Brief description of Vedic civilization

The new civilization that developed in India after the Indus Valley Civilization is known as Aryan or Vedic civilization. We get information about this period mainly from the Vedas, where the Rig Veda is the most important because it is the oldest. The Vedic age is divided into the Rigvedic or early Vedic age (1500 - 1000 BC) and later Vedic age (1000 - 600 BC).

The Vedic age is divided into the Rigvedic or early Vedic age (1500 - 1000 BC) and later Vedic age (1000 - 600 BC). The Vedic period, or Vedic period (c. 1500 - c.500 BC), is the period of the second urbanization in the history of the North Indian subcontinent, the end of the urban Indus civilization, and the beginning of the middle of the Gangetic north. Simple c. 600 BC It derives its name from the Vedas, a detailed text on the life of this period which is considered to be historical and forms the primary source for understanding this period. These documents along with the relevant archeological records allow us to trace and estimate the development of Vedic culture. Generally, most scholars consider the period of Vedic civilization to be between 5000 BC and 500 BC.

The Vedic age can be mainly divided into two parts - The Rigvedic age and the later Vedic age. The Rigvedic period was immediately after the arrival of the Aryans, where rituals were secondary, but in the later Vedic period the predominance of rituals increased in Hinduism.

Rigvedic period (1500-1000 BC):

The more controversial the date of this period, the more accurate the information about the people of this period. One of the main reasons for this is that up to this time only this text (Rigveda) was written. According to Max Moller, the original home of the Aryans was Central Asia. The civilization built by the Aryans was called the Vedic Age. The civilization developed by the Aryans is called rural civilization. The language of the Aryans was Sanskrit.

When Max Moller presumably described it as beginning from 1200 BC, his contemporary scholar Dr. This d. Was criticized by Whitney. Max Mারller later admitted that "there is no force on earth that can say with certainty that the Vedic mantras were composed in 1000 BCE or 1500 BCE or 2000 or 3000".

It is believed that a group of Aryans went to Iran (Persia) and Europe besides India. The oldest text in the Iranian language, the Avesta hymns, is similar to the Rigveda. If we look at this linguistic similarity, then the composition of Rigveda dates back to 1000 BC. But the period can be further considered by looking at the Hindu deities Inda, Mitravaruna, Nastya, etc. in the inscriptions of Bogaz-koi (Asia Minor) 1400 BC.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak made astrological calculations and its period was 6000 BC. Was believed. When Harmon Jacoby estimated it to be between 4500 BC and 2500 BC, the well-known Sanskrit scholar Winternitz referred to it as between 3000 BC.

Administration:

The smallest unit of administration was the total. A group consists of people living under one roof of a house. A village was made up of several groups. The organization of the village was called Bis and the organization of Vish was called John. Many people came together to form a nation.

The ruler of the nation (state) was called Rajan (king). Growing up kings were called emperors.

Religion:

In the Rigvedic age, only natural energy was worshiped and rituals were not prominent. Other features of the religion of the Rigvedic age in the form of deeds, niruti, yatudhana, Caspari, etc. are mentioned in the form of demonic forces i.e. demons, vampires, and apsaras.

The later Vedic period (1000-600 BC):

In the Rigvedic period, the Aryans lived between the rivers Indus and Saraswati. Later they spread all over northern India. The plains of the Ganges and its tributaries became the main area of civilization. The Ganges is considered to be the holiest river in India today. During this time the world expanded and many people became extinct. People like Bharat, Tritsu, and Turvas disappear from political circles while Puru becomes stronger than before. Some new kingdoms were formed in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, such as Kashi, Koshal, Bideha (Mithila), Magadha, and Anga.

The river Saraswati is considered to be the most important in the Rigvedic age. The rivers Ganga and Jamuna are mentioned only once. At this time hard bricks were used for the first time in Kaushambi town. In this age, caste is determined on the basis of birth instead of diameter.

Vedic literature

The four Vedas and their Sanhita, Brahmana, Aranyaka, Upanishads, and Bedanga are included in Vedic literature.

There are four Vedas - Rigveda, Samveda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda.

Rigveda, Samveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda are the first authentic texts in the world.

The Vedas are called apaurusheya. The Vedas are named Shruti because of their ability to memorize the words of the Guru's disciples.

Rigveda

1. The Rig Veda is a collection of essays praising the deities.

2. It is divided into 10 circles. In this, circles 2 to 7 are considered to be the oldest. The first and tenth circles are added later. It has 1028 hymns.

3. Its language is poetic.

4. The Rig Veda mentions 33 types of deities (substances with divine qualities).

5. The famous Gayatri mantra, addressed to the Sun Goddess Gayatri, first appeared in the Rig Veda.

6. The sentence 'Asato Ma Sadgamaya' is taken from Rigveda.

7. The names of women are also found in the Rig Veda for memorizing mantras, the chief ones being Lopamudra, Ghosh, Shachi, Paulomi, and Kakshasri, etc.

8. Its priest's name is Hotri.

Yajurveda

Yaju means sacrifice. It mentions the science of archery.

The method of Yajna has been described in the Yajurveda Veda.

In it, mantras have been compiled for the purpose of reciting the bed during the ritual sacrifice.

It contains mantras as well as descriptions of religious rituals, which are suggested to be accompanied by chanting.

The language of Yajurveda is both poetry and prose.

There are two branches of Yajurveda - Krishna Yajurveda and Shukla Yajurveda.

Krishna Yajurveda has four branches - Maitrayani Sanhita, Kathak Sanhita, Kapinthal and Sanhita. There are two branches of Shukla Yajurveda - Madhyadina and Kanva Samhita.

It is divided into 40 chapters.

For the first time in this text, two-state functions like Rajsui and Vajpayee are mentioned.

Samved

The Samveda was composed to make the mantras given in the Rigveda lyrical.

It has 1810 verses of which all but 75 are mentioned in Rigveda.

The Samveda is divided into three branches - Kauthum, Ranayania, and Jaimania.

Samved is the first music book in India.

Brahmin

The Vedic hymns and Sanhita have been called Brahman. At the same time, the broad form of Brahma is called Brahma. Among the ancient Brahmins Aitareya, Shatapatha, Panchabisha, Taitriya, etc. are especially important. Maharshi Yajnavalkya has learned Brahmanical texts including mantras from Aditya. The method of rituals described in the Sanhita is clearly explained in Brahman. According to the ancient tradition, the Vedas were recited according to the Ashram, so the Brahmacharis only recited the hymns, the householders of the Brahmins, the forest-foresters, and the monks of the Upanishads. The Vedic part of the domestic religion is considered to be Brahman.

It mainly exists in prose.

From the Brahmanical texts, we get the knowledge of the events before Bhimsa.

Aitareya Brahman consists of eight curcale and five chapters. It is also called register.

The rule of coronation is found in Aitareya Brahman.

The Taittiriya Brahmin is a Brahmin of the Krishna Yajurveda.

Satpatha Brahman has 100 chapters, 14 chapters, and 438 Brahmans. Gandhara, Shalya, Kaikeya, Kuru, Panchal, Koshal, Bideh, etc. are also mentioned.

From a historical point of view, Satpatha Brahman is the most important Brahman.

Twenty-five/twenty-two Brahmins are Brahmins related to Samveda.

The next Brahmin is Gopath.

Forests

Aranyaka is the part of the Vedas that people in the forest used to recite in the forest after leaving their homes. This is why the forest was named.

Its main themes are mysticism, symbolism, renunciation, and priestly philosophy.

There are currently seven forests.

No forest of Samveda and Atharvaveda is found in a clear and distinct form.

Upanishads

The Upanishads are a collection of the oldest philosophical ideas. Among the Upanishads, 'Brhadaranyaka' and 'Chandonya' are the most famous. The condition of India before Bhimsa is known from these texts. Tested in this Upanishad, there are references to his son Janmejaya and later kings. It is clear from these Upanishads that the philosophy of Aryans was better and far ahead of the philosophy of other civilized countries of the world. The spiritual development of the Aryans, the earliest religious stages, and living examples of thought are found in this Upanishad. The Upanishads were probably written in the time of Buddha because the first attempt to establish the importance of spiritual progress over material aspirations was in response to the development of Buddhism and Jainism.

The total number of Upanishads is 108.

Primarily, the transcendental principles concerning the eternal soul, Brahman, the soul-spirit relationship, and the origin of the universe are described.

"Satyamev Jayate" is taken from Mundkopanishad.

The Maitrayani Upanishad mentions the doctrines of Trimurti and Chartu Ashram.

Bedangya

In the age, six branches (branches) were born for Vedic studies, which are called 'Bedang'. Bedang is literally part of the Vedas, but due to the masculine nature of this literature, it is counted separately from Shruti literature. Bedang is also called Smriti because it is considered to be the creation of man. Attempts have been made to present more information in less words in the form of Bedang Sutras.

The number of bedangs is 6

Education - Voice knowledge

Kalpa - Religious customs and methods

Nirukta - Etymology of the word

Grammar- Grammar Verse-

Verse Shastra

Astrology- Astronomy

Source literature

Sutra literature is a part of Vedic literature and is also helpful in understanding it.

Brahma Sutra - Bhagavan Sri Veda Byas, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, wrote this very mysterious text on Vedanta, where he discusses the Absolute Being, Paramatma, Paramasatya, Brahmasvarupa Ishvara, and the creation and theology. Its commentary was written by Srimad Adishankaracharya under the direction of Lord Beas.

Kalpa Sutra - The most important from a historical point of view. Vedic hand local Vedang.

Source: Explanation of the detailed method of Mahayagya. The first part of Bedang Kalpasutra.

SmartSutra - The second part of the Kalpa, which indicates the sixteen rituals.

It contains rules regarding the place of sacrifice and the construction and measurement of the fire altar. It shows the earliest forms of Indian geometry. The third part of the cycle.

Dharma Sutra - It contains socio-religious laws and codes of conduct.

The fourth part of the Kalpa is the discussion of household sutras - family rituals, festivals, and rituals of personal sacrifice.

The political situation

The Rigvedic era was basically a tribal system of government with a military consciousness. The king was also called Gomat.

Monarchy was prevalent in the Vedic age. The king was the head of the government.

The king was hereditary but the people could remove him. He was not the head of any particular region, he was the head of any particular people.

The king was the leader of the war. He did not have the right to collect taxes. His expenses were covered by publicly donated shares.

There was an administrative body called Sabha, Samiti and Bidath.

In the Atharva Veda, Sabha and Samiti are called the two daughters of the butterfly. The important task of the committee was to select the king. The head of the committee was called Ishan or Pati. Both men and women were involved in Vidha. The newlyweds are treated to social functions such as receptions, religious ceremonies, etc.

The meeting was the organization of the best people, the association was the general assembly of people's representatives and Vidatha was the oldest organization. The Rig Veda mentions Vidatha at most 122 times.

The military operation was carried out by tribal organizations called Bharat, Gana and Sarada.

According to Shatapatha Brahman, the king becomes great after being sanctified. The one who performed Rajasuya Yajna was called Raja and the one who performed Vajpayee Yajna was Samrat.

Sparsh was called Guptachar and Purupa was called Durgapati.

The king's administrative support was provided by 12 Ratnins, priests, and warriors. The head of the pasture was called Vajrapati and the head of the warring parties was called Gramini.

Chief Adviser to the King, Warrior -

Chief of Army Staff,

Villagers - Village Military Officers,

Buffalo - King's wife, Sut - King

Charioteer,

Kshatriya- Pratihara,

Collected - Treasurer,

Milk-tax collecting officer,

Axabop- Accounting Officer,

Gobikrit- Forest Officer,

Palagal- a friend of the king.

Specialists in various fields,

Hotra - one who reads the Rig Veda.

Udgat - who sings the composition of Samveda.

Adhvaryu - Yajurveda and

The reader of Brahma - who oversees all sacrifices.

Caste and works

In the tenth mandala of the Rigveda, there is no mention of the four letters. The caste system was action-based. The tenth circle is considered to be the next tense.

Society was patriarchal. Joint family practice was prevalent.

The head of the family was called 'Kulpa'. The family was called a group. Many villages together, many villages together poison, many desires came together and many people came together to form a town. The tradition of hospitality was crucial.

There was another class of 'water' people who were rich and did business.

Beggars and agricultural slaves did not exist. The unit of property was the cow which was also the medium of exchange. The charioteers and carpenters enjoyed special respect.

There was no practice of untouchability, satidah, veil, child marriage, etc.

Women had the right to education and the right to choose a groom. Widow marriages, women's upanayan ceremonies, recruitment, Gandharva, and inter-caste marriages were common.

The dress was a favorite of both men and women.

Barley (yava) was the staple food. Vegetarianism was prevalent. Mon juice (like nectar) was common.

Dance, song, dice, horse racing, wrestling, shuikar, etc. were the main means of entertainment.

Apala, Ghosh, Maitreyi, Bishwabara, Gargi, etc. were learned, women.

In the Rig Veda, non-Aryans (fools or slaves) are described as mridhvya (obscure-speaker), abrat (not observing rules and vows).

First of all, the four ashrams of Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Banaprastha, and Sannyasa are mentioned in the Jabalopanishad.

Economic condition

The mainstay of the economy was animal husbandry and agriculture.

Those who kept more domestic animals were called gomats. The word 'utti' or 'gavya' has been used for pasture. Distance was used as 'Gabayuti', Kanya as Duhita (cow milker) and 'Gabishti' for war.

The people voluntarily paid homage to the king.

The houses were made of shell and wood.

The practice of borrowing and lending was known as 'kusid'.

Cattle carts, chariots and boats were the main means of transportation.

Agriculture

The first mention of all the processes of agriculture is found in Satpatha Brahman. Sowing, plowing, threshing, etc. are described in the first and tenth mandalas of Rigveda. The Rig Veda only mentions a grain called yab (barley). There is a description of agriculture in the fourth mandala of Rigveda.

Other food grains like wheat (wheat), brihi (rice) etc. are discussed in later Vedic literature. The Kathak Sanhita mentions 24 oxen plowing, the Atharva Veda mentions rain, well and Nahar and the Yajurveda mentions the plow as a 'seer'. At that time there was also artificial irrigation system.

The main means of livelihood was animal husbandry. Cows were the main means of exchange. The concept of land donation or private land ownership did not develop during the Rig Vedic period.

Religious position

The Aryans believed in monotheism.

Here the desire was made to God for the welfare of the natural man. He was primarily a worshiper of the Absolute Lord, the only possessor of the universe. Vedic religion was a male-dominated religion. In the beginning, there was no concept of heaven or immortality.

Vedic religion was a religion controlled by priests. The priest was the mediator between God and man. Agni was worshiped as a mediator between man and god. The form of the Vedic deities is like that of the glorious man. There are 33 types of elements (substances with divine qualities) mentioned in the Rig Veda.