Criminal
11-17-2005, 06:32 AM
The Vedas
There are four Vedas, the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. The Vedas are the primary texts of Hinduism. They also had a vast influence on Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. The Rig Veda, the oldest of the four Vedas, was composed about 1500 B.C., and codified about 600 B.C. It is unknown when it was finally comitted to writing, but this probably was at some point after 300 B.C.
The Vedas contain hymns, incantations, and rituals from ancient India. Along with the Book of the Dead, the Enuma Elish, the I Ching, and the Avesta, they are among the most ancient religious texts still in existence. Besides their spiritual value, they also give a unique view of everyday life in India four thousand years ago. The Vedas are also the most ancient extensive texts in an Indo-European language, and as such are invaluable in the study of comparative linguistics.
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/ (For complete text click here)
What I found most striking about the text of the Rig Veda, the first and most important of the Vedas, is the use of animal sacrefice. This bore great similarities to the book of Leviticus in that respect. It seems that this text was revered by the early Aryan Indians who practiced a faith similar to other nomadic hearders. It differed greatly from modern day Hindu faith in that modern Hindus revere all life and are vegitarians.
There are four Vedas, the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. The Vedas are the primary texts of Hinduism. They also had a vast influence on Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. The Rig Veda, the oldest of the four Vedas, was composed about 1500 B.C., and codified about 600 B.C. It is unknown when it was finally comitted to writing, but this probably was at some point after 300 B.C.
The Vedas contain hymns, incantations, and rituals from ancient India. Along with the Book of the Dead, the Enuma Elish, the I Ching, and the Avesta, they are among the most ancient religious texts still in existence. Besides their spiritual value, they also give a unique view of everyday life in India four thousand years ago. The Vedas are also the most ancient extensive texts in an Indo-European language, and as such are invaluable in the study of comparative linguistics.
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/ (For complete text click here)
What I found most striking about the text of the Rig Veda, the first and most important of the Vedas, is the use of animal sacrefice. This bore great similarities to the book of Leviticus in that respect. It seems that this text was revered by the early Aryan Indians who practiced a faith similar to other nomadic hearders. It differed greatly from modern day Hindu faith in that modern Hindus revere all life and are vegitarians.