1. Vedas and Vedic Age of India | Ancient History Notes on Vedas for SSC and RRB

Posted on by Pankaj Das

Vedic Age : Vedas [1500 BCE – 600 BCE] :-

Vedic Age refers to the time when vedic sanskrit texts were composed in India. There are mainly four vedas namely – RIGVEDA, SAMAVEDA, YAJURVEDA, ATHARVAVEDA. Alongwith them Brahmana literature, Aranyaka literature, Upanishads and then Vedanta which is the end of Vedas. So let’s get a brief knowledge about Vedas.

Vedas and Vedic Age of India [1500 BCE – 600 BCE]

Vedas and Vedic Age of India | Ancient History Notes on Vedas for SSC and RRB exams

I.   Veda :

  • The Veda is also called ‘ Shruti ‘ because this knowledge was preserved by transferring it from generation to generation by hearing.

  • Brahmi Script which was written in almost 400 BCE is said to be the mother of all scripts in India.

    1. Rigveda :

  • Rigveda contains a collection of hymns i.e. total of 1028 hymns.

  • It is divided into 10 MANDALAS (A mandala is a spiritual and ritual symbol in the Indian Religions of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism representing the universe).

  • Mandala 2 – 7 are the oldest Mandalas.

  • Gayatri Mantra (Savitri Mantra) was written by Vishwamitra in Mandala – 3. Here, Savitri / Surya(Sun) is worshipped.

  • Soma-God (Lord of Plants) is described in Mandala – 9.

    2. Samaveda :

  • Samaveda is said to be the Book of Chants (veda of Melodies & Chants). It can also be said as the smaller version of Rigveda.

  • The hymns of Rigveda is set to a tune in this veda where recital of tune is as per blessing.

  • This book is also sometimes called as the Book of Melody.

    3. Yajurveda :

  • Yajurveda deals with all rituals, ceremonies, animal sacrifices to be followed at the time of recital.

  • Development of Vedic Maths, Astronomy came from this veda.

    4. Atharvaveda :

  • Atharvaveda deals with all those magical hymns to get rid of diseases.

  • Indian Medicine i.e. Ayurveda is also the application of Atharvaveda.

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II.  Brahmana literature :

  • The detailed explaination on vedic hymns is found in Brahmana Literature.

  • It was basically based on Agriculture, trade and laws.

III. Aranyaka literature :

  • The Vedic Mantras are not so straight in meaning, they are explained simply in Aranyaka literature.

  • It deals with ‘ Mysticism ‘ of vedic hymns.

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IV. Upanishads :

  • The meaning of Upanishads is to sit near the feet of Guru.

  • It is known as the Path of Knowledge.

  • There are a total of 108 Upanishads.

  • The ultimate goal according to Upanishads is to reach our ‘ Universal Soul ‘ i.e. ‘ Salvation ‘.

  • Shankaracharya consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta which was based on non – buddhism.

  • Swami Vivekananda inspired from Advaita Vedanta, started ‘ Ramkrishna Paramhansa Mission ‘ who said ‘ Service of Man is service to God ‘.

  • The most important Upanishad among the 108 Upanishad is ‘Mundaka Upanishad’.

  • ‘Satyameva Jayate’ which means ‘Truth alone triumps’ is taken from Mundaka Upanishad.

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V.  Vedanga :

  • Vedanga are six auxilliary disciplines of Hinduism that developed in ancient times, and has been connected with the study of the Vedas.

  • There are 6 vedangas which are also called limbs of veda. They are –
    1. Shiksha Vedanga : Phonetics (Speaking languages).
    2. Kalpa Vedanga : All rituals & ceremonies.
    3. Nirukta : Origin of words.
    4. Vyakarana : Rules of grammer.
    5. Chhanda : Rules of poetry.
    6. Jyotish : Astronomy.

Ancient Indian History Notes for SSC and RRB exams

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