Hindu Scriptures

Apart from what history books have told me, I've never made an attempt to find out more about ancient Scriptures, and today I find myself unusually curious about what - putting religious connotations aside- one can learn from them.

Starting with the Vedas - now what exactly are these all about?

1. Vedas - Rig-Veda, Sama-Veda, Yajur-Veda and Atharva-veda

The Vedas contain the 'eternal truths' revealed by God* to Rishis (seers).
The Rishis were 'enlightened' - they were the spiritual discoverers of thoughts which were already in existence.

In effect, the Vedas were not authored by Rishis.

They are not a product of the human mind.

The essence of Vedas has always existed and will continue to do so.

In the book form,the Vedas are recordings of revelations and spiritual experiences undergone by Rishis in the process of imbibing the Divine Knowledge (I prefer Eternal Truth).

The vedas also formed the basis of religion and philosphy.
The underlying principles of many religions can be traced back to the vedas.

These books are written in Sanskrit - the intellectual language of the ancient (and classical) Indian civilization.

And what fascinated me was the fact that,come to think of it, Vedas have no beginning or end.

Vedas are not merely books - they embody much more than what can be contained in the books.

Truth,it is said, is eternal and impersonal.

And it's out there for each person to understand in his own unique way.

Indian last names that indicate the knowledge of vedas (minimum 2 vedas needed to be mastered)-

Dwivedi (dwi = 'dwee' = 2) - mastery over 2 vedas,
Trivedi (tri = 'tree' = 3) - mastery over 3 vedas,
Chaturvedi - mastery over all 4 vedas

I learned from my grandfather that the knowledge of the vedas was always passed on verbally - usually rhythmic chanting of verses - until students 'realized' the truth.

(I find that Sanskrit has a unique lyrical quality that makes the chanting sound almost entrancing, even when I don't understand anything)

2. Upanishads -

Also known as 'Vedanta' - 'anta' = end

These are 'conclusions' to the Vedas.

There are 18 Upanishads containing commentaries,episodes,stories through which the essence
of life - common and metaphysical - and the views about Brahma (the Absolute) and the
'Atma' (the soul -one's true self) are revealed.

Only select students were allowed to know the answers of the mysteries of life and creation -
the simple reason being that knowledge couldn't be handled by all.

3. Puranas

Meant for the masses,the Puranas were written to impart the essence of the Vedas to the
common man - who could not understand philosophy.

They emphasize the worship of Brahma(the Creator),Vishnu(the Preserver) and Shiva(the
Destroyer)

The abstract truth is given 'form' here - gods and goddesses emerge, idols and symbols are
introduced.

Religious fundamentalists today seem to be exploiting this layer - where the Truth is to be interpreted in the common tongue for the common man - to start wars, to kill, to oppress, all in the name of God and religion.

Maybe all we need is patience and the desire to find the essence behind the teachings of our faith.

* Henotheism - the key to Hindu theology - is the idea that although there are many different gods and goddesses, each is a representation of one Supreme Being.