THE VEDIC LITERATURE (1500 - 600 B.C.)
1- The word of Veda is derived from the Sanskrit word ' Vidi ' meaning to know or knoweledge par excelence.
2- Vedic texts are divided between Shruti (based on hearing), which is distinct from Smriti (based on memory).
3- Four Vedas and their Samhitas , the Brahmanas, the Upanishads form a class of literature known as Shruti.
4- The Brahmans explain the hymns of the Vedas. They are written in prose and ritualistic in nature.Brahma mean ' sacrifice' . The various sacrifices and rituals have been elaborately discussed in the Brahamanas. Every Veda has several Brahamanas attached to it -
a) Rig Veda - Aitareya and kaushitikij Sankhyan.
b) Sam Veda - Panchvisha (Tandya Maha Brahamana), Shadvinsh, Chliandogya and Jaiminaya.
c) Yajur Veda - Shatapatha (the oldest adn the largest Brahamana) and Taittariya.
d) Atharva Veda - Gopatha.
5- The word Aranya means " the forest ". The ' forest texts ' were called Vedanta, because they were written ten manily for the hermits and the students living in jungles. The Aranyaka are the concluding portions of the Brahamanas.
2- Vedic texts are divided between Shruti (based on hearing), which is distinct from Smriti (based on memory).
3- Four Vedas and their Samhitas , the Brahmanas, the Upanishads form a class of literature known as Shruti.
4- The Brahmans explain the hymns of the Vedas. They are written in prose and ritualistic in nature.Brahma mean ' sacrifice' . The various sacrifices and rituals have been elaborately discussed in the Brahamanas. Every Veda has several Brahamanas attached to it -
a) Rig Veda - Aitareya and kaushitikij Sankhyan.
b) Sam Veda - Panchvisha (Tandya Maha Brahamana), Shadvinsh, Chliandogya and Jaiminaya.
c) Yajur Veda - Shatapatha (the oldest adn the largest Brahamana) and Taittariya.
d) Atharva Veda - Gopatha.
5- The word Aranya means " the forest ". The ' forest texts ' were called Vedanta, because they were written ten manily for the hermits and the students living in jungles. The Aranyaka are the concluding portions of the Brahamanas.
Comments
Post a Comment