Vedic literature forms the foundation of the glorious spiritual culture of India.  The evolution of the Vedic thought starting from adoring the various natural forces as manifestations of the Divine, to the ultimate proclamations of oneness with the Divine, forms the vast body of Vedic literature.  Upanishads which contain the highest Vedic philosophy, often referred to as Vedanta, are the crown of Vedic literature.

No auspicious activity in India can start without the chanting of Vedic hymns at the beginning.  The Vedic hymns range from prayers to the Divine for worldly riches and spiritual enlightenment, to ecstatic declarations of oneness with the Divine.  The hymns, which were given to mankind by the great ancient sages of India, are said to be discovered by them in the inner flights of contemplation and meditation.  These sages did not lay claim to their composition.  The hymns, which were created by the Divine along with this universe, are believed to exist eternally; they are highly potent and pregnant with deep spiritual insights.  Chanting or even mere listening to these hymns will yield great material and spiritual benefits and bestow peace and serenity of mind.

-B. N. Narasimha Murthy

 from Veda Puspanjali