The Vedas (Sanskrit वेद, véda, "knowledge") are a large body of texts originating in Ancient India. They form the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism.
According to Hindu tradition, the Vedas are apauruṣeya "not of human agency", being supposed to have been directly revealed, and thus are called śruti ("what is heard").. Vedic mantras are recited at Hindu prayers, religious functions and other auspicious occasions. The mystic dimensions and applications of these mantras as a way of obtaining the physical immortality was elaborated in Sri Aurobindo's Secret of the Veda
The class of "Vedic texts" is aggregated around the four canonical Saṃhitās or Vedas proper, of which three (trayi) are related to the performance of yajna (sacrifice) in the historical Iron Age. The hymns address nature gods such as Varuna (water), Vayu (air), Agni (fire), Indra (thunder-king of gods) etc. asking for prosperity, progeny and so on. The hymns are meant to be recited while performing fire sacrifices and other rituals.
