IAS BABA
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HISTORY SmartNotes - 3
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The Vedic Period
The Vedas, meaning “knowledge,” are the oldest texts of Hinduism.
• They are derived from the ancient Indo-Aryan culture of the Indian Subcontinent.
• It began as an oral tradition that was passed down through generations.
• They were finally written in Vedic Sanskrit between 1500 and 500 BCE (Before Common
Era).
• The Vedas are structured in four different collections containing
◦ Hymns,
◦ Poems,
◦ Prayers, and
◦ Religious instruction.
RIG VEDA YAJUR VEDA
• It is a collection of Hymns, • The Yajur Veda deals with
Shlokas & Sukta procedure (rituals) for the
• It is the Oldest of All Vedas. performance of sacrifices.
◦ Oldest surviving Poetry/ • It gives details of Rituals
Verses in the World. • It is the Only Veda which is
◦ It was composed by partly in prose
different Famili of Rishis • It is divided into two parts:
▪ Ex: Vishwamitra, ◦ Krishna (Black) Yajurveda
Vasishta, Bharadvaja ◦ Sukla (White) Yajurveda
• It has a Total of 1028 Hymns • Krishna Yajurveda contains
• It is Divided into 10 Mandalas mantras and commentaries
/ Books. (explanations) in prose.
• Books from 2 to 9 are the • Sukla Yajurveda contains
earliest. mantras/ rituals/ formulas for
• Book No. 1 & 10 have been sacrifices.
added in the later Vedic
Period.
• Book No. 7 Mentions the
Battle of 10 Kings - Referring
to the Political Situation
during the Vedic Period.
NOTE: The Purusha Sukta
Hymn is part of Rig Veda
SAMA VEDA ATHARVA VEDA
• It contains 1810 Verses • It is the Latest Veda.
• Some verses are collected and • It is a collection of hymns of
borrowed from Rig Veda magic spells and charms such
• They were set to tunes/ as,
arranged in Ragas. ◦ To ward off the evil spirits
• It is used for singing at and diseases
Sacrifices ◦ To gain Material wealth
◦ Hence, it is called the Book • It also mentions Superstitions
of Chants. • It contains Non - Aryan
▪ Ex: Drupadh Raga Elements
▪ It was sung by Tansen • Some Rig Vedic Hymns are
also mentioned here.
VEDIC LITERATURE
The Vedic Litearature is Classified into
• Shruti Literature
• Smriti Literature
Shruti Literature Smriti Literature
• SHRUTI means, Which is heard by Rishis • Smriti literature is Remembered and
• It consists of: authored by Human thoughts.
◦ Vedas / Samhitas ◦ Smriti literature can be modified.
◦ Brahmanas • It Consists of:
◦ Aranyakas ◦ Upavedas
◦ Upanishads ◦ Vedangas
◦ Epics
◦ Dharma Sastras
◦ Puranas
◦ Agamas
◦ Nithi Sashtras
Samhitas Brahmanas
• Core Part of Vedas • Attached to Vedas
• Mantras / Hymns • Interpretation of
Samhitas
• They are Shruti
• Helps in understanding
Texts their meanings
• 4 Samhitas / Vedas ◦ EX: Shathpath
◦ Rig, Yajur, Sama & Brahmana is attached
Yajur to Yajur veda
Aranyakas Upanishads
• They are called Forest • To Sit near Someone
books • There are 108 in number
• Composed by Hermits in but only 13 are
jungles important.
• Concluding portions of • Deal with Atma (Soul) /
Brahmanas Brahmana (Force)
• Philosophy behind rituals ◦ Mundaka
◦ Chandogya
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Upaveda
Vedanga
• The "Limbs of Vedas", written in
• It means "Applied Knowledge" form of Sutras.
• They help in proper recitation and
• They are traditional Sciences
understanding of Vedas
derived from Main Vedas. • There are Six Sutras:
◦ Ayurveda - Rig/ Atharva ◦ Shiksha - Phonetics
◦ Dhanurveda - Yajur ◦ Kalpa - Rituals
◦ Gandharvaveda - Sama ◦ Jyotisha - Astronomy
◦ ArthaShastra/Shilpaveda - ◦ Vyakarana - Grammar
Atharva ◦ Nirukta - Etymology
◦ Chanda - Metre
PURANAS
• Purana means 'old', composed around 4th - 6th Century CE
• It talks about the emergence of Hindu religious practices
• There are 18 Maha Puranas, which also mentions dynasties from Haryanka
to Guptas.
• They discuss 4 Yugas (Ages of 1000 years each), which are,
◦ Satya/ Krita , Treta, Dvapara, Kaliyuga.
◦ 4 Yugas make one Mahayuga
• 1000 Mahayugas makes a KALPA
• Every Kalpa is divided into 14 manvantras, each presided by
a MANU
Dharmasasthras EPICS
• Dharma - Code of Conduct • Ramayana
• Course of action for
fulfilment of • Mahabharata
Purusharthas
◦ Dharma, Artha,
Kama, Moksha
AGAMAS Vedanta
• They are part of Smriti • The End of Vedas, derived
Literature from Upanishads
• That which has come • Reveal the final aim of
down Vedas
• It deals with Tantric/ • Last phase of Vedic period
Magic in Hinduism
