Vedas and Hinduism

Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world, it came into existence more than 3000 years ago and the source of this religion is the Rig Veda along with four other Vedas. Harappan civilization was followed by Vedic society and the rituals that were followed by these society were mentioned in this text. As per Rig Veda there is no beginning of the Hindu religion, it was always present. Even the knowledge that has been mentioned in Rig Vedas was already present and it was written down by powerful sages those can see through the time using their meditation power for the welfare of the people. As Vedic society was a rural society cow has been mentioned as the most important animal in Rig Veda and this fact is largely accepted even today by Hindus around the world. Hinduism is the only religion that has seen the least deviation in its practices since last 3000 years.

Many argue that the structure has entirely changed as Rig Vedic gods like Indra, Agni and Soma has lost their importance in the modern times, but we must also understand that other gods like Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma ( Shiva is mentioned in Rig Veda as Rudra and Brahma is mentioned as prajapati. Concept of Tridev is not mentioned in Vedas) are also mentioned in Rig Veda. Important deities in present time find their mention in Rig Veda, though new elements has been added to the religion but there is not complete change in the ideas, even today important ceremonies related to marriages, birth and death are performed as per the Vedic instruction and the mantras are chanted form the holy books. Fire sacrifice is one of the most common rituals that is still performed on several important occasions.

It would be wrong to say that Hinduism has been successful in keeping all the practices of Vedic age alive, many practices has been added to the modern Hindu rituals that were absent in Vedic society. These additions are result of constant addition of tribal rituals in Hinduism. Also Puranas played a very important role in giving shape to the modern practices. Puranas were the texts that were added to Hinduism much after the Vedic age and these texts were influenced by the ideas that were produced with the interaction of Vedic people with tribal people and it is because of this reason we can see a lot of variation in the gods and rituals in different regions of India. Tribal rituals were assimilated into Hinduism because of both political and social reasons (Marriage and other alliances).

Though the nature of Hinduism has been altered form ancient times but Vedas are still the guiding principle of Hinduism. Changes has taken place in fast and there will be more changes in the coming times but the authority of Vedas will remain, new ideas and rituals will be added in relation with the Vedas (with the approval of the Vedas).