Final answer:
The primary tool to achieve oneness and consciousness according to the Vedic texts is Yoga, which focuses on stopping thought to reveal one's true self and unite with the supreme soul. The Vedic philosophy is encompassed in the Vedas and further elaborated in the Upanishads, stressing the importance of dharma and karma.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary tool used to achieve a state of oneness and consciousness according to the Vedic texts is Yoga. Yoga, first mentioned in the Rigveda, is described as the mental process that facilitates the union of an individual's soul with the supreme soul. The teachings of the sage Patanjali, compiled into the Yoga Sutras, further detail this ancient tradition. The purpose of Yoga is to halt the movement of thought, allowing individuals to encounter their true selves and transcend the distinction between the observer and the observed.
Reflecting the belief in the structural analogy between the self and the universe, the Vedic texts suggest that through self-reflection, one can grasp the nature of the cosmos. The Vedas, composed between 1500 and 900 BCE, are considered divinely inspired and consist of the Rigveda, the Samaveda, the Yajurveda, and the Atharvaveda, with each Veda containing sections of mantras, ritual directives, commentaries, and philosophical reflections, including the Upanishads.
Hindu beliefs about dharma (duty corresponding to 'right' actions) and karma (the cycle of spiritual consequences of actions) reflect the Vedic philosophy and its relevance to daily life and spiritual practice.