3. Vedic Age

3. VEDIC AGE • • • • • • • • • • • • The Vedic texts may be divided into two broad chronological strata - The early Vedic (1500-1000 BC) when most of the hymns of the Rig-Veda were composed, and the Later Vedic (1000-600 BC) when the remaining these Vedas and their branches were composed. THE ARYANS The word “Aryan” literally means of “high birth”, but generally refers to language, though some use it as race. Many historians have given various theories regarding the original place of the Aryans. However, the Central Asian theory given by Max Muller is most accepted one. It states that the Aryans were semi-nomadic pastoral group around the Caspian Sea in central Asia. Entered India probably through the Khyber Pass (in Hindukush Mountain) around 1500 BC. The holy book of Iran “Zend Auesta” indicates entry of Aryans to India via Iran. EARLY VEDIC AGE (1500-1000) The early Aryans settled in the Eastern Afghanistan modern Pakistan, Punjab and parts of western UP. The whole region in which the Aryans first settled in India is called the “land of seven Rivers or Sapta Sindhava” (The Indus and its five tributaries and the Saraswati). POLITICAL ORGANIZATION The Aryans came in conflict with Dasas and Dasyus. The Rig-Veda mentions the defeat of sambara (dasyus) by a chief called Divodasa of Bharata clan (Dasas). The tribal chief called Rajan was the center of administrative machinery. The king position was hereditary. Rajan was protection of tribe and cattle and not the ruler of any specific territory. Several tribal assemblies called Vidhata, Sabha, Samiti and Gana are mentioned in Rig-Veda. Women attended Vidhata and Sabha. Important officers: Purohita, sevnai, Kulpati (head of family), Vishpati, Brajpati, Grahini, Sparsa (Spy), Duffac (Messenger). 7 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • There was no regular revenue system and the kingdom was maintained by the voluntary tribute (Bali) of his subjects and the booty won in bottle. The term varua was used for color, the Aryans being fair, the dosas dark. ECONOMY Aryans followed a mixed economy – pastoral and agricultural – in which cattle played a predominant part. Most of their wars were fought for cow (most important form of wealth). Cattle were in fact a sort of currency, and values were reckoned in heads of cattles (man’s life was equivalent to that of 100 cows), but they were not held sacred at this time. The horse was almost as important as the cow. Standard unit of exchange was cow. At the same time coins were also their (gold coins like Nishka, Krishal and Satwana). Gavyuti was used as a measure of distance and Goghuli as a measure of time. Lived in fortified with settlements. Physicians were there called ‘Bhishakas’. The staple crop was ‘yava’, which meant barley. RELIGION The Aryans personified the natural forces and looked upon them as living beings. The most important divinity was Indra who played the role of warload (breaker of forts Purandar, also associated wife, stoins and thunder.) The second position was held by Agni (fire-god). He considered as an intermediary between gods and men. Varuna occupied the third position he personified water and was supposed to uphold the natural the natural order (Rita). He was ethically the highest of all Rig-Vedic gods. Soma was considered to the God of plants. Maruti personified the storms. Some female deifies are also mentioned, like Aditi and Usha, who represented the appearance of down. Didn’t believe in enacting temples or idol worship. Worshipped in open air through yajnas. Other Vedic Gods Diti Mother of Daityas, who were native tribes opposed to Vedic religion. Aranyani Goddess of forests and wild creature. Lia Mother of the cattle herds. Asuniti Personification of the world of spirits. Pushan Protector of cattle, also the god of marriages. Aditi Goddess of eternity. Savitri Stimulator or god of liguf. Yama God of death. Dyans Gods of weaver and father of surya Tyastri Vedic Vulcan Dishana Goddess of vegetables Ashvins Healer of diseases and exports in surgical arts. Types of Marriage Brahma Marriage of a duly dowried girl to a man of the same class. Daiva Marriage in which a father gave his daughter to a sacrificial priests as part of his fees. Arsa Marriage in which a bride-price of a cow is taken and a bull was paid to the daughter’s father. Prajapatya Marriage in which the father gave the girl without dowry and without demanding bride price. Gandharva Marriage, often clandestine by the consent of the two parties. Asura Marriage by purchase. Rakshasa Marriage by capture. Paishacha When a maiden is seduced into marriage. Anuloma Was the marriage of higher caste man with a lower caste woman. Marriage Pratiloma Marriage Was the marriage of lower caste man with a higher caste woman. 8 Rivers in Rig Veda Indus – Sindhu Jhelum – Vitasa Chenab – Askini Ravi – Purushni Beas – Vipasa Satluj – Satudari Gomati – Gomul Kurram – Krumu Ghaggar - Drisshadvati LATER VEDIC PERIOD REGION • Aryans expanded from Punjab over the whole of western UP covered by the Ganga-Yamuna doab. • In the beginning, they cleared the land by burning later with the use of iron tools which became common by 1000-800 BC. Important Terms associated with the Vedic Age Aghanya Not to be killed, referring to cow. Akahavapa Accountant Charmana Blacksmith Datra Sickle Duhitri Daughter Gavisti Fight/search for cows Goghana Guest Hiranyakara Goldsmith Karmara Blacksmith Mahishi Chief Queen Narishta Sabha Rathakara Chariot-maker Sira Plough Sita Furrows Suta Court minstrel Ustra Camel Vapta Carpenter/Barber Vrihi Rice POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS • Powers of the king, who was called Samrat increased. Importance of assembles declined. Women were no longer permitted to attend assemblies. The term ‘rashtra’ indicating territory first appeared in this period. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • References of Priest (Purohita), Commander in chief (Senapati), Charioteer (Suta), treasurer (Sangrhita), game companion (Aksavaba). SOCIAL LIFE The four fold division of society became clearinitially based on occupation, which later becomes hereditary. Brahmins (Priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (agriculturists, cattle-rearers, traders and Shudras servers of the upper three). POTTERY The later Vedic people used four types of pottery black and red ware, black-slipped were, painted grey ware and red ware. Red ware was most popular with them, and has been found almost all over western UP. However, the most distinctive pottery of the period is known as painted Grey ware, which comprised bowls and dishes, used either for rituals or for eating by the upper classes. Religion Indra and Agni lost their importance. Prajapati (the creator) became supreme. Vishnu came to be conceived as the preserver and protector of the people. THE VEDIC LITERATURE The Veda The word ‘Veda’ comes from the root ‘Vidi’, signifying knowledge. Vedas are also known as ‘Shruti’ (to hear) as they were passed from generation to generation through verbal transmission. They are four in all Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. The first three vedas are collectively known as ‘Tyari’ of ‘Trio’. Each Veda is further divided into Samhitas. Rig Veda Oldest religious text in the world. Must have been composed around 1500 BC. Sama Veda Derived from the root ‘Saman’, i.e., ‘melody’. It is a collection of melodies. It has 1603 verses but except 99 all the rest have been borrowed from Rig Veda. Contains ‘Dhrupada Raga’. 9 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Yajur Veda Deals with the procedure for the performance of sacrifices. There are two main texts of Yajur Veda. White Yajur veda (or Shukla Yajur Veda) and Black Yajur Veda (or Krishna Yajur Veda). The former contains mantras and the latter has commentary in prose. Atharva Veda Entirely different from other 3 vedas. Divided into 20 Kandas (books) and has 711 hymns – mostly dealing with magic (along with personal problems of people). The Brahmans They explain the hymns of the Vedas in an orthodox manner. Each Veda has several Brahmans attached to it 1. Rig Veda : Kaushetaki and Aitreya 2. Yajur Veda : Taitriya and Shatpatha 3. Sam Veda : Panchvish and Jaiminiya 4. Atharva Veda : Gopatha The most important is ‘Shatpatha Brahamana’ attached to Yajur Veda, which is most exhaustive and important of all. It recommends one hundred sacred paths’. The Aranyakas Called ‘forest books’, written mainly be he hermits’ living in the jungles for their pupils. These are the concluding portions of the Brahmansa. Deals with mysticism and philosophy opposed to sacrifice and emphasize ‘meditation’. Form a bridge between ‘way of work’ (Karma Marg) which was the sole concern of the Upanishads and the way of knowledge’ (Gyan Marg) which the Brahmanas advocated. The Upanishads The word means ‘to sit down near someone’ and denotes a student sitting near his guru to learn. Called Vedanta (the end of the Vedas) firstly because they denote the last phase of the Vedic period and secondly, because they reveal the final aim of the Vedas. They are the main source of Indian Philosophy. There are 108 Upanishads. • • • • • They also condemn the ceremonies and the sacrifices. They discuss the various theories of creation of the universe and define the doctrine of action (Karma). Smritis Explains rules and regulations in the Vedic life. Main are Manusmriti, Naradsmriti, Yagyavalkyasmriti and Parasharsmriti. Vedangas (Six Vedangas) Shiksha deals with Pronunciation Kalpa – Rituals Vyakarana – Grammar Nirukta – Etymology Chhanda – Meter Jyotisha – Astronomy Darshan There are 6 schools of Indian Philosophy known as Shad-Darshana. Given by 6 philosophers of Ancient India. Nyaya Darshan – Gautama Vaishesika Darshana – Kanada Rishi Sankhyaya Darshana – kapila Yoga Darshan – Patanjali Purva Mimansa – Jaimini Uttara Mimansa – Badaryana or Vyasa Upavedas There are four Upvedas Reg veda – Ayurveda (Medicine) Sam veda – Gandhrav (Dancing) Yajur Veda – Dhanurveda (Dhanus Art) Athrav veda – Shilap-veda (Architecture) EPICS Though the two epics – The Mahabharata and Ramayana were compiled later, they reflect the state of affairs of the later Vedic period. 10 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The Mahabharata attribute to Vyasa, is considered older than the Ramayana and describes the period from the tenth century BC to 4th century AD. It is also called Jaisamhita and Satasahasri Samhita and has 1, 00,000 verses. The Ramayana attributed to Valmiki has 24,000 verses. It composition started in the fifth century BC and passes through 5 stages. Other Facts Reg-veda divided in to 10 mandals. First of all 2 to 7 Mandal was written after that only 8th and then 1, 9 & 10 were written. “Om” was used in Reg-veda 108 times and “Jan” was used 275 times. Gaytri Mantra in 3rd mandal which is addressed to sun. Saraswati River was the deity river in Reg-veda and most mentioned river in Reg-veda and most mentioned river was Indus. There are 4 Vedas, 18 Puran, 108 Upnishad (Mundukya was important because here we got “Satyamev Jayte”. Upnishad are main source of Indian Philosophy. Kulapa – Basic social unit. Kula – Head of family. Gavyuti was used as a measure of distance. Godhuli as a measure of time. Physician were there called Bhishakas. The staple crop was “Yava” which meant barley. In Early Vedic Age Tax was known as Bali. Bali was voluntary taxation. Tax was known as Bhag in later Vedic period. Oldest Grammar is Panini’s Asth Adhyay and 2nd oldest is Patyanjali’s Mahabhashya. Mahabharat attributed to Vyas, is considered older than Ramayana.