Question

Which of the following best describes the relationship between the Vedic texts and the Vedas?
a.
Vedic texts were a collection of thoughts about the Vedas.
b.
Vedic texts contained the same sacred hymns as the Vedas.
c.
The Vedas were based on the teachings in the Vedic texts.
d.
The Vedas described how Aryans should use the Vedic texts.

Answer 1

Answer:

The most suitable answer is answer C.

Explanation:

First  lets look at the 4 Vedas,

1. the Rig,
2. Yajur,
3. Sama  
4. Atharvana

Each Veda has been subclassified into four major text types.

• the Samhitas (mantras and benedictions)
• the Aranyakas (text on rituals, ceremonies, sacrifices and symbolic-sacrifices)
• the Brahmanas (commentaries on rituals, ceremonies and sacrifices)
• Upanishads (texts discussing meditation, philosophy and spiritual knowledge)
• the Upasanas (worship)

So what's the vedic period?

The period of the development of Hinduism in which they were written  is sometimes referred to as the Vedic period.

Vedic period started around 1500 BC and lasted until 500 BC. The period started when the old indus valley civilization declined and new kingdoms started to emerge in the central india which were later known as "Solos maha janapada".

The four vedas were written during this period.

That means any text from that time could be "Vedic" but as a general rule the Vedic texts are the texts that only come from the four Vedas. (Which were written in the vedic period)