Rig Vedic Civilization Chapter 1

In my Unity in Diversity Article, I have mentioned a term known as Rig Vedic Civilization. Today I will discuss this time frame of Earth... So let's begin...

But before entering into this let me tell you first about...

Q. What is Ved?

Ans:- The word Ved comes from Vid Dhatu of Sanskrit Grammar. Dhatu is a concert in Sanskrit Grammar; which helps learners in the process of evolving different meaningful words to express their perspectives in the Sanskrit Language. And this Vid Dhatu means "To Know". This means it indicates the Curiosity within humans.

So, there are main four Vedas...

1. Rig Ved 

2. Yajur Ved 

3. Sam Ved 

4. Atharva Ved

Each of these Vedas has four sections. Those are.....

1. Samhita

2. Brahmana

3. Aranayaka 

4. Upanishad

All these four Vedas have four more Upa-Vedas. Those are...

1. Dhanur Ved 

2. Ayur Ved 

3. Gandharva Ved 

4. Sthapataya Sastra / Sthapataya Ved

** Yajurved has two Parts one is known as Krsna Yajurved and another one is known as Shukla Yajurved.

And all Four Vedas have Six Aangas which are known as Vedanga(s). Those are...

1. Jyotisha

2. Kalpa

3. Vyakarana

4. Siksha

5. Nirukta

6. Chanda(s)

Apart from all these, there are two more Vedas that had emerged in later times depending upon the time and requirements of the society. Those are...

1. Itihas Ved

2. Lok Ved 

Itihas Ved is not one single composed book rather; it is a collection of books known as Puranas and there are 18 Puranas and 18 Upa-Puranas, Mahabharata, and Ramayana. 

And Lok Ved is not a written or composed book rather it is a belief system obeyed by people. There are two subsystems within this Lok Ved which are...

1. Bindu Parampara

2. Nad Parampara

Bindu Parampara is what we called as Family traditions, different families have different family traditions to follow and Nad Parampara is that when a person participates in an initiation process of a particular Sadhana related to Spiritual Development of his/her own.

This is a brief overview of the Vedas.

Now, let's dig into the Rig Vedic Civilization. 1500-1000 BC is the time frame of this Rig Vedic Civilization as per the Modern Historians and from 1000-600 BC is called Post Rig Vedic Era. 

The arrival of modern humans from their ancestors is still a debatable topic among intellectuals. That's why it is very tough to say the exact time frame when Human Civilization started. But it is a proven fact that before this Rig Vedic time frame there were Civilizations that were similar to today's modern civilization. Among those Harappan Civilization is famous; which was a part of the Indus Valley Civilisation.

Now, a controversial theory emerged here at this stage; because after the annihilation of the Indus Valley Civilization this Rig Vedic Civilization started emerging slowly and gradually and the reasons behind this annihilation of Indus Valley Civilization were many but among those Aryan invasions was one. Now a question arises here...

Q. Who were these Aryans?

Ans:- The Aryans were semi-nomadic pastoral people. The original homeland of the Aryans is a matter of debate with different experts suggesting different regions from where they originated. Max Muller said that they came from the area around the Caspian Sea in Central Asia, while others think they originated from the Russian Steppes. Bal Gangadhar Tilak was of the opinion that the Aryans came from the Arctic region.

The Vedic Age started with the Aryan occupation of the Indo-Gangetic Plains.

Meaning of the word Arya: Noble. 

They spoke Sanskrit, an Indo-European language. They led a rural, semi-nomadic life as compared to the Indus Valley people who were urbanized. It is believed that they entered India through the Khyber Pass.

At the beginning of their arrival, they used to live around the Sapta Sindhu area. This is an area where seven different rivers can be found at that era but now only six rivers alive. So, those Seven rivers were Sindhu (Indus), Vipash (Beas), Vitasta (Jhelum), Parushni (Ravi), Asikni (Chenab), Shutudri (Satluj), and Saraswati. Saraswati is the river that dried with time.

Economical Structure of Rig Vedic Civilization:- They were pastoral and cattle-rearing people. Although they practiced agriculture. They had horse chariots. Rivers were used for transport. Cotton and woolen fabrics were spun and used. Initially, trade was conducted through the barter system but later on, coins called ‘Niskah’ were in use.

Thus says Manu Smiti (VIII. 135):

Pancakrsnalako masaste suvarnasca sodasa| Palam suvarna-catvarah palani dharanam dasa||

one of the great Vedic Maharishi Yagnavalkya speaks in similar terms in his Smiti Sastra. Maharishi Visnu also said (IV. 10) that a Niska was equal to four Suvarnas 

"Catuh suvarnako Niskah"

Apart from these Niskas, two other metallic standards of gold and silver came into use during the close of the Vedic period. Of these, the first was the Krsnala—a bit of gold equal to the weight of a Krsnala. This would appear from the evidence of the Kathaka Samhita and of the Taittiriya Samhita. The first named work refers to a gold Krsnala (XI. 4 – e.g. Hiranya-krsnala). The other work (see-Taitt. Br. 1.3.6.7) mentions the gift of one Krsnala each, to the participators in a race. It is mentioned also in the Taittiriya Samhita (11.3.2.1.) and in the Maitrayani Samhita(II. 2.2).

As to the Satamana of gold, it is repeatedly mentioned in the Kathaka Samhita and the Satapatha Brahmana. It was evidently a gold piece of the weight of 100 Krsnalas. In the Satapatha Brahmana, in connection with Rajasuya, we are told of the fastening of the round (vrtta) Satamanas, behind the hind-wheel of the cart-stand and these were then directed to be given to priests. (Satapatha Brahmana Volume 4. 3. 24). Many other passages (XII. 7. 2, 3.; XIII. 2. 3. 2) contain this reference to the Satamanas, which were given as fees to the Brahmana priests officiating in the sacrifice.

The Satamanas, were one of the principal metallic standards used in that era, especially in those regions where the Krsna Yajurveda and the Satapatha Brahmana, were composed. Later authorities like Panini, Manu and Yagnavalkya, refer to these Satamanas which were both of silver and of gold. (see Manu Smriti VIII. 135 to 138 and Yagnavalkya Smith I. 364-366).

Social structure of Rig Vedic Civilization:- Women enjoyed a respectable position. They were allowed to take part in Sabhas and Samitis. There were women poets too (Apala, Lopamudra, Viswavara, and Ghosa etc). Cattle especially cows became very important. Monogamy was practiced but polygamy was observed among royalty and noble families. There was no child marriage. Social distinctions which are known as Varna Vyavastha were present. But this was based upon the eligibilities and capabilities of a person, not on the basis of hereditary. The way Purush Suktam from Rig Veda expounded it.

ब्राह्मणोऽस्य मुखमासीद् बाहू राजन्यः कृतः ।
ऊरू तदस्य यद्वैश्यः पद्भ्यां शूद्रो अजायत ॥१२॥

Pronunciation:- 
Braahmanno-Asya Mukham-Aasiid Baahuu Raajanyah Krtah |
Uuruu Tad-Asya Yad-Vaishyah Padbhyaam Shuudro Ajaayata ||12||

Translation:
12.1: The Brahmanas were His head, the Kshatriyas became His Arms,
12.2: The Vaishyas were His Thighs, and the Shudras were assigned to His Feet.

In this Mantra the Mantra Dristha Rishi is describing this society as different organs of one single person like his head is Brahmanas, his arms are Kshatriyas, his thighs are Vaishyas and his feet are Shudras. This way this Rishi trying to say that all people have their own individuality because of their uniqueness or unique capabilities which ultimately construct this human society, so every individual is equally important for the society. This distinction is natural and important to frame the society otherwise there would be a mess if all people started developing the same capabilities in society. This mantra has directly acknowledged Diversity by embracing the uniqueness and individuality of every person.

The political structure of Rig Vedic Civilization:-  Monarchical form of government with a king known as Rajan. But this monarchical form of administration used to support democracy. In the 10th mandala of Rig Ved, there is Suktam related to Democracy is present. In this time families used to have Patriarchal ideology. Jana was the largest social unit in Rig Vedic times. Social grouping such as 

1. Kula (Paternal family) 

2. Grama (Known ecosystem) 

3. Visu (Combine of Gramas)

4. Jana (a large land similar to the Country)

Tribal assemblies were called Sabhas and Samitis. Examples of tribal kingdoms: Bharatas, Matsyas, Yadus, and Purus. Although the Sabha and Samiti of the Early Vedic Age had lost their importance over time. Of course, the kings were not high-handed, rather discussions and arguments were made on various aspects of administration in Sabha. Here the main role was played by Sabhapati and the members were known as Sabhasad or Sabhasina. At times, the unruly members were warmed for indiscipline. Proper rules and regulations were outlined for any debate or discussion. In Sabha only experienced scholars and intellectuals of that era and of that particular Jana could take part in it.

The structure and function of Samiti were totally different from Sabha. While Sabha was the small chamber Samiti was relatively large in size and number. It represented the voice of the common people. At the same time, it gave valuable suggestions to the king or Rajan in matters of war and peace and if necessary was not hesitant to criticize any wrong deeds of the king or Rajan.

The religion of Rig Vedic Civilization:- They worshipped natural forces like earth, fire, wind, rain, thunder, etc. by personifying them into deities. Indra (thunder) was the most important deity. Other deities were Prithvi (earth), Agni (fire), Varuna (rain), and Vayu (wind). Female deities were Ushas and Aditi. There were no temples and no idol worship at the beginning phase of this Civilization.

All the Vedas and related books mentioned in this article composed during this time frame. Before this, there was a Parampara of memorizing all this wisdom. This is called Sruti Parampara. That's why Vedas also called Srutis.

In the next article, I will discuss the Post Rig Vedic Era and which Vedas composed of what type of wisdom.

Appendix:

Parampara: Tradition

Suktam:- Collection of Mantras

Sruti: That which heard

Samhita:- Collection of many things

Mantra:- Polydimensional sacred hymns

Dristha:- Witness or Observer

Rishi:- Person who conducts Research

Varna:- Color

Vyavastha:- Regulative System

Smiti:- knowledge gathered through personal experiences

Bindu:- point

Nad:- Sound wave

Itihas:- Witnessed History

Aanga:- Organ

Sadhana:- A Particular Regulative Predesign practice(s) or method or collection of methods to achieve a certain goal.

Thank you 🙂🙏