Vedic Branches and Ancient Rivers Quiz

Vedangas

• Six branches/limbs of Vedic learning compiled during the Sutra period (after 600 BC).
• Known as limbs ("anga") of Vedas.
• Focuses on pronunciation ("Shiksha"), grammar ("Vyakarna"), astronomy and astrology ("Jyotisha"), Vedic dictionary (“Nirukta”), poetic stanzas (“Chanda”), rules for Vedic rituals (“Kalpa”).

Upvedas

• Four supplementary branches of Vedic knowledge.
• Gandharva Veda: Music, dance, drama.
• Ayurveda: Medicine
• Shilpa Veda: Art and architecture.
• Dhanurveda: Warfare.

Ancient Rivers

• Sindhu (Indus), Vitasta (Jhelum), Askini (Chenab), Parushni (Ravi), Vipasa (Beas), Satudri (Sutlej), Drishadvati (Ghaggar), Krum (Kurram), and Gomal (Gomati).

The Tribe

• "Jana" (tribe).
• Rajana (tribal chief) who managed tribal affairs with help of tribal members and two assemblies: Sabha and Samiti.
• Bali: voluntary offering to the Rajana.

Religion

• Indra, the most significant divinity in the Rigveda, is also known as Purandar (breaker of forts).

Economy

• Introduction of iron in the Vedic Age - known as "Shyam ayas".
• Copper was known as "Lohit ayas".
• Rice (vrihi) and wheat (Godhuma) became the primary crops, alongside barley (lava).

Samaveda

• Contains 1810 hymns.

Yajurveda

• Comprised of both prose and poetry.
• Divided into two parts: Krishna Yajurveda and Shukla Yajurveda.
• Collection of sacrificial formulae.
• "Adhvaryu" were experts in Yajurveda.

Atharvaveda

• Collection of charms and spells.
• Origin of Ayurveda (Indian medicinal science) can be traced to the Atharvaveda.
• Contains hymns for protection from disease.

The Brahmanas

• Tandya Brahmana is the oldest.
• Shatapatha Brahmana is the most voluminous.

The Aranyakas

• Named "Aranyakas" because their mystical and philosophical content were best studied in the solitude of forests ("aranya").

The Upanishads

• Deals with metaphysics.
• Also known as Vedanta because they were the final compilations in Vedic literature.
• Emphasized the Path of Knowledge ("Jnana Marga").
• Meaning of Upanishad: "To sit near the feet of".
• Katha Upanishad centers on the conversation between Yama and Nachiketa.
• "Satyameva Jayate" (Truth Alone Triumphs) from Mundaka Upanishad is featured in the National Emblem of India.

The Vedic Age

• Vedic Literature provides knowledge about the Aryans.
• Vedas are the most important part of Vedic Literature.
• "Veda" means knowledge.
• Vedas are called "aapurusheya" (not composed by humans) and "nitya" (eternal).
• Aryans are the founders of Vedic Civilization.
• Max Muller's Central Asian Theory is widely accepted as the origin of the Aryans.

Views on the Original Home of Aryans

Vedic Literature

• Vedic Literature includes four categories.
  • Vedas (Sanhita, Brahmana, Aranyaka, Upanishad).

Religious Texts

• Shruti: Veda (includes Sanhita, Brahmana, Aranyaka, Upanishad).
• Smriti: Sutra (includes Ramayana and Manusmriti), Purana (includes Mahabharata and Shrimad Bhagavad Gita).

The Vedas

Rigveda

• Divided into ten volumes called "Mandals".
• Mandals II to VII are the oldest - known as "family books" because attributed to families of rishis (sages).
• Mandals VIII and IX belong to a later period.
• Mandals I and X are the last to be compiled.
• Mandal III contains the Gayatri Mantra, praising the sun god Savitri.
• Mandal IX is dedicated entirely to Soma, the lord of plants.
• Mandal X features the "Purusha Sukta", discussing the origin of the Varna system.
• "Hotra" or "Hotri" were Rigvedic scholars.

Samaveda

• Book of chants.
• Contains songs mostly from the Rigveda.
• "Udgatri" were experts in Samaveda.