Along with the Yajurveda, Sāmaveda, and Atharvaveda, one of the four Vedas, the most ancient Sanskrit religious literature of India. Generally considered the “first” of the four Vedas.

The oldest and primary textual collection of the brahmanical tradition, consisting of a variety of Sanskrit hymns ascribed to different ancient Vedic seers.

Along with the Yajur Veda, Sāma Veda, and Atharva Veda, one of the four Vedas, the most ancient Sanskrit religious literature of India.