The Vedas are a large body of texts that were composed and compiled in Ancient India. The Vedic literature forms the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and is considered by Hindus as highly sacred.

Literally, the word "Veda" means knowledge or wisdom. This knowledge surpasses own scope of thinking. Many Hindus consider rge Vedas as a source of information on the very existence and base of reality. They shape their life and thinking as professed by the Vedas. Without getting a proper insight into the Vedas, one cannot fully understand the spiritual and cultural beliefs of Indians.

The information present in the Vedas is beyond the frame of time. It is applicable and relevant irrespective of time. Even today, thousands of years after the Vedas were composed, Vedic chants can be heard as Hindu prayers, religious festivities and other auspicious functions.

Vedic wisdom is not derived from a particular scripture nor was it composed and written by a prophet. It came into existence over the course of several thousands of years. This wisdom was transmitted over the centuries from teacher to student by mouth.

Though Western scholars do not agree, many scholars in India are of the opinion that Harappan civilization (4000 BCE) is a continuation of the Vedic civilization. This places the age of the Rig-veda at 10,000 BCE.

Over the centuries, Vedic mantras were transmitted from generation to generation by oral tradition. Thus, the vedas are also called "sruti" which means "what is heard" in Sanskrit.

The Vedas were compiled by the great sage Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa or Veda Vyasa. It is believed that he collected all the known mantras of that time and compiled them into four groups: Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva. He taught each of these to his students who in turn spread them to their disciples. This is how Vedas came into existence.

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