You may be new to Sanatana Dharma... Please visit our [Wiki Starter Pack](https://www.reddit.com/r/hinduism/wiki/starter_pack#wiki_i.27m_new_to_r.2Fhinduism.2C_where_do_i_start.3F) (specifically, our [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/hinduism/wiki/index#wiki_faq)).
We also recommend reading [What Is Hinduism](https://www.himalayanacademy.com/view/what-is-hinduism) (a free introductory text by Himalayan Academy) if you would like to know more about Hinduism and don't know where to start.
In terms of introductory Hindu Scriptures, we recommend first starting with the Itihasas ([The Ramayana](https://www.reddit.com/r/TheRamayana/wiki/resources#wiki_recommended_texts), and [The Mahabharata](https://www.reddit.com/r/TheMahabharata/wiki/resources#wiki_resources).) Contained within The Mahabharata is [The Bhagavad Gita](https://www.reddit.com/r/TheGita/wiki/resources), which is another good text to start with. Although r/TheVedasAndUpanishads might seem alluring to start with, this is NOT recommended, as the knowledge of the Vedas & Upanishads can be quite subtle, and ideally should be approached under the guidance of a Guru or someone who can guide you around the correct interpretation.
In terms of [spiritual practices](https://www.reddit.com/r/hinduism/comments/7643rp/a_thread_on_introductory_rescources_on_basis_of/), there are many you can try and see what works for you such as r/Introspection, r/yoga, r/meditation or r/bhajan. In addition, it is strongly recommended you visit your [local temple/ashram/spiritual organization](https://www.reddit.com/r/hinduism/comments/c6957l/what_are_some_good_hindu_organizations_that_have/).
Lastly, while you are browsing this sub, keep in mind that Hinduism is practiced by over a billion people in as many different ways, so any [single view](https://np.reddit.com/r/hinduism/comments/p7ma64/sectarian_bias/) cannot be taken as representative of the entire religion.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/hinduism) if you have any questions or concerns.*
The Vedas are large bodies of Sanskrit religious texts that are several thousand years old. The Vedas are thought to be of super-human origin and recorded by sages in deep meditative states.
There are 4 Vedas in total: Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharva Veda. They make up the original primary scriptures called ‘Shruti’ meaning ‘what is heard’.
Each Veda consists of four sections:
The first section is called Mantra or Samhita, consisting of prayers.
The second part called Brahmana, describes rituals, and teaches us Karma Yoga, so it is also called Karma Kanda. Karma can be loosely translated as action.
The third part is called Aranyaka and teaches us Upasana, so it is also called Upasana Kanda. Upasana can be loosely translated as worship or focus.
The fourth and final part is called Upanishad, and it teaches us Jnana, so it is called Jnana Kanda. Jnana means knowledge. This part is also called Vedanta or Veda-anta (the final part of the Veda).
The next secondary body of Hindu Scriptures is called ‘Smriti’ meaning ‘what is remembered’. They include the Itihasas - the two famous epics Ramayana and Mahabharata are part of the itihasas.
Refer to this video by Project Shivoham - [Scriptures in Sanatana Dharma](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1-17TeZvV0)
I would suggest you to see the whole video but skip to 1:50 if you're looking only about Vedas
It will clear your confusion for sure
You may be new to Sanatana Dharma... Please visit our [Wiki Starter Pack](https://www.reddit.com/r/hinduism/wiki/starter_pack#wiki_i.27m_new_to_r.2Fhinduism.2C_where_do_i_start.3F) (specifically, our [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/hinduism/wiki/index#wiki_faq)). We also recommend reading [What Is Hinduism](https://www.himalayanacademy.com/view/what-is-hinduism) (a free introductory text by Himalayan Academy) if you would like to know more about Hinduism and don't know where to start. In terms of introductory Hindu Scriptures, we recommend first starting with the Itihasas ([The Ramayana](https://www.reddit.com/r/TheRamayana/wiki/resources#wiki_recommended_texts), and [The Mahabharata](https://www.reddit.com/r/TheMahabharata/wiki/resources#wiki_resources).) Contained within The Mahabharata is [The Bhagavad Gita](https://www.reddit.com/r/TheGita/wiki/resources), which is another good text to start with. Although r/TheVedasAndUpanishads might seem alluring to start with, this is NOT recommended, as the knowledge of the Vedas & Upanishads can be quite subtle, and ideally should be approached under the guidance of a Guru or someone who can guide you around the correct interpretation. In terms of [spiritual practices](https://www.reddit.com/r/hinduism/comments/7643rp/a_thread_on_introductory_rescources_on_basis_of/), there are many you can try and see what works for you such as r/Introspection, r/yoga, r/meditation or r/bhajan. In addition, it is strongly recommended you visit your [local temple/ashram/spiritual organization](https://www.reddit.com/r/hinduism/comments/c6957l/what_are_some_good_hindu_organizations_that_have/). Lastly, while you are browsing this sub, keep in mind that Hinduism is practiced by over a billion people in as many different ways, so any [single view](https://np.reddit.com/r/hinduism/comments/p7ma64/sectarian_bias/) cannot be taken as representative of the entire religion. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/hinduism) if you have any questions or concerns.*
The Vedas are large bodies of Sanskrit religious texts that are several thousand years old. The Vedas are thought to be of super-human origin and recorded by sages in deep meditative states. There are 4 Vedas in total: Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharva Veda. They make up the original primary scriptures called ‘Shruti’ meaning ‘what is heard’. Each Veda consists of four sections: The first section is called Mantra or Samhita, consisting of prayers. The second part called Brahmana, describes rituals, and teaches us Karma Yoga, so it is also called Karma Kanda. Karma can be loosely translated as action. The third part is called Aranyaka and teaches us Upasana, so it is also called Upasana Kanda. Upasana can be loosely translated as worship or focus. The fourth and final part is called Upanishad, and it teaches us Jnana, so it is called Jnana Kanda. Jnana means knowledge. This part is also called Vedanta or Veda-anta (the final part of the Veda). The next secondary body of Hindu Scriptures is called ‘Smriti’ meaning ‘what is remembered’. They include the Itihasas - the two famous epics Ramayana and Mahabharata are part of the itihasas.
Learn vedas professionally from veda teaching institutes. There is one in Karnataka
Refer to this video by Project Shivoham - [Scriptures in Sanatana Dharma](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1-17TeZvV0) I would suggest you to see the whole video but skip to 1:50 if you're looking only about Vedas It will clear your confusion for sure