Important Facts of Vedic Literature

Vedic literature topic belongs to Ancient Indian History. It is an important topic for SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, BANKING, and other exams. In every exam, questions are asked from this topic. This content may enhance the knowledge of the candidates, who are preparing for these exams.

Brief History About Vedic Literature-

• The word Vedic is derived from “Veda”. The word Veda means knowledge. 
• Aryans were the architects of Vedic culture. 
• The word Arya means superior. Arya is a language word and not a specific term. 
• The Aryans did not know the script. Therefore, they used to pass on their knowledge from one generation to another.
• Hence Vedic literature is also called “Shruti literature”. 
• Vedic literature is also called “Samhita”.
• Vedic literature refers to the four Vedas, Brahmanical texts, Aranyakas and Upanishads. 
• Vedic literature is also called Apaurusheya and Nitya. 
• Rigveda, Samaveda, and Yajurveda are called Vedatrayi. It does not include Atharvaveda.
• Vedas are the oldest in Indian literature, their number is four – Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda.
• The new civilization that developed after the Indus civilization in India is known as the Vedic civilization or Arya civilization. The word ‘Arya’ in Classical Sanskrit means – a perfect person.
• The history of Aryans is known to us mainly from the Vedas. 
• Generally, the credit for the creation of Vedic literature is given to the Aryans.
  

Ved	Priest	Lesson	Brahmin	Upanishad	Upved
Rigveda	Hotri	Sakal,  Balkhilya,  Vashkal	Aitareya Brahmin, Kaushitaki Brahmin	Aitareya Upanishad   Kaushitaki Upanishad	Ayurveda
Samaveda	Udgatri	Kauthum,  Ranayaniya, Jaiminiya	Tandya Brahmana, Jaiminiya Brahmin	Jaiminiya Upanishad,  Chandogya Upanishad	Gandharva Veda
Yajurveda	Adhvaryu	Shukla Yajurveda,  Krishna Yajurveda	Shatapatha Brahmana, Taittiriya Brahmana	Katha Upanishad, Isha upanishad, Shvetashvatara Upanishad, Maitrayana Upanishad	Dhanurveda
Atharva veda	Brahma	Shaunak, Piplad	Gopatha Brahmana	Mundaka Upanishad, Mandukyopanishad, Prasnopanishad	Shilpveda

Some Important Facts-

• Purohit means a person who, by reciting mantras, gets the Yagya performed systematically. 
• The three branches of Rigveda and Samaveda are Sakal, Balkhilya, Vashkal and Kauthum, Ranayaniya, Jaiminiya respectively. 
• Yajurveda and Atharvaveda have two branches each, Shukla Yajurveda, Krishna Yajurveda and Saunak, Piplad respectively.
• Shukla Yajurveda has two sub-branches –
  1. Kanva
  2. Madhyadin 
• Krishna Yajurveda has four sub-branches –
  1. Kathak Code
  2. Kapisthala Samhita
  3. Maitreyi Code
  4. Taittiriya Samhita 
• The compiler of the Aitareya Brahmana was the sage Mahidas. 
• Tandya Brahmana is also known as Mahabrahman and Panchavimsha Brahmana.
• Shatapatha Brahmana is the oldest and biggest Brahmin. 
• The only Brahmin of the Atharveda is the Gopatha.
• The Chandogya Upanishad is the oldest of the Upanishads.
• The author of Ayurveda Upveda is Dhanvantari. There is medical knowledge in this Upveda.
• The author of Dhanurveda Upveda is Rishi Vishwamitra. In this Upveda there is knowledge related to the art of warfare.
• Rishi Bharata Muni is the author of Gandharva Veda Upveda. This Upveda contains knowledge related to the art of music.
• Rishi Vishwakarma is the author of Shilpveda Upveda. In this Upveda there is knowledge related to craftsmanship.