Vedas

📅 Estimated Period: 1500–1200 BCE (oldest of the Vedas)

📘 Content:

Contains 1,028 hymns (suktas) in 10 books (mandalas).
Composed primarily of praises to deities such as Agni (fire), Indra (war/thunder), Varuna (cosmic order), Soma (sacred drink).
Rich in poetic meter and metaphysical symbolism.

📜 Purpose:

🧠 Philosophical Aspects:

Contains early concepts of cosmology, natural forces, and the origin of the universe (e.g., the Nasadiya Sukta).
Lays the groundwork for later Upanishadic thought.

📅 Estimated Period: 1200–1000 BCE

📘 Content:

Consists mainly of prose mantras and ritual formulas.
Divided into two major versions:
- Shukla (White) Yajurveda – Has a more systematic arrangement.
- Krishna (Black) Yajurveda – Contains both verses and explanations interspersed.

📜 Purpose:

Provides detailed instructions for Vedic rituals, especially Yajnas (sacrifices).
Includes procedures for Agnihotra, Ashvamedha (horse sacrifice), Rajasuya (royal consecration), and Somayajna.

🧠 Philosophical Aspects:

Emphasis on Dharma (duty) and correct performance of sacrificial acts.

📅 Estimated Period: 1200–1000 BCE

📘 Content:

Consists of chants and melodies, mostly derived from the Rigveda.
Has about 1,875 verses, but only about 75 are original, the rest are repetitions.
Divided into:
- Purvarchika (first part)
- Uttararchika (later part)

📜 Purpose:

🎵 Musical Significance:

📅 Estimated Period: 1000–900 BCE

📘 Content:

Contains 730 hymns with about 6,000 mantras in 20 books.
More diverse and practical in nature.
Deals with healing, exorcism, blessings, curses, magic, domestic rituals, and kingship.

📜 Purpose:

🧠 Philosophical Aspects:

Contains early philosophical and medical thought.
Includes hymns to Prana (life-breath), Mind (Manas), Time (Kala), etc.
Basis for Ayurveda (ancient Indian medicine).

Structure of Each Veda

Each Veda is divided into four parts: