Vedic Civilization and Vedic Period

What is Vedic Civilization

Vedic civilization is the civilization of ancient India in which the Vedas were composed. This new civilization emerged after the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization. All the information about Vedic civilization is obtained from the Vedas, that is why this civilization is called Vedic civilization and this period is called Vedic period. This civilization was started by the Aryans, hence this civilization is also called Aryan civilization. The history of the origin of the Aryans is controversial. Some scholars consider them foreign. According to some scholars, the Aryans invaded India and ruined the Indus civilization. Although there is no evidence of this. The Indus Valley Civilization was destroyed even before the arrival of the Aryans.

Vedic period or pre vedic period (1500 BC.-1000 BC.)

The Vedic period is also called the Rigvedic or pre-Vedic period. There is no clear information about its period.

Indian scholars consider this civilization to have come from the ancient tradition. Some people consider the birth of this civilization in India around 7000 BC, but according to some western scholars, a community of Aryans came to India around 2000 BC and this civilization started with their arrival.

Generally, most scholars consider the period of Vedic civilization to be between 2000 BC to 600 BC, but many remains of Vedic civilization have also been found in the new archaeological excavations, due to which modern scholars such as David Frawley, Telgiri, B. B. Lal, S Rao, Subhash Kak, Aurobindo have come to believe that the Vedic civilization started in India itself and the composition of Rigveda must have been 4000-3000 BC. Neither the evidence of Aryans coming to India has been found from any archaeological excavation nor any evidence has been found from DNA research. The foundation of the present form of Hinduism was laid during this period, which is still in existence today. Apart from the Vedas, many other Sanskrit texts were also composed during this period.

The Vedangasutras were composed to organize the Vedic texts like Mantras, Brahmana texts, Upanishads etc. The Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and the Puranas were composed during this period, which are considered to be the sources of knowledge of this period. After this, the rise of Charvak, Tantrik, Buddhism and Jainism also took place. Historians believe that the Aryans mainly lived in the plains of northern India, due to which the center of Aryan civilization was mainly northern India. During this period, northern India (including modern Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal) was divided into several Mahajanapadas. As controversial as the date of this period has been, the exact information about the people of this period has been complicated. One of the main reasons for this is that till this time only this book (Rigveda) was composed. According to Max Muller, the original abode of Aryans is Central Asia. In the inscriptions of 1400 BC found at Bogaz-koi (Asia Minor), it can be traced back to Hindu deities Inda, Mitravarun, Nasatya etc.

On the basis of astrological calculations, Bal Gangadhar Tilak took its period to 6000 BC. Supposedly. The smallest unit of administration was the total. A clan consisted of people living in one house and under one roof. A village was made up of several clans. The organization of villages was called Vish and the organization of Vish was called Jan. Many people used to form the nation together. The ruler of the nation (state) was called Rajan (king). The kings who grew up were called emperors.

Later Vedic period (1000 BC.-600 BC.)

In the Rigvedic period, the Aryans lived between the Indus and Saraswati rivers. Later they had spread all over North India. The main area of ​​civilization had become the plains of the Ganges and its tributaries. The Ganges is today considered the holiest river of India (of the Hindus). During this period the world expanded and many people became extinct.

Peoples like Bharata, Tritsu and Turvas disappeared from the political circles while Puru became more powerful than before. Some new states had developed in eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, such as - Kashi, Kosala, Videha, Magadha and Anga.

The Saraswati river is considered to be the most important in the Rigvedic period. The Ganges and Yamuna rivers are mentioned only once.

Vedic literature

The Vedic literature is called 'Shruti Granth' i.e. such a text which has been heard from God. Its repercussion is that the Vedas are called 'Shruti' due to the words uttered by the Guru being preserved by the disciple through hearing.

The four Vedas and their Samhitas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads and Vedangas are included in Vedic literature.

The number of Vedas is four

1. Rigveda
2. Yajurveda
3. Samaveda
4. Atharvaveda

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

Rigveda

The composition of Rigveda is 1700 BC-1500 BC. is . Their creation area is the Sapta Sendhav region. Rigveda is a collection of compositions related to the praise of the gods. It is divided into 10 mandals. In this, the circles from 2 to 7 are considered to be the oldest. The first and tenth circles were added later. There are 85 anuvakas, 1028 hymns (by adding 11 hymns to the child's milk) and 10580 mantras (hymns). Its language is poetic. The Rigveda mentions 33 gods (substances with divine qualities).

The famous Gayatri Mantra, which is addressed to the goddess Gayatri, related to the Sun, appears first in the Rigveda. The sentence 'Asato Ma Sadgamaya' is taken from Rigveda. The names of women are also found in Rigveda to memorize the mantra, the main ones are Lopamudra, Ghosha, Shachi, Poulomi and Kakshavriti etc. Its priest's name is Hotri.

Yajurveda

Yaju means sacrifice. The methods of sacrifice are described in Yajurveda Veda. In this, the compilation of mantras has been done for the purpose of reciting the bed at the time of ritual sacrifice. In this, along with mantras, there is also a description of religious rituals, which have been suggested to be performed with chanting. The language of Yajurveda is both poetic and prose.

Yajurveda has two branches- Krishna Yajurveda and Shukla Yajurveda. 

There are four branches of Krishna Yajurveda - Maitrayani Samhita, Kathak Samhita, Kapinthal and Samhita.

There are two branches of Shukla Yajurveda - Madhyandin and Kanva Sanhita. 

It is divided into 40 chapters. In this book for the first time two royal ceremonies like Rajasuya and Vajpeya are mentioned.

Samveda

The Samaveda was composed to make the mantras given in the Rigveda sungable. There are 1549 mantras in which all except 75 are mentioned in the Rigveda. Samaveda is divided into three branches - Kauthum, Ranayaniya and Jaimaniya.

The importance of Samaveda is very much from the point of view of music. Sama singing is considered to be the cornerstone of music science. It is known from which sources Indian music originated. Samaveda has the distinction of being the first musical book of India.

Atharvaveda

It depicts the basic beliefs, traditions of the pre-historic era. Atharvaveda is organized into 20 chapters. It contains 731 hymns and about 6000 mantras. In this, information has been given in the form of disease and its means of prevention. Atharvaveda has two branches - Saunaka and Piplad. It is considered to be the work of non-Aryans.

Brahmin

The Vedic Mantras and Samhitas have been called Brahma. The same expanded form of Brahma is called Brahman. Aitareya, Shatapatha, Panchvish, Taitriya etc. are particularly important in the ancient Brahmins. Maharishi Yajnavalkya has received the teachings of Brahman texts including mantras from Aditya.

Under the samhitas, the method of rituals which is mentioned in the Brahman, its clear interpretation is found. In the ancient tradition, there was a method of reciting the Vedas in the form of ashram. Therefore, Brahmachari people used to recite only Mantraunka, Grihastha Brahmanaunka, Vanprastha Aranyaunka and Sanyasa Upanishadaunka. The conceivable Veda part of Garhasthyadharma is Brahman. It is mainly mentioned in prose style.

From the Brahmanical texts we get the knowledge of the event before Bimbisara. The Aitareya Brahmana consists of eight mandalas and five chapters. It is also called Panjika. The rules of coronation are found in the Aitareya Brahmin. The Taitreya Brahmin is the Brahmin of Krishnayajurveda.

There are 100 chapters, 14 kandas and 438 brahmins in Shatapath-Brahmin. Gandhara, Shalya, Kaikeya, Kuru, Panchala, Kosala, Videha etc. places are also mentioned. Shatapath Brahmin is the most important Brahmin from the historical point of view.

The Panchavish / Shadvinsha Brahmins are the Brahmins associated with the Samaveda. The most recent Brahmin is the Gopatha.

Aranyaka

The word Aranyak is derived from 'Aranya' which means 'forest or forest'. These texts were written mainly for the Vanprasthis who lived in the forests. Aranyaka Vedaunki is that part which the Vanprasthi people used to recite in the forest after relinquishing their homestead.

For this reason the name Aranyak was done. Its main themes are mysticism, symbolism, sacrifice and priestly philosophy. There are currently seven Aranyakas available. Samaveda and Atharvaveda have no Aranyaka.

Upanishads

The Upanishads are a collection of the oldest philosophical ideas. Among the Upanishads, 'Vrihadaranyaka' and 'Chandonya' are the most famous. The condition of India before Bimbisara can be known from these texts. Parikshit, his son Janamejaya and later kings are mentioned in these Upanishads.

It is clear from these Upanishads that the philosophy of the Aryans was the best and far ahead of the philosophy of other civilized countries of the world. The living examples of the spiritual development of the Aryans, the oldest religious stage and thinking are found in these Upanishads.

The Upanishads were probably composed during the time of the Buddha, as the first attempt to establish the importance of spiritual progress over material desires resulted from a reaction to the development of Buddhism and Jainism. The total number of Upanishads is 108.

Mainly the details of the mystic principles related to the eternal soul, Brahman, the relation between the soul-Parmatma and the origin of the universe have been given. "Satyameva Jayate" is taken from Mundakopanishad. The Maitrayani Upanishad mentions the principles of Trimurti and Chaturashrama.

Vedanga

In the epoch, six disciplines (branches) were born for Vedic study, which are called 'Vedanga'. Vedanga literally means part of the Vedas, however, due to the masculine nature of this literature, it is counted separately from the Shruti literature. Vedanga is also called Smriti, because it is considered to be the creation of human beings.

Vedanga is in the form of a sutra, an attempt has been made to keep more facts in less words. The number of Vedanga is 6, education - vocal knowledge, Kalpa - religious custom and method, Nirukta - word etymology, grammar - grammar, verses - verse scripture astrology - astronomy

Formula literature

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

Kalpa Sutra - Most important from historical point of view. Hand of the Vedas Local Vedang.

Source Sutra - Explanation of detailed procedures related to Mahayagya. The first part of the Vedanga Kalpasutra.

Smarta Sutra - The second part of the Kalpa that prescribes the six rites.

The rules related to the construction and measurement of the yajna site and the fire vedi are in it. It shows the early form of Indian geometry. The third part of the cycle.

Dharma Sutra- It contains socio-religious laws and code of conduct. fourth part of the cycle.

Grihyasutra - There is a discussion of the rituals related to family rites, festivals and personal sacrifices.

Political situation

The Rigvedic period was mainly a tribal system of rule in which military spirit was prominent. The king was also called Gomat.

Monarchical system was prevalent in the Vedic period. The head of government in this was the king. The king was hereditary but the people could remove him. He was not the head of a particular region but of a particular people. The king was the leader of the war. He did not have the right to collect taxes. His expenditure was met from the part and part given voluntarily by the public. There were administrative bodies called sabha, samiti and vidatha. In Atharvaveda, Sabha and Samiti are said to be the two daughters of Prajapati. The important function of the committee was to elect the king. The head of the committee was called Ishaan or Pati. Both men and women were involved in Vidatha. The reception of newlyweds, religious rituals etc., social functions were done in Vidath. Sabha was the institution of the best people, Samiti was the general public representative meeting and Vidatha was the oldest institution. 

Vidatha is mentioned 122 times the most in the Rigveda. Military operations were carried out by tribal organizations called Varat, Gana and Sardha. According to the Shatapatha Brahman, the king became noble after being consecrated. The title of the one who performed the Rajasuya Yagya was Raja and the one who performed the Vajpeya Yagya was the Emperor. Sparsha was called the spies and Purupa was called Durgapati. The administrative support of the king was done by 12 Ratnins, priests and fighters. The head of the pasture was called Vajrapati and the head of the fighting parties was called Gramini.

12 Ratnin

1. Purohit - the chief adviser to the king
2. Senani - the head of the army
3. Village - Military officer of the village
4. Mahishi - the wife of the king
5. Soot - the charioteer of the king
6. Kshatriya - Pratihara
7. Collected - Treasurer
8. Bhaagdudh – Tax collecting officer
9. Akshwap - Accounts Officer
10. Govikrit - Forest Officer
11. Palagal - King's friend

Experts in diverse fields

1. Hotra - The one who recited the Rigveda.
2. Udgata - One who sings the hymns of Samaveda.
3. Adhwaryu - The one who recited Yajurveda.
4. Brahma - The caretaker of all the sacrifices.

Social status

Four Varnas are mentioned in the tenth mandala of Rigveda. The varna system was karma based. The tenth circle is considered to be the later period.

The society was patriarchal. Joint family system was prevalent. The head of the family was called 'Kulapa'. The family was called a clan. Many villages together, many villages together became Vish, many Wishes combined to form Jana and many Jana together formed Janapadas. The tradition of hospitality was of paramount importance. There was another class of 'Panis' who were wealthy 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 charioteer and carpenter community enjoyed special respect. There was no practice of untouchability, sati, purdah system, child marriage. Women had the right to choose education and groom. Widow marriage, Upanayana ceremony of women, Niyoga, Gandharva and inter-caste marriages were prevalent. Clothing was the favorite of both men and women. Barley (yava) was the main cereal. Vegetarianism was prevalent.

Soma rasa (like Amrit) was prevalent. Dance music, dice, horse racing, wrestling, Shuiker etc. were the main means of entertainment. Apala, Ghosh, Maitreyi, Vishwavara, Gargi etc. were learned women. In the Rigveda, the non-Aryans (fools or dasyus) have been described as mridhwaya (vague-speakers), avratas (non-observances of rules and vows). First of all, in the 'Jabalopanishad', the four ashrams Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanprastha and Sannyasa Ashram are mentioned.

Economic condition

The main basis 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 'Gavayuti', daughter was used as Duhita (cow milker) and 'Gavishti' was used for wars. The public used to give voluntarily part tribute to the king. The houses were made of thatch and wood. The practice of taking and giving loans was prevalent which was called 'Kusid'. Bullock carts, chariots and boats were the main means of transport.

Agriculture

First of all, all the processes of agriculture are mentioned in the Shatapath Brahmin. Sowing, plowing, threshing of crops etc. are described in the first and tenth mandalas of Rigveda. The Rigveda mentions only a grain called Yava (Barley). Agriculture is described in the fourth mandala of Rigveda.

In later Vedic literature, other cereals such as Godhum (wheat), Brihi (rice) etc. have been discussed. The Kathak Samhita mentions 24 bullocks pulling the plow, the Atharvaveda mentions the rain, the well and the Nahar and the Yajurveda mentions the plow as 'Seer'. There was also a system of artificial irrigation during that period.

Animal husbandry

Feeding of animals was their main means of livelihood. The cow was the main means of exchange. The concept of land donation or individual land ownership was not developed in the Rigvedic period.

Business

In the beginning a very limited trade practice was in operation. The trade was based on the exchange system. A section of the society 'Pani' used to do business. There was no custom of paying regular taxes or land revenue to the king. The king was given voluntarily part or tribute.

The defeated tribe also gave gifts to the victorious king. The king used to distribute his wealth among his other companions. Metals and Coins: The first of the metals mentioned in the Rigveda was Dhatu, Ayas (copper or bronze). He was also familiar with gold (hirvya or gold) and silver. But there is no mention of iron in the Rigveda. The 'Nishk' was probably a gold ornament or currency which was also used for exchange.

Industry

The industries of the Rigvedic period were for the fulfillment of domestic needs. The work of carpenter and smoker was very important. Other major industries were textiles, utensils, wood and leather work. Women also used to work as mats.

Religious status

The Aryans believed in monotheism. Here a wish was made to God for the benefit of natural human beings. He was primarily a worshiper of the Supreme 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. The form of the Vedic gods is that of glorified human beings. Rigveda mentions 33 gods (substances with divine qualities).