RIG VEDA
- ART AND CULTURE
News: Ram Varma’s ‘Hinduism from
Rig Veda to Republic’ is a rather simplistic survey of Hinduism
What's in
the news?
●
The ambitiously titled book
intends to undertake a survey of Hinduism over a period of five millennia and a
vast geographical spread, including south-east Asia, but the result is a very
simple (at times even simplistic) narrative interspersed with quotations from
Rig Veda, Atharva Veda, some Upanishads, Mahabharata and important early modern
bhakti poets from north India.
Rig Veda:
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Rigveda is the oldest Veda.
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It is divided into ten books (known as mandalas).
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It also includes
Vishvamitra's famous Gayatri mantra and
the Purusha Shukta prayer (the story of Primal Man).
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The Rigvedic Priest was
known as Hotri.
Period:
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The Early Vedic Age, also
known as the Rigvedic Age, aligns with the composition of Rigvedic hymns,
estimated to be between 1500 BC and 1000
BC.
Geographical
Extent:
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The Early Vedic period was
established along the Sapta Sindhu
(area of seven rivers) region.
●
The seven rivers
collectively known as Sapta Sindhu include Indus (Sindhu), Jhelum (Vitasta),
Askini (Chenab), Purushni (Ravi), Vipasa (Beas), Sutudri (Sutlej), and
Naditarna (Saraswati).
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In the Later Vedic period,
Aryans occupied the upper Gangetic Doab.
Political
Life:
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Political life during the
Early Vedic period was tribal and highly
democratic.
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The tribal chief, known as Rajan, was central to the
administrative machinery.
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The position was hereditary, and the king (Gopajanasya)
acted as the protector of the tribe and cattle rather than ruling a specific
territory.
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Various tribal assemblies such as Vidhata,
Sabha, and Samiti emerged, exercising military and religious functions. Women
occasionally attended these assemblies.
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The Doctrine of Divinity was not associated with kingship, with only
one king, as described in Purushasukta, being termed as Ardhadeva (semi-divine)
in Rig Veda.
Governance:
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Important
officers included Purohita, Senani, Kulpati (head of the family),
Vishpati, Brajpati, Gramini, Sparsa (spy), and Duta (messenger).
Economic
Life:
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Rig Vedic people were
predominantly pastoral.
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The cow (Gau) was the most
important animal (mentioned 176 times in Rig Veda).
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The Rig Vedic texts
emphasized the sacredness of cows through the term “Aghanya,” urging their protection and care.
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Cattle
breeding was the primary occupation, involving the domestication
of horses, sheep, goats, dogs, and asses.
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Agriculture
played a secondary role, with references to barley
(Yava) in Rig Veda, and a practice of shifting agriculture.
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Panis,
the trading class, faced condemnation for their perceived
greed and harsh demeanor.
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The taxation system was undeveloped, and voluntary contributions, known as Bali, were made to the king.
Pottery:
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The prevalent pottery type
was Ochre Coloured Pottery (OCP),
although Black and Red Ware types were known.
Tools and
Implements:
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Wooden
ploughs like Phala,
Langala, and Sira were mentioned in the texts, reflecting agricultural
practices.
Social
Life:
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The early Vedic society was
based on tribes, with social relations centered around kinship ties (gotra).
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Society was divided along clan lines, including kings, priests,
and artisans within clan networks.
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The semi-nomadic and tribal
nature of the society was evident, with Aryan tribals referred to as Janas, led
by a chief known as Rajan/Gopa/Gopati. Jana was further divided into Vis
(groups of villages), Grama (village), and Kulas (family).
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Inter-tribal
conflicts were frequent, exemplified by the Battle
of the Ten Kings mentioned in the Rig Veda.
○
Sudas, the Bharata king,
emerged victorious, establishing the supremacy of the Bharatas.
Occupation:
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The Rig Vedic society was
largely egalitarian, with no caste
division.
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Occupation was not
birth-based, allowing members of a family to adopt different occupations.
Position
of Women:
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Rig Vedic society was patriarchal, so the birth of daughters
was not desired. But once born, they were treated with kindness.
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Child
marriage was not practiced.
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Women
can choose their husbands.
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Monogamy
and Niyoga (a variant of
widow re-marriage) were practiced. She could take part in the proceedings
of the tribal assemblies called Sabha and Samiti.
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Some of the famous scholars
of the Rig Vedic period were Vishwavara,
Apala, Lopamudra, and Ghosha.
Religious
Life:
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Aryans were nature
worshippers. It reflects naturalistic
polytheism.
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Yajnas were also performed
as a form of worship.
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There was a predominance of male Gods and very few
Goddesses were mentioned.
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The aim of worship was for material gains.