The Vedas are the oldest sacred texts of the Hindu tradition and form the foundational body of Vedic literature. They preserve hymns, prayers, ritual formulas, chants, and teachings concerning the gods, sacrifice, cosmic order, and religious life. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit and transmitted orally for generations, the Vedas became the foundation for many later developments in Hindu philosophy, ritual, and literature.

The term "Veda" means "knowledge." The Vedic corpus is traditionally divided into four principal collections: the Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda. Each has its own character and function, ranging from hymns and chants to sacrificial formulas and prayers concerned with everyday and ritual life. Together, the four Vedas form the central foundation of the Vedic tradition.