vedyistä

The Vedas are a large body of religious texts originating in ancient India. They are considered the oldest scriptures of Hinduism and are composed in Vedic Sanskrit. The Vedas are believed to have been divinely revealed and are divided into four main collections: the Rigveda, the Samaveda, the Yajurveda, and the Atharvaveda. Each Veda is further subdivided into four parts: the Samhitas (mantras and blessings), the Aranyakas (forest texts), the Brahmanas (commentaries on rituals), and the Upanishads (philosophical texts).

The Rigveda is the oldest and most important of the Vedas, containing hymns dedicated to various deities. The Samaveda consists of melodies and chants derived from the Rigveda, intended for liturgical use. The Yajurveda contains prose mantras and verses used in sacrificial rituals. The Atharvaveda includes spells, charms, and philosophical speculations, differing in tone and content from the other three.

The Vedas cover a wide range of subjects, including cosmology, mythology, philosophy, rituals, and social order. They have been transmitted orally for centuries before being written down. The Vedic period is generally considered to have lasted from around 1500 BCE to 500 BCE. The teachings and rituals described in the Vedas have profoundly influenced Indian culture, religion, and philosophy, forming the foundation of many later Hindu traditions.