Overview of Vedas

The Vedas enshrine the cosmic vision of ancient Hindu Scientists and epitomise the living legacy of divine inspiration, intuition and insight. The glory of Vedas is universal and timeless. The Vedas are the word of God.
Vedas are the oldest scriptures of this universe. These contain cosmic wisdom to make life healthy and happy. God gave instructions through the Vedas with the object of imparting all-true knowledge for the benefit of all souls. For the achievement of both spiritual and physical knowledge, both the significations viz. God and fire should be taken. Vedas gives true and accurate knowledge and intellect to the people.
The mantras of Vedas are three dimensional viz. first dimension – praise of the Vedic gods to gain material & spiritual wealth in turn Supreme God; second dimension – for nourishment of the human body by balancing prana, energy etc.; third dimension – elucidate the hidden characteristics of universe.  
The Supreme Being who has absolute Existence, Absolute consciousness and Absolute Bliss. The Vedas teach monotheism of the purest type. Supreme Being-God is One, He is called by various names such as Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Agni, Yama, Matarishva etc. to denote His different attributes.
Sri Aurobindo and Swami Dayanand Saraswati are the two philosophers, scholars and reformists of Hinduism who enlightened this world about Vedas and their true significance in modern times.
Sri Aurobindo, while writing on Sanatana Dharma, says: ―I seek not science, not religion, not Theosophy, but Veda—the truth about Brahman. Swami Dayanand Saraswati has deeply probed the hidden meanings of various Suktas of Vedas.

​Classification of Vedas –
There are four Vedas - the Rigveda, the Yajurveda, the Samaveda and the Atharvaveda. Each Veda has four subdivisions.

1. Samhitas are the prayers for the wishes through mantras and benedictions.
2. Brahmanas are commentaries on and explanation of proper methods and meaning of Vedic Samhita rituals in the four Vedas, ceremonies and sacrifices – Yajnas.
3. Aranyaka (forest books) are the manual of rituals, ceremonies, sacrifices and symbolic-sacrifices, and
4. Upanishads are texts discussing meditation, philosophy and spiritual knowledge.

The Samhitas and Brahmanas describe about daily rituals and are generally meant for Brahmacharya and Grihastha stages, while the Aranyaka and Upanishads are meant for the Vanaprastha and Sannyasa stages, respectively.

Rigveda, the Veda of Knowledge –
Rigveda Samhita is the composition of verses, called as Rik, meaning praise. These verses have 10 mandalas (books) which are generally composed by single rishi family. These mandalas have 1028 suktas (chapters). These suktas have10552 mantras (hymns). These mandalas are composed by different rishi families based on divine inspirations.
 
Rigveda praises several gods like Agni, Indra, Maruts and others. However, they are not, like the Greek gods, separate and independent individuals in conflict with one another. They are all different aspects of one and the same Supreme Being which has been declared in several places.
 
The Rigveda also describes the several infinitely good and great qualities of God like:

• God possess many attributes including:
  1. Omnipotence
  2. Rulership
  3. Omniscience,
  4. Transcendence
  5. Extraordinary brilliance
  6. Having a cosmic form
  7. Being the inner controller
  8. Incomparability
• He is the greatest friend and protector of his devotees.
• He is very generous and fulfils all their desires.
• He is supremely adorable.

 
In Rigveda, the Mantras are indicative. The There is Upamalankar or simile used is the Mantras. The following meanings / implications of various mantras of Rigveda are based on translations of commentaries of Swami Dayananda Saraswati done by Swami Dharmanand Saraswati or by Dr. Krishnakant Vedic Shastri.
 
Rigveda is threefold –

1. Shaakala – Shaakala Samhita, Aitareya Brahmana, Aitareya Aranyaka & Aitareya Upanishad.
2. Baashkala – Kaushitaki Samhita, Kaushitaki Brahmana, Kaushitaki Aranyaka and Kaushitaki Upanishad.
3. Sankhayana – Sankhayana Samhita, Sankhayana Brahmana, Sankhayana Aranyaka and Sankhayana Upanishad.

 
Yajurveda, the Veda of Karma or Sacrifice –
Yajurveda is the guide book for Hindu priests for Yajna or Havan. It also preaches the concepts of Manas and Prana. The various ritual mantras in the Yajurveda Samhitas are typically set in a meter, and call on Vedic deities such as the Savita (Sun), Indra, Agni, Prajapati, Rudra and others. Many of the practices outlined in the Yajurveda continue to be observed in contemporary Hindu worship and temple rituals. The oldest layer of Yajurveda has 1875 verses mostly taken up from Rigveda.
 
The metres are classified based on the syllables present in each pada of the mantras. There are seven major Vedic metres. These are: Gayatri, Ushnik, Anushtubh, Brihati, Pankti, Tristubh, and Jagati.
 
Yajus harnesses the mind, Savita; creating thoughts and perceiving light, brought Agni from the earth. With the mind harnessed, we are instigated by God Savita, for strength to go to heaven.
 
The Yajurveda is twofold – Shukla and Krishna.

1. Shukla White) Yajurveda – It has clear demarcation of Mantras & Brahmanas. It is twofold –
   1. Madhyandina - Vajasneyi Samhita, Madhyandina Shatapatha & Kanva Shatapatha Brahmanas; Shatapatha Aranyaka; Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.
   2. Kanva - Kanva Samhita, Kanva Shatapatha Brahmana & Aranyaka; Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (different from above).
2. Krishna (Dark) Yajurveda – It has mixture Mantras & Brahmanas. It is threefold –
   1. Taittiriya – Taittiriya Samhita, Taittiriya Brahmana, Taittiriya Aranyaka and Taittiriya Upanishad.        
   2. Maitrayani – Maitrayani Samhita, Maitrayani Brahmana, Maitrayani Aranyaka and Maitrayani Upanishad.
   3. Kaṭha (Caraka) - Kaṭha Samhita, Satadhyaya Brahmana, Kaṭha Aranyaka and Shevtashevatara & Katha Upanishads.

 
Atharvaveda –
The Atharva Veda has been a primary source for information about Vedic culture, the customs and beliefs as well as those associated with kings and governance. The text also includes hymns dealing with the two major rituals of passage – marriage and cremation. The term “Athrva” refers to the name of a group of ancient priests associated with the Vedic rituals. It provides valuable insights into various aspects of life, including philosophy, spirituality, healing, and social customs.
It is a collection of 730 hymns with about 6,000 mantras, divided into 20 books. The Brahmanas in the Atharvaveda includes Atharva Samhita, Gopatha Brahmana. It has three Upanishads - Mundaka Upanishad, Mandukya Upanishad and Prashna Upanishad.
Samaveda, the Veda of Bhakti –
Divine verses and hymns tuned and put into musical chants, popularly known as Samans and collection is known as Samaveda. It consists of 1875 mantras.
 
The influence of Samaveda extends beyond the realm of religious rituals. It has played a pivotal role in shaping the rich heritage of Indian classical music. The melodic patterns, ragas (musical scales), and intricate rhythms found in Indian classical music have their roots in the chants and melodies of Samaveda.
 
The Samaveda is twofold –

1. Kauthuma-Ranayaniya – Samhita, Panchavimsha Brahmana, Chandogya Upanishad.
2. Jaiminiya or Talavakara – Jaiminiya Brahmana, Jaiminiya Aranyaka and Kena Upanishads.   

 
Up-Veda, the applied knowledge –
The four Vedas – Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda, have technical works – Medicine (Ayurveda), Archary (Dhanur Veda), Music & Sacred Dance (Gandharva Veda) and Economics (Artha shastra) respectively.