Vedic Period: Literature and Society

Vedic Literature and Vedic Society

• The Vedic period in Indian history is a crucial time that is often divided into two main phases: the Early Vedic period (1500 BCE to 1000 BCE) and the Later Vedic period (1000 BCE to 600 BCE).

Vedic Literature

• Two parts, namely, ‘shruti’ and ‘smriti’.
  1. Shruits
     • The books “that are heard” or the result of “Godly revelation” given to the great sages (rishis) during their “dhyana” (concentration) are known as shrutis.
     • The “shrutis” comprise the four Vedas and the Samhitas.
  2. Smritis
     • Conversely, “smritis” are those that average people remember.
     • The Smritis comprises six Vedangas, four Upavedas, and extensive commentary and explanations on the Vedas (Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and Upanishads).
• Types of Vedas
  1. Rigveda
     • Oldest Veda
     • Hymns are dedicated to several deities, mostly to Indra.
     • Divided into ten books (known as mandalas)
  2. Samaveda
     • Shortest of all the four Vedas.
     • The Samaveda is a compilation of Rigvedic verses organized in poetry to facilitate singing.
  3. Yajurveda
     • It is principally in prose form.
     • Sacrifices and rituals, composed both in prose and poetry.
  4. Atharvaveda
     • The latest among the Vedas and contains hymns.
     • It is a compilation of magical spells and charms that are used to ward off evil spirits and diseases.

Vedic Society

• Early Vedic Society
  • Communities comprised populations called ‘Jana’. 
  • Egalitarian Society with no sharp division among them.
  • Only Aryans and Dasa (non-Aryans) with fair or dark complexions are referred to by the name Varna in the Rig Veda.
  • The society was composed of four varnas: Brahmans, Kshatriya, Vaisya and Shudra.
  • Patrilineal Society but women were treated with dignity and honour.
  • Child marriage and Sati were not practiced, and a type of widow-remarriage known as ‘Niyoga’ (levirate) was common.
  • Worshipped forces of nature and personified them as gods and goddesses.
  • Indra, Agni, Varuna, and Marut were some of their gods while Ushas, Aditi, and Prithvi were some of their goddesses.
• Later Vedic
  • The visible 4-fold varna system and the appearance of several ‘jaatis’ or castes made the social system complex.
  • The rise in various crafts, the influx of new people, inter-caste marriages (between Anuloma and Pratiloma), and the incorporation of several tribes into the caste system all contributed to the increase in the number of castes.
  • Royal power increased.
  • The Rigvedic gods, Indra and Agni, lost prominence in the later Vedic period, and their place was taken by a new trinity of Gods, with Brahma as highest, Vishnu as preserver, and Shiva completing the triad. Religion evolved into a highly ceremonial practice.
  • The position of women deteriorates. Purdah and Sati were not prevalent.
  • 4-fold ‘ashram’ (stages) for 4 ‘Purusharthas’ (goals):
    • Brahmacharya for knowledge i.e. Dharma.
    • Grihastha for wealth and progeny i.e. ‘artha’ and ‘kama’.
    • Vanaprastha for spiritual wisdom.
    • Sanyasa for liberation.