{"id":3681,"date":"2021-02-02T08:25:26","date_gmt":"2021-02-02T08:25:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/?p=3681"},"modified":"2023-12-25T10:18:28","modified_gmt":"2023-12-25T10:18:28","slug":"more-about-the-vedas-and-the-vedangas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/?p=3681&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"More about the Vedas"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-spacer ugb-spacer ugb-7c55f21 ugb-spacer--v2 ugb-main-block\"><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-spacer--inner\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-feature ugb-feature ugb-52c7e9d ugb-feature--v2 ugb-feature--design-plain ugb-main-block\"><style>@media screen and (min-width:768px){.ugb-52c7e9d .ugb-img{width:526px;height:auto !important}}<\/style><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-feature__item\"><div class=\"ugb-feature__content\"><p class=\"ugb-feature__description\">The oldest spiritual scriptures of India and of the world are called the VEDAS. Veda literally means \u201cknowledge\u201d, specifically the highest knowledge about God and man. For Hindu people Vedas are the spiritual truth, said to have been a direct revelation from God (DEV VANI\u2013 the voice of God) to four ancient Rishis (self-realised saints) during their meditations. This truth was then passed on orally. Hence the Vedas are also called SHRUTI, which means \u201cdas Geh\u00f6rte\u201d \u2013 \u201cthe things heard\u201d.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"ugb-feature__image-side\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"ugb-feature__image ugb-img wp-image-2481\" src=\"http:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Ved-Vjasa.jpg\" alt=\"\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Ved-Vjasa.jpg 526w, https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Ved-Vjasa-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Ved-Vjasa-300x400.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 526px) 100vw, 526px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-spacer ugb-spacer ugb-5e39343 ugb-spacer--v2 ugb-main-block\"><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-spacer--inner\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-divider ugb-divider ugb-c3600ca ugb-divider--v2 ugb-divider--design-basic ugb-main-block\"><style>.ugb-c3600ca hr.ugb-divider__hr{margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important}<\/style><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><hr class=\"ugb-divider__hr\"\/><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-spacer ugb-spacer ugb-a55e18e ugb-spacer--v2 ugb-main-block\"><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-spacer--inner\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" data-block-type=\"core\">There are four Vedas: Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva Veda.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">Each Rishi received only one of them, and then passed it on:&nbsp;<strong><em>Agni Rishi<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;\u2013 Rig Veda,&nbsp;<strong>Vayu Rishi<\/strong><\/em><em>&nbsp;\u2013 Sama Veda,&nbsp;<strong>Aditi Rishi&nbsp;<\/strong><\/em><em>\u2013 Yajur Veda,&nbsp;<strong>Angiras Rishi&nbsp;<\/strong><\/em><em>\u2013 Atharva Veda.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">The<em>Vedas&nbsp;<\/em>were transmitted orally all the way up to&nbsp;<strong><em>Maharishi Ved Vyasa&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong>who then wrote them down.&nbsp;<em>Vedas<\/em>&nbsp;are as old as the Universe, and are said to have been on Earth for at least 20,000 years.&nbsp;It is believed that the&nbsp;<em>Aryans<\/em>, who moved to India from their original homeland near the Arctic area, carried most of these earlier scriptures with them. Later they were recorded in Sanskrit \u2013 the language created by readjusting and perfecting the original Vedic language of the Aryans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">The word&nbsp;<em>Sanskrit<\/em>&nbsp;literally means purified or perfected. The written Sanskrit characters that also existed in the Vedic language are called&nbsp;<em>DEVA-NAGARI&nbsp;<\/em>(\u201cdivine inhabitants\u201d), and are considered symbols containing divine energy. The Aryans who came to India referred to themselves as \u201c<em>Aryans<\/em>\u201d. The expression \u2013 \u201c<em>Hindu\u201d<\/em>, as we call them now, is of more recent origin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\"><strong><em>Rig-Veda<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong><em>Sama-Veda&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong>were written in verse,&nbsp;<strong><em>Yajur-Veda&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong>in prose, and the&nbsp;<strong><em>Atharva-Veda&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong>mainly in prose and partly in verse. The&nbsp;<em>Vedas&nbsp;<\/em>contain a total of more than 24,000 mantras.&nbsp;<em>Rig-Veda<\/em>, the oldest and most extensive, contains 10,000 mantras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">The hymns of the&nbsp;<em>Rig<\/em>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<em>Sama-Veda&nbsp;<\/em>are dedicated to various deities and gods of nature like gods of earth, fire, rain, etc., and their aim is to forward blessings from gods for peace, happiness and prosperity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">The ceremonies contained in&nbsp;<em>Yajur-Veda<\/em>&nbsp;served the same purpose. One part of the&nbsp;<em>Vedas&nbsp;<\/em>also consists of rules for interpreting Vedic ceremonies and philosophical discussions about God, the soul and the afterlife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\"><strong>Each of the four&nbsp;<em>Vedas<\/em><\/strong><strong>&nbsp;consists of four parts, which are called&nbsp;<em>Veda-Samhita<\/em><\/strong><strong>.<\/strong>&nbsp;The four parts are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" data-block-type=\"core\"><li><strong><em>SAMHITA<\/em><\/strong><strong>S&nbsp;<\/strong>(\u201ccollection\u201d, \u201ccompilation\u201d) \u2013 Form the first part of each of the four&nbsp;<em>Vedas<\/em>. A Samhita is a collection of hymns and mantras to invoke various deities, and of certain established rules of interpretation.&nbsp;<\/li><li><strong><em>BRAHMANAS<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 Instructions for priests, and rules for the rites and oblations as expressions of honour to the gods. They are the second of the four parts of each&nbsp;<em>Veda<\/em>&nbsp;containing inspirational stories, as well as deep philosophical discussions and details about&nbsp;<em>Yagyas&nbsp;<\/em><em>(<\/em><em>Yagya&nbsp;<\/em>is an ancient ritual of offering oblations into the fire).<\/li><li><strong><em>ARANAKAS&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong>(from&nbsp;<em>aranya<\/em>= forest) \u201cForest debates\u201d \u2013 The third part of each of the&nbsp;<em>Vedas<\/em>. These texts contain esoteric, mystical knowledge, mostly focused on the inner meaning and effect of the Vedic ceremonies.<\/li><li><strong><em>UPANISHADS<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 Literally means, \u201cTo sit at the Master\u2019s feet and listen to His words or teachings.\u201d The&nbsp;<em>Upanishads<\/em>&nbsp;form the philosophical and spiritual essence of the&nbsp;<em>Vedas&nbsp;<\/em>and transmit the highest knowledge about God, the soul and the world, as well as about the importance of ceremonies and sacrifices. They are mostly written in the form of a conversation between a disciple and his teacher (questions and answers).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-spacer ugb-spacer ugb-35540b5 ugb-spacer--v2 ugb-main-block\"><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-spacer--inner\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-divider ugb-divider ugb-365a68a ugb-divider--v2 ugb-divider--design-basic ugb-main-block\"><style>.ugb-365a68a hr.ugb-divider__hr{margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important}<\/style><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><hr class=\"ugb-divider__hr\"\/><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-spacer ugb-spacer ugb-c5e58a6 ugb-spacer--v2 ugb-main-block\"><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-spacer--inner\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">The&nbsp;<em>Upanishads<\/em>&nbsp;teach that in the whole Universe there is only one reality, and that is God. Everything that ever existed, exists and will exist in the Universe originates from Him, and disappears back into Him, in the eternal cycle of creation, maintenance and destruction. He is the sun, the moon and the stars, the planets, every living being, all living and non-living matter and every virtue, every vice, all the good and the bad, every thought, every feeling and every act. He is time and space and all that exists in the Universe. He is eternal within the Universe and simultaneously He transcends it. He is unformed, eternal, boundless and omnipotent. He is manifest and unmanifest. He is manifest in His&nbsp;creation and is unmanifest when all that is created disappears in Him. The highest and purest principle of God is His unmanifest existence, when the whole Universe disappears in Him, when the sun, the moon, the stars, the planets, all animate and inanimate ceases to exist, and time and space disappear. This unmanifest essence is the only existing reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">The&nbsp;<em>Upanishads&nbsp;<\/em>contain one of the highest ideas about God and His relationship with human beings and the Universe. Rightly they are given the highest place among the great religious philosophies of the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">The great philosopher Schopenhauer said:&nbsp;<em>\u201cIn the whole world, there is no study so beneficial and so elevating as that of the Upanishads. They were my comfort in life and will be my consolation in death.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">There are 108 most widely known&nbsp;<em>Upanishads&nbsp;<\/em>(eg.&nbsp;<em>Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Chandogya Upanishad, Taittiriya Upanishad, Kena Upanishad, Iso Upanishad, Mundaka Upanishad, Svetasvatara Upanishads, Mandukya Upanishad<\/em>). Each of these major Upanishads is connected to one of the four&nbsp;<em>Veda Samhitas<\/em>. The idea of\u200b the one, unformed and infinite God, as the true reality of the Universe, inseparable, and at the same time beyond everything, is based on the philosophical discussions from the&nbsp;<em>Upanishads<\/em>. The teachings about the immortal soul, the law of karma, the consequences of actions and the law of evolution of living beings through the process of rebirth according to their own karma or actions, are based on the&nbsp;<em>Upanishads<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-spacer ugb-spacer ugb-084b82a ugb-spacer--v2 ugb-main-block\"><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-spacer--inner\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-divider ugb-divider ugb-f73204a ugb-divider--v2 ugb-divider--design-basic ugb-main-block\"><style>.ugb-f73204a hr.ugb-divider__hr{margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important}<\/style><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><hr class=\"ugb-divider__hr\"\/><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-spacer ugb-spacer ugb-58b4c3d ugb-spacer--v2 ugb-main-block\"><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-spacer--inner\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" data-block-type=\"core\">Based on the subject, the Vedas can be divided into two parts:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" data-block-type=\"core\"><li>GYANA-KANDA&nbsp;includes topics related to&nbsp;GYANA&nbsp;(knowledge) and&nbsp;VIGYANA&nbsp;(science): This section covers&nbsp;Aranyakasand&nbsp;Upanishads&nbsp;\u2013 the theoretical and philosophical records that convey universal spiritual knowledge not limited to any particular divine concept or a particular deity. They also contain knowledge of spiritual principles and cosmic laws and of the impact and the ruling of the&nbsp;Tattvas&nbsp;\u2013 the cosmic elements and principles.<\/li><li>KARMA-KANDA&nbsp;covers topics related to&nbsp;KARMAS&nbsp;(deeds) and&nbsp;UPASANAS&nbsp;(oblations): This part focuses on the practice. It includes hymns, prayers and mantras,&nbsp;Samhitasand&nbsp;Brahmanas, customs and ceremonies.&nbsp;Karma Kanda&nbsp;elaborates the performance of&nbsp;ANUSTANA&nbsp;(a specific sequence of exercises and techniques) and&nbsp;TAPASYA&nbsp;(effort to achieve self-realization, sometimes involving solitude, asceticism. It is derived from the word root&nbsp;tap&nbsp;which depending on context means \u201cheat\u201d).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-spacer ugb-spacer ugb-9194641 ugb-spacer--v2 ugb-main-block\"><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-spacer--inner\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">Each of the&nbsp;<em>Vedas&nbsp;<\/em>is characterised by some&nbsp;<em>MAHA-VAKYA&nbsp;<\/em>(<em>maha<\/em>= great,&nbsp;<em>vakya<\/em>= word).&nbsp;<em>MAHA-VAKYA&nbsp;<\/em>is there to convey knowledge about the union of&nbsp;<em>JIVA&nbsp;<\/em>(the Individual Self) and&nbsp;<em>BRAHMAN<\/em>&nbsp;(the Highest Self):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" data-block-type=\"core\"><li><strong><em>P<\/em><\/strong><strong><em>RAJNANAM BRAHMA&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong>(<em>Rig-Veda<\/em>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<em>Aitareya Upanishad<\/em>)<br>\u201c<em>BRAHMAN<\/em>IS PURE CONSCIOUSNESS\u201d<br>Here c<em>onsciousness<\/em>&nbsp;refers to the perfect, pure divine light, the unity with God.<\/li><li><strong><em>TAT TVAM ASI&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong>(<em>Sama-Veda or Chandogya-Upanishad<\/em>)<br><em>\u201cDIVINE PRINCIPLE (Tattva) IS THE TRUTH, AND THOU ARE THAT (Brahman)\u201d<\/em><br>You are not the body, but the Atma.<\/li><li><strong><em>AHAM BRAHMASMI&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong>(<em>Yajur Veda or Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad<\/em>)<br>\u201cI AM BRAHMAN\u201d<br>This means&nbsp;<em>Jivatma&nbsp;<\/em>(the Individual Self) and&nbsp;<em>Paramatma (<\/em>the Universal Self) are one.<\/li><li><strong>AYAM ATMABRAHMA&nbsp;<\/strong>(<em>Atharva Veda or Mandukya Upanishad<\/em>)<br><em>\u201cTHIS ATMA IS BRAHMAN\u201d<\/em><br>The light of the Soul itself is God or&nbsp;<em>Brahman<\/em>.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-spacer ugb-spacer ugb-80838ed ugb-spacer--v2 ugb-main-block\"><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-spacer--inner\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-divider ugb-divider ugb-c4c538b ugb-divider--v2 ugb-divider--design-basic ugb-main-block\"><style>.ugb-c4c538b hr.ugb-divider__hr{margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important}<\/style><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><hr class=\"ugb-divider__hr\"\/><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-spacer ugb-spacer ugb-042cdcd ugb-spacer--v2 ugb-main-block\"><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-spacer--inner\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" data-block-type=\"core\"><em>Vedangas \u2013 Six Limbs of the Vedas<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">Subsequently added to the Vedas are&nbsp;<strong><em>six VEDANGAS<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 \u201cThe limbs of the Vedas\u201d (auxillary texts, interpretations):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" data-block-type=\"core\"><li><strong><em>NIRUKTA<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;(etymology) explanations of words, written by Yaskacharya.<\/li><li><strong>VYAKARANA<\/strong>&nbsp;(grammar)<\/li><li><strong><em>JYOTISH&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong>(astrology,&nbsp;<em>vedic<\/em>calendar)<\/li><li><strong><em>CHANDAS<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;(metrics) chants, verses<\/li><li><strong><em>SHIKSHA<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;(phonetics) language teaching, rules on accents (there are 60&nbsp;<em>shikshas<\/em>, the most important originating from&nbsp;<em>Panini<\/em>and&nbsp;<em>Manduki<\/em>).<\/li><li><strong><em>KALPA<\/em><\/strong>: ceremonies, rules of ceremonial<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-spacer ugb-spacer ugb-4b6d1d9 ugb-spacer--v2 ugb-main-block\"><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-spacer--inner\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-divider ugb-divider ugb-3643d33 ugb-divider--v2 ugb-divider--design-basic ugb-main-block\"><style>.ugb-3643d33 hr.ugb-divider__hr{margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important}<\/style><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><hr class=\"ugb-divider__hr\"\/><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-spacer ugb-spacer ugb-c720d6e ugb-spacer--v2 ugb-main-block\"><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-spacer--inner\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" data-block-type=\"core\"><em><em>Kalpasutras<\/em><\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\"><em>Kalpa, as one of the six disciplines or ancillary Vedic sciences, is written (as all of the Vedangas) in the form of sutras. A Sutra is both the presentation style, and the text as a whole. Literally it means a thread or yarn. In this case it refers to a short rule or saying. When these two meanings are combined together, \u201cSutra\u201d means the threading and weaving of short rules. Kalpasutras are rules about ceremonies.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\"><strong><em>There are three types of kalpasutras:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\"><strong><em>Srauta sutras:&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong>Describe the solemn ceremonies and the fire sacrifices performed by the priests with their assistants, and are adapted either from the&nbsp;<em>Srutis&nbsp;<\/em>or the&nbsp;<em>Vedas<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\"><strong><em>Grihya sutras:<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;(<em>Griha<\/em>= house) Deals with the ceremonies performed by the householders, i.e. people from secular life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\"><strong><em>Dharmasutras:&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong>Contain rules and commandments for the social, political, public and religious life. The word&nbsp;<em>Dharma&nbsp;<\/em>literally means \u201csomething that unites\u201d. It also has other meanings, and one is faith. From these texts Indian law and ethics were subsequently developed (<em>Dharmasastra<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-spacer ugb-spacer ugb-a31d0f0 ugb-spacer--v2 ugb-main-block\"><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-spacer--inner\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-divider ugb-divider ugb-5bd7d87 ugb-divider--v2 ugb-divider--design-basic ugb-main-block\"><style>.ugb-5bd7d87 hr.ugb-divider__hr{margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important}<\/style><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><hr class=\"ugb-divider__hr\"\/><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-spacer ugb-spacer ugb-95a9571 ugb-spacer--v2 ugb-main-block\"><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-spacer--inner\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" data-block-type=\"core\"><em>Dharmashastras<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">As the number of inhabitants and the associated complexity of social, economic and political problems rose, the practice of the oral transmission of ceremonies disappeared. Gradually&nbsp;<em>Srauta Sutras&nbsp;<\/em>and&nbsp;<em>Grihya Sutras<\/em>&nbsp;went into oblivion.&nbsp;<em>Dharmasutras<\/em>&nbsp;that contain social, economic, political and religious rules have been retained and continue to be utilised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">Public and private customs, and the way they were practised, were subject to many changes that ultimately resulted in new records being written on these issues. They were written in verse and called&nbsp;<em>Dharmashastras<\/em>. Some of them are only the rearranged&nbsp;<em>Dharmasutras<\/em>, reflecting the requirements of that period in time and the increase in population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">The most important and oldest&nbsp;<em>Dharmashastra<\/em>is&nbsp;<em>Manavadharmashastra<\/em>or&nbsp;<em>Manusmrti&nbsp;<\/em>(<em>Code of Manu<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">The&nbsp;<em>Vedas&nbsp;<\/em>are also the treasure of the oldest Aryan culture. They give an overview of its social system and the way of life, its customs, art and science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\"><strong>Astronomy and Astrology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">They originate from activities relating to the observation of the stars and the movement of the planets, and are contained in the&nbsp;<em>Vedas&nbsp;<\/em>due to their importance in determining the exact time for the performance of ceremonies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\"><strong>Geometry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">Its primary purpose was to describe shapes and give a more detailed measurement of lines and characters that had to be respected on the sacrificial altar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\"><strong>Grammar<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">It results from the need of determining the rules of pronunciation of the recitations, ceremonial hymns and mantras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-spacer ugb-spacer ugb-11cd80f ugb-spacer--v2 ugb-main-block\"><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-spacer--inner\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-divider ugb-divider ugb-82183c4 ugb-divider--v2 ugb-divider--design-basic ugb-main-block\"><style>.ugb-82183c4 hr.ugb-divider__hr{margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important}<\/style><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><hr class=\"ugb-divider__hr\"\/><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-spacer ugb-spacer ugb-8526911 ugb-spacer--v2 ugb-main-block\"><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-spacer--inner\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" data-block-type=\"core\"><em>Puranas<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">The word Purana literally means \u201cold, ancient\u201d. They are instructive stories, tales about gods and heroes whose aim is to teach people aboutmoral life. They also are attributed to Maharishi Vedvyasa. There are many Puranas, the most important are the Mahapuranas. The most famous Mahapurana is the Bhagavata which speaks about 10 incarnations (avatars) of Lord Vishnu, especially that of Lord Krishna. Together with the Ramayana and the Mahabharata (the two most important epics in Hinduism), the Puranas constitute what is sometimes regarded as the fifth Veda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-spacer ugb-spacer ugb-e5ee024 ugb-spacer--v2 ugb-main-block\"><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-spacer--inner\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-divider ugb-divider ugb-230a87c ugb-divider--v2 ugb-divider--design-basic ugb-main-block\"><style>.ugb-230a87c hr.ugb-divider__hr{margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important}<\/style><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><hr class=\"ugb-divider__hr\"\/><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-spacer ugb-spacer ugb-3750930 ugb-spacer--v2 ugb-main-block\"><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-spacer--inner\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" data-block-type=\"core\"><em>Smriti<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\"><em>Smriti&nbsp;<\/em>means remembrance. It is knowledge that has been transmitted through the ages (traditions) and then later recorded by r<em>i<\/em>shis and&nbsp;<em>brahmins<\/em>&nbsp;according to the memory of the teachings they heard from their masters (as distinct from&nbsp;<em>Srutis<\/em>&nbsp;\u2013 knowledge directly revealed from God through&nbsp;<em>Dev Vani<\/em>). The term&nbsp;<em>Smriti&nbsp;<\/em>also refers to religious scriptures and books of law containing this transmitted knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\"><em>Smriti<\/em>, like all other scriptures of Hindu philosophy, acknowledge the authority of the&nbsp;<em>Vedas<\/em>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<em>Upanishads<\/em>, and relate to the teaching about God and the creation of the Universe. They treat the practical use of these highly philosophical ideas in daily life \u2013 in its social, political, economic and religious aspects. They include the rituals described in the&nbsp;<em>Vedas<\/em>, adjusted to changes in social context. These scriptures mirror the daily life of a post-Vedic&nbsp;<em>Hindus&nbsp;<\/em>from birth to death. They describe the social circumstances in which they lived and the close connection between daily life and faith. They connect daily religious rituals with daily duties and activities from the moment of awakening to bedtime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">There are 80&nbsp;<em>Smritis<\/em>, of which&nbsp;<em>Manusmrti<\/em>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<em>Manavadharmasastra<\/em>&nbsp;(<em>Code of Manu<\/em>) is considered to be the oldest and most important. Despite some small differences, the essence of all the&nbsp;<em>Smritis&nbsp;<\/em>is the same and can be briefly characterised as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" data-block-type=\"core\"><li>Believe in the&nbsp;<em>Vedas<\/em>&nbsp;as the word of God.<\/li><li>Read and study them and act in accordance with the rules contained therein, and in accordance with the existing social order.<\/li><li>Live according to the teachings of the Holy Scriptures in every moment of your life.<\/li><li>Think of God when you get up in the morning, in everything you do, every moment of the day and when you go to bed at night. Think of him when you eat and drink, while performing the daily duties you have in society \u2013 as a priest, judge, solicitor, minister, regent, soldier, artist, businessman, etc. Think of Him in happiness and distress, at birth and at death and at every religious ceremony in your home.<\/li><li>Live with your neighbours, friends and relatives according to the highest moral and religious precepts. Perform the sacrifices that are prescribed for your social position.<\/li><li>Do not marry out of passion, but for the wellbeing of society and family. Consider marriage as a sacrament and a sacred institution, and not as a mere contract.<\/li><li>Fulfil your obligations towards the king and your country, neighbours, superiors and subordinates.<\/li><li>Reach salvation by realising the highest ethical ideals of the Holy Scriptures in your daily life.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\"><em>SMRITIS&nbsp;<\/em>are divided into two groups:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" data-block-type=\"core\"><li>Prose sayings and discourses called&nbsp;<em>KALPASUTRAS<\/em>,<\/li><li>Sayings in verses called&nbsp;<em>DHARMASHASTRAS<\/em>.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-spacer ugb-spacer ugb-c4c65e6 ugb-spacer--v2 ugb-main-block\"><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-spacer--inner\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-divider ugb-divider ugb-42a3a1d ugb-divider--v2 ugb-divider--design-basic ugb-main-block\"><style>.ugb-42a3a1d hr.ugb-divider__hr{margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important}<\/style><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><hr class=\"ugb-divider__hr\"\/><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-spacer ugb-spacer ugb-5dea5f8 ugb-spacer--v2 ugb-main-block\"><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-spacer--inner\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" data-block-type=\"core\"><em>Bhagavad Gita<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-video-popup ugb-video-popup ugb-50bdff0 ugb-video-popup--v3 ugb-main-block\"><style>.ugb-50bdff0 .ugb-video-popup__wrapper{background-color:#000000}.ugb-50bdff0 .ugb-video-popup__wrapper:before{background-color:#000000}.ugb-50bdff0 .ugb-video-popup__wrapper:hover:before{opacity:0.2}<\/style><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-video-popup__wrapper\" data-video=\"LRtmH79PCbE\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ugb-video-popup__overlay\" aria-label=\"Play\"><\/a><span class=\"ugb-video-popup__play-button\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 256 320\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"ugb-play-button-normal\" width=\"30\" height=\"30\"><path d=\"M0 0v320l256-160L0 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-spacer ugb-spacer ugb-849c92d ugb-spacer--v2 ugb-main-block\"><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-spacer--inner\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">The longing to know God is rooted deeply in the human soul. From the need to satisfy this deep request for spiritual knowledge, many religions and teachings have developed since the beginning of mankind. They are handed down for generations in the form of certain rules of life, which, together with the religious rites and prayers, are intended to lead us to the realisation of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">By recognising weak points in the existing religious books, records, thoughts and dogmas created by people, the Bhagavad Gita based its religious postulates not only on divine origin, but also on logic, reason, ethics, moral and philosophical teachings about life and work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">The Bhagavad Gita clarifies to us that there are no shortcuts or favouritism on the path towards God-realisation, and that the highest goal can only be achieved by proper and relentless striving. I.e. By developing and acting according to the reason and power of discrimination (Viveka), and through unwavering faith and devotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">Each teaching and prayer must be first understood through our mind and wisdom, and then taken into our heart and utilised on our spiritual path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">All Hindu philosophical schools or systems respect the authority of the Vedas or the Vedic teaching, recognising the immortality of the soul, the laws of karma and the process of rebirth and evolution through many lives until the final self-realisation. Some of them believe in the limitless potential of the human soul and the ability to achieve supernatural powers such as clairvoyance, etc. However, the use of such powers is not to be seen with favour unless it serves for the overall happiness of mankind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-spacer ugb-spacer ugb-cf74480 ugb-spacer--v2 ugb-main-block\"><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-spacer--inner\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-divider ugb-divider ugb-0ff9c1c ugb-divider--v2 ugb-divider--design-basic ugb-main-block\"><style>.ugb-0ff9c1c hr.ugb-divider__hr{margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important}<\/style><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><hr class=\"ugb-divider__hr\"\/><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-spacer ugb-spacer ugb-b9d8957 ugb-spacer--v2 ugb-main-block\"><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-spacer--inner\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" data-block-type=\"core\">Other holy scriptures:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" data-block-type=\"core\"><li>80&nbsp;<em>Smritis<\/em>,<\/li><li>18&nbsp;<em>Purana<\/em>s.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">According to the classical teaching there are 14&nbsp;<em>Vidyas<\/em>(scriptures):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" data-block-type=\"core\"><li>4&nbsp;<em>Vedas,<\/em><\/li><li>6&nbsp;<em>Vedangas<\/em>,<\/li><li><em>Puranas<\/em>,<\/li><li><em>Mimansa Sastras<\/em>,<\/li><li><em>Njaja Sastra<\/em>,<\/li><li><em>Dharmasutras&nbsp;<\/em>(law)<\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The oldest spiritual scriptures of India and of the world are called the VEDAS. Veda literally means \u201cknowledge\u201d, specifically the highest knowledge about God and man. For Hindu people Vedas are the spiritual truth, said to have been a direct revelation from God (DEV VANI\u2013 the voice of God) to four ancient Rishis (self-realised saints) [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2938,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[136],"tags":[104],"class_list":["post-3681","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-vedas-and-upanishads","tag-vede-i-upanisade"],"blocksy_meta":{"styles_descriptor":{"styles":{"desktop":"","tablet":"","mobile":""},"google_fonts":[],"version":6}},"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/81lEDc5YhbL.jpg",1920,1198,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/81lEDc5YhbL-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/81lEDc5YhbL-300x187.jpg",300,187,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/81lEDc5YhbL-768x479.jpg",768,479,true],"large":["https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/81lEDc5YhbL-1024x639.jpg",1024,639,true],"thumblist":["https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/81lEDc5YhbL-300x300.jpg",300,300,true],"meccarouselthumb":["https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/81lEDc5YhbL-474x324.jpg",474,324,true],"gridsquare":["https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/81lEDc5YhbL-391x260.jpg",391,260,true],"tileview":["https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/81lEDc5YhbL-300x400.jpg",300,400,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/81lEDc5YhbL-1536x958.jpg",1536,958,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/81lEDc5YhbL.jpg",1920,1198,false]},"post_excerpt_stackable":"<p>The oldest spiritual scriptures of India and of the world are called the VEDAS. Veda literally means \u201cknowledge\u201d, specifically the highest knowledge about God and man. For Hindu people Vedas are the spiritual truth, said to have been a direct revelation from God (DEV VANI\u2013 the voice of God) to four ancient Rishis (self-realised saints) during their meditations. This truth was then passed on orally. Hence the Vedas are also called SHRUTI, which means \u201cdas Geh\u00f6rte\u201d \u2013 \u201cthe things heard\u201d. There are four Vedas: Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva Veda. Each Rishi received only one of them, and then passed&hellip;<\/p>\n","category_list":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/?cat=136&#038;lang=en\" rel=\"category\">Vedas and Upanishads<\/a>","author_info":{"name":"Swami Vivek Puri","url":"https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/?author=1"},"comments_num":"0 comments","featured_image_urls_v2":{"full":["https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/81lEDc5YhbL.jpg",1920,1198,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/81lEDc5YhbL-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/81lEDc5YhbL-300x187.jpg",300,187,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/81lEDc5YhbL-768x479.jpg",768,479,true],"large":["https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/81lEDc5YhbL-1024x639.jpg",1024,639,true],"thumblist":["https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/81lEDc5YhbL-300x300.jpg",300,300,true],"meccarouselthumb":["https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/81lEDc5YhbL-474x324.jpg",474,324,true],"gridsquare":["https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/81lEDc5YhbL-391x260.jpg",391,260,true],"tileview":["https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/81lEDc5YhbL-300x400.jpg",300,400,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/81lEDc5YhbL-1536x958.jpg",1536,958,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/81lEDc5YhbL.jpg",1920,1198,false]},"post_excerpt_stackable_v2":"<p>The oldest spiritual scriptures of India and of the world are called the VEDAS. Veda literally means \u201cknowledge\u201d, specifically the highest knowledge about God and man. For Hindu people Vedas are the spiritual truth, said to have been a direct revelation from God (DEV VANI\u2013 the voice of God) to four ancient Rishis (self-realised saints) during their meditations. This truth was then passed on orally. Hence the Vedas are also called SHRUTI, which means \u201cdas Geh\u00f6rte\u201d \u2013 \u201cthe things heard\u201d. There are four Vedas: Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva Veda. Each Rishi received only one of them, and then passed&hellip;<\/p>\n","category_list_v2":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/?cat=136&#038;lang=en\" rel=\"category\">Vedas and Upanishads<\/a>","author_info_v2":{"name":"Swami Vivek Puri","url":"https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/?author=1"},"comments_num_v2":"0 comments","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3681"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3681"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3681\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4629,"href":"https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3681\/revisions\/4629"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2938"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3681"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3681"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sanatankultura.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3681"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}