VEDIC CULTURE

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Introduction

The cities of the Harappan Culture had declined by 1500 B.C. Around this period, according to Rig Veda, Aryan (Earliest specimen of the Indo-European languages, Sanskrit) entered the north-west India from the Indo-Iranian region. First, Aryan appeared in Iran, where Indo-Iranians lived for a long time. And then they came to India. Their initial settlements were in the valleys of the north-west and the plains of the Punjab. Later, they moved into Indo-Gangetic plains. As they were mainly a cattle keeping people, they were mainly in search of pastures. By 6th century B.C., they occupied the whole of North India, which was referred to as Aryavarta. This period between 1500 B.C and 600 B.C may be divided into the Early Vedic Period or Rig Vedic Period (1500 B.C -1000 B.C) and the Later Vedic Period (1000B.C-600 B.C).


Origin and Identity of Aryans

Aryans spoke the Indo-European language, Sanskrit. They seem to have lived somewhere in the area east of the Alp, in the region known as Eurasia. But the original home of the Aryans is still a debatable question and there are several views. Different scholars have identified different regions as the original home of the Aryans.

The earliest life of Aryans seem to have been mainly pastoral. They used several animals. The most important was Horse. But it should be remembered that this animal was unknown to the Harrapans. And some historians remarked that because of horse, Aryan could come to India.  


Vedic Literatures

The word ‘Veda’ is derived from the root ‘vid’, which means to know. In other words, the term ‘Veda’ signifies ‘superior knowledge’. The Vedic literature consists of the four Vedas – Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva. 


    The Rig Veda is the earliest of the four Vedas and it consists of 1028 hymns. The hymns were sung in praise of various gods. The Yajur Veda consists of various details of rules to be observed at the time of sacrifice. The Sama Veda is set to tune for the purpose of chanting during sacrifice. It is called the book of chants and the origins of Indian music are traced in it. The Atharva Veda contains details of rituals. 


(Ramayana and Mahabharata)

    Besides the Vedas, there are other sacred works like the Brahmanas, the Upanishads, the Aranyakas and the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. The Brahmanas are the treatises relating to prayer and sacrificial ceremony.

(Brihadaranyaka Upanishad)

The Upanishads are philosophical texts dealing with topic like the soul, the absolute, the origin of the world and the mysteries of nature. The Aranyakas are called forest books and they deal with mysticism, rites, rituals and sacrifices. The author of Ramayana was Valmiki and that of Mahabharata was Vedavyas.


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