VEDIC CULTURE(1500-600 BC)

1. EARLY VEDIC PERIOD(1500-1000 BC)

Origin of ARYANS.

The location of origin home of aryans is a major point of debate till now in the historical circle.Some believe that they were the aborigines of INDIA but some believed that they migrated from CENTRAL ASIA.

But BOGHAZKAI, INSCRIPTION (obtained from Aentral Asia/Turkey) which mention 4 vedic gods INDRA,VARUN,MITRA & NASATYAS somewahat proves the Central Asian origin of ARYANS.

The group that first came in India settled in the present Frontier Province & Punjab- then called SAPTA SINDHU.Later they pushed into interior & settled into the interior valleys of Ganga & Yamuna.

 

  

Vedic literature.

It comprises of four literary works

• THE SAMHITAS or VEDAS
• THE BRAHMANAS
• THE ARANAYAKS
• THE UPANISHADS

1. THE VEDAS

There are four VEDAS.They are called APAURASHEYA i.e not created by man & NITYA i.e existing in all eternity.they are namely,

• RIG VEDA(collection of lyrics):

      It is the oldest text of world & therefore is called FIRST TESTAMENT OF MANKIND.It contains             1028 hymns divided into 10 chapters i.e MANDALAS.Six MANDALS (from 2nd to 7th) are called           gotra/vamsha MANDALA(KULA GRANTH).1st & 10th MANDALAS are added later.The 10th             MANDALA contain the famous Purushasukta explaining the then existing caste system i.e 4 varnas-             BRAHMANA,KSHATRIYA,VAISHYA & SHUDRA.Those who studied RIG VEDA were called           HOTRI. 

• SAM VEDA(book of chants).

      It contains 1549 hymns.All hymns( except 75 ) are taken from RIG VEDA.It is a very important veda for Indian music.Those who studied SAM VEDA were called UDGATRI.

• YAJUR VEDA(book of sacrificial prayers)

      It is a ritual veda.It is divided into two parts-KRISHNA YAJURA VEDA & SHUKLA YAJURA VEDA.Those who studied YAJURA VEDA were called ADHVARYUS.It is written both in verse & prose.

• ATHARVA VEDA(book of magical formulae).

      It contains charms & spell to ward off evil & diseases.For a very long time it wasn"t even consdired a VEDA.

2. BRAHMANAS

These explained the the hymns & rituals given in the VEDAS.Written in prose & ritualistic in nature.BRAHMANAS literally meant sacrifice.Every VEDA has certain brahmanas attached to it.

• RIG VEDA- AITAREYA & KAUSHITIKI/SANKHYAN
• SAM VEDA- PANCHVINSHA(Tandya maha brahmna),SHADAVINSHA,CHHANDOGYA,JAMINAYA.
• YAJUR VEDA- SHATAPATHA & TAITTARIYA
• ATHARVA VEDA- GOPATHA

SHATAPATHA-Oldest & Largest BRAHMANA.

3.ARANYAKA

It literally means forest.It was meant for the student living in forest & the hermits.The ARANYAKS were the concluding portions of the BRAHMNA.

4.THE UPANISHADA

These were philosophical text.They are called VEDANTA since they came toward the end of the vedas.

VRIHADARANYAKA is the oldest UPANISHADA.

In te next post i will discuss about te literature in vedic tradation,its geographical area,polity,trade & commerce,as well as aboout LATER VEDIC AGE,so till then CONCENTRATE & SUCCEED.