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Later Vedic Literature

Later Vedic Literature. Dr.Shashi Tiwari Department of Sanskrit, Maitreyi College, University of Delhi, New Delhi-110021, India Shashit_98@yahoo.com. Introduction. Vedic literature has texts of four types All are designated as 'Vedic' First are Samhita texts

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Later Vedic Literature

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  1. Later Vedic Literature Dr.Shashi Tiwari Department of Sanskrit, Maitreyi College, University of Delhi, New Delhi-110021, India Shashit_98@yahoo.com

  2. Introduction • Vedic literature has texts of four types • All are designated as 'Vedic' • First are Samhita texts • Each Samhita has corresponding: 1.Brahmanas, 2.Aranyakas, and 3. Upanishads

  3. Four Vedic Priests VedicPriest is called Ritvij in a ritual • The Rigveda - Hota Ritvij - invokes deities • Yajurveda – Adhvaryu Ritvij– offers oblations in ritual fire • Samaveda- Udgata Ritvij- sings Samans • Atharvaveda- Brahma Ritvij – overall in charge of ritual

  4. Two Categories- Later Literature 1. Vedic Texts- Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads 2. Vedangas (six subjects)- Shiksha, Kalpa, Vyakarana, Nirukta ,Chanda, Jyotisha = Phonetics, Rituals, Grammar, Etymology, Metrics and Astronomy.

  5. Purpose of Later Vedic Literature • “After the sacred and revealed Vedic Mantra texts, • there is another class of Vedic texts, • which are closely connected with the Vedic mantras, • and are helpful for reading and understanding them”.

  6. Classification of Vedic Texts VEDA >SAMHITA > BRAHMANA > ARANYAKA > UPANISHAD 1.Rigveda- RigvedaSamhita > Aitareya-Brahmana> Aitareya Aranyaka >Aitareya Upanishad 2.Samaveda -Sama Samhita> Pancavisha- Brahmana> TalavakaraAranyaka >Chandogya-Upanishad 3.Yajurveda 1.Shukla-Yajurveda>Shatapatha-Brahaman>Brihdanyaka > Ishavasya-Upanishad 2.Krishna-Yajurveda>Taittiriya-Brahaman > Taittiriya Aranyaka- Taittiriya Upanishad 4. Atharvaveda – Atharvaveda Samhita > Gopatha- Brahmana > X >Mundaka Upanishad

  7. I. The Brahmanas(1) 'Veda' made up of Mantra and Brahmana

  8. Brahmanas - Meaning(2) • The word in neuter gender means Brahmana texts. • "Which in tradition is not a hymn or a Mantra is a Brahmana and which is not Brahmana is a Mantra".- Sayana • "Brahma Vai Mantrah" -'that which relates to Brahman or the Veda'.

  9. Brahmanas- Ritual books (3) A Yajna being performed on Vedic Alter

  10. Brahmanas -Contents(4) Used for the performance of sacrificial rites Six topics given by Apastamba : • 1. Vidhi - injunctions for the performance of rites • 2. Arthavada- explanatory remarks • 3. Ninda - criticism, refutation of views • 4. Prashansha- eulogy, praise • 5. Purakalpa - performance of former times • 6. Parakriti- achievements of others

  11. Brahmanas -Contents(5) • 1. Hetu - reasons • 2. Nirvacana - etymology • 3. Ninda - censure • 4. Prashansha - eulogy • 5. Sanshaya - doubt • 6. Vidhi - injunction • 7. Parakriya - deeds/feats of others • 8. Purakalpa - legendary background • 9. Vyavadharana-Kalpana - managerial application • 10. Upamana - illustration. = 10 topics By Shabara

  12. Brahmanas -Classification(6) Sixteen Brahmanas available today • Rigveda : Aitareya/Kaushitaki. = 2 • Shukla-yajurveda : Shatapatha =1 • Krishna-Yajurveda : Taittiriya =1 • Samaveda: (5) Tandya etc. =11 • Atharvaveda : Gopatha = 1

  13. II. Aranyakas- Nature (1) • The concluding portions of the several Brahmanas, • But distinct category of literature, • Due to distinct character, contents and language • Aranyaka literature is rather small • Deal with philosophical speculations ( Jnana-Kanda)

  14. Aranyakas - Meaning (2) Derived from the word 'Aranya' (forest) • The texts to be read in forestAranyadhyayanad-etad –aranyakam-itiryate - Sayana • Brahmanas advocate sacrifices for Grihastha • Aranyakas describe rituals for Vanprasthas

  15. Aranyakas-Contents (3) Main subjects : • Theosophy (Brahmavidya)/ Meditation (Upasana) /Knowledge of breath (Pranavidya) • Secret meaning of the sacrifices • Stories & dialogues - Maitreyi &Yajnavalkya • Bridge between Karma-kanda (Br.) & Jnana-kanda(Up.) • Give geographical, historical, cultural points

  16. Aranyakas- Classification(4) Seven Aranyakas available. • Rigveda : Aitareya/Kaushitaki -2 • Samaveda : Talavakara/ Chandogya -2 • Shukla Yajurveda : Brihadaranyaka -1 • Krishna Yajurveda : Taittiriya -2 • No Aranyaka of Atharvaveda

  17. III. Upanishads - Nature (1) • Concluding part of the Veda • Called 'Vedanta'. - Vedasya antah, - the conclusion (Anta), or - the goal (Anta) of Vedas • Upanishads are the ripe fruits of Vedas • Jnana-Kanda dealing with knowledge • Most popular Vedic texts in world

  18. Upanishads -Meaning (2) • Word derived fromUpa+Ni+Sad(to sit) • means 'sitting very near to a teacher devotedly'. • secret teaching/ doctrine (Rahasya/Guhya ) • Constant association of Guru with Antevasin • High moral character of student (Tapas/Yama/Niyama) • High knowledge of Guru (Shrotriya & Brahmanishtha)

  19. Upanishads - Number (3) • Old Upanishads & Later Upanishads • Samhita Upanishad – Ishavasya- YU 40th • Later additions by religious sects for scriptural authority • Allah Upanishad, 16th A.D., time of Akbar • Generally 108 Upanishads • Ten -Principal Upaniashads- 'Dashopanishad' : • Isha, Kena, Katha , Prashna , Munda , Mandukya, Taittiriya, Aitareya, Chandogya and Brihadaranyaka - states Muktikopanishad

  20. Upanishads - Division (4) Principal thirteen Upanishads: • Rigveda : Aitareya , Kaushitaki -2 • Shukla-Yajur : Brihadaranyaka ,Isha -2 • Krishna-Yajur : Taittiriya , Katha, Shvetashvatara, Maitrayaniya -4 • Samaveda: Chandogya, Kena - 2 • Aharvaveda: Mundaka, Mandukya, Prashna -3

  21. Upanishads - Theme (5) Brahma-Vidya /Jyana- kanda • Religious and philosophical treatises • Represent knowledge of Brahman • Ekam sad vipra bahudha vadanti ' -RV • Mark the culmination of Vedic wisdom • Basically Anti-ritualistic.

  22. Upanishads - Importance (6) Unique place in Indian philosophy Foundation of Vedanta philosophy Adi Shankara, Commentator of Upanishads

  23. Upanishads - Importance (7) Brahmavidya or the knowledge of Brahman • Give importance to 'Knowledge' alone • Any one with Jyana can be Guru or Acarya, is GREAT • Raikva instructed king Janashruti -Chando.Up • king Pravahana instructed to Gautama • Ashvapati Kaikeya instructed to five Brahmanas

  24. Upanishads - Great sayings (8) Mahavakyas : Establish the non-duality of Atman and Brahman • Prajnanam Brahma -Rigveda • Aham Brahmasm -Yajurveda • Tattvamasi  - Samveda • Ayamatma Brahma  -Aharvaveda

  25. IV.Vedangas –Nature (1) Vedangas: last treatises of Vedic Literature Veda Purusha have six limbs as six Vedangas : • Chandas are His two feet, • Kalpas are His two arms, • Jyotisha are His eyes, • Nirukta is His ears, • Shiksha is His nose & • Vyakarana is His mouth. -Paniniya Shiksha (41-42)

  26. Vedangas –Purpose (2) • (1) Shiksha or phonetics or pronunciation • (2) Kalpa or ritual • (3) Vyakarana or grammar • (4) Nirukta or etymology • (5) Chandas or meter • (6) Jyotisha or astronomy

  27. Vedangas –Shiksha (3) Shiksha -Nose of Veda Purusha • It means instruction: Instruction in reciting, correct pronunciation, accents • Shiksha-Sutras - texts on phonetics • Phonetics is important for Vedic language • Some Pratishakhyas are : Rigveda-Pratishakhya /Taittiriya-Pratishakhya / Aharvaveda-Pratishakhya

  28. Vedangas –Kalpa (4) Kalpa (ritual) - Arms of Veda Purusha • Systematic treatment or rituals, rules for sacrifices Four types of the Kalpasutras:— • Shrauta-sutras, dealing with Shrauta sacrifices • Grihya-sutras, dealing with domestic ceremonies • Dharma-sutras, dealing religious, social laws • Shulba-sutras, dealing measurement of altars

  29. Vedangas –Vyakarana (5) Grammar- mouth of Veda Purusha • Discuss (Prakriti) and suffix (Pratyaya) • Old Vedanga-texts on Vyakarana are lost • Aranyakas give some technical terms • Ashtadhyayi of Panini( of later period), fourteen Sutras called Maheswara Sutras, originated from Nataraja's damuru sound • Vararuci – Vartika, Patanjali- Bhashya

  30. Vedangas –Nirukta (6) Nirukta -ears of Veda Purusha • 'Nirukta' means 'etymology'- helps to know meaning of words • Only work survived is Nirukta of Yaska • Commentary on Nighantu - list of Vedic words and name of Deities • Yaska mentioned his predecessors Galava, Shakapuni, Katthakya

  31. Vedangas –Chandas (7) Chandas - Feet of Veda Purusha • Important to know Chandas of a Mantra, just as Devata • Term Chandas is derived from the root Chad (to cover) • Chandas covers the sense of the Mantra • Some texts, dealing with Vedic meters: Rikpratishakhya / Shankhayana Shrauta-sutra / Nidana-sutra of Samaveda/ Chandas-sutras of Pingala

  32. Vedangas –Jyotish (8) Jyotisha - Eye, organ of sight of Veda Purusha • It is not to teach astronomy but to fix days and time of sacrifices • It gives rules for calculating time for sacrifices • No work available of Vedic astronomy (Jyotisha) • Maharshi Lagadha is known as author Vedanga Jyotisha • Later Bhaskaracharya, Varahamihira and Aryabhatta are well known in Jyotish

  33. Conclusion • The Anukramanis or systematic indices and Prishishtas or appendices are the last portion of Vedic Literature. • Vedic Literature is compact in all sense. • It presents varied and comprehensive wisdom of Vedic seers.

  34. OM Thank You

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