ancient Indian subcontinent). The Vedic Seers have received the Vedas through revelation. Vedas are considered to be [[Apaurusheya (अपौरुषेयम्)|Apaurusheya]] (अपौरुषेयः), or entirely superhuman, without any authorship.<ref name=":022">Swami Sivananda, All About HInduism</ref> Composed in Vedic samskrit (वैदिकसंस्कृतम्), these texts constitute the oldest layer of samskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of the world.

The Vedas (Samskrit : वेदाः) are a large body of ancient sacred texts which have originated in [[Bharatavarsha (भरतवर्षम्)|Bharatavarsha]] ( भारतवर्षः | the ancient Indian subcontinent). The Vedic Seers have received the Vedas through revelation. Vedas are considered to be [[Apaurusheya (अपौरुषेयम्)|Apaurusheya]] (अपौरुषेयः), or entirely superhuman, without any authorship.<ref name=":022">Swami Sivananda, All About HInduism</ref> Composed in Vedic samskrit (वैदिकसंस्कृतम्), these texts constitute the oldest layer of samskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of the world.

The [[The Four Vedas (चतुर्वेदाः)|Four Vedas]] which are regarded as authoritative texts by the followers of [[Sanatana Dharma (सनातनधर्मः)|Sanatana Dharma]] are Rigveda (ऋग्वेदः), Yajurveda (यजुर्वेदः), Samaveda (सामवेदः ) and [[Atharvaveda]] (अथर्ववेदः). The Yajurveda is again divided into two parts- The Shukla (शुक्लः) and the Krishna (कृष्णः). The Krishna or the Taittiriya (तैत्तिरीयः) is the older version and the Shukla or the वाजसनेयी ॥ Vajasaneyi is a later revelation to Maharshi Yajnavalkya (याज्ञवल्क्यः) from [[Surya (सूर्यः)|Surya (सूर्यः]]).<ref name=":022" /> The Rigveda is divided into twenty one sections, the Yajurveda into one hundred and nine sections, the Samaveda into one thousand sections and the Atharvaveda into fifty sections. In all, the [[Veda Vargeekarana (वेदवर्गीकरणम्)|Veda]] is thus divided into one thousand one hundred and eighty shakhas (शाखाः | recensions).<ref name=":022" />

The [[The Four Vedas (चतुर्वेदाः)|Four Vedas]] which are regarded as authoritative texts by the followers of [[Sanatana Dharma (सनातनधर्मः)|Sanatana Dharma]] are Rigveda (ऋग्वेदः), Yajurveda (यजुर्वेदः), Samaveda (सामवेदः ) and [[Atharvaveda]] (अथर्ववेदः). The Yajurveda is again divided into two parts- The Shukla (शुक्लः) and the Krishna (कृष्णः). The Krishna or the Taittiriya (तैत्तिरीयः) is the older version and the Shukla or the वाजसनेयी ॥ Vajasaneyi is a later revelation to Maharshi Yajnavalkya (याज्ञवल्क्यः) from [[Surya (सूर्यः)|Surya (सूर्यः]]).<ref name=":022" /> The Rigveda is divided into twenty one sections, the Yajurveda into one hundred and nine sections, the Samaveda into one thousand sections and the Atharvaveda into fifty sections. In all, the [[Veda Vargeekarana (वेदवर्गीकरणम्)|Veda]] is thus divided into one thousand one hundred and eighty shakhas (शाखाः | recensions).<ref name=":022" />

 

== परिचयः|| Introduction ==

== परिचयः|| Introduction ==

The great Vedic commentator, of the thirteenth century, सायणाचार्यः ॥ [[Sayanacharya (सायनाचार्यः)|Sayanacharya]] has given a definition of the वेदः ॥ Veda. <blockquote>इष्टप्राप्ति - अनिष्टपरिहर्योर - अलौकिकम् - उपयम् यो ग्रन्थो वेदयति स वेदः ||{{Citation needed}}</blockquote><blockquote>iṣṭaprāpti - aniṣṭapariharyora - alaukikam - upayam yo grantho vedayati sa vedaḥ ||</blockquote>Meaning : The scripture, which describes the divine method for obtaining what is desirable and for giving up what is undesirable, is called वेदः ॥ Veda.  

The great Vedic commentator, of the thirteenth century, सायणाचार्यः ॥ [[Sayanacharya (सायनाचार्यः)|Sayanacharya]] has given a definition of the वेदः ॥ Veda. <blockquote>इष्टप्राप्ति - अनिष्टपरिहर्योर् - अलौकिकम् - उपायम् यो ग्रन्थो वेदयति स वेदः || iṣṭaprāpti - aniṣṭapariharyora - alaukikam - upayam yo grantho vedayati sa vedaḥ ||<ref name=":62">Dvivedi, Kapil Dev. (2000) ''Vaidika Sahitya evam Samskrti (Vedic Literature and Culture).'' Varanasi: Vishvavidyalaya Prakashan. (Pages 1 and 2)</ref></blockquote>Meaning : The scripture, which describes the divine method for obtaining what is desirable and for giving up what is undesirable, is called वेदः ॥ Veda.  

This definition presents the purpose of the वेदः ॥ Veda. According to another definition, as per the Paribhasha sutras of अपस्तम्बः || Apastamba,<blockquote>मन्त्र - ब्रह्मन्योर् - वेदनामधेयम् || mantra - brahmanyor - vedanāmadheyam || (Apas. Pari. 33)<ref>Apastamba Paribhasha Sutras ([https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.273855/2015.273855.The-Apastamba#page/n17/mode/2up Kanda 1])</ref> </blockquote>Meaning : The वेदः ॥ Veda is the name given to the मन्त्राः ॥ Mantras and the ब्राह्मणानि ॥ Brahmanas.  

This definition presents the purpose of the वेदः ॥ Veda. According to another definition, as per the Paribhasha sutras of अपस्तम्बः || Apastamba,<blockquote>मन्त्र - ब्रह्मन्योर् - वेदनामधेयम् || mantra - brahmanyor - vedanāmadheyam || (Apas. Pari. 33)<ref>Apastamba Paribhasha Sutras ([https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.273855/2015.273855.The-Apastamba#page/n17/mode/2up Kanda 1])</ref> </blockquote>Meaning : The वेदः ॥ Veda is the name given to the मन्त्राः ॥ Mantras and the ब्राह्मणानि ॥ Brahmanas.  

The four terms वेदः || Veda, आम्नायः || Amnaya, त्रयी || Trayi, श्रुतिः || Shruti are synonymous according to अमरकोशः ॥ Amarakosha.  

The four terms वेदः || Veda, आम्नायः || Amnaya, त्रयी || Trayi, श्रुतिः || Shruti are synonymous according to अमरकोशः ॥ Amarakosha.  

Nine terms found in literature that are synonymous with the term Veda namely<ref>Venkateswara Rao. Potturi (2010) ''Paaramaathika Padakosam'' Hyderabad: Msko Books</ref>

Nine terms found in literature that are synonymous with the term Veda namely<ref>Venkateswara Rao. Potturi (2010) ''Paaramaathika Padakosam'' Hyderabad: Msko Books</ref><ref name=":62" />

# श्रुतिः || Shruti

# श्रुतिः || Shruti

# अनुश्रवम् || Anushrava

# अनुश्रवम् || Anushrava

# त्रयी || Trayi

# त्रयी || Trayi

# आम्नयः || Amnaya

# आम्नायः || Amnaya

# समाम्नायः || Samamnaya

# समाम्नायः || Samamnaya

# छन्दः || Chanda

# छन्दः || Chanda