Vedas: Difference between revisions
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The '''Vedas''' ([[Sanskrit]] ''{{IAST|véda}}'' {{lang|sa|वेद}} "knowledge") are a large corpus of texts originating in [[History of India|Ancient India]]. They form the oldest layer of [[Sanskrit literature]]<ref>see e.g. {{Harvnb|MacDonell|2004|p=29-39}}; ''Sanskrit literature'' (2003) in Philip's Encyclopedia. Accesed 2007-08-09</ref> and the oldest [[Hindu scripture|sacred texts]] of [[Hinduism]].<ref>see e.g. {{Harvnb|Radhakrishnan|Moore|1957|p=3}}; Witzel, Michael, "Vedas and {{IAST|Upaniṣads}}", in: {{Harvnb|Flood|2003|p=68}}</ref> | |||
According to Hindu tradition, the Vedas are ''[[apaurusheyatva|{{IAST|apauruṣeya}}]]'' "not human compositions"<ref> Apte, pp. 109f. has "not of the authorship of man, of divine origin"</ref>, being supposed to have been directly revealed, and thus are called ''[[śruti]]'' ("what is heard").<ref>{{Harvnb|Apte|1965|p=887}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Muller|1891|p=17-18}}</ref> | |||
Vedic [[mantra]]s are recited at Hindu prayers, religious functions and other auspicious occasions. | |||
Philosophies and sects that developed in the Indian subcontinent have taken differing positions on the Vedas. Schools of Indian philosophy which cite the Vedas as their scriptural authority are classified as "orthodox" ([[astika|āstika]]). Two other Indian philosophies, [[Buddhism]] and [[Jainism]], did not accept the authority of the Vedas and evolved into separate religions. In Indian philosophy these groups are referred to as "heterodox" or "non-Vedic" ([[nastika|nāstika]]) schools.<ref>{{Harvnb|Flood|1996|p=82}}</ref> | |||
==Relationship to Yoga== | ==Relationship to Yoga== | ||
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*[[Upanishad]] | *[[Upanishad]] | ||
*[[Yoga]] | *[[Yoga]] | ||
==References== | |||
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Revision as of 16:46, 10 November 2007
The Vedas (Sanskrit Template:IAST वेद "knowledge") are a large corpus of texts originating in Ancient India. They form the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature[1] and the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism.[2]
According to Hindu tradition, the Vedas are [[apaurusheyatva|Template:IAST]] "not human compositions"[3], being supposed to have been directly revealed, and thus are called śruti ("what is heard").[4][5] Vedic mantras are recited at Hindu prayers, religious functions and other auspicious occasions.
Philosophies and sects that developed in the Indian subcontinent have taken differing positions on the Vedas. Schools of Indian philosophy which cite the Vedas as their scriptural authority are classified as "orthodox" (āstika). Two other Indian philosophies, Buddhism and Jainism, did not accept the authority of the Vedas and evolved into separate religions. In Indian philosophy these groups are referred to as "heterodox" or "non-Vedic" (nāstika) schools.[6]
Relationship to Yoga
The Rig Veda, mentions Yoga as a kind of discipline.
The fifteenth book of theAtharva Veda, the Vratya Kanda, connects it with pranayama (breath control), for the purpose of improving the musical quality of hymns sung to Rudra.
See also
References
- ↑ see e.g. MacDonell 2004, p. 29-39; Sanskrit literature (2003) in Philip's Encyclopedia. Accesed 2007-08-09
- ↑ see e.g. Radhakrishnan & Moore 1957, p. 3; Witzel, Michael, "Vedas and Template:IAST", in: Flood 2003, p. 68
- ↑ Apte, pp. 109f. has "not of the authorship of man, of divine origin"
- ↑ Apte 1965, p. 887
- ↑ Muller 1891, p. 17-18
- ↑ Flood 1996, p. 82