Vedic Culture

Vedic Culture (1500 BC – 600 BC)

The Original Abode of The Aryans 

• Scholars have different opinions regarding the original residence of Aryans. Some scholars believe that India was the original abode of the Aryans. According to Max Müller, the original residence of the Aryans was Central Asia, while BG Tilak considers the Arctic region as the original residence of the Aryans.
• The most accepted opinion is that in 2000BC – 1500BC, Aryans came from Central Asia to the Indian peninsula in several stages.
• Boghajakai – Evidence of four Vedic deities has been found in Asia Minor, in which Indra, Varuna, Mitra and Nasatya are there. This proves that Aryans came from Central Asia and first of all they settled in Sapta Sandhav (place of 7 rivers – East Punjab region). From here gradually they started settling in the plains of Ganga Yamuna.
• Vedic civilization was mainly rural and their language was Sanskrit. The administration of Aryans was divided into 5 parts – Kul, Gram, Vish, Jan, Rashtra. The head of the village was called Gramini and the head of the nation was called Raja.
• Vedic literature is divided into four parts – Vedas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads.
• Initially Vedic literatures were only transmitted orally from one generation to another, which are called Shruti.
• “Satyameva Jayate” is taken from Mundakopanishad.

Alkaptonuria :  A Genic Mendelian Abnormality

Veda 

The most ancient and important book of Vedic literature is Veda. There are four Vedas – Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharveda. The first three Vedas are called Vedatrayi.

1. Rigveda 

• This is the oldest book of the world and it is composed in verse form. Rigveda has 10 mandalas, 1028 suktas and 10580 hymns. The sage who recites these hymns is called Hotri. This Veda gives important information regarding the history of Aryans.
• In the third circle is the Gayatri Mantra dedicated by Vishwamitra to the Sun God.
• In the seventh division, there is mention of Dasarajna war which took place between King Sudas and ten men on the banks of river Parushani (Ravi) in which King Sudas was victorious.
• The deity Som is mentioned in the ninth circle.
• Purusukta is described in the tenth division, in which the origin of four varnas Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra is mentioned. The mention of Vamanavatar is described in Rigveda itself.

Coral Reefs

2. Yajurveda 

• Its reciter is called Adhvaryu. 
• In this the rules for the sacrifice and the mantra for the recitation are described. 
• It is in both prose and verse. 
• Yajurveda has two main texts (sanhitas) – Shukla Yajurveda and Krishna Yajurveda. These are called Vajasanei and Taittariya Samhita.

3. Samaveda

• Father of Indian Music. 
• This is a text based on ragas and songs. 
• The reader is called Udratra.

4. Atharvaveda

• This Veda was composed by two sages named Atharva and Angira. 
• It is also known as Brahma Veda. 
• Disease prevention, tantra mantra, witchcraft, curse, subjugation, faith, superstition, marriage, love, medicine, royal work etc are mentioned in this Veda. 
• In this, the assembly and the committee have been considered like the two daughters of the king. 
• It condemns the birth of a girl child.

Chromosomal Disorder in Human 

Brahmin

Brahmin has been created to understand the Shruti of Vedas. Many Brahmins are associated with each Veda. After the Rigveda in the Vedic literature, Shatpath Brahmin has an important place in knowing the history.

Brahmin Related to Vedas

1. Rigveda -  Aitareya Brahmana, Kaushitaki Brahmana
2. Samaveda - Tandya Mahabrahmana, Shadvinsha Brahmana
3. Yajurveda - Taittiriya Brahmana, Shatapatha Brahmana
4. Atharveda - Gopath Brahmin, Jaiminiya Brahmin, Panchavish Brahmin

Public Undertaking Committee

Aranyaka 

It is written by the sages living in the forests. They describe the sacrifices and rituals described in the Vedas.

Upanishads

Upanishad means philosophy. These are also called Vedanta because they are the last part of the Vedas. The number of Upanishads is 108. Upanishad is for Gyan Kand whereas Aranyaka is for Karma Kand.

• To understand the Vedas, 6 Vedangos have been created  -   Education, Jyotish (the oldest astrological text), Kalpa, Vyakaran (Ashtadhyayi – the oldest grammar text), Nirukta (the oldest dictionary), verses..

National Parks of India

Epic

1. Ramayana (Valmiki) – It mentions the life of Lord Rama. There are 7 scandals in this. It is also called Adi Kavya and it is the oldest poetry book in the world.
2. Mahabharata (Vedvyas) – It mentions the life of Kauravas and Pandavas. This is the biggest epic of the world. It has 1 lakh verses and it is divided into 18 parvas. Bhagavad Gita is taken from Bhishma Parva while Shanti Parva is the biggest.

Purana 

There are a total of 18 Puranas whose authors are Lomaharsha and his son Ugrashrava.

1. Vishnu Purana 
2. Maurya Dynasty
3. Matsya Purana 
4. Satavahana Dynasty
5. Vayu Purana 
6. Gupta Dynasty
7. Bhagavata Purana 
8. Gupta dynasty

Drainage System and Drainage Pattern

Important Points

• In the Rigveda, the most description is of the Indus river. After this it is of Saraswati and then of Ganga, Yamuna. In the Vedic period, the place of priest and fighter was prominent among the state officials.
• Sabha ( Assembly ) and Samiti were two institutions to advise the king.
• Assembly – Society of the best people
• Samiti – Organization of general public
• The society of Aryans was patriarchal. Their main drink was Somras. Their main occupation was animal husbandry and agriculture. Cow was considered as aghanya. His favorite animal was horse and favorite deity was Indra. He had knowledge of iron. Traders were called Pani and barter system was prevalent.
• Rajasuya Yagya was performed at the time of coronation. Nishka and Shatman were the units of currency.
• According to the Maitreyi Code, there are 3 defects – gambling, alcohol and women. First of all, the name of Bharatvarsha is mentioned in the Hathigumpha inscription.

Topographies Formed By Underground Water