Veda literally means knowledge. This knowledge is without beginning. They are the vibrations created out of the breath of the Supreme. Through the Vedas the Supreme is to be known. Brahma created the worlds with the aid of the knowledge of the Veda mantras which existed as vibrations / sound in space. The sages / rishis became aware of these vibrations when in close communion with the Supreme in periods of ecstasy / trance, so much so, that they burst into spontaneous expressions of truth seen through the Soul's eye and gave the world the Veda mantras / hymns.

The Vedas are called "Sruthi" or that which is heard. Without being recorded in writing, the Vedas have been passed from generation to generation in the ancient method of learning by the ear in Guru-Sishya (Master-Disciple) tradition. One reason for not learning entirely from written text was that some sounds do not lend themselves to be accurately reproduced phonetically. They fall in between two syllables and there are many such sounds in the Vedas. These can be trasmitted only orally.

In addition the Veda mantras have to be recited in a certain cadence or rhythm to produce the necessary vibration and to have the desired effect of elevation of the Soul to spiritual heights and experience the Supreme. The essence of the Vedas is thus to provide knowledge to the Soul to enable it to evolve to a state of communion with the Supreme. These universal truths were initially propounded in the form of Rcks and compiled as the Rig Veda.