Nepali Wanderer

The Vedas are so emblematic of the Indian Subcontinent that an entire era of its history is referred to as the Vedic Era. So, let’s delve into what the Vedas really are.

The Vedas are believed to be the oldest religious scriptures on earth and are considered the most sacred texts of Hinduism. The word “Veda” means knowledge or wisdom, and these texts are thought to contain fundamental knowledge encompassing all aspects of life.

The Vedas are classified into four volumes: Rig Veda (the oldest), Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda. Each volume consists of four components: Samhitas (collections of prayers, mantras, and benedictions), Brahmanas (ritual commentaries), Aranyakas (theological texts), and Upanishads (philosophical narratives and dialogues).

One fascinating and often debated aspect of the Vedas is their age. When were the Vedas first written?

We must understand that the Vedas were originally transmitted orally for countless years before being written down. The texts were continually written and added to by various authors over generations, making it difficult to pinpoint their exact origin.

This raises another question: when was the notion of the Vedas first conceived?

The Vedas are considered “Shruti,” meaning divine revelations received by sages in deep meditation. This distinguishes them from texts like the Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Puranas, which are known as “Smriti,” or remembered accounts. According to mythology, the Vedas are thought to reproduce the sounds of the universe at its creation and are considered eternal and ever-present.

Continuing with the Aryan migration theory, it is believed that the Aryas (Aryans) brought the Vedas to the Indian Subcontinent. By tracing the roots of the Arya people and noting the similarities between the Vedas and the Zoroastrian Avesta, many historians believe that some Vedic chants (mainly from the Rig Veda) originated before the Aryas arrived in India, dating back to around 1800–1700 BC. As these oral chants and teachings were gradually written down over several years, the Vedas are generally considered to have been compiled (not created) between 1500 BC and 300 BC.

The profound effect of the Vedas on the Indian Subcontinent is visible even today. During the Vedic era, the caste system was developed. This system is thought to have derived from a Vedic hymn related to the deity Purusha, considered the first human in Vedic traditions. The four castes derived from Purusha were assigned different societal roles: Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (traders), and Shudras (workers).

While one might argue that the caste system initially served as a labor diversification method, its insidious and detrimental effects are undeniable. Despite legal bans and penalties against caste-based discrimination in India and Nepal (Hindu-majority countries), the caste system remains a significant aspect of social and religious life.

While the caste system is a controversial and harmful legacy of the Vedic era, the period also brought important breakthroughs that influenced not only the Indian Subcontinent but the world at large. The Vedic era gave rise to Yoga and Meditation, practices that remain relevant today. Ayurveda, an influential alternative form of medicine, also traces its roots to this era.

The Vedic era also made notable contributions to mathematics, astronomy, and astrology. However, its most profound impact was on the scriptures, rituals, and philosophies that became the cornerstone of Hinduism, the most followed religion in the Indian Subcontinent.

In our next story, we will explore the philosophy of Hinduism, which continues to shape the lives of countless followers today.