Vedas

The ancient Hindu scriptures, written in Sanskrit (from around 1500-900 BCE), and comprised of four parts:  1. Rig-Veda, 2. Brahmanas, 3. Aranyakas, and 4. Upanishads.  The first three parts deal mainly with the words, rituals, and meaning of the sacrificial rites of the priestly caste (Brahmin).  The Upanishads focus on the message that Atman, the essence or soul of the individual “self,” is really the same as Brahman, the universal and ultimate reality that is the supreme, divine “Self.”  While Brahman may not necessarily be interpreted as personal, the Vedas present such ultimate being as the source and essence of all existence.

Contributed by: Marty Maddox/CTNS