Early Vedic Traditions · वेद

The Vedas are the oldest scriptures of Sanatana Dharma. Tradition holds them eternal and "heard" by the rishis; scholars date their composition to the second millennium BCE.

[Historical scholarship]

Tradition calls the Vedas apauruṣeya — not composed by humans but heard (śruti) by the rishis. Historians, using language and archaeology, usually date the Rigveda's hymns to about 1500–1200 BCE, while some Indian scholars argue for much earlier dates. Both views are shown here, clearly labelled.

Agni the sacred fire, Indra king of the gods, Varuna keeper of cosmic order (ṛta), Surya the sun, Ushas the dawn, Soma, Vayu, the Maruts and the Ashvins. Many hymns are addressed to them in the fire ritual (yajña).

• The four Vedas
• The rishis

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