<P> The noun is from Proto - Indo - European * u̯eidos, cognate to Greek (ϝ) εἶδος "aspect", "form". Not to be confused is the homonymous 1st and 3rd person singular perfect tense véda, cognate to Greek (ϝ) οἶδα (w) oida "I know". Root cognates are Greek ἰδέα, English wit, etc., Latin videō "I see", etc . </P> <P> The Sanskrit term veda as a common noun means "knowledge". The term in some contexts, such as hymn 10.93. 11 of the Rigveda, means "obtaining or finding wealth, property", while in some others it means "a bunch of grass together" as in a broom or for ritual fire . </P> <P> A related word Vedena appears in hymn 8.19. 5 of the Rigveda . It was translated by Ralph T.H. Griffith as "ritual lore", as "studying the Veda" by the 14th century Indian scholar Sayana, as "bundle of grass" by Max Müller, and as "with the Veda" by H.H. Wilson . </P> <P> Vedas are called Maṛai or Vaymoli in parts of South India . Marai literally means "hidden, a secret, mystery". In some south Indian communities such as Iyengars, the word Veda includes the Tamil writings of the Alvar saints, such as Divya Prabandham, for example Tiruvaymoli . </P>

What are the vedas and why are they important