Chaturveda : (The Four Vedas)

A study of Indian culture can only begin with a study of the holy scriptures known as Vedas to us. The Vedas are known by the name Apourusheya, meaning, not written by human beings.

They are believed to be ever-existing. The Vedas have been believed to be of various types and innumerable in numbers. However, with the passing of time, the numbers have dwindled to just 4 now - the Universally known divisions of : Rigveda, Yajurveda, Sama and Atharva Vedas.

Indian way of life has always believed in inviting God to its amidst by praying in various ways, first and foremost among them being the 'Mantras'. An Indian ritual or festival or worship is never celebrated without these Mantras (holy chantings). Indian belief further says that one can see God through the Vedas. Bhojaraja, the well-known King, in his Champoo Ramayana says :

Daivaadheenam Jagatsarvam Mantraadheenamtu Daivatam
Tanmantram Brahmanaadheenam Brahmanoa Mamadevathaa

Meaning : This world is in the control of God, who in turn is under the control of the Mantraas ; such Mantraas are under the control of the Brahmanaa - Brahmanaa is my God.

It is also said that God is in the heart of the person studying the Vedas (Vedaadhyaayee). Vedas are beyond mortality, as described by the Mantra : Anaadhi Nidhanaaha Vedaha.

Among the said four Vedas, Yajurveda is considered to be the most prominent (Tasya Yajureva Shiraha). It has 7 Kaandas (divisions), middle one being the Rudraadhyaayee, which we shall look into in brief detail in the next part.

- C.N. Yajnanarayana Shastry

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