Vedas and their Characteristics

• The most famous Upanishads are Chandogya Upanishad, Kena Upanishad, Aitareya Upanishad, and Taittiriyo Upanishad. • The Vedangas are six in number, dealing with pronunciation, grammar, etymology, metrics, rituals, and astronomy. • The Sutras are divided into three groups: Srautasutras (yajna and sacrifices), Grihyasutras or Smartasutras (ceremonies connected with family life), and Dharmasutras (rules of conduct for various classes of people and stages of life). • The Upavedas are four subsidiary Vedas: Ayurveda (Indian system of medicine), Dhanurveda (art of warfare), Gandharvaveda (art of music), and Shilpaveda (art and architecture). • The six schools of Indian philosophy, known as Shad-Darshanas, include Nyaya Darshana, Vaishesika, Sankhya, Yoga, Purva Mimamsa, and Uttar Mimamsa. • The Dharmashastras are the law-books, including the Dharmasutras and the Smritis, along with their commentaries. • The Yajur Veda deals with hymns recited during the performance of yajnas, throwing light on the social and religious life of the Aryans. • The Atharva Veda contains hymns dealing with magic and charms, as well as powers of spirits, Gyan (knowledge), karma (action), and pasana (invocation). • The Brahmanas are written after the Vedas as their commentary, explaining the social and religious importance of rituals and sacrifices, and are of great historical value. • The Aranyakas are known as 'forest books' written for the guidance of hermits and students living in forests, forming the concluding part of the Brahmanas, and dealing with mysticism and philosophy. • The Upanishads are philosophical commentaries on the Vedas, explaining doctrines such as Karma, Moksha, and Maya, and form the basic source of Indian philosophy.