The Rig Vedic period is a significant epoch in ancient Indian history, characterized by the composition of the Rigveda, one of the oldest sacred texts in the world. In this mind map, we will explore the rich tapestry of the Rig Vedic period, delving into its religious, social, and cultural aspects. Join us as we navigate through the complexities of the Rig Vedic period, unraveling its religious, social, and cultural dimensions, and gaining a deeper understanding of the ancient civilization that laid the foundation for Indian culture and spirituality.
Edited at 2022-03-01 12:04:51The prehistoric period is a fascinating chapter in human history, encompassing a vast span of time before the advent of written records. In this mind map, we will explore the mysteries and wonders of the prehistoric era, uncovering the origins of humanity and the remarkable achievements of our ancient ancestors. From the Paleolithic era, characterized by the development of stone tools and the emergence of early human species, to the Neolithic revolution marked by the transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture and settled communities, we will delve into the key milestones and cultural advancements that shaped prehistoric societies. Through the exploration of cave art, megalithic structures, and the study of ancient human remains, we will map out the diverse lifestyles, belief systems, and technological innovations that define this enigmatic period.
The Rig Vedic period is a significant epoch in ancient Indian history, characterized by the composition of the Rigveda, one of the oldest sacred texts in the world. In this mind map, we will explore the rich tapestry of the Rig Vedic period, delving into its religious, social, and cultural aspects. Join us as we navigate through the complexities of the Rig Vedic period, unraveling its religious, social, and cultural dimensions, and gaining a deeper understanding of the ancient civilization that laid the foundation for Indian culture and spirituality.
The Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization, was one of the world's earliest urban societies, thriving in the vast river plains of the Indus River and its tributaries. Flourishing around 2500 BCE, this ancient civilization developed sophisticated urban centers, advanced infrastructure, and a complex social and economic system.
The prehistoric period is a fascinating chapter in human history, encompassing a vast span of time before the advent of written records. In this mind map, we will explore the mysteries and wonders of the prehistoric era, uncovering the origins of humanity and the remarkable achievements of our ancient ancestors. From the Paleolithic era, characterized by the development of stone tools and the emergence of early human species, to the Neolithic revolution marked by the transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture and settled communities, we will delve into the key milestones and cultural advancements that shaped prehistoric societies. Through the exploration of cave art, megalithic structures, and the study of ancient human remains, we will map out the diverse lifestyles, belief systems, and technological innovations that define this enigmatic period.
The Rig Vedic period is a significant epoch in ancient Indian history, characterized by the composition of the Rigveda, one of the oldest sacred texts in the world. In this mind map, we will explore the rich tapestry of the Rig Vedic period, delving into its religious, social, and cultural aspects. Join us as we navigate through the complexities of the Rig Vedic period, unraveling its religious, social, and cultural dimensions, and gaining a deeper understanding of the ancient civilization that laid the foundation for Indian culture and spirituality.
The Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization, was one of the world's earliest urban societies, thriving in the vast river plains of the Indus River and its tributaries. Flourishing around 2500 BCE, this ancient civilization developed sophisticated urban centers, advanced infrastructure, and a complex social and economic system.
Rig Vedic Period
Vedic Philosophies
Orthodox Schools of Indian Philosophy
Samkhya (Kapila)
Yoga (Patanjali)
Nyaya (Gautama Muni)
Vaisheshika (Kanada)
Purva Mimamsa (Jaimini)
Vedanta
Advaita (Adi Shankara)
Visishtadvaita (Ramanuja)
Dvaita (Madhvacharya)
Dvaitadvaita (Nimbarka)
Shuddhadvaita (Vallabhacharya)
Achintya Bheda Abheda (Chaitanya Mahaprabhu)
Unorthodox Schools of Indian Philosophy
Charvaka (Brihaspati)
Buddhist philosophy (Siddhartha Gautama)
Jain philosophy (Mahavira)
Puranic Literature
Puranas mention four ages
Krita, Treta, Dvapara and Kali.
Upanishads
• The upanishada indicates knowledge acquired by sitting close to the teacher. • They are also known as Vedantas, having the truth about human life and path to ’moksha’. • A collection of over 200 Upanishads are known but out of these 108 are called ‘muktikas’. • Mundaka Upanishada contains the famous phrase ‘Satyameva Jayate’.
Source of Information
Rig Vedic Phase (1500 BC- 1000 BC)
• Mains source of information about this age is the Rig Veda (10 Mandalas and 1028 Hymns). • Mandalas/ Chapters from 2 to 8 are called Saptarishi Manadalas as these are composed by the seven great sages. • Mandalas 2 to 7 form the earliest portions of the Rigveda while 1 and 10 were latest additions. • 10th Mandala has the famous Purush Sukta that describes cosmic creation (Adi Purush) along with 4-fold Varna System. • 3rd Mandala, composed by Vishwamitra, contains Gayatri Mahamantra addressed to Goddess Savitri.
Later Vedic Phase (1000 BC- 600 BC)
• Sources of Information about this phase are: Sam Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. Other sources: • Brahmanas – The Detailed commentaries/ explanations on the Vedas. • Aranyakas (forest books)- Explains metaphysics & symbolism of sacrifice. • Upanishads or books on philosophy or deeper knowledge about ‘aatma’, ‘brahma’ etc. They are antiritualistic.
Early Regions of Settlement
• Early Vedic people or Aryans settled in the land of seven rivers, called Sapt Sindhu à Sindhu (Indus), Vitasta (Jhelum), Asikani (Chenab), Parushni (Ravi), Bipasa (Beas), Satudri (Satluj), and Saraswati (Ghagghar). • Sindhu (Indus) is the most mentioned and Saraswati is the most regarded (holy river). Saraswati Valley was called Brhmavarta.
Later Settlements & Current Location
• Aryans became generally familiar with the major portion of the Gangetic valley where they gradually settled. Western Ganga-Valley was called ‘Aryavarta’ • Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, Several Himalayan peaks and Vindhya mountains (indirectly) are mentioned. • Their region covered present day parts of Afghanistan, Punjab and Haryana.
Rig Vedic Society
Pastoral
Subtopic
Child Marriage
Sati
Varna System
• The 4-fold Varna order and rigid caste-system was not yet completely developed. • The term Varna used in Rigveda with refrence to only Aryans & Dasa having respectively fairs & dark complexion. • The 10th mandal of rigveda, known as ‘Purush Sukta’ defines that the varnas are produced from different parts of the body of the God as Brahmin from the mouth, Kshatriya from arms, Vaishya from thighs and Shudra from feet.
Political System
Early Vedic Period
Later Vedic Period
Agriculture
• Rigvedic societ was pastoral & Agriculture was secondary occupation. Cattle was main form of the wealth; • Agriculture production was for consumption only. They had better knowledge of agriculture. Rigveda mentions about wooden ploughshare. • Agriculture of multiple crops put limitation on nomadic nature; cattle rearing continued. • Wheat, Barley, Rice, Beans, Moong Urad and Sesamum were cultivated.
Economy Barter system
Cows were the most favoured medium of exchange.
Tools
Copper tools of this era are reported from Punjab & Haryana.
Pottery
Two types of pottery
Ochre Colored Pottery
Painted Grey Ware
Vedic Gods
Indra (God of Lightening)
• Most Mention, 250 hymns, known as Purandhar or destroyer of forts. • Lost prominence in the Later Vedic Phase.
Vayu (God of Air)
Agni (God of Fire)
• For purity and Yajna • Mediator God
Surya (God of Life Source)
• Had Vishnu, Savitri (Gayatri), Mitra and Pushan (vegetation, cattle-wealth and marriage) as its attributes.
Rudra (God of Destruction)
• Also worshiped for healing from diseases • Merged with Shiva in the later Vedic phase
Aditi (Mother of Gods)
Usha (Goddess of Dawn)
Varun (God of Water and Morals)
• Most Powerful, maintained cosmic order/laws • Lost prominence in the Later Vedic Phase
Vishnu (An aspect of Surya)
• Least Mention, 3 hymns
Marut (God of Wind)
Prithvi (Goddess of Fertility)
Aranyani (Goddess of Forest)
Parjanya (God of Rain)
Prajapati / Adipurush (Supreme God)
• Most prominent during the Later Vedic period
Pushan (God of the Shudras)
• Supposed to look after cattle
Epics
Ramayana of Maharshi Valmiki
Mahabharata of Maharshi Vyas
Vedic Sages
• Ghosha, Sikta, Nivavari, and Apala were female sages of the time and contributed to the composition of Rig Veda. • Patanjali, Sage Goutama Muni, Sage Kanada, Sage Jaimini, Shankaracharya of Advaitha some of the famous sages associated with Indian philosophies.
Vedic texts
Categorised into two parts
Shruti
• Shrutis’ are the texts ‘that is heard’ or product of ‘Godly revelation’ to the great sages (rishis) while in meditation (‘dhyaan’). • The four Vedas and Samhitas are included in the ‘shrutis’.
Smriti
• ‘Smritis’ on the other hand are those that are recollected by normal humans. • The detailed commentaries/ explanations on the Vedas (Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads), 6 Vedangas and 4 Upavedas make the smritis.