Vedas

The Vedas date back to the beginning of Indian civilization and are the earliest literary records of the whole Aryan race. They are divided into four groups, Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and  Atharvaveda. Each group has an original text (Mantra) and a commentary portion (Brahmana). The Brahmana again has two portions, one interpreting ritual and the other the philosophy. The portions interpreting the philosophy of the original texts constitute the Upanishads. There are also auxiliary texts called Vedangas. Vedic literature refers to the whole of this vast group of literature. The whole of Rgveda and most of Atharvaveda are in the form of poetry, or hymns to the deities and the elements. Samaveda is in verses that are to be sung and Yajurveda is largely in short prose passages. Both Samaveda and Yajurveda are concerned with rituals rather than philosophy. Especially Yajurveda.