Veda (veda)

The Vedas are the oldest layer of Sanskrit sacred literature, four collections of hymn, chant and formula whose authority the Mahabharata assumes throughout. Vyasa's name means the arranger, and tradition credits him with dividing the single Veda into its four parts, which is why he stands at the head of both the ritual and the narrative tradition. The epic's frequent claim to be a fifth Veda is a claim about access as much as about status, since it is meant for everyone.