The Aryans and Vedic Age - An Overview of Early and Later Vedic Periods
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
•
The Aryans :
The Aryans :
1. Early Vedic Period
1. Early Vedic Period
2. Later Vedic Period
2. Later Vedic Period
•
The Vedic Literature :
The Vedic Literature :
1. The Vedas
1. The Vedas
2. The Upanishadas
2. The Upanishadas
3. The Brahmanas
3. The Brahmanas
4. The Aranyakas
4. The Aranyakas
•
Epics :
Epics :
Mahabharata, Ramayana, Puranas
Mahabharata, Ramayana, Puranas
Vedic Period : The Aryans
Vedic Period : The Aryans
•
The Aryans were semi-nomadic pastoral people and
The Aryans were semi-nomadic pastoral people and
originated from area around the Caspian Sea in Central Asia.
originated from area around the Caspian Sea in Central Asia.
•
The Central Asian theory is given by Max Muller.
The Central Asian theory is given by Max Muller.
•
Entered India probably through the Khyber Pass (Hindukush
Entered India probably through the Khyber Pass (Hindukush
Mountains) around 1500 BC.
Mountains) around 1500 BC.
Early Vedic Age (1500-1000 BC)
Early Vedic Age (1500-1000 BC)
•
Political Organisation
Political Organisation
:
Monarchial form. Tribe
Monarchial form. Tribe
was known as Jan and its King as Rajan.
was known as Jan and its King as Rajan.
Family was the basic unit of society. The family was
Family was the basic unit of society. The family was
patriarchial in nature.
patriarchial in nature.
Early Vedic Age
Early Vedic Age
•
Economy
Economy
:
Aryans followed a mixed economy-
Aryans followed a mixed economy-
pastoral and agricultural in which cattle played a
pastoral and agricultural in which cattle played a
predominant part.
predominant part.
Standard unit of exchange was cow. At the same
Standard unit of exchange was cow. At the same
time coins were also there
time coins were also there
.
Early Vedic Age
Early Vedic Age
•
Religion :
Religion :
•
Aryans laid the foundation of Hinduism.
Aryans laid the foundation of Hinduism.
•
Hinduism is the world’s oldest organized religion.
Hinduism is the world’s oldest organized religion.
•
It began as nature for favors. Thus, it has ,illions gods
It began as nature for favors. Thus, it has ,illions gods
and goddesses representing natural forces and
and goddesses representing natural forces and
personified gods to suit human needs.
personified gods to suit human needs.
•
They believe in karma(destiny) and reincarnation( a
They believe in karma(destiny) and reincarnation( a
good soul is reborn after each into a higher status: a
good soul is reborn after each into a higher status: a
bad soul into a lower status or animal).
bad soul into a lower status or animal).
Early Vedic Age:
Early Vedic Age:
Gods they
Gods they
worshipped
worshipped
Later Vedic Age (1000-600 BC)
Later Vedic Age (1000-600 BC)
•
Political Organisation :
Political Organisation :
Tiny tribal settlements
Tiny tribal settlements
were replaced by strong kingdoms.
were replaced by strong kingdoms.
Later Vedic Age
Later Vedic Age
•
Social Life :
Social Life :
The four fold division of society became
The four fold division of society became
clear initially based on occupation, which later
clear initially based on occupation, which later
became hereditary : Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas
became hereditary : Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas
(Warriors), Vaishyas (agriculturists, cattle-rearers,
(Warriors), Vaishyas (agriculturists, cattle-rearers,
traders) and Shudras (servers of the upper three).
traders) and Shudras (servers of the upper three).
The institution of gotra appeared for the first time in
The institution of gotra appeared for the first time in
this Age.
this Age.
Later Vedic Age
Later Vedic Age
•
Traditional Life :
Traditional Life :
Turbans were also commonly used by
Turbans were also commonly used by
them. Adorned their persons with gold & silver ornaments
them. Adorned their persons with gold & silver ornaments
garlands & wreaths of flowers jewels etc. Ornaments were
garlands & wreaths of flowers jewels etc. Ornaments were
worn by
worn by
men & women
men & women
.
.
Later Vedic Age
Later Vedic Age
•
Caste System :
Caste System :
•
The caste System has become part of Indian life due to the
The caste System has become part of Indian life due to the
religious approval given to it by Hinduism.
religious approval given to it by Hinduism.
•
It divides people into rigid caste or classes:
It divides people into rigid caste or classes:
–
Brahmans –
Brahmans –
Priests
Priests
and scholars
and scholars
–
Kshatriyas –
Kshatriyas –
rulers and warriors
rulers and warriors
–
Vaishyas –
Vaishyas –
farmers, artists and merchants
farmers, artists and merchants
–
Sudras –
Sudras –
workers and slaves
workers and slaves
–
Untouchable -
Untouchable -
persons who do not belong to any class and the dirtiest
persons who do not belong to any class and the dirtiest
work like cleaning toilets and collecting garbage.
work like cleaning toilets and collecting garbage.
Later Vedic Age
Later Vedic Age
•
Gurukul system of education :
Gurukul system of education :
Entrance in gurukul
Entrance in gurukul
at the age of
at the age of
7
7
receive education till
receive education till
25 years
25 years
gurukuls
gurukuls
– deep in the forest
– deep in the forest
Students
Students
like
like
guru’s children
guru’s children
Guru-
Guru-
spiritual
spiritual
father
father
Simple
Simple
,
,
disciplined
disciplined
lives
lives
Students
Students
cleaned
cleaned
house
house
,
,
drew
drew
water, gathered wood, worked
water, gathered wood, worked
in the fields
in the fields
oral
oral
method
method
of
of
teaching
teaching
,
,
learning
learning
Guru
Guru
dakshina
dakshina
according
according
to
to
means
means
,
,
women
women
not
not
allowed
allowed
The Vedic Literature
The Vedic Literature
•
The Vedic Literature reflects the life and culture of the
The Vedic Literature reflects the life and culture of the
ancients Aryans of India.
ancients Aryans of India.
•
It consists of four literary works :
It consists of four literary works :
–
Vedas : are composed of hymns, prayers, rituals, magic and poetry.
Vedas : are composed of hymns, prayers, rituals, magic and poetry.
They were the earliest sacred books of Hindus.
They were the earliest sacred books of Hindus.
–
Brahmanas : are prose texts containing observations on religious rites.
Brahmanas : are prose texts containing observations on religious rites.
Also include legends of the exploits of ancient kings and heroes.
Also include legends of the exploits of ancient kings and heroes.
–
Aranyakas : are books of instructions for the hermits in the forests.
Aranyakas : are books of instructions for the hermits in the forests.
Contains elaborate rules for the performance of religious ceremonies.
Contains elaborate rules for the performance of religious ceremonies.
–
Upanishads : also books of instructions given by a father to his son or
Upanishads : also books of instructions given by a father to his son or
the teacher to pupil.
the teacher to pupil.
Epics
Epics
Mahabharata
Mahabharata
•
It was written in Sanskrit by
It was written in Sanskrit by
Ved Vyas.
Ved Vyas.
•
It describes about war
It describes about war
between Kauravas and
between Kauravas and
Pandavas of 950 BC in
Pandavas of 950 BC in
Kurukshektra.
Kurukshektra.
•
Translation of
Translation of
‘Mahabharata’ in Persian is
‘Mahabharata’ in Persian is
called Rajm nama done by
called Rajm nama done by
Badayuni.
Badayuni.
Ramayana
•
It was written by Vlmiki in
It was written by Vlmiki in
Sanskrit.
Sanskrit.
•
It has 24000 shloks, also
It has 24000 shloks, also
known as Adi- Kavya.
known as Adi- Kavya.
•
Its Persian translation is
Its Persian translation is
done by Badayuni and Tamil
done by Badayuni and Tamil
translation by Kamban.
translation by Kamban.
•
Ramcharitmanas is written
Ramcharitmanas is written
by Tulsidasa.
by Tulsidasa.
Epic Stories
Epic Stories
18 Puranas (Gupta Age 4th
18 Puranas (Gupta Age 4th
cent.)
cent.)
•
Agni Purana
Agni Purana
•
Bhavishya Mahapuranam
Bhavishya Mahapuranam
•
Vishnu Purana
Vishnu Purana
•
Garud Puran
Garud Puran
•
Kurma Mahapurana
Kurma Mahapurana
•
Linga Mahapurana
Linga Mahapurana
•
Markandeya Purana
Markandeya Purana
•
Matsya Mahapurana
Matsya Mahapurana
•
Naradiya Mahapuranam
Naradiya Mahapuranam
•
Narasimha – Puranam
Narasimha – Puranam
•
Shrimad Bhagwad
Shrimad Bhagwad
•
Siva Mahapuranam
Siva Mahapuranam
•
Skanda Mahapuranam
Skanda Mahapuranam
•
Skanda-Purana
Skanda-Purana
•
The Brahmanda Purana
The Brahmanda Purana
•
The Varaha Purana
The Varaha Purana
•
Vamana Purana
Vamana Purana
•
Vayu Mahapurana
Vayu Mahapurana
Epics
Epics
The Aryans, believed to have originated from Central Asia, played a significant role in shaping the Vedic Age in ancient India. This period saw the emergence of key political, economic, and religious developments, contributing to the foundation of Hinduism. From the Early Vedic Period characterized by pastoral and agricultural practices to the Later Vedic Age marked by societal divisions and the rise of kingdoms, the impact of the Aryans and Vedic literature remains profound in Indian history.
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Presentation Transcript
THE ARYANS AND VEDIC AGE By - Vaishnavi Kadam
INTRODUCTION The Aryans : 1. Early Vedic Period 2. Later Vedic Period The Vedic Literature : 1. The Vedas 2. The Upanishadas 3. The Brahmanas 4. The Aranyakas Epics : Mahabharata, Ramayana, Puranas
Vedic Period : The Aryans The Aryans were semi-nomadic pastoral people and originated from area around the Caspian Sea in Central Asia. The Central Asian theory is given by Max Muller. Entered India probably through the Khyber Pass (Hindukush Mountains) around 1500 BC.
Early Vedic Age (1500-1000 BC) Political Organisation : Monarchial form. Tribe was known as Jan and its King as Rajan. Family was the basic unit of society. The family was patriarchial in nature.
Early Vedic Age Economy : Aryans followed a mixed economy- pastoral and agricultural in which cattle played a predominant part. Standard unit of exchange was cow. At the same time coins were also there.
Early Vedic Age Religion : Aryans laid the foundation of Hinduism. Hinduism is the world s oldest organized religion. It began as nature for favors. Thus, it has ,illions gods and goddesses representing natural forces and personified gods to suit human needs. They believe in karma(destiny) and reincarnation( a good soul is reborn after each into a higher status: a bad soul into a lower status or animal).
Early Vedic Age: Gods they worshipped
Later Vedic Age (1000-600 BC) Political Organisation : Tiny tribal settlements were replaced by strong kingdoms.
Later Vedic Age Social Life : The four fold division of society became clear initially based on occupation, which later became hereditary : Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (Warriors), Vaishyas (agriculturists, cattle-rearers, traders) and Shudras (servers of the upper three). The institution of gotra appeared for the first time in this Age.
Later Vedic Age Traditional Life : Turbans were also commonly used by them. Adorned their persons with gold & silver ornaments garlands & wreaths of flowers jewels etc. Ornaments were worn by men & women.
Later Vedic Age Caste System : The caste System has become part of Indian life due to the religious approval given to it by Hinduism. It divides people into rigid caste or classes: Brahmans Priests and scholars Kshatriyas rulers and warriors Vaishyas farmers, artists and merchants Sudras workers and slaves Untouchable - persons who do not belong to any class and the dirtiest work like cleaning toilets and collecting garbage.
Later Vedic Age Gurukul system of education : Entrance in gurukul at the age of 7 receive education till 25 years gurukuls deep in the forest Students like guru s children Guru- spiritual father Simple, disciplined lives Students cleaned house, drew water, gathered wood, worked in the fields oral method of teaching, learning Guru dakshina according to means, women not allowed
The Vedic Literature The Vedic Literature reflects the life and culture of the ancients Aryans of India. It consists of four literary works : Vedas : are composed of hymns, prayers, rituals, magic and poetry. They were the earliest sacred books of Hindus. Brahmanas : are prose texts containing observations on religious rites. Also include legends of the exploits of ancient kings and heroes. Aranyakas : are books of instructions for the hermits in the forests. Contains elaborate rules for the performance of religious ceremonies. Upanishads : also books of instructions given by a father to his son or the teacher to pupil.
Epics Mahabharata It was written in Sanskrit by Ved Vyas. It describes about war between Kauravas and Pandavas of 950 BC in Kurukshektra. Translation of Mahabharata in Persian is called Rajm nama done by Badayuni. Ramayana It was written by Vlmiki in Sanskrit. It has 24000 shloks, also known as Adi- Kavya. Its Persian translation is done by Badayuni and Tamil translation by Kamban. Ramcharitmanas is written by Tulsidasa.
18 Puranas (Gupta Age 4th cent.) Agni Purana Bhavishya Mahapuranam Vishnu Purana Garud Puran Kurma Mahapurana Linga Mahapurana Markandeya Purana Matsya Mahapurana Naradiya Mahapuranam Narasimha Puranam Shrimad Bhagwad Siva Mahapuranam Skanda Mahapuranam Skanda-Purana The Brahmanda Purana The Varaha Purana Vamana Purana Vayu Mahapurana
