... directly from the gods. The content of the Vedas is largely unknown to the majority of Hindus. The Yajur-Veda is the textbook for sacrifice and the Sama-Veda is the hymnal. A fourth book, the Atharva-Veda is a compilation of magic spells and was probably added about 900 BC. At this time the Brahmanas were also composed. These are lengthy Sanskrit texts illustrating the priests' rituals and the myths behind it. In about 600 BC, the Upanishads were composed and these are mystical-philosophical meditations on the meaning of existence and the nature of the universe. The Brahmanas and the Upanishads are also considered to be shruti. Brahmins follow shruti, but not lower castes as they would not understand the language it was written in; Sanskrit. The practical aspect of Hinduism is in the smrti which is translated as what was heard. This is the practical compendium of Hinduism. This is ...

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