<–2/”>a >Although the Rig Veda deals with devotional work of religious nature, yet it gives a vivid picture of the early Vedic civilization. The Vedic Civilization is best understood from the social life, political organisation, economic life and religious beliefs. The Kula or family was the basic unit of Rig-Vedic Society. The Kula was headed by a Kulapa, who was usually the eldest member. Society was essentially patriarchal and birth of son was desired repeatedly. Status of Women was equal to men in the early Rig-Vedic society. Both polygamy and polyandry were in vogue.
The Evolution of Varna System
Social strata used to exist in the Harappan civilization also. Similarly, there was a threefold division of society {priests, rulers and producers} in the Iranian society also. However, what happened in Indian sub-continent was unique and extraordinary. In the evolution of Kingship in the later Vedic era, the priests (Brahmans) and rulers (Khsatriyas) consolidated their respective position in the society. The producers split into two groups. The free peasants and traders formed the group Vaishya while the slaves, laborers, artisans degraded to fourth group Shudra. This was based on occupation initially but later got rigid on the basis of birth. Despite of a small Population, the people got compartmentalized into these four groups as per Varnashrama Dharma.
Marriage and women
Despite of the patriarchal character of the family, the position of women was much better in the Rig Vedic period than in later times. They could attend assemblies and offer sacrifices along with their husbands. Five women have been mentioned as composers of hymns out of which Ghosha, Lopamudra and Apala are famous. Girls were normally married off after puberty (between the age of 16 and 17). Unmarried girls grew up in the home of their parents. Some unmarried woman like Visvavara and Apala offered sacrifices on their own. There are also evidences of widow remarriage in the Rig-Veda.
In the early Rig-Vedic era, entire instruction was given orally. Art of writing does not seem to have developed yet. In the well-known Gayatri mantra there is a prayer to Savitri for the stimulation of the intellect. There were women teachers. Many of them possessed the highest spiritual knowledge. Maitreyi and Gargi were gifted scholars. Rishis who composed hymns founded their own schools separately to teach their pupils and every person among the vis was entitled to learn Vedic mantras. In the later-Vedic phase, with the development of Varnashrama, education began with an investiture ceremony (upanayan). Since Upanayan was confined to three upper Varnas, the sudras were not entitled to education. Sometimes girls were also encouraged. When teacher was satisfied with the student, last sermon called snatakopadesa (kind of convocation) was delivered.
Institution of Gotra
Gotra or cowpen was a mechanism for widening social ties a new relationship was established between hitherto unrelated people. It is possible that animals were herded in common and such a place was known as gotra and from this it acquired the character of an exogamous institution.
Amusements and entertainments
Music, both vocal and instrumental, was well known. Vedic Aryans played on the Vina and flute Vana to the accompaniment of drums and cymbals. Few claim that Dhrupad of Indian classical music originated in Vedic Era. Dancing was common. The chariot race was a favourite sport and source of entertainment. Chariot race was a symbolic source of political authority of the king. The fascination of gambling and the ruin caused by its addiction find mention in the Rig-Veda.
House holding
The Griha sutra prescribes a Code Of Conduct, which gives a fairly good idea of the manners and etiquette of the later-Vedic age. A guest (atithi) was welcomed at all times and special guests, like the guru, the king, and the father-in-law, etc. were given special treatment. Respect for the elders self-restraint, moral purity, abstinence of all kinds and faithfulness were some of the virtues. Cleanliness was a passion. Daily bath, washing of the feet and hands every now and then, and purifying the Atmosphere with Vedic mantras were a part of ritual when ritualism acquired special significance in the later-Vedic age. It became one of the many sources of the development of hierarchy and the supremacy for the Brahmanas.
Eating Habits
The main cereal produced by the early Rig-Vedic people was Yava or barley. Wheat (Godhuma) appears in later Vedic texts only. Yava was also a generic term for various kinds of Cereals. ilk, Milk products and cattle meat belonged to their food habits. Alcoholic / Non-alcoholic drinks were known and common. Soma and Sura are two popular liquors. Sura may be a kind of beer or wine.
Dress code
Two pieces of cloth were normally worn- the upper garment was called uttariya and the lower one was known as antariya. The dress for the male and the female did not differ much.
Health-and-hygiene/”>Health and Hygiene
Everyone aspired for and everyone was blessed to live for a hundred years. Epilepsy was common and it affected the children as well. Superstitions and magical charms were employed to cure the diseases. Miraculous cures are ascribed to the twin-gods, the Ashvins, who are the great healers of diseases and experts in the surgical art. They were divine physicians who restored eyesight and cured the blind, sick and maimed.
Rig Vedic economy
Rig Vedic economy was primarily pastoral. They domesticated Pashu (which included cattle, horse and even human beings), as opposed to Mriga, i.e. wild animals. Cattle was synonymous with wealth and a wealthy person was called Gomat. Cattle was so important that the terms of battle were derived from Gau itself, such as Gavisti, Gosu, Gavyat, Gavyu. Godhuli was a measure of time. Gopa and Gopati were epithets given to the king. Duhitri was the term used for daughter because she used to milk the cow. One of the four categories of gods was known as Gojata, i.e. cowborn. When the Vedic people encountered buffalo, they called it Gauri and Gavala or cow-haired. The cattle obtained in raids were divided among the families. Cattle formed an important item of donation and it may also have formed a part of bali, the tribute given to the raja by the clan or Vis members. The cattle in general and cow in particular was the main medium of exchange during the Rig Vedic period. The economy was based upon agriculture. The people were well acquainted with the sowing, harvesting, threshing and various agro seasons. The people were pastoral, Cow was revered but the cows, and bulls were sacrificed too. The gifts to the priests were in terms of number of Cows and women slaves but NOT in measurements of lands.
Crafts and Metallurgy
All kinds of crafts were practiced. There were potters, Chariot makers, carpenters, and weaver and leather workers. The Metal work was known as follows: Copper was known as “Ayas” Gold was known as Hiranya Iron was also known as was known as Shyama or Krishna Ayas.
Religion
There were no places of worship like temples. There are no indications in the Rig-Veda of any “temples reared by mortal hands” and consecrated as places of worship. On the contrary, every householder, every patriarch of his family, lighted the sacrificial fire in his own home and poured libations of the Soma juice and prayed to the gods for happiness to his family, for abundant crops and wealth and cattle, for immunity from sickness, and for victory over the black aborigines. Natural phenomena were conceived as the expression of some spiritual different appearances of various gods.,
The Vedic literature is a body of sacred texts composed in Vedic Sanskrit, an early Indo-Aryan language. The Vedas are the oldest scriptures of Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism and are considered to be the foundation of Hindu culture. The Vedas are divided into four parts: the Rigveda, the Yajurveda, the Samaveda, and the Atharvaveda.
The Rigveda is the oldest and most important of the Vedas. It is a collection of hymns that are addressed to the Vedic gods. The Yajurveda is a collection of sacrificial formulas that are used in Vedic rituals. The Samaveda is a collection of melodies that are used in Vedic rituals. The Atharvaveda is a collection of spells and incantations.
The Vedic literature is believed to have been composed over a period of several centuries, beginning in the second millennium BCE. The Rigveda is the oldest part of the Vedas and is believed to have been composed in the 15th or 14th century BCE. The Yajurveda, the Samaveda, and the Atharvaveda are believed to have been composed in the 12th to 10th centuries BCE.
The Vedic literature is divided into four parts: the Mantras, the Brahmanas, the Aranyakas, and the Upanishads. The Mantras are the oldest part of the Vedas and are composed of hymns, prayers, and incantations. The Brahmanas are a collection of texts that explain the rituals and ceremonies of the Vedas. The Aranyakas are a collection of texts that discuss the philosophical and metaphysical aspects of the Vedas. The Upanishads are a collection of texts that discuss the nature of reality and the soul.
The Vedic literature is a rich and complex body of texts that has had a profound influence on Hindu culture. The Vedas are the foundation of Hindu religion and philosophy, and they continue to be studied and revered by Hindus today.
The Early (Rig-Vedic) period is the first period of Indian history, lasting from about 1500 to 1000 BCE. This period is named after the Rigveda, the oldest of the Vedas. The Rigveda is a collection of hymns that are addressed to the Vedic gods. The hymns provide a glimpse into the society, economy, and religion of the Early (Rig-Vedic) period.
The society of the Early (Rig-Vedic) period was divided into three classes: the Brahmins, the Kshatriyas, and the Vaishyas. The Brahmins were the priests and scholars. The Kshatriyas were the warriors and rulers. The Vaishyas were the farmers and merchants.
The economy of the Early (Rig-Vedic) period was based on agriculture. The people of this period grew crops such as barley, wheat, and rice. They also raised cattle, sheep, and goats.
The religion of the Early (Rig-Vedic) period was polytheistic. The people of this period worshipped a number of gods, including Indra, the god of war; Agni, the god of fire; and Soma, the god of the moon.
The Early (Rig-Vedic) period was a time of great change and development in India. The people of this period developed new technologies, such as the wheel and the plow. They also developed new forms of government and religion. The Early (Rig-Vedic) period was a time of great progress for India.
The Vedic literature is a valuable source of information about the Early (Rig-Vedic) period. The hymns of the Rigveda provide insights into the society, economy, and religion of this period. The Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and Upanishads provide further insights into the Vedic worldview. The Vedic literature is a rich and complex body of texts that has had a profound influence on Hindu culture.
Antiquity and stratification of the Vedic literature
The Vedic literature is a body of sacred texts composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the oldest attested form of Sanskrit. The Vedas are the oldest scriptures of Hinduism, and they are considered to be the foundation of Hindu culture and religion.
The Vedas are divided into four parts: the Rigveda, the Yajurveda, the Samaveda, and the Atharvaveda. The Rigveda is the oldest Veda, and it is a collection of hymns to the Vedic gods. The Yajurveda is a collection of sacrificial formulas. The Samaveda is a collection of melodies used in Vedic rituals. The Atharvaveda is a collection of spells and incantations.
The Vedas are believed to have been composed over a period of several centuries, beginning in the second millennium BCE. The Rigveda is the oldest Veda, and it is believed to have been composed in the 15th or 14th century BCE. The Yajurveda, the Samaveda, and the Atharvaveda are believed to have been composed in the 12th to 10th centuries BCE.
The Vedas are stratified into four layers: the Samhitas, the Brahmanas, the Aranyakas, and the Upanishads. The Samhitas are the oldest layer, and they contain the hymns and formulas of the Vedas. The Brahmanas are the next layer, and they contain explanations of the rituals and sacrifices of the Vedas. The Aranyakas are the third layer, and they contain philosophical and mystical texts. The Upanishads are the fourth layer, and they contain the highest philosophical teachings of the Vedas.
Society, economy and religion during Early (Rig-Vedic) period
The Rig-Vedic period is the earliest period of Vedic history, and it is believed to have lasted from the 15th to 12th centuries BCE. The Rig-Veda is the oldest Veda, and it is a collection of hymns to the Vedic gods. The Rig-Veda provides us with a glimpse of the society, economy, and religion of the Rig-Vedic period.
The Rig-Vedic society was a tribal society, and it was divided into three classes: the Brahmins, the Kshatriyas, and the Vaishyas. The Brahmins were the priests, the Kshatriyas were the warriors, and the Vaishyas were the farmers. The Shudras were the lowest class, and they were considered to be the servants of the other three classes.
The Rig-Vedic economy was based on agriculture, and the main crops were barley, wheat, and rice. The Rig-Vedic people also raised cattle, sheep, and goats. The Rig-Vedic people were skilled in metalworking, and they made tools and weapons out of bronze and iron.
The Rig-Vedic religion was polytheistic, and the Rig-Veda contains hymns to over 300 gods. The most important gods were Indra, the god of war; Agni, the god of fire; and Soma, the god of the moon. The Rig-Vedic people believed in a life after death, and they believed that the soul would be reborn into a new body.
The Rig-Vedic period was a time of great change and development for the Vedic people. The Rig-Veda is a valuable source of information about the Rig-Vedic society, economy, and religion.
- The Rig Veda is the oldest of the four Vedas, and is a collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns. It is the oldest known Indian text, and is considered to be one of the most important texts in Hinduism.
- The Rig Veda is divided into ten books, or mandalas. Each book is further divided into groups of hymns, or suktas. The hymns are addressed to a variety of Vedic deities, including Indra, Agni, and Soma.
- The Rig Veda is a rich source of information about the early history of India. It provides insights into the religious beliefs, social structure, and political organization of the Vedic people.
- The Rig Veda is also a valuable source of information about the development of the Sanskrit language. It is the earliest known text to be written in Sanskrit, and its language is relatively simple and straightforward.
- The Rig Veda is a fascinating and important text that has had a profound impact on Indian culture. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of India or the development of Hinduism.
Here are some MCQs about the Rig Veda:
-
Which of the following is not a Vedic deity?
(A) Indra
(B) Agni
(C) Soma
(D) Vishnu -
The Rig Veda is divided into how many books?
(A) 10
(B) 12
(C) 14
(D) 16 -
The Rig Veda is a collection of what?
(A) Hymns
(B) Stories
(C) Laws
(D) Proverbs -
The Rig Veda is written in which language?
(A) Sanskrit
(B) Prakrit
(C) Tamil
(D) Telugu -
The Rig Veda is a valuable source of information about what?
(A) The early history of India
(B) The development of the Sanskrit language
(C) The religious beliefs of the Vedic people
(D) All of the above -
Which of the following is not a characteristic of the Rig Veda?
(A) It is a collection of hymns
(B) It is written in Sanskrit
(C) It is a valuable source of information about the early history of India
(D) It is a work of fiction -
The Rig Veda is considered to be one of the most important texts in which religion?
(A) Hinduism
(B) Buddhism-2/”>Buddhism
(C) Jainism
(D) Sikhism -
The Rig Veda is divided into how many mandalas?
(A) 10
(B) 12
(C) 14
(D) 16 -
The Rig Veda is a collection of hymns addressed to which of the following deities?
(A) Indra
(B) Agni
(C) Soma
(D) All of the above -
The Rig Veda is a valuable source of information about which of the following?
(A) The early history of India
(B) The development of the Sanskrit language
(C) The religious beliefs of the Vedic people
(D) All of the above