Selection of Verses:3700BC

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There is a certain amount of controversy surrounding the exact

history of the Veda, the most ancient of Hindu scripture, which was

first translated into European languages in the late eighteenth and

early nineteenth centuries. At this time, it was the contention of

the expanding scientific, philosophical and religious doctrines of

western European culture, that these writings simply could not be

more ancient than the classical roots of European civilisation.

Whereas this hypothesis was strongly held by the expanding western

educational regime, in recent times there has been cause to re-

examine its claims.

In any event, although further references to this controversy are

presented at the conclusion of this document, there is no doubt that

these ancient Hindu scriptures are older than 1000BC. The word "Veda"

is a Sanscrit word which means "knowledge" or "wisdom". There are in

fact four Vedas: the Rig Veda" or "Veda of Hymns", the Sama-Veda or

the "Veda of Chants", the Yajur-Veda or the "Veda of sacrifice" and

the Artharva-Veda, which is later in date than the earlier three.