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Hinduism

The Vedic Tradition

Mutual influence but Aryan influence seems to be the stronger force (see chart)

Sacred Texts (Shruti - "heard" by sages from the gods):

• 4 Vedas (earliest sacred texts) written 1500 - 1000 BCE but older oral transmission; each used by priests performing different kinds of specialties:

• Rig Veda - hymns, poetry, mythology - stories and history of the gods

• Yajur Veda - rituals, instructions for priests to follow, how to perform the sacrifices

• Sama Veda - hymns and chants [mantras] to accompany the rituals (art, music, culture)

• Atharva Veda - rituals for use in the home - magic spells (science, engineering, physics)

• Each of the four Vedas influenced the later texts which expand on them, offering explanation and commentary:

• Brahmanas developed as further guide for rituals, offering interpretation as to the meaning of the ritual acts

• "Forest Books" (Aranyakas): texts of and/or about the hermits, mystical/metaphysical interpretation of the earlier texts

• Upanishads (aka, Vedanta) (circa 800 - 400 BCE): philosophical/metaphysical speculation

Rituals and Gods:

• Soma was an intoxicating drink made from a plant perhaps used to induce trance-like, meditative states.

• Fire sacrifice performed by priests was the central religious activity of the Vedic tradition. The sacrifice is seen as a reenactment of the original sacrifice made by the gods to create this world (Rig Veda 10.130). Concepts of origins, first mythological and later more philosophical, are found in Purusha (the original cosmic person or spirit, energy) and Prakriti (nature, matter). Essentially, the interplay of substance (matter) and energy = creation. (Rig Veda 10.90)

• Stories of the Vedas tell of initial origins of everything, including the gods, from mysterious metaphysical beginnings (Rig Veda 10.129 & 10.121). Secondary creation stories tell how the gods fought off demons and created the world. The god Indra later became identified with Shiva; Vishnu is a minor deity who later becomes major. Later deities developed as personifications of ritual acts, worship objects, natural forces (e.g., weather) and philosophical concepts. The Fire became associated with the god Agni (ignite) and was most important because Agni carried the sacrifice in the smoke to the realm of the gods. Soma also was seen as a god.

• Performing the sacrificial ritual is believed to contribute to the continued existence of this world. The universe was seen as a unity of interdependent parts - gods, nature, man - functioning in a dynamic order (dharma). Sacrifice was seen as affective, as influencing the gods who, in turn, influenced nature and the lives of men. The gods need priests to perform the rituals (similar in religion in Persia at the time). The ritual included the pouring of libations (esp. dairy products e.g., milk and clarified butter - thus cow becomes sacred?) to the gods (Puja today).

• The sacred sound OM has its origins in Vedic times or earlier.