Vedantha Basics

The term “Veda” originates from Sanskrit and translates to “Knowledge”. It comes from the root word “Vid”, which means to find, know, acquire, or understand. When one acquires or understands something, it becomes knowledge. As a noun, “Veda” refers to knowledge in general.

The Vedas date back several thousand years BCE. “Shruti” refers to the canon of “eternal, revelation-based and unquestionable truth” and primarily encompasses the Vedas themselves. In contrast, “Smriti” refers to supplementary materials that have been “remembered” and may evolve over time.

The Vedas are further divided into four subcategories or primary text types:

Samhitas – the oldest layer of text in the Vedas, made up of mantras, hymns, prayers, and benedictions that have combined the other three texts in literary terms.

Aranyakas – contains the philosophy behind the ritual sacrifice.

Brahmanas – includes commentary on the hymns of the four Vedas.

Upanishads – features conversations between teachers and students that clarify the philosophical message of the Vedas.

Hindu philosophy encompasses six divisions, known as the six Darsanas or perspectives, often referred to as the six systems or schools of thought. These schools are considered to be the six instruments of genuine education or the six demonstrations of truth. Each school has interpreted and organized different aspects of the Vedas in its own unique way. Each system has a Sutrakara, meaning a prominent Rishi who organized the doctrine of the school and distilled it into concise aphorisms or Sutras.