‘knowledge’ – sacred Hindu scriptures, regarded by orthodoxy as divine revelation

Early Vedic period

Samhita-Stratum

The oldest layer (c. 1200 BCE to 900 BCE) of the Veda consists of the four Samhitas (collections). They form the actual core of the Veda:

  • the Rigveda Samhita (hymns),
  • the Samaveda Samhita (songs),
  • the Yajurveda Samhita, with Vajasaneyi Samhita (belongs to the white Yajur Veda), Maitrayani Samhita (belongs to the black Yajur Veda), (sacrificial formulas) and
  • the Atharvaveda Samhita (magic formulas).

Later Vedic period

Brahmana-Stratum

The next Vedic layer (c. 800 BCE to 600 BCE) is made up of the Brahmanas (ritual texts, interpretations, ceremonies and sacrifices – Yajna’s):

  • e.g. the Aitereya-Brahmana (belongs to the Rigveda)
  • e.g. the Shatapatha-Brahmana (belongs to the white Yajurveda)

Aranyaka-Stratum

There are also the Aranyakas (forest texts, text on rituals, ceremonies, sacrifices and symbolic-sacrifices):

  • e.g. the Kaushitaki-Aranyaka (belongs to the Rigveda)
  • e.g. the Taittiriya-Aranyaka (belongs to the black Yajurveda)

Upanishad-Stratum

Another layer (c. 700 BCE to 500 BCE) consists of the Upanishads (philosophical, mystical teachings, spiritual knowledge). However, not all Upanishads are considered part of the Veda.

  • e.g. the Aitereya-Upanishad (belongs to the Rigveda)
  • e.g. the Chandogya-Upanishad (belongs to the Samaveda)
  • e.g. the Taittiriya-Upanishad (belongs to the black Yajurveda)
  • e.g. the Mundaka-Upanishad (belongs to the Atharvaveda)

It must be taken into account that these layers were not always truly separate, as they were oral traditions that were only fixed as texts much later (from the 5th CE). The name Brihadaranyaka-Upanishad makes it clear that this very important text contains an Aranyaka and an Upanishad.

The Brihadaranyaka-Upanishad is in turn part of the Shatapatha-Brahmana. There is strong overlap, especially in Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads: the Chandogya-Upanishad e.g. is part of the Chandogya-Brahmana.