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Vedic Literature : Most Important Points

Most important points about Vedic Literature

What is the Vedic Period ?

The Vedic period is the period in the history of India when the Vedas were composed. This period started around 1500 B.C. with the arrival of Aryans to north-western parts of India.
Aryans were a linguistic group of semi-nomadic pastoral people who spoke a common Indo-Aryan language – ‘Vedic Sanskrit’.

Original Home of Aryans

Several theories given by different scholars.
- Central Asiaan theory by Max Muller
- Arctic Home theory by Bala Gangadhara Tilak
- Tibet by Swami Dayanand Saraswati in his famous Satyarth Prakash.
When the Aryans migrated towards in indian subcontinent, they initially settled in the region called ‘Sapta Saindhava’ .
‘Sapta Saindhava’ derives its name from seven rivers flowing through that region( Indus and its five tributaries + Saraswati ).

Timeline of Vedic Period

The period from 1500 BC to 600 BC is considered as Vedic Period which is divided into two parts :
- Early Vedic Period or Rig Vedic Period (1500 B.C -1000 B.C)
- Later Vedic Period (1000B.C – 600 B.C).

Vedic Literature

The Vedic literature has been broadly classified into two categories – Shruti and Smriti.
Shruti literally means ‘that which has been heard’. They are the most-sacred assemblage of Hindu literature.
All four Vedas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads come under Shruti literature .
Smriti literally means ‘that which is remembered’.
They are the post Vedic Classical Sanskrit literature which are considered less authoritative than Shruti.
Vedangas, Shad Darshana, Puranas, Upvedas, Agamas, Upangas come under Smriti literature .

The Vedas

There are four Vedas:
- Rig Veda - Oldest among all the four Vedas. It is known as “First testament” of mankind. It is a collection of 1028 hymns.
- Yajur Veda - This is a book of sacrificial rules. This has also been divided into Black(Krishna) Yajurveda and White(Shukla) Yajurveda.
- Sama Veda - Book of music and chants. The origin of Indian classical music can be traced to Sama Veda .
- Atharva Veda - It describes the early traditions of magic and cure of diseases. It is also called the Veda of magical formulas.

Brahmanas

Aranyakas

Forest books which were written for the Rishis and students living in the forests.
They are the concluding portions of the Brahmanas.
There are only seven Aranyakas available and there is no Aranyaka attached to the Atharva veda.

Upanishads

They are the last layer of Vedic literature therefore they are also called Vedanta.
Their subject matter is Philosophical and they mainly deal with matters like Atman( soul/Self), Brahman ( Ultimate reality ), rebirth etc.
There are a total 108 Upanishads.
The latest Upnishad is Muktika Upnishad which was recorded by Dara Shikoh whereas oldest Upnishad is Vrihadaranyaka Upnishad.
Satyameva Jayate in the National Emblem has been taken from Mundaka Upanishad.