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Questions and Answers
What is the significance of the four Vedas being considered as Samhitas?
The four Vedas are considered as Samhitas because they represent the oral tradition of the time and were meant to be recited, learnt and transmitted orally.
Why is it difficult to date the Samhitas with absolute certainty?
It is difficult to date the Samhitas with absolute certainty because they were not written when they were composed, and each Samhita represents a period of many centuries.
What is the relative dating of the Rigveda period?
The relative dating places the period represented in the Rigveda between c. 1500-1000 BCE (2nd half of the 2nd millennium BCE).
Who is the best known commentator on the Rigveda text and what is the significance of his commentary?
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How many hymns (suktas) does the Rigvedic Samhita contain and how are they divided?
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What are two Dharmic religions that developed in Magadha (Bihar) and continue to thrive in the modern age?
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Who are generally accepted as contemporaries in Buddhism and Jainism?
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What do Jainism and Buddhism both believe is possible to attain through spiritual and ethical disciplines?
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How many tirthankaras does Jainism's historiography center on?
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What do Buddhists believe Gautama Buddha did around the 5th century BCE?
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Study Notes
The Vedas and Samhitas
- The four Vedas are considered as Samhitas, which means they are collections of sacred texts considered to be revelations.
- The difficulty in dating the Samhitas with absolute certainty lies in the fact that they have been passed down through oral tradition, making it hard to pinpoint exact dates.
The Rigveda
- The relative dating of the Rigveda period is around 1500 BCE to 1200 BCE.
- The best known commentator on the Rigveda text is Yaska, and his commentary is significant because it provides insight into the meaning and interpretation of the Vedic texts.
- The Rigvedic Samhita contains 1028 hymns (suktas) divided into 10 mandalas (books).
Development of Dharmic Religions
- Two Dharmic religions that developed in Magadha (Bihar) and continue to thrive in the modern age are Buddhism and Jainism.
- Mahavira and Gautama Buddha are generally accepted as contemporaries in Buddhism and Jainism.
Core Beliefs of Jainism and Buddhism
- Both Jainism and Buddhism believe that it is possible to attain liberation (Moksha or Nirvana) through spiritual and ethical disciplines.
- Jainism's historiography centers on 24 tirthankaras, who are believed to have achieved liberation.
Gautama Buddha
- Around the 5th century BCE, Gautama Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment and founded Buddhism.
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Description
Test your knowledge of the Vedic literature and Samhitas, which were part of the oral tradition before being transcribed. Explore the challenges of dating these texts and understand their historical context.
