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# Introduction to the Vedas ## Importance of the Vedas The Vedas are considered the basic source of Indian philosophy. They are known as "Vedanta" due to their chronological positioning at the end of the Vedas. ## Major Components of the Vedas 1. **Samhitas:** Contain the hymns of the Vedas. 2....

# Introduction to the Vedas ## Importance of the Vedas The Vedas are considered the basic source of Indian philosophy. They are known as "Vedanta" due to their chronological positioning at the end of the Vedas. ## Major Components of the Vedas 1. **Samhitas:** Contain the hymns of the Vedas. 2. **Brahmanas:** Explain the rituals and sacrifices of the Vedas. 3. **Aranyakas:** Focus on meditation, not sacrifices. 4. **Upanishads:** Provide knowledge about the relation of God with the soul, including Karma, Moksha, Maya, and transmigration of the soul. 5. **Vedangas:** Supplementary texts to make the Vedas more understandable. They are 6 in number: - Kalpa (Religious Rituals) - Shiksha (Pronunciation or Phonetics) - Vyakarna (Grammar) - Jyotish (Astronomy) - Nirukta (Etymology) - Chhandas (Metre) The Kalpa Vedanga is particularly important due to its focus on describing the religious rites and rituals of the Aryans, which helps with comprehension and pronunciation of Vedic hymns. 6. **Up Vedas:** Deal with specific subjects like medicine, music, art and architecture, and consist of 4: - Ayurveda (Medicine) - Dhanurveda (Warfare) - Ghandharva Veda (Dance and Music) - Shilpa Veda (Art and Architecture) 7. **Six schools of Hindu Philosophy (Darshana):** These were written in the Later Vedic Period to help understand the philosophical content of the Vedas. They are: - Sankhya Shastra of Kapila - Yoga Shastra of Patanjali - Nyaya Shastra of - Vaisheshika Shastra - Purva Mimansa - Uttar Mimansa 8. **The Dharma Shastras:** Focus on new social and religious concepts, including the Hindu concept of Dharma. 9. **Sutras:** Consist of rules and regulations to control the lives of people in kingdoms and new laws. They are divided into two groups: - **Shrauta Sutras:** Contain rites and rituals. -