Vedic Culture

General Studies Manualfor

UPSC and State Public Services Examinations

2014

Indian HistoryModule-2: Vedic Culture

www.gktoday.in

First Published in 2010

Last Updated: November 2013

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General Studies Manual for UPSC and State HHistory--22:: Vedic Culture

2010-2013 Suresh Soni | All Rights Reserved | Email: [email protected]

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CContentsChapter 1. Origin of Vedic Culture ..........................................................................................4

Aryans: A race or Linguistic Group? ............................................................................4Aryans a Linguistic Group ....................................................................................................4Sanskrit was the language of Aryans ..................................................................................4

The Original Home Controversy..................................................................................5Consensus of the Opinion ....................................................................................................5Boghazkoi Inscriptions .........................................................................................................5Sapta Sindhu .......................................................................................................................6The names and identity of the 7 rivers ................................................................................6Archaeological Evidences in context with Aryans ................................................................6

Chapter 2. Vedic Literature.....................................................................................................7Shruti and Smriti ........................................................................................................7The Shruti Literature: Rig-Veda..................................................................................7Yajurveda ...................................................................................................................8Sam Veda ...................................................................................................................8Atharva Veda .............................................................................................................9Brahmanas.................................................................................................................9Aranyakas ................................................................................................................10The Upanishads ........................................................................................................10

Aitareya Upanishad ...........................................................................................................11Bhadrayaka Upanishad ................................................................................................11Taittirya Upanaishad ........................................................................................................11Chndogya Upanishad.......................................................................................................11Kena Upanisahda ..............................................................................................................11vetvatara Upanishad ...................................................................................................11Kathopnishad ....................................................................................................................12Muktika..............................................................................................................................12Mandkya ........................................................................................................................12Prana ...............................................................................................................................12

The Smriti Literature.................................................................................................12Vedanga ............................................................................................................................12Samkhya............................................................................................................................15Dharma, Karma and Rta ...................................................................................................16Vedanta.............................................................................................................................17Advaita: .............................................................................................................................17Vishishtadvaita..................................................................................................................17Dvaita................................................................................................................................17Dvaitdvaita ......................................................................................................................17Shuddhdvaita ..................................................................................................................18Achintya Bhedbheda........................................................................................................18Purndvaita or Integral Advaita........................................................................................18Modern Vednta ................................................................................................................18

Epics .........................................................................................................................18Ramayan ...........................................................................................................................18Mahabharta.......................................................................................................................18

Puranas ....................................................................................................................18Upaveda ...................................................................................................................19

Chapter 3. Vedic Political, Social and Economic Life ............................................................19The Geography in Vedic Texts ............................................................................................19The country of Aryans........................................................................................................20The Rivers ..........................................................................................................................20The Mountains ...................................................................................................................20The Seas ............................................................................................................................20The Deserts ........................................................................................................................20Name of the Places, Cities and Towns ...............................................................................20The Rig-Vedic Polity ..........................................................................................................20



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Tribes and the Dasarajana Yudha .....................................................................................20Jana , Rajana and Aspects of Land Territory .....................................................................21The Grama and the Vajrapati ............................................................................................21Taxation : The Bali.............................................................................................................21Military & Spy functionalities.............................................................................................22The Earliest Tribal Assembly - Vidhata .............................................................................22Sabha & its Sabhavati .......................................................................................................22Samiti ................................................................................................................................22The differentiations between Sabha and Samiti ................................................................22The Gana or the Republic ..................................................................................................22The Parishad......................................................................................................................23Rig Vedic Society................................................................................................................23Patriarchy ..........................................................................................................................23The Evolution of Varna System..........................................................................................23Marriage and women ........................................................................................................23Education ..........................................................................................................................24Institution of Gotra ............................................................................................................24Amusements and entertainments......................................................................................24House holding ...................................................................................................................24Eating Habits .....................................................................................................................24Dress code .........................................................................................................................25Health and hygiene ...........................................................................................................25

Rig Vedic Economy....................................................................................................25The importance of Cow......................................................................................................25Crafts and Metallurgy .......................................................................................................25

The Vedic Religion ....................................................................................................26The Worship of Nature.......................................................................................................26

Rig Vedic Gods ..........................................................................................................26Dyu, Mithra, Varuna ..........................................................................................................26Indra and Marut ................................................................................................................27Aditi, Sun, Savithri .............................................................................................................27Agni: ..................................................................................................................................27Vayu and Rudra.................................................................................................................28Soma & Brihaspati.............................................................................................................28Visvedevas.........................................................................................................................28Ashwins or Ashwinikumars ................................................................................................28Yama & Yami.....................................................................................................................29Usha ..................................................................................................................................29Other Rig Vedic Gods: ........................................................................................................29Apsaras .............................................................................................................................29Comparison of the Greek Dieties and Ancient Hindu Dieties ..............................................30

Changes in life in Later Vedic Age.............................................................................30General Changes ...............................................................................................................30Changes in Economy..........................................................................................................30The Four Varnas ................................................................................................................30Types of Marriages in later Vedic Ages: .............................................................................30Anuloma and Pratiloma Vivah: .........................................................................................31Four Purushartha ..............................................................................................................31Ashrama System:...............................................................................................................31Sacrifices & Rituals ............................................................................................................32Domestic Ceremonies.........................................................................................................32Some Notable points .........................................................................................................33

Comparison of the Harappa and Vedic Civilizations.................................................33Vedic India, Some more Observations ......................................................................34

A comparision of the Upanishada and Brahamanas .........................................................34Concept of Rita and Dharma .............................................................................................35The Concept of Sapta Rishi ................................................................................................36The story of Agastya and Lopamudra ...............................................................................36



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The Abhi-seka or coronation .............................................................................................36The Metals .........................................................................................................................36Aryamnah Pantha or the Milky Way..................................................................................37Seasons in Rig-Veda..........................................................................................................37Sita: ...................................................................................................................................37The story of Manu & Shraddha.........................................................................................37The Manusmriti ..................................................................................................................38Dhratavatra.......................................................................................................................38

Chapter 1. Origin of Vedic Culture

-

- -Veda

AAryans: A race or Linguistic Group? Aryans a Linguistic Group

M Aryans b

Sanskrit was the language of Aryans

- --

home

archaeologically -

.

What is a Classical Language? High antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 years; A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers; The literary tradition be original and not borrowed from another speech community; The classical language and literature being distinct from modern, there may also be a discontinuity between the classical language and its later forms or its offshoots.



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th th-

TThe Original Home Controversy-

Pamirs

Bactria

neither I

Consensus of the OpinionTAsia

Boghazkoi Inscriptions

. borderi -

importan.



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-

Sapta Sindhu- - -Sapta---

The names and identity of the 7 rivers

.

T

Rig-Vedic Name Modern Name Sindhu Indus Vitase Jhelum Askini Chenab Purushni Ravi Vipas Beas Sutudri Satluj Gumal Gomati Krumu Kurram Drishdvati Ghagghar

Archaeological Evidences in context with Aryans

.



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Chapter 2. Vedic Literature transmission

nishads.

SShruti and Smriti

as

The Shruti Literature: Rig-VedaRig- - th - th th Rig- -



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Origin of the Varnas and the Rig-Veda-

Some facts about Rig-Veda The Famous Gayatri mantra is in Rig Veda Mandala 3. Each mandala consists of Suktas which are basically eulogies. Rig-Veda has two recensions or Branches. The major surviving branch is kalya. Another branch is Bskala or Vatkal. The first word of Rig-Veda is Agni. Hymn 1.1 is addressed to Agni. Mandala 9 is completely devoted to Soma. Nasadiya Sukta which talks about the origin of the Universe is in 10th Mandala. It begins by paradoxically stating "not the non-

existent existed, nor did the existent exist then" and has attracted large body of literature of commentaries both in Indian theology and in Western philology.

YYajurvedaYajus Adhvaryus

- - - -

Sam Veda Rvyan



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AAtharva Veda

Atharva-nologtically

Atharvan- tharv aunak

-

d

Brahmanas

ahmansRig- -

Kaushita-nkh

Panchavisha Shadvisha Jaiminiya

Rig-veda

Aitreya kaushitaki Samkhyana

Yajur-Veda

Kasthaka kapilsthakatha Maitrayani Taitriya

Sam veda

Panchvisha Shadvisha Jaiminiya

Atharvaveda

Gopath



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Kapisthalakatha

AAranyakas advocated.-Ve- -

-

The Upanishads

Veda.

MukhyaUpnishad VedaAitareya Rig-VedaBhadrayaka Shukla YajurvedaTaittirya Krishna YajurvedaChndogya Sam VedaKena Sam Vedaa Shukla Yajurvedavetvatara Krishna YajurvedaKaha Krishna YajurvedaMuaka Atharva VedaMkya Atharva VedaPrana Atharva Veda



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Aitareya Upanishad "P

The Four Mahavakyas of Vedas

a

Prajnanam Brahma - "Consciousness is Brahman" (Aitareya Upanishad of the Rig Veda) Ayam Atma Brahma - "This Self (Atman) is Brahman" (Mandukya Upanishad of the Atharva Veda) Tat Tvam Asi - "Thou art That" (Chandogya Upanishad of the Sama Veda) Aham Brahmasmi - "I am Brahman" (Brhadaranyaka Upanishad of the Yajur Veda)

Bhadrayaka Upanishad

\ [

` 1.3.28. Q \ N

Taittirya Upanaishad

Chndogya UpanishadTh

Kena Upanisahda saUpanishad

vetvatara Upanishad -



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Kathopnishad

Muktika

.

Mandkya

PranaPippalada

TThe Smriti Literature

Vedanga

Shiksha (Phonetics)

Kalpa (Ritual Canon)

ti

rautastras

Smartastras,

Grh



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Baudhha.dharma

Vyakaran (Grammar)

dhyy ivas Aadhyy Dhtup Gaap

Nirukta (explanation)

Chhanda (Vedic meter) coAnustup

Jyotisha (Astrology) Jyotish.

Shatdarshana:

School Author Beginning Main Book Nyaya Gautama 6th Century BC NyayasutraVaisheshika Kanaad 6th century BC Vaisheshik Sutra Sankya Kapil 6th century BC Sankya Sutra Yoga Maharishi Patanjali 2nd century BC Yog Sutra Poorva Mimansa Jaimini 4th Century BC Poorva Mimansa Sutra Uttar Mimansa or Vedanta Badrayan or Maharishi Vyas 4th century BC Uttar Mimansa Sutra

Nyaya



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(anum

Vaisheshika

.

padartha thv

vkak tas (Panchabhutas)

Gu sakhyim astap kof

k

Smsmnya

Vieeeas



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Samav astap

abh-

Samkhya

budhyapekcategories

Kapil. PurushaPrakriti

Jivapuru

moksha.

a.

Yoga

reality.



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--

Ashtanga Yoga - - - - on--possessiveness).

-

meditation.

y

tion.

Hathayoga thought- Body.

Mimansa dharma

Dharma, Karma and Rta



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Dharma.ms hit hma - wh orders.Pu - interpretators

Vedanta

Vedanta.

Sub-schools of Vedanta:Advaita:

Vishishtadvaita

"."

mv

Dvaita ch d - v

Dvaitdvaita v



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ishna.

Shuddhdvaita Sat-Chid-Aananda

Achintya Bhedbheda

- -

Purndvaita or Integral Advaita

Modern Vednta

EEpicsRamayan

-

Mahabharta

Puranas



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which

Purana

UUpaveda

yur G

Chapter 3. Vedic Political, Social and Economic LifeThe Geography in Vedic Texts



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The country of AryansSaptaSaindhavas latter

-India

The RiversSaraswatithirty-twenty--

The Mountains

-

The Seas

The Himalayas.

-

The Deserts

Name of the Places, Cities and Towns -

The Rig-Vedic Polity

-

Tribes and the Dasarajana Yudha



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Yudha

I

-Sudas - - Vishanin -

Purus -

Panchjanah)-Veda.

Jana , Rajana and Aspects of Land Territory

-

JanaRajanRajan Jana - appears

-

The Grama and the Vajrapati- Vrajapati Gramani

Taxation : The Bali bali,i.e



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Military & Spy functionalitiesSpasa

The Earliest Tribal Assembly - Vidhata-Rig- -

Sabha & its Sabhavati- -

Samiti

--

- - -

The differentiations between Sabha and Samiti

The Gana or the Republic



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The Parishad

Rig Vedic Society

--

JanaclangramasSangrama.

Patriarchy

naptri.

The Evolution of Varna System Aryans

Shudras

Dasa. Dahyu

Marriage and women



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-

Education --

-V

Institution of Gotra

Amusements and entertainments -Veda.

House holding --in-self-restraint -

Eating Habits-



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- bean-

Dress code-antariya.

Health and hygiene

RRig Vedic Economy

-

The importance of Cow

Gomat.

-

.

Crafts and Metallurgy

.

Cop



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TThe Vedic Religion

The Worship of Nature

-

- va s

Rig Vedic GodsDyu, Mithra, Varuna

Dyu Dyaus Zeus JupiterOuranos.

-



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Ju-piter.n-

Indra and Marut

Rig-

- - Vritra Panis,

-

Car-S Vritrahan y).

Aditi, Sun, SavithriHeliosSol,n

Agni:



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Th

Vayu and Rudra - -

Soma & Brihaspati prayer

Soma & Haomai -

Visvedevas -

Ashwins or Ashwinikumars

Agni Soma CultAprt from lightning the Holy Fire, the Soma-drinking was another mark of the Arya cult, which may therefore be called 'the Agni-Soma cult-' Soma is a product of the Himalayan regions, so that when the cult moved down to the plains, Kirata (huntress) girls from the Himalayan hills supplied it to Brahmanas. The use of Soma, like the worship of Agni indicates the Himalayan region as the place where the Agni-Soma cult first originated.



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-

Yama & Yami

Usha--Dawn,- view.

Other Rig Vedic Gods: Pus -

Apsaras -



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Comparison of the Greek Dieties and Ancient Hindu Dieties -

CChanges in life in Later Vedic Age

General Changes

Changes in Economy

sangrihitri.

The Four Varnas vaniks.

Types of Marriages in later Vedic Ages: Marriage Type DescriptionBrahma Vivah Marriage of a girl with the boy of same Varna with Vedic rites and ritualsDaiva Vivah When father donated his daughter to a priest as a part of Dakshina. Arsa Vivah A token bride-price of a Cow and a Bull was given Prajapati Vivah Marriage without dowry



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Gandharva Vivah It was a kind of love marriage or swyamavara type Asura Vivah Marriage by PurchasePaisach Vivah Seduction of a girl while sleeping or mentally unstable due to a drink. Rakshasha Vivah Marriage by abduction

Anuloma and Pratiloma Vivah:

Four Purushartha

Dharma:

Artha: Moksha:

Ashrama System:

-

-



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th

Sacrifices & Rituals

infant rd

Domestic Ceremonies1. 2.

3.

4.

5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

10. studentship

11. marriage12.

Some Vedic TermsAghanya Not to be killedAgnyadheya ceremony which preceded the public rituals in Vedic Era. Akshavapa accounts officerAmaju Lifelong unmarried girl Bhagadugh carpenterBhishaka Doctor or VaidyaCharmana BlacksmithDatra SickleDuhitri Milker of cow and also a daughterGaura BuffaloGavishti a fight for cows. Gocarman a measure of distanceGotra A kinship unit Hiranyakara GoldsmithJansaya Gopa Tribal ChiefKinsmen of the King SajataKulala PotterPurapati responsible for defense. Rathakara Chariot makerSamgavan A measure of timeSarabha ElephantSatdaya Compensation for manslaughterSira Plough Sita Furrows Spas SpiesTakshan carpenterTakshan carpenterVaratra leather strap of the Plough Vrihi Rice



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Some Notable points

th-

T

Swastika - re-

-Veda

- Varaprada.

BrhadaranyakaUpanishad

CComparison of the Harappa and Vedic Civilizations

Th

later-



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-

-

--

-

The -

too.

-

VVedic India, Some more ObservationsA comparision of the Upanishada and Brahamanas

-subsidi



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muc

Concept of Rita and Dharma - i



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The Concept of Sapta Rishi Saptar texts

Bharadvv

v Bharadvyapa.

The story of Agastya and Lopamudra

The Abhi-seka or coronation

The Metals



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(alsocolor.

Aryamnah Pantha or the Milky Way "

Seasons in Rig-Veda-v-- -sisira.

Sita:

-Nishka -- -

The story of Manu & Shraddha



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The Manusmriti -datithi.

Dhratavatra Dhratavatra.

Vedic Culture

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