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| The '''religion of the ]''' (also known as '''Vedism''' or '''Vedic Brahmanism''' or, in a context of Indian antiquity, simply '''Brahmanism'''<ref>The ] of 2005 uses all of "Vedism", "Vedic Brahmanism" and "Brahmanism", but reserves "Vedism" for the earliest stage, predating the Brahmana period, and defines "Brahmanism" as ''"religion of ancient India that evolved out of Vedism. It takes its name both from the predominant position of its priestly class, the Brahmans, and from the increasing speculation about, and importance given to, Brahman, the supreme power."''</ref>) is the historical predecessor of ] and the other ]. Its ] is reflected in the ] portion of the four ]s. The religious practices centered on a ] administering ] ]. A small fraction of conservative ] continue this tradition today within contemporary ]. | The '''religion of the ]''' (also known as '''Vedism''' or '''Vedic Brahmanism''' or, in a context of Indian antiquity, simply '''Brahmanism'''<ref>The ] of 2005 uses all of "Vedism", "Vedic Brahmanism" and "Brahmanism", but reserves "Vedism" for the earliest stage, predating the Brahmana period, and defines "Brahmanism" as ''"religion of ancient India that evolved out of Vedism. It takes its name both from the predominant position of its priestly class, the Brahmans, and from the increasing speculation about, and importance given to, Brahman, the supreme power."''</ref>) is the historical predecessor of ] and the other ]. Its ] is reflected in the ] portion of the four ]s. The religious practices centered on a ] administering ] ]. A small fraction of conservative ] continue this tradition today within contemporary ]. | ||
| Texts dating to the Vedic period, composed in ], are mainly the four ], but the ], and some of the older ]s (], ], ]) are also considered Vedic. The Vedas record the ] connected with the rituals and sacrifices performed by the ]s. According to traditional views, the hymns of the ] and other Vedic hymns were divinely revealed to the ]s, who were considered "hearers" ('']'' means "what is heard"), rather than "authors". However, the Rigvedic hymns clearly speak about composing new hymns by individual authors who were in competition with their colleagues. | Texts dating to the Vedic period, composed in ], are mainly the four ], but the ],] and some of the older ]s (], ], ]) are also considered Vedic. The Vedas record the ] connected with the rituals and sacrifices performed by the 16 or 17 shrauta priests and the ]s. According to traditional views, the hymns of the ] and other Vedic hymns were divinely revealed to the ]s, who were considered "hearers" ('']'' means "what is heard"), rather than "authors". However, the Rigvedic hymns clearly speak about composing new hymns by individual authors who were in competition with their colleagues and looked for "payment" by local chieftains. | ||
| The mode of worship was worship of the elements like fire and rivers, worship of heroic gods like ] (quite similar to the Greek religion), ] and performance of sacrifices. The ] |
The mode of worship was worship of the elements like fire and rivers, worship of heroic gods like ] (quite similar to the Greek religion), ] and performance of sacrifices. The ] performed the solemn rituals for the noblemen (Kshsatriya) and some wealthy ]. People prayed for abundance of children, rain, cattle (wealth), long life and an afterlife in the heavenly world of the ancestors. Some of this mode of worship has been preserved even today in ], which involve recitations from the ]s by a purohita (priest), for prosperity, wealth and general well-being. | ||
| Elements of Vedic religion reach back into ] times. The Vedic period is held to have ended around ], Vedic religion gradually metamorphosizing into the historical ], |
Elements of Vedic religion reach back into ] times. The Vedic period is held to have ended around ], Vedic religion gradually metamorphosizing into the historical ], such as the various schools of ] and ], the former further evolving into ] ], the latter diversifying into Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, such as ], ] and ] schools. | ||
| ==Rituals== | ==Rituals== | ||
| {{main|Yajurveda|yajna}} | {{main|Yajurveda|yajna}} | ||
| Specific rituals and sacrifices of the Vedic religion include: | Specific rituals and sacrifices of the Vedic religion include, among others: | ||
| *The ] cult |
*The ] cult, frequently referred to in the ] and descended from a common ] practice. | ||
| *]s: | *]s: | ||
| **The ] or oblation to ], a sun charm, | **The ] or oblation to ], a sun charm, | ||
| **The ], the sophisticated ritual of piling the ]. | **The ], the sophisticated ritual of piling the ]. | ||
| *The ] or ] sacrifice | |||
| *The New and Full Moon as well as the Seasonal (Cāturmāsya) sacrifices | |||
| * The royal consecration (Rajasuya) sacrifice | |||
| *The ] or ] sacrifice | *The ] or ] sacrifice | ||
| *The ] |
*The ] or sacrifice of a man, imitating that of the the cosmic Purusha, cf. ] as well as the Ashvamedha. | ||
| *The rituals |
*The rituals referred to in the ] concerned with medicine and healing practises, as well as black and white ]. | ||
| The ] (horse sacrifice) has parallels in the ] Sintashta and ] |
The ] (horse sacrifice) has parallels in the ] Sintashta and ] as well as in Rome (October horse) and medieval Ireland. In India it was allegedly continued until the 4th and even the 18th century CE (Jaya Singh at Jaipur). The practice of vegetarianism may already have arisen in late Vedic times. Although in the Rigveda, the cow's description as ''aghnya'' (that which should not be killed) may refer to poetry <ref> J. Narten, ''Acta Orientalia Neerlandica'', Leiden 1971, 120-134</ref>, it is certain to be reflective of the social practice as were other practices like rituals and deity worship. Incipient change to contemporary vegetarianism is seen as early as the late Brahmanas and ] and may have continued under the influence of ] and possibly of ], which began as a reform-movement of the Vedic religion. | ||
| The Hindu rites of ] |
The Hindu rites of ] are seen since the Rgvedic period; while they are attested from early times in the ], there is a late Rigvedic reference in ].15.14, invoking forefathers "both cremated (''agnidagdhá-'') and uncremated (''ánagnidagdha-'')". | ||
| ==Pantheon== | ==Pantheon== | ||
| Line 33: | Line 35: | ||
| ==Monistic tendencies== | ==Monistic tendencies== | ||
| In the view of some, the ], in its youngest books (books 1 and 10) contains hymns for ] thought that however need to be interpreted in the context of the individual hymn. Often quoted are ] 1.164.46c, | |||
| :''{{IAST|ékam sád víprā́ bahudhā́ vadanti}}'' | :''{{IAST|ékam sád víprā́ bahudhā́ vadanti}}'' | ||
| :"To what is One, sages give many a title" (trans. ]) | :"To what is One, sages give many a title" (trans. ]) | ||
| and hymns ] and 10.130, dealing with a creator deity, especially verse 10.129.7: | and hymns ] and 10.130, dealing with a creator deity, especially verse 10.129.7: | ||
| :''{{IAST| iyám vísṛṣṭiḥ yátaḥ |
:''{{IAST| iyám vísṛṣṭiḥ yátaḥ ābabhūva / yádi vā dadhé yádi vā ná / yáḥ asya ádhyakṣaḥ paramé vyóman / sáḥ aṅgá veda yádi vā ná véda}}'' | ||
| :"He, the first origin of this creation, whether he formed it all or did not form it, / Whose eye controls this world in highest heaven, he verily knows it, or perhaps he knows not." (trans. Griffith) | :"He, the first origin of this creation, whether he formed it all or did not form it, / Whose eye controls this world in highest heaven, he verily knows it, or perhaps he knows not." (trans. Griffith) | ||
| ''{{IAST|Ékam sát}}''<!--leave the -t. -d in samhita is just sandhi, this is the pausa form--> | ''{{IAST|Ékam sát}}''<!--leave the -t. -d in samhita is just sandhi, this is the pausa form--> | ||
| in 1.164.46c means " |
in 1.164.46c means "being one". Such concepts received greater emphasis in classical ], from the time of ] at the latest, and they receive emphasis in contemporary Hinduism from pantheistic sects like ]. | ||
| ==Post-Vedic religions== | ==Post-Vedic religions== | ||
| {{main|Indian religions}} | {{main|Indian religions}} | ||
| Vedic religion gradually diversified into the ] paths |
Vedic religion gradually diversified into the ] paths such as early ] that considers itself the 'essence' of the Vedas. The Vedic pantheon was interpreted by a unitary view of the universe with ] seen as immanent and transcendent, since the Middle Upanishads also in personal forms of the deity as ], ], or ]. There are also conservative schools which continue portions of the historical Vedic religion largely unchanged until today (see ], ]). | ||
| Religions that have continued from the Vedic religion : | Religions that have continued from the Vedic religion : | ||
| Line 52: | Line 54: | ||
| S. Cromwell Crawford, review of L. M. Joshi, ''Brahmanism, Buddhism and Hinduism'', Philosophy East and West (1972): "Alongside Brahmanism was the non-Aryan Shramanic culture with its roots going back to prehistoric times."</ref> | S. Cromwell Crawford, review of L. M. Joshi, ''Brahmanism, Buddhism and Hinduism'', Philosophy East and West (1972): "Alongside Brahmanism was the non-Aryan Shramanic culture with its roots going back to prehistoric times."</ref> | ||
| **], from the 6th century BC | **], from the 6th century BC | ||
| **], from ca. 500 BC; ] in India over the 8th to 12th centuries in favour of |
**], from ca. 500 BC; ] in India over the 8th to 12th centuries in favour of Puranic Hinduism. | ||
| *] is an umbrella term for '']'' traditions in India (see ]) | *] is an umbrella term for '']'' traditions in India (see ]) | ||
| **], ]<ref>] s.v. '']'': "The great epic ] represents the attempt of Vedic Brahmanism to adjust itself to the new circumstances reflected in the process of the aryanization (integration of Aryan beliefs, practices, and institutions) of the various non-Aryan communities."</ref> | **], ]<ref>] s.v. '']'': "The great epic ] represents the attempt of Vedic Brahmanism to adjust itself to the new circumstances reflected in the process of the aryanization (integration of Aryan beliefs, practices, and institutions) of the various non-Aryan communities."</ref> | ||
Revision as of 20:38, 4 April 2008
- This article discusses the historical religious practices in the Vedic time period; see Hinduism and Indian religions for details of continued religious practices. See Śrauta for the continuing practice of performance of rituals by an oral passing of hymns/chants through generations.
The religion of the Vedic period (also known as Vedism or Vedic Brahmanism or, in a context of Indian antiquity, simply Brahmanism) is the historical predecessor of Hinduism and the other Indian religions. Its liturgy is reflected in the Mantra portion of the four Vedas. The religious practices centered on a clergy administering sacrificial rites. A small fraction of conservative Shrautins continue this tradition today within contemporary Hinduism.
Texts dating to the Vedic period, composed in Vedic Sanskrit, are mainly the four Vedic Samhitas, but the Brahmanas,Aranyakas and some of the older Upanishads (BAU, ChU, JUB) are also considered Vedic. The Vedas record the liturgy connected with the rituals and sacrifices performed by the 16 or 17 shrauta priests and the purohitas. According to traditional views, the hymns of the Rigveda and other Vedic hymns were divinely revealed to the rishis, who were considered "hearers" (shruti means "what is heard"), rather than "authors". However, the Rigvedic hymns clearly speak about composing new hymns by individual authors who were in competition with their colleagues and looked for "payment" by local chieftains.
The mode of worship was worship of the elements like fire and rivers, worship of heroic gods like Indra (quite similar to the Greek religion), chanting of hymns and performance of sacrifices. The priests performed the solemn rituals for the noblemen (Kshsatriya) and some wealthy Vaishyas. People prayed for abundance of children, rain, cattle (wealth), long life and an afterlife in the heavenly world of the ancestors. Some of this mode of worship has been preserved even today in Hinduism, which involve recitations from the Vedas by a purohita (priest), for prosperity, wealth and general well-being.
Elements of Vedic religion reach back into Proto-Indo-Iranian times. The Vedic period is held to have ended around 500 BC, Vedic religion gradually metamorphosizing into the historical Indian religions, such as the various schools of Hinduism and Buddhism, the former further evolving into Puranic Hinduism, the latter diversifying into Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, such as Tibetan Buddhism, Chinese and Japanese schools.
Rituals
Main articles: Yajurveda and yajnaSpecific rituals and sacrifices of the Vedic religion include, among others:
- The Soma cult, frequently referred to in the Rigveda and descended from a common Indo-Iranian practice.
- Fire rituals:
- The Agnihotra or oblation to Agni, a sun charm,
- The Agnicayana, the sophisticated ritual of piling the fire altar.
- The Agnistoma or Soma sacrifice
- The New and Full Moon as well as the Seasonal (Cāturmāsya) sacrifices
- The royal consecration (Rajasuya) sacrifice
- The Ashvamedha or horse sacrifice
- The Purushamedha or sacrifice of a man, imitating that of the the cosmic Purusha, cf. Purusha Sukta as well as the Ashvamedha.
- The rituals referred to in the Atharvaveda concerned with medicine and healing practises, as well as black and white magic.
The Ashvamedha (horse sacrifice) has parallels in the 2nd millennium BC Sintashta and Andronovo culture as well as in Rome (October horse) and medieval Ireland. In India it was allegedly continued until the 4th and even the 18th century CE (Jaya Singh at Jaipur). The practice of vegetarianism may already have arisen in late Vedic times. Although in the Rigveda, the cow's description as aghnya (that which should not be killed) may refer to poetry , it is certain to be reflective of the social practice as were other practices like rituals and deity worship. Incipient change to contemporary vegetarianism is seen as early as the late Brahmanas and Upanishads and may have continued under the influence of Jainism and possibly of Buddhism, which began as a reform-movement of the Vedic religion.
The Hindu rites of cremation are seen since the Rgvedic period; while they are attested from early times in the Cemetery H culture, there is a late Rigvedic reference in RV 10.15.14, invoking forefathers "both cremated (agnidagdhá-) and uncremated (ánagnidagdha-)".
Pantheon
Main article: Rigvedic deitiesThe Vedic pantheon, similar to its Greek or Germanic counterparts, comprises clans of anthropomorphic deities as well as deified natural phenomena, and like the Germanic Vanir and Aesir it knows two classes of gods, Devas and Asuras. The Asuras (Mitra, Varuna, Aryaman, Bhaga, Amsa, etc.) are deities of cosmic and social order, from the universe and kingdoms down to the individual. The Rigveda is a collection of hymns to various deities, most notably heroic Indra, Agni the sacrificial fire and messenger of the gods, and Soma, the deified sacred drink of the Indo-Iranians. Also prominent is Varuna (often paired with Mitra) and the group of "all-gods", the Vishvadevas.
Monistic tendencies
In the view of some, the Rigveda, in its youngest books (books 1 and 10) contains hymns for monistic thought that however need to be interpreted in the context of the individual hymn. Often quoted are pada 1.164.46c,
- ékam sád víprā́ bahudhā́ vadanti
- "To what is One, sages give many a title" (trans. Griffith)
and hymns 10.129 and 10.130, dealing with a creator deity, especially verse 10.129.7:
- iyám vísṛṣṭiḥ yátaḥ ābabhūva / yádi vā dadhé yádi vā ná / yáḥ asya ádhyakṣaḥ paramé vyóman / sáḥ aṅgá veda yádi vā ná véda
- "He, the first origin of this creation, whether he formed it all or did not form it, / Whose eye controls this world in highest heaven, he verily knows it, or perhaps he knows not." (trans. Griffith)
Ékam sát in 1.164.46c means "being one". Such concepts received greater emphasis in classical Hinduism, from the time of Adi Shankara at the latest, and they receive emphasis in contemporary Hinduism from pantheistic sects like Arya Samaj.
Post-Vedic religions
Main article: Indian religionsVedic religion gradually diversified into the Hindu paths such as early Vedanta that considers itself the 'essence' of the Vedas. The Vedic pantheon was interpreted by a unitary view of the universe with Brahman seen as immanent and transcendent, since the Middle Upanishads also in personal forms of the deity as Ishvara, Bhagavan, or Paramatma. There are also conservative schools which continue portions of the historical Vedic religion largely unchanged until today (see Śrauta, Nambudiri).
Religions that have continued from the Vedic religion :
- Shramana traditions (nastika):
- Hinduism is an umbrella term for astika traditions in India (see History of Hinduism)
- Puranas, Sanskrit epics
- the classical schools of Hindu philosophy, of which only Vedanta is extant.
- Shaivism
- Vaishnavism
- Bhakti
- Shrauta traditions, maintaining much of the original form of the Vedic religion.
Notes
- The Encyclopedia Britannica of 2005 uses all of "Vedism", "Vedic Brahmanism" and "Brahmanism", but reserves "Vedism" for the earliest stage, predating the Brahmana period, and defines "Brahmanism" as "religion of ancient India that evolved out of Vedism. It takes its name both from the predominant position of its priestly class, the Brahmans, and from the increasing speculation about, and importance given to, Brahman, the supreme power."
- J. Narten, Acta Orientalia Neerlandica, Leiden 1971, 120-134
- These were not direct outgrowths of Vedism, but counter-movements heavily influenced by Brahmanical traditions. S. Cromwell Crawford, review of L. M. Joshi, Brahmanism, Buddhism and Hinduism, Philosophy East and West (1972): "Alongside Brahmanism was the non-Aryan Shramanic culture with its roots going back to prehistoric times."
- Encyclopedia Britannica s.v. Hindu philosophy: "The great epic Mahabharata represents the attempt of Vedic Brahmanism to adjust itself to the new circumstances reflected in the process of the aryanization (integration of Aryan beliefs, practices, and institutions) of the various non-Aryan communities."