I know that they are shruti texts and so are timeless and told to Hindus by Brahman. Another point could be that there are 4 books within it but this isnt really a belief is it? Just a fact.
Points you've got already: - shruti literature, earliest revelations, timeless eternal truths revealed by Brahman combine this with Melody's point, that the author is believed to be Ganesh
other points: The 4 books (Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, Atharva Veda) are the basis of the Hindu rituals, ceremonies, hymns, rites of passages (samskars), and mantras etc - mainly instructions for priests who belong in the varna of Brahmins,
therefore leading onto the point that only Brahmins can access it
I think that ultimately only Brahmins can "access" it, but gurus may teach it to select students (Brahmacharyi who traditionally live and learn with their guru) who are twice-born (upper three varnas).
Final point: The Vedas still contains a range of knowledge which can be applied to Hindus' lives in the modern society today; the Vedas contains wisdom pertaining to philosophy, art, mathematics, medicine and science - of which are (still) a major feature of our lives in the world today.
One possible point is that some Hindus believe that Ganesha wrote the Vedas (he is sometimes shown holding his trunk like a pen in murtis).
ReplyDeletePossibly also that the Vedas is the source of all Hindu teaching but that it does not hold absolute authority over deciding actions in Hinduism.
And maybe also that only certain castes are allowed to study it (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas).
Can't think of any more at the moment...
Points you've got already:
ReplyDelete- shruti literature, earliest revelations, timeless eternal truths revealed by Brahman
combine this with Melody's point, that the author is believed to be Ganesh
other points:
The 4 books (Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, Atharva Veda) are the basis of the Hindu rituals, ceremonies, hymns, rites of passages (samskars), and mantras etc - mainly instructions for priests who belong in the varna of Brahmins,
therefore leading onto the point that only Brahmins can access it
I think that ultimately only Brahmins can "access" it, but gurus may teach it to select students (Brahmacharyi who traditionally live and learn with their guru) who are twice-born (upper three varnas).
Final point:
The Vedas still contains a range of knowledge which can be applied to Hindus' lives in the modern society today; the Vedas contains wisdom pertaining to philosophy, art, mathematics, medicine and science - of which are (still) a major feature of our lives in the world today.