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Continued... The Vedangas mean limbs of the Vedas. They are six in number. They form a part of the Vedas, but they were written by scholars of the later Vedic period. They interpret the Vedas in simple language and deal with the pronunciation of words, grammar, astronomy as well as rituals. Upvedas deal with secular subjects. The Ayurveda deals with medicine, the Dhanurveda with the art of warfare, the Gandharva Veda with music and Shilpa Veda with architecture. Sutras explain the customs and rituals of the later Vedic period, especially with the rituals relating to soma (yajna) sacrifice. The Dharma Sutras deal with civil, criminal and moral laws; While the Grihya Sutras throw light on rituals in all the ashramas of a man's life. Epics An epic is a long narrative poem of brave deeds and adventures of ancient warriors. The poem could be sung to music. The two great Indian epics are the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The Ramayana is older and nearer to the Aryan tradition than Mahabharata. There is a controversy regarding the age of the epics. It is certain that at least Mahabharata underwent numerous additions and alterations in successive ages, and assumed its present form in the third or fourth century A.D. Both the epics are the products of neo-Hinduism. Rama and Krishna are considered to be the two incarnations of Vishnu. Ramayana and Mahabharata are of great historical importance. They hold out before us a mirror that reflects the Indian society as it was thousands of years ago - the virtues and views that characterized people, and the high ideals which inspired them. More information about them are given later. Manu Smriti Manu in Hindu mythology, was the man who systematized the religious and social laws of Hinduism. These ancient laws are called the Manu Smriti (Code of Manu). They still influence the religious and social life of India, where Hinduism is the chief religion. The Manu Smriti has three main parts: (1) varna, (2) ashrama, and (3) dharma. Varna sets forth the basis of caste, the strict Hindu class system. Hinduism has four major varnas (groups of castes). Ashrama describes the four ideal stages of a Hindu man's life. First, he studies Hindu scriptures called the Vedas, and the duties of his caste. Second, he marries. Third, after he fulfils his family obligations, he retires with his wife to a forest to meditate. Finally, in old age, the husband and wife separate and wander as beggars called sannyasis, preparing for death. Dharma describes the four goals of life. They are (1) dharma--fulfilling one's religious obligation in society, (2) kama--enjoying sex and other physical pleasures, (3) artha--achieving worldly success through one's occupation, and (4) moksha--gaining spiritual release from worldly existence. Panini's Ashtadhyaya is a non-religious book. It is a work of Sanskrit grammar written by Panini. Perhaps the greatest grammar ever written in any languages. next page >> |
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