Sanatan

 

Blog#13

  The Vedic Epoch

 

Abstracts:

                    Sanatan; also called Vedic culture, is the way of life of the people living from thousands of years in geographical area of the Indian subcontinent. It has witnessed journey from the oldest and one of the most developed civilization of human being that’s Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro’s civilization to the modern day’s civilization. Vedic period is just a part of the journey from the initial days of our civilization. In this chapter we will go through the establishment of the Era, its development and further journey.

 

Introduction:

                    The Vedic Epoch or the Vedic age is defined as the gradual development of the culture and livelihood in the primitive ages of the human civilization. This is not about a certain period of time frame but it has developed in a long span of time with the civilizational development like when the early age human started farming, the culture and worship custom were based on the correlation with the nature, the surrounding and the organism and animals around the human life, with improvement in social status and economic capacity the worshiping centers shifted from the basic and nearby structures to the wider range of thought process based on newly found ideas and knowledge. Now the shape and divine idols were differently meaningful and complicatedly involved more into different aspects of life. Which differentiated the gradual changes in culture, tradition, life style and thought process etc. the whole Vedic period is divided into two significant parts: Pre-Vedic and Post-Vedic era. The pre-Vedic age were simply based on the natural correlation and simple rituals but the post-Vedic period comprised of complicated rituals and religious practices like yajnas, tantras etc..

                    The Vedic culture and life were basically based on achieving knowledge as the word ‘Vedic’ or ‘Veda’ are derived from the root word ‘Vid’ means to know. The scriptures written in the Vedic period are believed to be the most ancient and a powerful source of knowledge in the history of mankind. “Vedas” are the root source written in compact and complicated form and full of information about the universe and its relation with the life within. There are a plenty of books and scriptures written to describe its theory in easy and practical approach. The people living in this civilization were called “Aryans” which means the elite people.

                    Notwithstanding with the above theory, some writers in the modern age have tried to set their propaganda narrative stating that the Aryan have arrived in this country from the outer geographic locations or continents. This theory was first of all used by the Britishers through Max Muller, a German citizen and a planted scholar of Sanskrit by the Britishers to sabotage the confidence and self-respect of the local people of this country. Today this theory is significantly used by the leftist scholars like Romila Thapad and others.

 

The sources to reconstruct the Vedic period:

There are mainly three kind of sources to get the ancient data and details of the Vedic Age- the sculptures, The scriptures and through the Guru-Shishya Parampara.

The Vedas: Vedas are the most important literary sources of this period supposed to be the most prominent epic and source of knowledge in the history of mankind. The name “ved” is itself derived from the root “vid”, which means ‘to know’. The term signifies the word knowledge. There are four types of Vedas:

i.           Rig Veda: It is the oldest religious texts in the world. It contains 1028 hymns and these are divided into 10 mandalas. The Rig Veda was composed during the early Vedic period. These hymns were dedicated to the elements of the nature and the cosmos also addressed as Gods by the sages. This knowledge gradually passed from teacher to the disciple. This knowledge was a valuable source of information on many particular topics. The Rig Veda contains the Gayati mantra, a very special and a respected mantra in the Vedic tradition.

 

 

ii.         Yajur Veda: This Veda directs about how to worship the natures elements and cosmos. This Veda contains 2086 hymns to be recited during the fire sacrifices or the yajnas.

 

 

iii.       Sama Veda: Saama means ‘to sing’. this Veda contains 1875 hymns. These hymns give a musical drive canonical format to the matras of the Veda. That is the way a particular mantra should be chanted properly.

 

 

iv.        Atharva Veda: this Veda contains 731 hymns. These hymns deal with the steady mind in the daily routine of life. This is taught that only a static and peaceful mind can lead to a proper social and religious life.

 

Each Vedas have the four parts within, as follows:

Brahmanas: they are mostly written in the prose (collection of short stories) form. The Brahmanas explain the social importance and also the religious importance and the significances of the Ved Mantras. The word Brahmana derives from the word Brahman, which means prayer of devotion. The Brahmanas also contains the expanded form of the Samhitas (the hymns, spells and the prayers of the Vedas are collected in their Samhitas).

 

Aranyakas: the word aranyakas has been derieved from a Sanskrit word aranya, which is considered as a root cause for it. Aranya in Sanskrit means forest, hence these are also known as the forest books as it deals with the mysticism and philosophy. Aranyaks, significantly provides guidelines on anushthana and rituals.

 

Samhita: are basically the collection of the Ved Mantras and Chants.

 

The Upanishads: The Upanishads with the core philosophy of Ved, form the main source of the Indian philosophy and these were composed around 1000 BCE to 800 BCE which were written by different sages. These Upanishads record the emergence of some important theories and concepts in Sanatan. Gradually, new Vedic literary bodies were added to it. The Upanishads contain Shruti (or the revealed truths i.e. Ved), regarding the nature of ultimate truths and reality, these Upanishads describe about the character and nature of the human salvation.

 

 

The Itihaasa: (i.e. “aisa hi hua” or history)

The Shri Ramayana and the Mahabharata are two itihaas or history of ancient India, written in Sanskrit. These epics have been highlighted from the Hindu sculpture; notably, they have inspired people from all over the world.

i.           The Ramayana: the great epic Ramayana narrates the story plotted around the character of Shri Ram, the eldest son of King Dasratha. The story is about maintaining dignity in life in every conditions and situation. This story also signifies the role of moral values and duties for a person in every situation of life even he or she is a parent, child, spouse, ruler, friend or enemy. It also set a role model of administration and ruling a state which is called the Ram-Rajya.

 

ii.         The Mahabharata: The Mahabharata narrates the story of conflict between two sects of paternal cousins- the five sons of the deceased King Pandu, the Pandavas and the one hundred sons of the blind King Dhritrashtra, the Kauravas. This story is based on the lesson that a person even how great he is or his family tree, should not cross his boundary of virtues and dignity. It also specifies that the demand of authority without sense of responsibility brings only destruction in life. One more thing is shown in this story that your family is the best supporter of yours but it could turn into the worst disaster in your life so maintain decorum sense of just in the family.

 

 

The Vedic Society

                    The Family: the Vedic family was patriarchal. The oldest male member of the family was considered as the head of the family. He was called as the ‘Grihapati’, which means master of the house. The joint family system was prevalent in the Vedic period and aftermath. Monogamy (single time marriage) was a general practice; but in some cases, such as royal and noble families, polygamy (multiple times marriage) was also practiced. The responsibilities of the house were in the hands of the housewives.

 

                    Position of women: during the entire Vedic Age, the women had the right to be educated and to enjoy the equal responsibilities, opportunities and respect in comparison to the men because of their spiritual and intellectual development. The women had the rights to attend the assemblies, gatherings and functions of the family as well as the society. The practices of child marriage as well as the sati pratha were absent during that time, as the women had the rights to marry again with the groom they want to marry. But, during the later Vedic Age, the status of women had a decline. They had lost the right to property and the marriage choices were drastically lowered. Now the women had no rights to choose their grooms and the widow were not allowed to marry again.

                    The foods, dresses and the ornaments: during the early Vedic period, all the men and women wore heavy but simple designed clothes and garments made up of wool and cotton, but the men worn a turban. Ornaments made up of ivory, gold and silver were used by both the men as well as the women. Barley, milk and milk products (such as curd and butter), vegetables and fruits were their main foods. Playing dice, chariot racing, horse racing, singing songs and dancing were the main modes of entertainment for the people.  During the later Vedic period, consumption of rice and soma (an intoxicating drink drunk by the people mainly during the time of festivals) by the people has been identified.

 

The four fold Varna system

                    During the early Vedic period, the Varna was divided into four categories based on the professions carried out by the people. These are the Brahmin, the Kshtriya, the Vaishya and the Shudra. There were provisions for change the varna based on the Karma and practices. For example, Maharshi Ved Vyas, Valmiki and Vishwamitra were born in different Varnas but improved themselves to achieve the Brahmantva.

The Brahmins: The Brahmins were the people, capable to read and preach Vedas, Upanishads and other Purans. They were bound to live their lives under hard rules and regulations so that they could achieve and impart knowledge system for the cultural and economic betterment and development of the society. Some of the rules they had to follow are:

ü They were not allowed to gather power and wealth.

ü They had to fulfill the needs of their family from the wealth obtained from the society as daan.

ü They had a fixed and strict daily routine to maintain

ü They were not supposed to commit any mistake or crime, in doing so they had to be punished in harder way than that of the people from the other varna.

ü They were supposed to devote their whole life for the welfare of the people and researches, etc.

ü They were also supposed to stand in favour of dharma without fear, in any circumstances.

ü They were not allowed to avail any luxurious facilities or lifestyle which would have corrupted them.

                    And many more stringent rules they had to follow. It was Brahmins who could guide to establish such a great cultural values and knowledge system in a period of time in Ancient Bharat which is aggregately called Sanatan Dharma.

 

The Ksatriyas: the kshatriya were the ruling people who ruled kingdom of a specific area and those had the responsibilities to provide safety to the people of their provinces. They were also responsible to maintain the local law and order so that the social and economic development could take place.

 

The Vaishyas: One of the most important part of the Vadic society. Vaishyas were responsible to perform the financial activities, business and management of wealth which is the most important ingredient to run a society and kingdom. In the ancient India the business activity was spread up to different civilizations existed on other continents. This was the achievement of this class that the Indian economy was unbeaten and most powerful in the whole world.

 

The Shudras: During the later Vedic period, these professions became hereditary and it resulted in the emergence of the caste system and gradually, it became enormously firm which became the absolute reason behind the un-satisfaction of the lower class people ahead. The Brahmins and the Kshatriyas got a superior position, whereas the condition of the Shudras became wretched, resulting in the mindset of untouchable and were also dispossessed from reading religious texts and performing sacrifices or yajnas.

 

The four ashrams:

In the later Vedic period, the life of a man was divided in four parts, of 25 years each considering the life span of 100 year. During a particular time period, a man was supposed to do the specific task of that age group or ashram.

The Bramhacharya Ashram (up to 25 years): the brahmacharya ashram was made for the young youth to attain knowledge at Gurukuls. They had their total focus on their studies, discipline, positive training and learning.

The Grihastha Ashram (from 25 to 50 years): the part of a man’s life where he needed to manage his house and live with his wife and children, fulfill their needs and worldly interests to maintain his family. This was the time when he worked for his and family’s happiness and community’s welfare.

The Vanaprastha Ashram (from 50 to 75 years): the period of a man’s life where he needed to focus on the spiritual practices such as meditation, yoga and prayer. People had to play a role of mentor and guider for the adolescent and young youth or the community.

The Sanyasa Ashram (from 75 to 100 years): it was the time in the life of a full-grown man to retreat from any kinds of active involvement in worldly matters. They focused on spiritual goals in their final stages of their life. this was considered as the period of renunciation.

 

The education system in the Vedic period

The Gurukul system existed in the Ancient India where the students were educated. The word gurukul (guru- teacher and kul- family) means the family of the teacher. The disciple resided with the teacher, got education and simultaneously served the guru in their household chores. The guru was a guide, like a role model and a father figure for the disciples and treated them like his children. The course subjects in the gurukul were the Grammar, Ethics, Logic, Puranas, Mathematics, Astronomy, Astrology, Law, Military Science and Vedic Literature. There were lady teachers as well. The gurus did not take fees, but the disciples gave the guru a voluntary contribution known as Gurudakshina when they completed their education.

 

Religious life of the Aryans:

During the Early Vedic period, the Aryans worshipped the various aspects of the nature. They considered that the human welfare depends on the power of nature the Aryans considered the different forces of the nature as the manifestation of the Ultimate Person who created the universe. They worshipped the following deities:

Prithvi or the Mother Earth

Indra, the God of Rain and Thunder

Vayu, the God of Wind

Agni, the God of Fire

Usha, the God of Dawn

Surya or Arun, the God of energy and the father of the solar system i.e. life

Varuna, the God of Water

The most important among these Gods i.e. the king of Gods is Indra, the God of Rain and Thunder. He was also known as Purandhara or the ‘breaker of forts’, about 250 hymns in the Rig Veda are devoted to him. Agni was the second important god as an intermediary between god and human beings. Agni is also supposed as the purest form of energy. Varuna was the third important one who was the gods of water, cloud, rivers and oceans. Thus, all the gods of the Early Vedic period represented the various forces of nature. During this particular period, they also believed in the presence of one supreme power as the creator of the universe. There was no image worship during the Rig Vedic period. The Aryans worshipped the Gods with humble offerings such as milk, grain and butter. They prayed to get happiness and humble prosperity.

During the later Vedic Period, the two important gods, the Indra and the Agni lost their importance as the rituals and tantra vidya improved into the complicated forms. Brahma or Pashupati (the creator), Vishnu (the manager and protector) and Shiva (the destroyer) gained importance. Simple natural worship turned into rituals, sacrifices and yajnas. In addition to this, some symbolic objects began to be worshipped too. Some female deities also emerged and gained importance. These were:

Aditi, the mother of gods

Aryani, the Forest Goddess

Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth

Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge

Prayers continued to be recited, but they ceased to be the dominant mode of worship. Sacrifices became more important. Simple religious practices of the Early Vedic Period became complicated and ritualistic. The priests, who conducted the sacrifices, were rewarded generously through donations or Dakshinas receiving gifts like gold, cows and clothes. The concept of rebirth, karma, dharma and moksha gained roots. Thus the position of the Brahmins improved considerably.

 

 

 

Conclusion:

                    Sanatan is the oldest and versatile religion or can say the lifestyle on earth. To say it a religion would not be justified as there is no stringent set of rule here to be followed. The Sanatan thought process believes in independent thinking and living for each and every individual. The journey of this culture is still alive while the other civilizations diminished even started after Sanatan. In this long time period of this culture there are things which have not been decent and acceptable to some extent but it never means that the noble things which could be used for the welfare of the society and the mankind can be ignored.  

 

 

Some Common & Important Abbreviations:

BC:             The years before Christ

AD: It literally means ‘ANNO DOMINI’ or ‘in the year of our lord’. It is used for the years after the birth of Christ.

CE: Common Era or the period since the birth of Christ.

BCE:           Before the Common Era or before the birth of Christ

c: It stands for the Latin word circa which means ‘approximately’

 

 

 

Guide: Shri Jay Choudhary

 

 

Number of Words: 3000+

 

 

Sources of Data:

Wikipedia

Google and other websites

Static Times websites

World Bank websites

Britannica Scholar

ICSE Ages and Events IX- Pearson

Other course materials