Which sacred text of Hinduism is known as the fountainhead of Hinduism?

The Rig-Veda is considered the fountainhead of Hinduism as it is one of the oldest sacred texts in the Hindu tradition, composed around 1500-1200 BCE. It is the foundational scripture of Vedic literature and consists of a collection of hymns dedicated to various deities, reflecting the early spiritual and ritual life of the ancient Indo-Aryan people. The Rig-Veda sets the stage for the subsequent development of Hindu philosophy, religious practices, and cosmology. Its verses discuss the nature of existence, the role of the universe, and the connection between divinity and humanity, which are central themes that resonate throughout later Hindu texts and philosophies.

Although texts like the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads, and the Hathayoga Pradipika are also significant—each contributing uniquely to the richness of Hindu thought—the Rig-Veda holds a primary place as the earliest and most fundamental scripture, often inspiring and laying the groundwork for later religious concepts and practices in Hinduism.