08/01/08
We are all familiar with the Seven Wonders of the World. This set keeps changing from time to time. Also, they are geographically distributed worldwide. No doubt they may have distinctly special and outstanding characteristics. But there has never been a single Wonder which eternally remained as a wonder. But there is one Wonder, a very very ancient Wonder, a Wonder of Wonders indeed, a Wonder which has to be universally accepted, as almost incredible. That unique Wonder is the Veda-s of ancient India, the ancient Aryavarta.
The oldest portions of the Veda-s are said by some to date back as early as about six millenium B.C. The four Veda-s: Rig, Yajur, Saama and Atharva, are said to include over one lakh ( 100,000 ) verses. At that point of time, even the writing facility (be it of whatever type) had not developed. So much so, those 100,000 verses were orally transmitted over those millinea, and written down in Sanskrit much much later. Transmitted from mouth to mouth, from preceptor to disciple, in a Guru-sishya parampara, thru all these millinea. Even the palmyra leaves, and later the coppper plates, are relatively recent developments. Hundred thousand verses, orally transmitted, thru over six millinea or more, intact with specific intonation in a musical scale, for every one of the verses ! Almost an incredible power of memory in human history ! Could there be a greater Wonder in this world ? Yes, this happened in ancient Aryavarta. And today we have with us most of the verses intact. It was God's Will ! Well, thru the Veda-s , Eternal Wisdom (offering guidelines to humans world over even now, and valid for ever), shone with dazzling brightness, in sixth millenium B.C. itself, when the rest of the world was steeped in the darkness of ignorance! Indeed we must feel proud that we are the children of that hallowed land ! ..... Krishna M. Gutala
Hello to you all ! Somvaar Suprabhaath !
Today's topics are a very brief survey of India's ancient scriptural heritage, covering :
Sruthi-s (Veda-s), Upa-Veda-s, Vedaanga-s, Smrithi-s, Epics or Itihaasa-s, Puranas and Agama-s, and Darsana-s. Just a mere glimpse of what they are :
INDIA'S ANCIENT SCRIPTURAL HERITAGE
1. SRUTHI-S : The first set of books -- the primary authority of Hindus -- are Sruthi-s or Veda-s. Veda-s are 'apourusheya' (not written by any persons). From the vibrations of OM the four Veda-s are said to have appeared, and were taught to Brahma by the Supreme Lord. Sage Vyaasa codified the four Veda-s. His disciples Paila, Vysampaayanaa, Jaimini, and Sumantha, passed them on to their disciples and the process continued.
Rig Veda : Hymns in praise of the Divine.
Yajur Veda : Hymns for religious rituals and rites.
Saama Veda: Musical form of Rig Veda.
Atharva Veda : For material and daily working purposes.
Parts of the Veda-s: Each Veda consists of four parts:
1. Mantra-s or Samhita (Hymns)
2. Brahmana-s (explanatory treatises of the Mantra-s).
3. Aranyaka-s (mystical interpretations of Mantra-s and rituals), and, 4. Upanishad-s (being at the end, called Vedanta i.e.,, Veda -- anta). These are about 108 out of whiich, twelve are major and important: Isavasya, Kena, katha, Prasna, Mundaka, Maandukya, Aithereya, Thaittereya, Chandogya, Brihadaaranyaka, Koushitaki and Swethaasvatara.
The next set of books are the Upa-Veda-s (four in number): 1. Ayurveda (practised by Charaka, Susruta etc). 2. Dhanurveda (archery and weapons) 3. Gandharva Veda (music and dance). Sage Bharata wrote the Naatya Sastra. 4. Artha Sastra (politics, administration, and commerce).
Next are the Vedanga-s : These are the explanatory limbs of the Veda-s:
1. Siksha. by Sage Paanini ( phonetics and pronunciation )
2. Vyaakarana. by Sage Paanini (grammar)
3. Niruktha. Science of etymology -- words in the Vedic Mantra-s (linguistics)
4. Chhandhas Sastra . Prosody or meter. Art of versification.
5. Kalpa Sastra. Science of religious rituals and ceremonies, and lastly
6. Jyothisha. Astronomy and astrology. ( Aryabhatta, the ancient Indian astronomer, opined that the earth moved round the Sun ).
2. Smrithi-s ; That which is remembered is smrithi. These are the later human compositions. They are the Dharma Sastra-s or Laws governing righteous conduct. There are eighteen smrithi-s in all. There were many Law-givers like Manu, Yaagnyavalka, Shankha, Likhitha, Naarada, Gouthama, Paraasara etc. Both Sruthi-s and Smrithi-s are read and memorised by scholars.
3. The third set of books are the Epics or Itihaasa-s, like the Ramayana and Maha Bhaarata.
4. The fourth set of books are the Puraana-s. There are eighteen Puraana-s of which the Maha Bhaagavata, Vishnu Puraanaa and the Markandeya Puraana, are the most popular. Also there are eighteen Subsidiary or Upa-Puraana-s. Mostly stories and tales for religious education of the common folks. Dasaavatara-s also appear in the Puraana-s.
5. The fifth set of scriptures are the Aagama-s. Theological doctrines for worship of Deities. From these have sprung the sects of Saiva, Vyshnava and Shaakta. In Vyshnava Aagama, there are two main schools: Pancharaatra and Vykhaanasa, both glorifying Lord Vishnu. The Shaakta Aagama glorifies the Goddess Devi. This Aagama includes the Taantric and occult practices. Each Aagama has several sections. First part consists of philosophy and spiritual knowledge behind the worship of the Deity. Second part covers Yoga and mental discipline. The third part is regarding Temple construction. The fourth regarding Rules for religious rites and rituals at home, and, community and religious festivals.
6. Lastly the Darsana-s ( Visions or schools of philosophy ). These are six which are : 1. Nyaaya ( involving logic and reasoning ) 2. Vyseshika, the earliest concept of the universe as consisting of countless atoms each distinct. 3. Saankhya: Believes in universe consisting of two elements, the Purusha and the Prakriti. 4. Yoga: Accepts Saankhya but uses system of mind-control. 5. Meemaamsa: Vedic rituals (Yagnya-s) and sacrifices. Lastly the Vedanta. Based on the Upanishads. They stress on individual spiritual experience.
NB: The above narration is Notes from the book "Hinduism : An Introductioon" by Sakuntala Jagannathan.
This in short gives a peep into our treasureless ancient Scriptural Heritage.
Wishing you all a splendid week ahead,..........Krishna M. Gutala
He who knows and knows that he knows is wise. Follow hiim
He who knows and knows not that he knows is asleep. Awake him
He who knows not and knows he knows not is ignorant. Teach him
He who knows not and knows not that he knows not is a fool. Shun him !
Anon
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