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THE VEDAS

There are four books in the Vedas which are the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. The Vedas are the major text of Hinduism and have influence on Buddhism, Janism, and Sikhism. Scholars have determined that 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 committed to writing, but this probably was at some point after 300 Inside the Vedas are B.C. hymns, incantations, and rituals from ancient India. There are also along with the Book of the Dead, the Enuma Elish, the I Ching, and theAvesta, they are among the most ancient religious texts still in existence. 

 

THE UPANISHADS

They are an amazing collection of writings from original oral transmissions, which have been aptly described as "the supreme work of the Indian mind".The Upanishads form the core of Indian philosophy. The term 'Upanishad' literally means, "sitting down near" or "sitting close to", and implies listening closely to the mystic doctrines of a guru or a spiritual teacher, who has cognized the fundamental truths of the universe.The main concepts of Hinduism are introduced in the Upanishads which are karma (action), samsara (reincarnation), moksha (nirvana), the atman (soul), and the Brahman (Absolute almighty). They also set forth the prime Vedic doctrines of self-realization, yoga and meditation. Upanishads are summits of thought on mankind and the universe, designed to push human ideas to their very limit and beyond.