(from the Sanscrit root vid, to know), the name given to the four principal sacred books of the Hindoos, believed to have been revealed by Brahma, and to be the fountain of all knowledge, human and divine. The Rigveda consists of prayers and hymns to various deities; the Yajurveda, of directions about sacrifices and other rites; the Samaveda, of various lyrical pieces; and the Atharvaveda, chiefly of incantations against enemies. All these are believed to have emanated from Brahma at the creation, but they remained for a long time scattered in confusion until, about 5000 years ago, a number of vyassas or compilers arranged them in their present form. Each Veda contains, besides the ancient fragments called Sambutas, a more developed and dogmatic portion called Brahmanas; and besides all these, there are the Upavedas, Vedangas, and Upangas, which form a sort of expository literature, and are sometimes reckoned a fifth Veda. For an account of the general character and doctrines of the Vedas, see Brahmins and Hindustan.