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Vedic Literature

In the Indian tradition, the esoteric wisdom of the universe is called Veda. This word can be traced to the Sanskrit root vid, which means "to know" or "knowledge." It is related to the words "wit" and "wisdom" from the German; "idea" (originally widea) from the Greek; and "video" from the latin. (One who knows, sees the truth; hence:Video.) The holy books of India, containing the essence of Vedic knowledge, are called the Vedas.

According to Vaishnava tradition, the Vedas emanate from the lord Himself. Vedic knowledge is carefully passed down from spiritual teacher to disciple; this is called parampara, or disciplic succession. The lineages in which the Vedic message is transmitted are called sampradayas. In this way, the Vedic prophets sought to maintain the integrity of the oral tradition. The idea is that the Vedas, when properly received in the disciplic succession, are devoid of imperfection and interpolation, qualities invariably associated with secular literature.

The Vedic knowledge was given by the Supreme Lord to the creator-god Bramha, who in term gave it to Narada, one of his sons. Narada gave this knowledge to the sage Vyasa, who then roughly 5,000 years ago put it into written form for the benefit of modern man. (Prior to the modern age, according to the Vedic texts, man had a superb memory and did not require the written word.)

Originally, the Vedas existed as one exceedingly lengthy work. Vyasa, to make this knowledge accessible, divided it into four books called Samhitas. They are the Rg Veda, (the earliest sacred hymns of the Vedas), the Same Veda (the Veda of melodies), the Yajur Veda (the Veda of rituals), and the Atharva Veda (the Veda of incantations). Vedic literature also includes explanatory books knows as Brahmanas (treaties dealing with the technicalities of vedic sacrifices) and the Aranyakas (treaties for renunciants who go off into the wilderness to fulfill vows).

Also included is the vast storehouse of Upanishadic literature, philosophical texts meant to elucidate Vedic concepts. In addition, there are numerous Sutras (books of concise truths), such as the Vedanta-Sutras, the Shrauta-Sutras, the Grihya-Sutras, the Dhrama-Sutras and the Shulba-Sutras.

The Vedangas (auxiliary sciences connected with Vedic study) are also important: Shiksha (phonetics). Chahdas (meter), Vyakarana (grammar), Nirukta (etymology) and the Jyotish (astronomy/astrology). So too are the Upavedas (sciences not directly related to vedic study): Ayurveda (the study of holistic medicine), Ghandarva Veda (the study of music and dance), Dhanur Veda (military science) and Sthapatya Veda (architecture).

Theologically most important are the Puranas such as the Bhagavad Purana (Srimad Bhagavatam) as well as the epics like the Mahabharata - Which includes the Bhagavad Gita and the Ramayana. The many writings of the Acharyas (enlightened teachers) should also be included in Vedic  Literature since they bring out the essence of earlier Vedic works and are thus considered "Vedic" in a particular sense.

The verses in each of the thousands of Vedic texts conform to the strict rules of poetry and meter and contain information on varied topics: from medicine and farming to a description or explanation of time sequences on upper and lower planets; from techniques of Yoga and meditation to household hints and recipes for vegetarian dishes; from detailed explanations explanations of government organizations to masterful directions on construction and decoration to temples or residential buildings.

The Vedas contain Dharma, History, and complex philosophy as well as simple lessons on etiquette; military protocol; and the use of musical instruments. Most significantly, however is that the Vedic literature explains both Rasa (relationship with God) or the intense pleasure that comes from a distinct  relation with the Supreme and Bhakti (devotional love) in minute detail as a science.

Division of Scriptures:

1. Shruti (revealed writings of "that which is heard"):

. The four Vedic Samithas:

Rg, Sama, Yajur and Atharva

. Brahmanas

. Aranyakas

. Upanishads (of which there are more than 108 separate books)

2. Smriti (tradition, or "that which is remembered")

. Ithasas (epics) such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata )which includes the Bhagavad Gita)

. Puranas, such as the eighteen prominent Mahapuranas

Six Sattvik Puranas

Vishnu Purana

Naradiya Purana

Bhagavad Purana

Garuda Purana

Padma Purana

Varaha Purana

Six Rajasik Puranas

Brahma Purana

Brahmanda Purana

Brahma - Vairata Purana

Markandeya Purana

Bhavishya Purana

Vamana Purana

Six Tamasik Puranas

Matya Purana

Kurma Purana

Linga Purana

Shiva Purana

Skanda Purana

Agni Purana

. Eighteen Upapurana and numerous sthala (regional) Puranas

. Versified equivalents of the Dharma-sutras: Manu-Smriti, Vishnu sprites etc.

3. Sutras (aphorisms)

. Shrauta-sutras, Grihya-Sutras, Dharma-Sutras, Shubla-sutras, Vedanta-Sutras etc.

4. Other categories include the Vedangas, the Upavedas, and the writings and commentaries of the great acharyas throughout history.

 Notes:

Hidden Glory of India

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Next: Contents of the Srimad Bhagavatam

 

 

 

 

FM
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