What are the Vedas?

Answer

The Vedas are a set of four Hindu sacred texts, composed around 2,500 years ago. The initial and most significant Veda is the Rig-Veda, consisting of ten books containing hymns and mantras dedicated to various deities. The second Veda is the Sama-Veda, a compilation of melodies intended for chanting during Hindu rituals and offerings known as yajna. The third Veda is the Atharva-Veda, which includes additional hymns, mantras, and spells, many of which are meant to be recited outside the context of yajna. The last Veda is the Yajur-Veda, serving as a manual for priests conducting yajnas, with two sections: black and white.

The term Veda originates from Sanskrit, meaning “knowledge,” and Hindus consider the knowledge contained in the Vedas to be of divine origin. This knowledge is categorized into four groups within the Vedas: Samhitas, comprising mantras and blessings; Aranyakas, detailing the symbols and rituals related to sacrifices; the Brahmanas, discussing the rites and offerings; and Upanishads, exploring spiritual wisdom and Hindu philosophy. Occasionally, a fifth category is recognized—Upasanas, focusing on worship. In Hinduism, there are orthodox and heterodox interpretations of the Vedas, similar to the varying perspectives on Christian Scripture. Some Hindus view the Vedas as divine and authoritative truth, while others regard them as non-authoritative.

The exact age of the Vedas remains uncertain due to their oral transmission, possibly spanning many centuries before being transcribed. The initial manuscripts were often inscribed on birch bark or palm leaves, materials that do not endure over time. Consequently, most of the earliest texts are presumed lost. Even the existing texts exhibit some variability, differing among Vedic schools, and are categorized as shruti (“that which is heard”) and smriti (“that which is remembered”).

Remembered”). That is not to say that there is no consistency within the Vedas—in fact, the Vedic schools have elaborate methods for passing on what is heard and remembered intact; inherent within the mnemonic technique are many forms of recitation done to eliminate mistakes as the information is passed down orally.

The Vedas are unlike the Bible in that they do not proclaim truth and salvation. They mainly consist of thoughts, ideas, speculation, and poetry about man and the universe, along with prescriptions for sacrifice and ritual. Undoubtedly fascinating and beautiful writings, they cannot be relied upon to reveal the knowledge of God. Only the Bible, which is God’s own communication to mankind, can be trusted as true. Only the Bible is reliable to guide individuals from sin to a saving knowledge of God in Christ (2 Timothy 3:16;2 Peter 1:19-21).