- 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).”