The Hindu Vedas are a collection of sacred texts and poetic hymns. They are the oldest surviving religious works that we know exist. Composed around 1500-1000BCE they went on to heavily influence Buddhism, Jainism and Taoism.
The myths found in the Vedas are rich in symbolism which have deep spiritual meaning together with moral lessons. They were written by wise sages, although the actual names of the writers are unknown.
Written in ancient Sanskrit, the earliest Hindu texts are so old and fragile that scholars are not able to translate them all. The oldest books are known as the Samhita Collections and compromise of the following:-
Rig Veda – The Book of Mantra
The Rig Veda is the oldest Hindu text and comprises of a collection of hymns and mantras. Scholars dispute the actual date the Rig Veda was written with some researchers dating ist as far back as the 12,000BCE. The widely accepted date is 1500BCE.
The Sama Veda: The Book of Song
The Sama Veda is practically a replica of the Rig Veda, and was probably written much later. It is the remaining three Vedas which mainstream scholars typically base their dating. As such the Sama Veda is said to be a stripped down Rig Veda.
The Yajur Veda: The Book of Ritual
The focus of the Yajur Veda is aligned to ceremonial proceedings. It serves as guidebook for priests and has drawn comparisons with the Book of the Dead from ancient Egypt.
Atharva Veda
The Atharva Veda was written much later than the earlier manuscripts – around 200BCE. It contains much of the knowledge in the Rig Veda, but with additional incantations and metaphysical inserts.
The Upanishads
Over time the stories and names of the Gods featured in Hindu texts changed although they essentially have the same meaning. However, it is possible to see in the later scriptures that the understanding of consciousness in ancient India had evolved over time.
Some of the most important Hindu texts are the Upanishads, often referred to as Vedantas. The core teachings of these scriptures deal with Brahman (ultimate reality) and Atman (the soul). These teachings lay the foundations of modern Hindu philosophy and traditions.
It is believed the Upanishads were written in the first Century BCE when more than 200 were composed. The first thirteen books are the most important; Brihadaranyaka, Chandogya, Taittiriya, Aitareya, Kaushitaki, Kena, Katha, Isa, Svetasvatara, Mundaka, Prasna, Mandukya and Maitri.
Post-Vedic Texts
The post-Vedic texts feature some of the better known ancient Hindu scriptures including Ramayana, The Mahabharata and the Puranas. Known collectively as Smrti literature, they also include the theological treatise of the Agamas and the philosophical texts of the Darshanas. Some scholars also believe the Dharmashastras belong to Smrti literature as well.
Post Vedic texts are easily distinguished from earlier writings. Whereas the formative wisdom was written out in hymns, the post Vedic texts are written in the form of epic poems and the heroes – the deities – take on developed personalities that reflect human qualities.
It is in the epics of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata where we first encounter the avatars of Vishnu, Rama and Krishna, both of whom are the most popular Hindu Gods today.
The Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita is the most famous and widely read of ancient Hindu texts. Composed of 700 verses, the story recites a conversation between the nervy Pandava prince, Arjuna, and the calming God, Krishna.
The scene is lifted from the larger work of the earlier Mahabharata and has become one of the most important lessons in modern day Hinduism. The battle scene is believed to be an allegory for the ethical and moral struggles faced by humanity and teaches us to act selflessly. The story is said to have inspired many Indian leaders including Gandhi who called the Gita his ‘special dictionary.’
Many commentaries have been given as to the core meaning of the Bhagavad Gita, though most of them have different views on the essential elements. However, the one element that all Hindus will agree on is that the Gita – or song of the Lord – is a powerful abbreviation that loving God means loving the immortal Self.
The Puranas
By the time the Puranas were written (between 3rd and 16th Century AD), the ancient writers had developed a pantheon of Gods with special powers and destructive qualities. Much like humans.
The belief and favouritism in particular deities had become established in Hindu faith by the time the Puranas were written and we first begin to see the dominance of the Trimurti. Shiva and Vishnu in particular dominate the texts.
The Puranas are notable for five distinct qualities; a description of the creation of the Universe, the destruction and reconstruction of the Universe, the genealogy of Gods and patriarchs, the reign of early man and the solar and lunar race of Kings.
There are a total of 37 Puranas although only 18 are considered major works. Some of the most important teachings found in the sacred texts of the middle-ages are the Gunas which cultivate qualities of purity, (sattva) passion (rajas) and the deconstruction of ignorance (tamas).
The Tevaram Saivite Hymns
The Tevaram Saivite are a body of hymns credited for inspiring the Bhakti movement across India. The canonical books are devoted to Shiva and were composed by a series of Tamil saints between the 6th and 8th Century AD.
Divya Prabandha Vaishnavite Hymns
The Divya Prabandha Vaishnavite are a collection of 4000 divine hymns written in the Tamil language. The original texts were written before the 8th Century, although the existing texts were put together during the 9th and 10th Centuries.
It is believed the earlier manuscripts were lost, but written out by the legendary theologian Nathamuni after he heard the hymns being recited. Captivated by their sound and vibration, he wanted to understand their meaning and undertook a conquest to find and scribe all 4000 verses.
The Divya Prabhandha is considered to be on a par with the Rig Veda in the South of India and continues to form a part of the daily chanting.
