The word Veda is derived from the word 'vid'which means knowledge
or wisdom. Vedas are the greatest gift by the Aryans to the Indian culture and
civilization. Besides religion these Vedas throw light on the social and
economic life of the Vedic and Later Vedic period. The term Vedic literature
includes
1. The four Vedas
2. The Aranyakas
3. The Upanishads