• A simple and brief introduction to the four Vedas and what they contain. And their importance all with aim to achieve the four goals of human life.

The word Veda itself means “knowledge” or "wisdom."  They are among the oldest texts in the world.  The Vedas are a large body of religious text originating in the Sanskrit language.  

They are the foundation of Hindu philosophy, spirituality, and culture.  They provide guidance and wisdom in Hindu thought, spiritual practice, and moral conduct.  The Vedas are the foundational text for various rituals and ceremonies that are essential in the Hindu religion. Additionally, the Vedas provide the groundwork for many Hindu philosophical schools on the concepts of dharma (duty) and moksha (liberation).  They are an important part of the Hindu society, influencing culture, art, music, and literature.  

To explain the Vedas in a very concise manner, we can summarize it using the following sloka.

Pratyakshenanumityena yastupayena budhyate I

Yenam vidanti vedena tasmat vedasya vedata II

The sloka, according to Hindu philosophy, states what cannot be seen or articulated, directly, inferentially, or through simile, is revealed in the Vedas. When we refer to "directly," we mean that which cannot be experienced by our five senses. "Inferentially" indicates the use of our senses to gather evidence and draw conclusions. Finally, "simile" points to comparison.  

Therefore, what cannot be achieved through the above three standards can be achieved only through the Vedas. That is the greatness of the Vedas.  The Vedas being the storehouse of knowledge, there is nothing unexplained in it meaning all things are hidden in the Vedas.  

According to Indian belief, the Vedas are apaurusheyas meaning not written by anyone. The Vedas were composed by sages (rishis) who had a deep spiritual experience of the cosmos, nature, and the divine.  The sages received this knowledge of the Vedas in deep meditation from the sound of the sky through Divinity.  The sages of the Vedas listened to the sound waves during meditation and imparted that wealth to their disciples.  They orally memorized and recited the Vedas, making them shabda pramanam.

In Indian philosophy, shabda pramanam means knowledge derived from verbal testimony and is the most reliable source of knowledge. We can learn these only from Guru Mukta (through a teacher).  Since time immemorial, this tradition has been continued till today.  

The Vedas emphasize the way of life of a human being from birth to the last moment.  It gives a complete understanding of not only humanity but also of all existing and non-existing beings.  The Vedas can be learned only through a rigorous process taught by a Guru (teacher).  The students must follow certain procedures and learn them as per the instructions imparted by the Guru (teacher).

Vyasa Mahamuni, also known as Veda Vyasa, was a revered sage of the highest knowledge.  In the sacred Vishnu Sahasranama stotra is it stated-

Translated as - I bow before Vyasa who is Vishnu, Vishnu who is Vyasa, and again and again bow before He, who is born, in the family of Vasishta.

Thus, Sage Veda Vyasa is himself considered Lord Shri Maha Vishnu.  He divided these Vedas into four parts in the Dvapara Yuga.  Initially, the Vedas were an unbroken knowledge of the text, which was divided into four parts.  These are Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, and Atharva Veda.  

Veda Vyas distributed this knowledge to the following four sages.  Sage Paila Muni was taught Rig Veda, Sage Vaishampayana was taught Yajur Veda, Sage Jaimini was taught Sama Veda, and Sage Sumanth was taught Atharva Veda.  These four sages were successively the main preachers of the four Vedas.

The Rig Veda, the oldest Veda, contains hymns and praises of Hindu deities.  It teaches about Hindu rituals, the nature of the universe, and the importance of devotion.  To read more

The Yajur Veda teaches how to conduct ceremonies and the importance of rites in connecting with the divine.  To read more

The Sama Veda focuses on how to chant hymns from the Rig Veda in melody and brings attention to the power of sound and its spiritual significance. 

The Atharva Veda contains hymns and prayers for daily life.  It focuses on health, protection, prosperity, and world concerns.  

Additionally, the four Vedas are divided into Samhitas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and Upanishads.  

Samhitas are a collection of chants, mantras, and hymns, and each of the four Vedas has its own Samhitas. 

Brahmanas are texts that give instructions and explanations on the rituals described in Samhitas.  They show us how to properly conduct ceremonies and the significance of rituals.  

Aranyakas are a bridge between ritual practice and philosophical thought.

Upanishads are philosophical texts that explore the nature of reality, the atman (the self), and the ultimate truth (Brahman the divine). To read more

Overall, the four Vedas teach us about rituals, spirituality, ethics, and the relationship between humans and the divine.  

In the Vedas, the main divisions are Karma Kanda, Jnana Kanda, and Upasana Kanda.  

Karma Kanda focuses on rituals and actions (karma).  It provides guidelines for performing rituals, sacrifices, and ceremonies to appease the deities and gain worldly or spiritual progress.  

Jnana Kanda emphasizes philosophical teachings and spiritual knowledge.  It explores the ideas of the nature of reality, the self (Atman), and the ultimate truth (Brahman).  

Upasana Kanda focuses on worship and devotion (Upasana).  It focuses on practices and rituals done in meditation, prayers, and devotional activities.

Together, these three Kandas give us a deep knowledge of spirituality, with a well-rounded approach to spirituality and sincere devotion to God.  The Vedas describe how to achieve the three Kandas by following the four Purusharthas.  

In Hindu philosophy, the four Purusharthas are the key goals of human life.  The four purusharthas are Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha.  

Dharma refers to being righteous, having moral values and duties one should follow in daily living in fulfilling one’s responsibilities.  Artha is the pursuit of wealth and prosperity.  It shows how an individual can see financial stability and material success.  Kama represents the enjoyment of desires, pleasures, and emotional fulfillment.  Moksha refers to the ultimate goal of liberation and spiritual freedom.  These four purusharthas give a framework for a balanced and meaningful life.

Conclusion

The Vedas are the foundational text of Hindu philosophy and spirituality.  It gives us insights into the nature of existence, the divine, and the purpose of human life. The power of the Vedas is such that even in this age of modern technology, we cannot comprehend the depth of the Vedas.  It has been composed by ancient sages who give us guidance on how to live a balanced life by following the four purusharthas.  Through their study, one can gain a deeper wisdom of the universe and one’s place within it.  The Vedas can be studied by all mankind.

Author Srinathji is a Sanskrit/Vedic educator and Veda Pandit with extensive knowledge in Hindu scriptures, Puranas, Sri Ramayana and Sri Mahabharata.  I can teach online courses on Hinduism, the Sanskrit and Telugu Languages, and the Hindu scriptures. I have been practicing the Vedas for the last 35 years and teaching for the last 20 years.  I currently do in person and zoom classes with my students.  Additionally, I have taught Sanskrit at a highly reputed Osmania University (NAAC accredited) in Hyderabad.

Also read

1. Vedas and Upanishads – A structural profile

2. Characteristics of Indian Philosophy

Extract from article 1 by T N Sethumadhavanji - The Upanishads form perhaps the most important part of the Vedas on which the edifice of the ‘Shad Darshanas’ or the six systems of the Hindu Philosophy have been built up. As they were preserved to posterity through hearing they are termed as ‘Sruti’, what is heard. Because of the difficulty in understanding the Vedas, the sages evolved a system of auxiliaries to the Vedas known as I. Vedangas, II. Veda-Upangas (six systems of Hindu philosophy) both meaning the limbs of the Vedas, and III. Upa-Vedas (Ayurveda, Dhanurveda, Artha Veda and Gandhavarva Veda) and meaning subsidiary parts of the Vedas.

The scheme of Vedic learning is first studying and recitation of the hymns (Samhita) followed by performance of Yajnas (Brahmana), then an enquiry into the rationale behind the performance of these Yajnas (Aranyaka) and lastly, an enquiry into ‘Paramatma Tattwa’ and attaining its actual experience (Upanishad).”

Extract from article 2 – “The Sanskrit word for philosophy is darsana, which means direct vision. The words symbolize the difference between modern Western philosophy, which mainly relies on an intellectual pursuit and Indian philosophy that relies on a direct vision of truth and pure Buddhi (reasoning).”