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The Vedic period of Indian culture comprises a long history of ancient India with specific beliefs and religious behaviour. The Vedic age is known briefly as the era in which the Vedas were framed, which are the major source of knowledge in various segments of studies till now. In the later Vedic phase, the rise of Janapadas and Mahajanpadas started, referred to as the classical phase of the Sanskrit language.
Vedic Age: An Overview
Vedic age is well-known for the creation and composition of Vedas, which are considered sacred texts in Hinduism. The Vedic period was from c.1500 – to c.500BCE, and the civilization was located in the northern to north-western region of the Indian subcontinent. This period noticed the rise of the Maurya empire and the earliest human society culture with specific religious and social beliefs.
The four major Vedas were created in the Vedic age, referred to as Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda, The Aranyaka, and Upanishads Vedangas and Brahmanas which are important sources of knowledge of Indian culture. It also mentions Aryans with their journey to India.
Aryans And Their Mention In Vedas:
Aryans were people belonging to Central Asia, and in the early 1500 BC, these people moved to India and transformed the social and religious beliefs of Indians. The Aryans were a linguistic group of people who belonged to Indo-European culture, following similar mixed culture and language. In the Vedic age, Aryans brought the culture and customs of worshipping specific gods and goddesses.
The creation of Vedas was a part of certain religious practices. Rigveda is considered the oldest Veda and attains special importance among Samaveda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda. The prayer methodology, including chants, hymns, spells, and Sanskrit commentaries, emerged in the Vedic age and has become an integral part of Indian culture till now.
Aryans Practices And Beliefs:
During the entry of Aryans in the Vedic age, the religious customs and beliefs mentioned in Vedas were influenced by Indo-European culture, which also comprises a distant relation with Greek and German culture. During this period, worship of fire as God Agni with fire ceremonies became an integral part of Indian worship culture and important ceremonies.
This trait was shared by the Iranian culture much before the Aryans entered India, who are also considered sharing the similar root-like Indians. The concept of the life cycle (period of life to death) with the reincarnation of a specific soul and transfer of life on earth from one form to another emerged in this period. During this period, God Indra is the leading god for worship, after God Agni. Many of the religious practices, customs and stories are mentioned in Rigveda and Atharvaveda.
Rigveda Culture In India:
Rigveda is considered the oldest and most important part of the Vedic age apart from Samaveda and other important Vedas, comprised of many religious practices and customs that keep an important place in Indian culture. Rigveda mentions also keep a powerful impact on the political culture of India with certain social divisions and societal regulations. Rigveda has ten important divisions, which are considered as ten mandalas.
Every mandala has a collection of important prayer, chants and hymns ascribing priest culture and family beliefs. Rigveda comprises worship hymns, God invocations, ritual hymns, battle hymns with specific narrative notions and dialogues mentioning ancient god stories and their miraculous deeds. The Rigvedic era followed the family culture that owned the son’s patriarchy, who took the culture for future generations.
The concept of Jana emerged, a group of people who were loyal to their tribe and all their customs, including marriages and other rituals, were in this closed group. Family culture is considered a large unit of people, including paternal and maternal families with relations like nephews, nieces etc.
The social divisions were based on Varna and mentions of Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Shudras in different Mandalas of Rigveda. During Rigvedic culture, idol worship and temples emerged with sacrifice practices of Pashu, Dhana and Praja.
Position Of Women During Rigvedic Period In Vedic Age:
During the Rigvedic period, women attained special rights and freedoms compared to other cultures and eras. Women were considered respected citizens of society and could join men’s sabha with their free will. Though, in some parts of Indian geographical boundaries, customs like Sati Pratha and child marriage are evident with monogamy and polygamy. The marriage age of women in the Vedic age was around sixteen to seventeen years.
Conclusion:
So, this was the comprehensive details about the Vedic age with its emerging history and associated customs. The Vedic age is primarily known for its composition of important Vedas and Aryan culture, a core knowledge source. Many later studies and subjects emerged from Vedas, which still keep an important scope of growth in specific segments. The Vedic culture empowered the prayer and worship practices like hymns and chants for idol worship and temple concept. Many society regulations and social divisions were transformed with the position of women in Indian society.
