THE VEDIC CIVILIZATION

• We know about the Aryans in India from the • Four rivers of Afghanistan are clearly described various Vedic texts, especially the Rig Veda, which in the . These are: Kubha, Krumu, Gomati is the earliest specimen of the Indo-European (Gomal), Suvastu (swat). language and the chief source of information on • It consists of ten Mandala or books of which Book the history of this period. II to VII is the easiest portion. Book I and X seem • Many historians have given various theories to have been the latest additions. regarding the original place of the Aryans. • In the Rigvedic period, the dead man’s soul is said However, the Central Asian Theory given by Max to depart to the waters of the plants. Muller, is the most accepted one. It states that the • Since the Aryans came through the mountains, Aryans were semi-nomadic pastoral people around which were considered the dwellingY places of the Caspian Sea in Central Asia. their gods, these are repeatedly mentioned in the • They entered India probably through the Khyber Rigveda. Meru, a mountain beyond the Himalayas, Pass (in the Hindukush Mountains) around 1500 is a happy divine abode in the Mahabharata and B.C. the Puranas. • The Rig Veda has many things in common with • The holy book of Iran ‘Zend Avesta’ indicates entry the Avesta, which is the oldest text in the Iranian of Aryans to India via Iran. language. The two texts use the same names for • The early Aryans did not have to look routes several Gods and even for social classes. to Indian sub-continent; for the Harappans had • The history of the later Vedic period is based mainly crossed the high passes of the Hindukush and on the Vedic texts which were compiled after reached the middle course of the Amu Darya where the age of the Rig Veda. These include the three they had set up a trading post at Shortughai. – Samveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda and • In the Rigvedic period, the nobles were advised to the Brahamanas, the Aranyakas, the Upanishads eat from the same vessel as the vis for success. and the Sutras. • Metal came to be known as Ayas and Iron as • The collection of the Vedic hymns or mantras were Krishanayas (Black Metal). known as Samhitas. • The Vedic texts may be divided into two broad • For purposes of singing, the prayers of the Rigveda chronological strata: the Early Vedic (1500-1000 were set to tune and this modifi ed collection was B.C.) when most of the hymns of the Rig Veda were known as the Samveda Samhita. composed and the Later Vedic (1000-600 B.C.) when • The Yajurveda contains not only the hymns but the remaining three VedasHRONICLE and their branches were also the rituals which have to accompany their composed. recitation. • The Atharvaveda is completely different from the Early Vedic or Rigvedic Period other three Vedas. It contains charms and spells (1500-1000C B.C.) to ward off evils and diseases. Its contents throw light on the beliefs and practices of the non-Aryans. • The Rig Veda is a collection of prayers offered to Atharvaveda is the most valuable of the Vedas after , , and other gods by various the Rig Veda for the history and sociology. families of poets and sages. • All the Vedic literature is together called the Shruti • From Rigveda, we come to know that there were and they include apart from the four Vedas, the 33 gods that time who were divided into three Brahamanas, the Aranyakas and the Upanishads. categories viz., heavenly gods, atmospheric god, IAS ACADEM• The Brahamanas are a series of texts that followed and earthly gods. Varuna, Surya, Aditi, Savitri the Vedic samhitas. Each Veda has several were heavenly gods. Indra, , etc. were bhramanas attached to it. These are ritual texts. atmospheric g