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Revision as of 16:13, 29 April 2005 by Dbachmann (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The religion of the Vedic civilization is the predecessor of classical Hinduism, usually included in the term. It is reflected in the text of the Vedas. The religion centered on a clergy (the Brahmins) administrating sacrificial rites.
Specific rituals and sacrifices of the Vedic religion include:
- The Soma cult described in the Rigveda, descended from a common Indo-Iranian practice.
- The Agnihotra or oblation to Agni (also a common Indo-Iranian practice, c.f. Zoroastrianism)
- The Agnicayana, the sophisticated ritual of piling the fire altar.
- The Ashvamedha or horse sacrifice described in the Yajurveda
- The Purushamedha or human sacrifice, probably very early reduced to a symbolic sacrifice.
- The rituals described in the Atharvaveda concerned with demonology and magic.