Page 48 - Hinduism

CHAPTER VI LITERATURE
The Vedas form the fundamental basis of our religion. They are the words of Brahman and are said to be Brahman itself. These were littered by great ṛṣis (Seers). They are the oldest literary specimens of the world. Their language is an ancient form of Sanskrit. The Vedas are four in number called the Ṛgveda, Yajurwda, Sāmaveda and Atharvaveda. Each Veda comprises two parts, called the Karmabhāga and the Tattvabhāga--the portion that treats of action (karma) and the portion that treats of reality (tattva). The conduct to be followed by those who aspire to acquire puṇya or virtue is detailed in the former portion and the eternal truths of life are described in the latter portion. Brahman is that by knowing which everything is known and so the portion of the Veda which treats of Brahman is the most important portion. It is called the Vedānta or the Upaniṣad. The former portion may again be divided into two parts called the Mantra part and the Brāhmaṇa part. The Brāhmaṇa portion refers to the details of the ritual and indicates the particular mantra to be recited in each ritual act; the Mantra portion supplies the mantras. The two parts are mixed up in the Kṛṣṇa yajurveda; in all the other Vedas they are found separate.
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