The Vedas are a large body of ancient texts that form the foundational scriptures of Hinduism. They are composed in early Sanskrit and consist of four main collections:
- Rigveda: Contains hymns dedicated to various deities.
- Samaveda: Contains melodies and chants for rituals.
- Yajurveda: Contains prose mantras and instructions for rituals.
- Atharvaveda: Contains a mix of hymns, spells, and incantations, including aspects of daily life and spirituality.
The Vedas are considered highly sacred and are central to the rituals, philosophy, and spiritual practices in Hinduism. They are among the oldest religious texts in the world, traditionally attributed to ancient sages (rishis) and passed down orally before being written down.