The Vedas (“knowledge” or wisdom) are the ancient and the most sacred writings that are the foundation of Hindu scripture. Supposedly compiled by the Hindu sage Vyāsa, the Vedas encompass a series of hymns and formulaic chants that establish the Hindu liturgy.
Called Ṣruti (“that which has been heard”) to signify that they were “revealed,” the Vedas are regarded by Hindus as “eternal” and not the work of man. They were initially handed down by word of mouth before taking their present form and composed between c.1500 and 1200 BCE during the Samhitā epoch.
The hymns in the Vedas establish a liturgical corpus that partly evolved around the soma ritual. Recited or chanted during Hindu rites and ceremonies, the hymns extolled an extensive pantheon of Gods and Goddesses such as Agni (fire,) Sūrya (sun,) Usha (dawn,) and Indra (rain) that exemplified natural and cosmic phenomena, and others Mitrá (friendship,) Varuṇa (moral authority,) and Vāc (speech) that represented abstract qualities.
More broadly, the Veda is a collective noun, which has come to include not only the four Vedas themselves, but also the associated corpus of supplementary texts, covering prose explanations (the brāhmaṇas) of ritual acts, and other commentaries on them. These include the forest-books Āraṇyakas (c.100–c.800 BCE,) the ritual mystical interpretations Upaniṣads (c.800–500 BCE,) and various sūtras and vedāṇgas.
There are four Vedas: Ṛig-Veda (“Knowledge of the Verses,”) containing 1026 hymns in a priestly institution; Yajur Veda (“Knowledge of the Sacrifice,”) consisting of prayers and sacred formulations; Sāma Veda (“Knowledge of the Chants,”) consisting of hymns taken from the Ṛig-Veda, but sung richly to a scale of seven notes instead of the three notes used for other Vedic recital; and Atharva Veda (“Knowledge of the Fire Priest,”) a collection of popular hymns, incantations, and magic spells. Each Veda is generally considered to have three sections—samhitā (hymns and chants,) brāmana (details of sacrifice,) and the Upaniṣads (speculative, philosophical texts.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by The Vedas
Life without goodness, good thoughts, good actions and good words is like the sky in the night without the moon or stars. It is like a wheel without a hub or spokes! No one can push a boulder away while standing on it; you cannot be free from anxiety while all the entrances through which it sneaks in are open.
—The Vedas
One should strive to maintain good health by taking balanced diet and exercising regularly.
—The Vedas
Topics: Balance, Diet
May their weapons fall from their (hands), may they be unable to lay the arrow on (the bow)! And then (our) arrows shall smite them, badly frightened, in their vital members
—The Vedas
Topics: Weapon
A king, who rules as per the aspiration of people will naturally become popular. He will successfully rule his kingdom for a very long time
—The Vedas
Topics: Aspirations
People accept only that person as their leader who is radiant with good knowledge and karma (deeds).
—The Vedas
Topics: Karma
Let the stronger man give to the man whose need is greater; let him gaze upon the lengthening path of life. For riches roll like the wheels of a chariot, turning from one to another.
—The Vedas
Whatever defect I have in my sight, in my heart or mind, may God amend! May He, the Protector of the world, bless us!
—The Vedas
The person desirous of success and strength should perform good karma continuously.
—The Vedas
Topics: Karma
Even as the radiance of the sun enlightens all regions, above, below, and slantwise, so that only God, glorious and worthy of worship, rules over all His creation.
—The Vedas
Topics: Light, God, Wise
In pursuit of money, man descends to the level of the beast.
Money is of the nature of manure.
Piled up in one place, it pollutes the air.
Spread it wide; scatter it over fields; it rewards you with a bumper harvest.
—The Vedas
We should keep strict vigil on the already controlled senses so that they do not get an opportunity to raise their ugly heads. Pure diet is of great help in this regard i.e. in controlling sensual desires and anger
—The Vedas
Topics: Diet
Human beings perform good karma (deeds) in order to attain success.
—The Vedas
Topics: Karma
Speech emanating from a pure heart and mind of learned men and scholars are naturally pure just like water of a river.
—The Vedas
May we be fearless, from friends and enemies, from known and unknown, from night and day, May all the directions be our allies.
—The Vedas
Laziness erodes a person of his enthusiasm and energy. As a result the person loses all opportunities and finally becomes dejected and frustrated. The worst thing is that he stops believing in himself.
—The Vedas
Topics: Laziness
Thought gives rise to desire.
—The Vedas
Topics: Desire
Why shall he perform bad Karma who has been properly nurtured for many a thousand months and years?
—The Vedas
Topics: Karma
During war times not only one should himself take part in it but also encourage the courageous to do so by creating awareness, zeal and enthusiasm for the war in the society.
—The Vedas
Topics: Awareness
When there is harmony between the mind, heart and resolution then nothing is impossible.
—The Vedas
It takes time for a fruit to mature and acquire sweetness and become eatable; time is a prime factor for most good fortunes.
—The Vedas
Fear leads to failure, those who are fearless are patient and valiant.
—The Vedas
It is in the best interest of a man to become a Karma-Yogi and work to the best of his abilities and without bothering about the results.
—The Vedas
Topics: Karma
A person can achieve everything by being simple and humble.
—The Vedas
In the first age of the gods, existence was born from non-existence.
—The Vedas
Ego is the biggest enemy of humans.
—The Vedas
Topics: Ego
Wake up with one mind, my friends, and kindle the fire, you many who share the same nest. Make your thoughts harmonious; stretch them on the loom; make a ship whose oars will carry us across…
—The Vedas
A person who performs good Karma (deeds) is always held in high esteem.
—The Vedas
Topics: Karma
If a man makes best use of whatever means he has at his disposal and also has the blessings of God, then he will certainly fulfil all his aspirations and dreams.
—The Vedas
Topics: Aspirations
The real happiness of life is in doing ‘karma’.
—The Vedas
Topics: Karma
Attractiveness and magnetism of man’s personality is the result of his inner radiance.
—The Vedas
Topics: Personality
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
The Upanishads Sacred Books of Hinduism
The Mahabharata Hindu Religious Text