Vedang
In order to read the rich Vedic literature and understand its meaning, six disciplines called education, chhand, nirukta, grammar, astrology and kalpa were created which are called Vedanga. According to Panini, grammar is the mouth of the Veda, astrology is the eye, nirukta srotra, kalpa hands, education is the nostrils and verses are both feet.
Education: In this, the method of reciting Veda Mantras has been told. That is, how those vowels, consonants and specific sounds used in mantras can be pronounced, it is studied in the branch of Vedanga called 'Shiksha'.
Kalpa: In the Vedas, the teachings of rituals like Yagyaag etc. have come, which mantras should be used in which sacrifice, which rituals should be performed in which manner, etc. The entire method of rituals is in the Kalpasutra texts. Therefore, the study of Kalpasutra texts is required to know the method of rituals. Knowledge of Yagya Yagadi 'Shrautsutra' And the knowledge of Shodash Sanskars 'Smartsutra' Meets.
There is a great deal of yagyas in Vedic rituals. The method of each Yagya has to be seen from the Srautsutra. That's why there are many sources available. The Smarta Sutras describe the sixteen sacraments, so these too are sufficiently detailed. In the Srautsutras there are rules for Yagyaag and in the Smartasutras, that is, in the Grihyasutras, the law of the six rites of Upanayana, Jatkarma, marriage, conception, etc. has been given. The third branch of the Kalpa is called 'Dharmasutra'.
Grammar: By the combination of nature and suffix etc., through grammar, there is a sense of the accomplishment of words and the condition of sublime, anudatta and vowel sounds. Acharya Varruchi has given five purposes of grammar - (1) Defense (2) Ooh (3) Agam (4) Small and (5) Undoubted.
(1) The purpose of the study of grammar is to protect the Vedas.
(2) Ooh means imagination. There is neither gender nor inflections in Vedic mantras. The use of genders and inflections can only be done by a person who knows grammar.
(3) Agama means Shruti. Shruti says that it is the duty of a brahmin to study the Vedas.
(4) Small means- quick remedy. There are many such words in the Vedas, whose knowledge is not possible in one life. Grammar is the means by which knowledge of all the scriptures is attained.
(5) Undoubt means not having doubt. The remover of doubts is grammar, because it gives proper knowledge of words.
Nirukta: The meanings in which the words are used in the Vedas are clearly mentioned in the Nirukta. Nirukta explains the origin and etymology of the word. Yaskacharya's Nirukta is famous. It can also be called word etymology. To understand the true meaning of Veda, there is a great need to know Nirukta.
Astrology: The knowledge of astrology is made to understand the constellations that have been described in the Veda Mantras properly. From this the timing of Vedic sacrifices and rituals is known. Here the meaning of astrology is from Vedanga astrology. How do the planets like Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn etc. move in space, when the eclipses of Sun, Moon etc. will happen, how is the movement of other stars etc. is done in astrology. /P>
Thus the knowledge of Vedangas is very necessary to have a better understanding of Vedas.
Verse: The knowledge of verses like Gayatri, Ushnik, Anushtup, Trishtup, Vrihati etc. used in the Vedas is obtained from the scriptures. In this scripture, it is mainly told that how many feet are there in each verse and how the letters like Harsva-Laghi etc. should be in each foot. The foot of the Vedas is called the verse, the hand for the kalpa, the eye for astrology, the ear for Nirukta, the nose for education, the mouth for grammar-
Chhandah Padau Tu Vedasya Hasto Kalpoth Pathyate
Jyotishamayanam Chakshurniruktam Shrotramuchyate.
Shiksha Ghranam Tu Vedasya Mukham Vyakaram Smritam
Tasmatsangamadhityaev Brahmloke Mahiyate.
Philosophy Granth
The Aryans also composed many other important texts, which had a great impact on world culture. Many sages created the texts of philosophy. The major Indian views are six-
(1.) Samkhya-Darshan of Kapil Muni,
(2.) Yoga Philosophy of Patanjali,
(3.) Vaisheshik Darshan of Kanva,
(4.) Nyaya-Darshan of Gautam,
(5.) Purva Mimamsa philosophy of Jaimini and
(6.) Uttara-Mimamsa philosophy of Badrayana.
The building of spiritualism of Hinduism stands on these six pillars of Shadarshan.
Epic
The epics were composed from 800 BC to BC. Between 400. Epics refers to two epics written in Sanskrit language- (1.) Ramayana- This book was composed by Maharishi Valmiki. (2.) Mahabharat- This book was composed by Maharishi Ved Vyas. A part of the Mahabharata is called the Gita, in which the teachings of doing selfless actions have been given. Ramayana and Mahabharata have had a great impact on Hindu society. The Dharmashastras and Puranas have also had a great impact on Indian society.
Memories
The Aryans also created the Smritis. In Smritis Manu Smriti, Yajnavalakya Smriti And Narada Smriti are major. Manusmriti is estimated to have been composed between 200 BC to 100 BC in Shunga period. Yajnavalkya Smriti It is estimated to have been composed between AD 100 and AD 300. The composition of Narada Smriti is estimated to have been between AD 100 to AD 400. Katyayan in the period AD 400 to AD 600 memory and Jupiter memory was also created. Both these memories are still unrecoverable. Some Smritis, such as- Parashar Smriti, Shankh Smriti, Deval Smriti Its composition period is considered to be between AD 600 to AD 900.
Purana
The number of major Puranas is 18 in which Vishnu-Purana, Shiva Purana, Skanda Purana and Bhagavata Purana are very famous. Vayu Purana, Vishnu Purana, Markandeya Purana, Matsya Purana, Kurma Purana The main Puranas were composed between AD 300 to AD 600. Agni Purana and Garuda Purana The composition is believed to be between AD 600 to AD 900. Vedic ideals have been rendered in the epics and Puranas. The difference is that in the epics it is said to have been rendered from the mouth of man and in the Puranas from the mouth of the gods. After 18 major Puranas, 18 sub-puranas were composed. Among these- Adi, Aditya, Brihannadiya, Nandishvara, Brihannandishvara, Samba, Kriya Yogasar, Kalika, Dharma, Vishnudharmottara, Shivadharma, Vishnu Dharma, Vamana, Varuna, Narasimha, Bhargava and Brihadharma Purana Contains.
Among the Mahapuranas Vayu Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Markandeya Purana, Vishnu Purana, Matsya Purana and Bhagwat Purana are the oldest and contain historical information up to the period when the kingdom of the Gupta emperors extended from Magadha to Ayodhya and Prayag.
Importance of Vedic Literature
(1.) Highest position in world history: The Vedic texts, especially the Rigveda, have the highest place in world history. Vedas are the oldest texts in the world. They were composed in the holy land of India. Due to these texts, the head of India is the highest among all the cultures of the world. These texts prove that Indian civilization and culture is the oldest in the world. The whole world got light from Indian culture.
(2.) Tableau of the history of the excellent caste: From the Vedic literature, the tableau of the noble Aryan caste is obtained. Aryans have a high place among the various castes of the world. This caste has been far superior to other castes in physical strength, mental talent and spiritual thinking, so the texts in which the tableau of the life of these Aryans are definitely very important.
(3.) The only means of knowing the history of the early Aryans: The Vedic texts are the only means of getting an introduction about the origin of the Aryans and their early life. If these texts were not available, then the entire early history of the Indian Aryans would have been dark and we could not get any knowledge of it.
(4.) Reflections of the life of our ancestors: Vedic texts are a reflection of the life of our ancestors. By studying them we get an introduction to the political, social, religious and cultural life of our ancestors. If there were no Vedic texts, then we too could be called the children of some barbaric and uncivilized caste, but these texts have given us the pride of being the children of a very civilized and cultured caste.
(5.) Sources of Vedic Religion: Vedic literature is the original source of ancient Vedic Aryans.
(6.) The Foundation of Our Civilization: Vedic texts are the foundation and strong pillars of our civilization and culture. The ideals and principles which have been formulated in these texts became the guiding light of the life of Indians. These texts have molded our life into a beautiful mould. Although India was attacked by many barbaric castes who tried to change it but they did not get success. Even after the passage of many centuries, the ideals and principles of our life are the same as those laid down by the Vedic sages and sages.
(7.) Life of Hinduism: Vedic texts are the lifeblood of Hinduism. We see the basic principles of Hinduism in the Vedic texts only. The entire Vedic literature is truly religious. The reason for this is that the sages gave more importance to the spiritual life than to the material life. They considered this world to be perishable and meaningless. From this he put the mark of religion on every aspect of life. Our sages have provided the society with such a cloak of religion, with the help of which this society is running safely till today.
(8.) Fundamentals of Spiritual Interpretation: The Vedic texts are a vast corpus of spiritual discourse. In the history of no race of the world has there been such a detailed and profound spiritual discussion as in the Vedic texts.
(9.) Pillars of Hindu Society: We can call the Vedic texts the pillars of Hindu society. The Vedic sages had made two arrangements for the smooth functioning of our society. One of these was the Varna system and the other was the Varnashram religion, on these two pillars Indian society was built and following these the development of the society was to be done.
(10.) Mother of Indian Languages: Vedic texts are written in Sanskrit language. Most of the languages of India are derived from Sanskrit. Sanskrit has had some influence on all the languages of India. In fact, all the languages of the Aryan family are its daughters and Sanskrit is their mother.
Difference between Vedic Civilization and Dravidian Civilization
A comparative study of Vedic civilization and Dravidian civilization shows many differences between them. The main differences are as follows-
(1.) Tense Difference: The Indus Valley Civilization is more ancient than the Vedic Civilization. It is believed that the Indus civilization is more than two thousand years old than the Vedic civilization. The Indus Valley Civilization is the Chalco-Bronze Civilization while the Vedic Civilization is the Iron Age Civilization.
(2.) Ethnic Differences: The Dravidians were small, black and flat-nosed, but the Aryans were tall, fair and beautiful.
(3.) Locational Difference: The Indus Valley Civilization flourished in the Indus River valley. Its settlements have been found from Harappa in Punjab to Mohenjodaro in Sindh, Kalibanga in Rajasthan and Sutkangdor in Gujarat, while the Aryan civilization flourished in the Saptasindhu region and it extended to the Ganges-Yamuna doab, central India and east to Bihar and southeast of Bengal. has been found.
(4.) Differences in the nature of civilizations: The Indus-Valley civilization was urban and trade-oriented, while the Vedic civilization was rural and agricultural. The people of the Indus-Valley loved marine life and were skilled in maritime trade, but the Aryans loved terrestrial life more. The civilization and culture of the Indus Valley was not as advanced and mature as that of the Aryans.
(5.) Differences in Social System: The family of the Dravidians was matrik, that is, the mother was the head of the family, but the family of the Aryans was paternal in which the father or any other elder of the family was the male head.
(6.) Differences in Marriage System: The people of the Indus-Valley could marry between cousins, but such marriages were forbidden among the Aryans.
(7.) Differences in Succession Traditions: The inhabitants of the Indus-Valley civilization used to inherit the property of their mother's brother. Whereas Arya was the heir to his father's property.
(8.) Difference in caste-system: The people of the Indus Valley did not have a caste system, whereas the Aryan society was based on the caste system in which the functions of Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras were fixed separately.
(9.) Housing Difference: The people of the Indus-Valley lived in the cities by building houses of pucca bricks, but the Vedic Aryans lived in the villages by making bamboo huts.
(10.) धातुओं के प्रयोग में अन्तर: सिन्धु-घाटी के लोग पाषाण उपकरणों के साथ-साथ सोने-चांदी का प्रयोग करते थे तथा लोहे से अपरिचित थे परन्तु वैदिक-काल के आर्य प्रारम्भ में सोने तथा ताम्बे का और बाद में चांदी, लोहे तथा कांसे का भी प्रयोग करने लगे थे।
(11.) अस्त्र-शस्त्र के प्रयोग में अन्तर: सिन्धु-घाटी के लोग युद्ध कला में प्रवीण नहीं थे। इसलिए उनके अस्त्र-शस्त्र साधारण कोटि के थे। वे युद्ध क्षेत्र में कवच (वर्म) तथा शिरस्त्राण आदि का उपयोग नहीं करते थे जबकि वैदिक आर्य युद्ध कला में अत्यंत प्रवीण थे तथा युद्ध क्षेत्र में आत्मरक्षा के लिए कवच और शिरस्त्राण आदि का प्रयोग करते थे।
(12.) भोजन में अन्तर: सिन्धु सभ्यता के लोगों का प्रधान आहार मांस-मछली था। वैदिक आर्य भी प्रारम्भ में मांस-भक्षण करते थे, परन्तु उत्तर-वैदिक-काल में मांस भक्षण घृणा की दृष्टि से देखा जाने लगा।
(13.) पशुओं के ज्ञान तथा महत्त्व में अन्तर: सिन्धु-घाटी के लोग बाघ तथा हाथी से भली-भांति परिचित थे किंतु ऊँट तथा घोड़े से अपरिचित थे। सिन्धु-घाटी के लोग साण्ड को गाय से अधिक महत्त्व देते थे। वैदिक आर्य बाघ तथा हाथी से अनभिज्ञ थे। वेदों में हाथी का बहुत कम उल्लेख है। वैदिक आर्य घोड़े पालते थे जिन्हें वे अपने रथों में जोतते थे तथा युद्ध में काम लेते थे। वैदिक-काल के आर्य गाय को पवित्र मानते थे और उसे पूजनीय समझते थे।
(14.) धार्मिक धारणा में अन्तर: सिन्धु-घाटी के लोगों में मूर्ति-पूजा की प्रतिष्ठा थी। वे शिव तथा शक्ति की पूजा करते थे और देवी को देवता से अधिक ऊँचा स्थान प्रदान करते थे। वे लिंग-पूजक थे तथा अग्नि को विशेष महत्त्व नहीं देते थे। वे भूत-प्रेतों की भी पूजा करते थे। वैदिक आर्यों ने भी देवी-देवताओं में मानवीय गुणों का आरोपण किया था परन्तु वे मूर्ति-पूजक नहीं थे। ऋग्वैदिक-काल के आर्यों में शिव को कोई स्थान प्राप्त नहीं था तथा वे लिंग-पूजा के विरोधी थे। आर्य लोग सर्वशक्तिमान दयालु ब्रह्म को मानते थे तथा अग्नि-पूजक थे। उनके प्रत्येक घर में अग्निशाला होती थी।
(15.) कला के ज्ञान में अन्तर: सिन्धु-घाटी के लोग लेखन-कला से परिचित थे और अन्य कलाओं में भी अधिक उन्नति कर गए थे, परन्तु प्रारम्भिक आर्य सम्भवतः लेखन-कला से परिचित नहीं थे और अन्य कलाओं में भी उतने प्रवीण नहीं थे परन्तु काव्य-कला में वे सैंधवों से बढ़कर थे।
(16.) लिपि एवं भाषागत अंतर: सिन्धु-घाटी के लोगों की लिपि अब तक नहीं पढ़ी जा सकी है किंतु अनुमान है कि वह एक प्रकार की चित्रलिपि थी। इस लिपि के अब तक नहीं पढ़े जाने के कारण सिन्धु-घाटी की भाषा के बारे में कुछ भी जानकारी नहीं हो सकी है जबकि आर्यों की लिपि वर्णलिपि तथा भाषा संस्कृत थी।
उपर्युक्त विवेचन से स्पष्ट है कि सिन्धु-घाटी सभ्यता तथा वैदिक-सभ्यता में पर्याप्त अन्तर था। दोनों सभ्यताओं का अलग-अलग कालों में और विभिन्न लोगों द्वारा विकास किया गया था परन्तु दोनों ही सभ्यताएँ, भारत की उच्च कोटि की सभ्यताएँ थीं। दोनों सभ्यताओं में इतना अन्तर होने पर शताब्दियों के सम्पर्क से दोनों ने एक दूसरे की संस्कृति को अत्यधिक प्रभावित किया और उनमें साम्य हो गया। यह साम्य आज भी भारत की संस्कृति पर दिखाई पड़ता है।
सैंधव एवं आर्य सभ्यताओं के अनसुलझे प्रश्न
सिंधु सभ्यता एवं आर्य सभ्यता के सम्बन्ध में पश्चिमी इतिहासकारों का मानना है कि-
1. सिंधु सभ्यता नगरीय सभ्यता है।
2. हड़प्पा सभ्यता का सर्वाधिक उचित नाम सिंधु सभ्यता है क्योंकि यह सभ्यता, सिंधु नदी घाटी के क्षेत्र में पनपी।
3. सैंधव सभ्यता, आर्य सभ्यता से लगभग दो हजार साल पुरानी थी।
4. सिंधु सभ्यता के लोग घोड़े से परिचित नहीं थे।
5. सिंधु सभ्यता के लोग लोहे का प्रयोग करना नहीं जानते थे।
6. सिंधु सभ्यता के लोगों के, मेसोपाटामिया (ईराक) के लोगों के साथ व्यापारिक सम्बन्ध थे।
7. भारत में आने से पहले आर्य ईरान में रहते थे।
8. आर्यों ने सैंधव लोगों पर आक्रमण किया तथा उनकी बस्तियों को नष्ट कर दिया। आर्य ऐसा इसलिए कर पाए क्योंकि आर्यों के पास तेज गति की सवारी के लिए घोड़े तथा लड़ने के लिए लोहे के हथियार थे।
यदि पश्चिमी इतिहासकारों की उपरोक्त बातों को स्वीकार कर लिया जाये तो इतिहास में अनेक उलझनें पैदा हो जाती हैं। इनमें से कुछ विचारणीय बिंदु शोधार्थियों एवं विद्यार्थियों की सहायता के लिए यहाँ दिए जा रहे हैं-
1. अब तक सैंधव सभ्यता के 1400 से अधिक स्थलों की खोज की गई है। इनमें से केवल 6 नगर हैं, शेष गांव हैं। ऐसी स्थिति में सैंधव सभ्यता को नगरीय सभ्यता कैसे कहा जा सकता है?
2. सिंधु सभ्यता के स्थलों में से अधिकांश स्थल सरस्वती नदी की घाटी में पाए गए हैं न कि सिंधु नदी की घाटी में। अतः इस सभ्यता का नाम सिंधु घाटी सभ्यता कैसे हो सकता है?
3. यदि सिंधुसभ्यता के लोगों के, मेसोपाटामिया के साथ व्यापारिक सम्बन्ध थे तो सिंधु घाटी तथा मेसोपाटिमया का मार्ग, ईरान अथवा उसके आसपास से होकर जाने का रहा होगा जहाँ आर्यों की प्राचीन बस्तियां थीं। तब सैंधव लोग, घोड़े एवं लोहे से परिचित क्यों नहीं हुए?
4. यदि आर्यों ने सैंधवों पर आक्रमण किया था, तो इस दौरान युद्ध, बीमारी एवं स्वाभाविक मृत्यु से घोड़े भी मरे होंगे किंतु पूरी सैंधव सभ्यता के क्षेत्र से घोड़ों की केवल दो संदिग्ध मूर्तियाँ मिली हैं तथा एक घोड़े के अस्थिपंजर मिले हैं। अतः स्पष्ट है कि आर्यों ने सैंन्धवों पर न तो आक्रमण किए और न उन्हें नष्ट किया।
5. यदि आर्यों ने सैंधवों पर आक्रमण किया था तो उनके द्वारा प्रयुक्त लोहे के कुछ हथियार युद्ध के मैदानों अथवा सैंधव बस्तियों में गिरे होंगे अथवा छूट गए होंगे अथवा टूटने के कारण आर्य सैनिकों द्वारा फैंक दिए गए होंगे किंतु सैंधव बस्तियों से लोहे के हथियार नहीं मिले हैं। अतः स्पष्ट है कि आर्यों ने सैंधवों पर आक्रमण नहीं किया।
6. आर्यों के बारे में कहा जाता है कि वे भारत में लोहा लाए। यदि ऐसा था तो लौह-बस्तियां सबसे पहले उत्तर भारत में स्थापित होनी चाहिए थीं किंतु आर्यों के आने के बाद उत्तर भारत में ताम्र कालीन बस्तियां बसीं जबकि उसी काल में दक्षिण भारत में लौह बस्तियां बस रही थीं। यह कैसे हुआ कि भारत में लोहे को लाने वाले आर्यों की बस्तियां उत्तर भारत में थीं जबकि लौह बस्तियां दक्षिण भारत में बस रही थीं ?
निष्कर्ष
उपरोक्त विवेचन से निष्कर्ष निकाला जा सकता है कि –
1. सैंधव सभ्यता को सिंधु-सरस्वती सभ्यता अथवा सरस्वती सभ्यता कहा जाना चाहिए।
2. सैंधव सभ्यता, लोहे एवं घोड़े से अपिरिचित रही होगी किंतु वह लोहे के हथियारों से सुसज्जित एवं घोड़ों पर बैठकर आने वाले आर्यों के आक्रमणों में नष्ट हुई इसके कोई प्रमाण नहीं मिले हैं।
3. यूरोपीय इतिहासकारों को यह सिद्धांत प्रतिपादित करना था कि ब्रिटेन वासियों की तरह आर्य भी भारत में बाहर से आए हैं, इसलिए उन्होंने सैंधव सभ्यता को आर्यों के आक्रमण में नष्ट होने का मिथक गढ़ा।
4. सुदूर संवेदी उपग्रहों द्वारा उपलब्ध कराए गए सिंधु तथा सरस्वती नदी के प्राचीन मार्गों के चित्र बताते हैं कि सरस्वती नदी द्वारा कई बार मार्ग बदला गया। इससे अनुमान होता है कि इसी कारण सिंधु सभ्यता की बस्तियां भी अपने प्राचीन स्थानों से हटकर अन्यत्र चली गई होंगी।