2017/07/14 by Roshen Dalal · 1 citation
Arts and Humanities · #Indian and Buddhist Studies
paper · doi:10.4324/9781315545936-11
openalex publication_date 2017/07/14 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
In Hinduism, all religious paths lead towards this ultimate goal. The division of people into castes, originally based on occupation, form an important part of Hinduism. Rituals, while not essential, form a major part of Hinduism. The principal texts of Hinduism are the Vedas and related literature; the Mahabharata and Ramayana , the two Epics of north India; and the eighteen major Puranas . All these texts are composed in Sanskrit. Some of the aspects of Hinduism can be traced even to pre-Vedic times. The Rig Veda is primarily a religious text, with prayers to various deities, usually for success, health and wealth. The Brahmanas are a category of texts that were probably composed after the three later Vedas and before 600 BCE. They are attached to the Vedic Samhitas , that is the Rig , Sama , Yajur and Atharva Vedas , and provide explanations of the rituals and guidance for the priests in conducting them.