Vedic Indian Scriptures

By Victor M Fontane

The Vedic scriptures, also known as the Vedas, are among the oldest religious texts in the world, originating from the ancient Indo-Aryan culture of the Indian subcontinent. They were initially an oral tradition, passed down through generations, and later compiled and written in Vedic Sanskrit between 1500 and 500 BCE. Hindus believe the Vedas were received by scholars directly from God and passed on orally for centuries.

Four VedasRig Veda contains hymns about their mythology; the Sama Veda consists mainly of hymns about religious rituals; the Yajur Veda contains instructions for religious rituals; and the Atharva Veda consists of spells against enemies, sorcerers, and diseases.

Eighteen PuranasPuranas are a collection of Hindu religious texts that contain a wide range of mythological stories, historical accounts, and philosophical discussions. They are considered part of the Smriti tradition, meaning they are not part of the Vedas but are created by humans and passed down through generations. The word "Purana" translates to "ancient" or "old" in Sanskrit. 

One hundred eight Upanishads The Upanishads are religious and philosophical treatises. They constitute the last phase of the Vedic revelation. They represent the knowledge of Brahman and are late Vedic and post-Vedic Sanskrit texts that "document the transition from the archaic ritualism of the Veda into new religious ideas.

Bhagavad Gita

The Bhagavad Gita, often referred to as the Gita, is a Hindu scripture, dated to the second or first century BCE, which forms part of the epic poem Mahabharata. The Gita is a synthesis of various strands of Indian religious thought, including the Vedic concept of dharma; samkhya-based yoga and jnana; and bhakti.

The Gita emphasizes the importance of fulfilling one's duties and responsibilities without attachment to the results. In today's society, where success is often measured by external achievements, Gita's teachings encourage individuals to focus on their actions rather than solely pursuing outcomes.The Gita posits the existence of an individual self (jivatman) and the higher Godself (Krishna, Atman/Brahman) in every being; the Krishna–Arjuna dialogue has been interpreted as a metaphor for an everlasting dialogue between the two.