Difference between revisions of "Vedic Terminology"
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The vast vaidika vaangmaya came to include new terms which where defined in subsequent ages by maharishis. Following are the definitions of some terms associated with vedas and vaidika vaangmaya some of which were not used in the Vedas but came into being in an attempt to understand them. | The vast vaidika vaangmaya came to include new terms which where defined in subsequent ages by maharishis. Following are the definitions of some terms associated with vedas and vaidika vaangmaya some of which were not used in the Vedas but came into being in an attempt to understand them. | ||
| − | + | == Vaidika granthas == | |
==== Shrutis ==== | ==== Shrutis ==== | ||
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==== Puranas ==== | ==== Puranas ==== | ||
| + | Amarakosa defines Purana as one having the Panchalakshanas | ||
| + | |||
| + | sargascha pratisargascha vamso manvantarani cha | ||
| + | |||
| + | According to this definition, Purana is one which describes Sarga, Pratisarga, Vamsa, Manvantara, and Vamsaanucharita. Mention of Puranas has been made in the Brahmanas, Smriti says Puranas are commentaries on vedas, while Mahabharata has used the Purana to mean stories about devas and siddhas<ref name=":1">[https://ia802606.us.archive.org/17/items/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft.pdf Vettam. Mani (1975) Puranic Encyclopaedia Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass]</ref>. | ||
==== Aagamas ==== | ==== Aagamas ==== | ||
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One who is well versed in darshanas is called Daarshanika. | One who is well versed in darshanas is called Daarshanika. | ||
| − | ==== Shastras ==== | + | ==== Shastras/Sastra ==== |
| − | Shastras (sastra) are used to denote texts of specialized education/knowledge in a general sense. Shastras explain righteous instructions confirming to the Vedas and define the Pravritti and Nivritti ways. | + | Shastras (sastra) are used to denote texts of specialized education/knowledge in a general sense. Shastras explain righteous instructions confirming to the Vedas and define the Pravritti and Nivritti ways<ref name=":0" />. Shastras are treatises containing methodical exposition of specialized technical knowledge in a defined area of practice. Generally, each shastra contains objective, eligibility and framework for study, purvapaksha (theory), pramanas (sources of knowledge) and siddhantas (propounding concept through pramanas), vadaopavadas (debate)<ref>http://www.hindupedia.com/en/Overview_Of_Scriptures</ref>. For example : |
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| − | + | ==== Vedanta ==== | |
| + | Vedanta means "end of Vedas" typically given in Upanishads. Aranyakas and Upanishads are inseparably connected with each other<ref name=":1" />. | ||
| − | Jnanakanda | + | ==== Upanishads ==== |
| + | Upanishad is that which is near". Upanishads are called the Jnanakanda of the vedas as they describe the tattva or nature of the Brahman and the different ways to attain Brahman (Panchagnividya). They contain the knowledge about Pranava, Brahma, Atma, Sristhi and paraloukika jnana. Upanishads are many in number with 108 most important ones and for 10 of which Srimad Shankaraacharya has given his commentaries. | ||
| − | + | == Vedic textual classification == | |
Parishistha | Parishistha | ||
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Sutra | Sutra | ||
| − | + | == People of Vedic times == | |
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| + | ==== Rishi ==== | ||
Rig Veda gives an ancient, extraordinary definition about a rishi as follows | Rig Veda gives an ancient, extraordinary definition about a rishi as follows | ||
Revision as of 19:00, 24 December 2017
Vedas have evolved over a period of time and the language and structure of these texts are highly preserved over thousands of years. However, as the vedic literature expanded the need to understand different aspects of them was required and thus developed the study of ancillary subjects such as Vedaangas and Puranas.
The vast vaidika vaangmaya came to include new terms which where defined in subsequent ages by maharishis. Following are the definitions of some terms associated with vedas and vaidika vaangmaya some of which were not used in the Vedas but came into being in an attempt to understand them.
Vaidika granthas
Shrutis
Shrutis are scriptures are of divine origin revealed to ancient rishis. These texts include the four vedas, Rig Veda, Yajurveda, Saamaveda, Atharvana Veda. Vedas, which are Apaurusheyas, are the oldest available texts of Sanatana Dharma handed down by oral traditional from father to son and from teacher to disciple. Their presence is ageless before their codification and compilation by Krishna Dwaipayana also called Maharshi Veda Vyasa. Shruti is also said to be of two types - Nigama and Aagama.
Smritis
Smritis are texts derived from Shrutis (Vedas, which are the highest authority) that contain social, economic and political guidelines along with the prayaschittas for deviating from the code of conduct. They are said to be composed by rishis or seers and reflect the vedic principles to be put into use in daily life. One who practices the karma according to codes given in smritis is called Smartha. There are
- Ashtadasa Smritis: 18 Smritis are Manusmriti, Brihaspati, Daksha, Gautama, Yama, Angirasa, Yagnavalkya, Prachetasa, Shaatatapa, Paraasara, Samvarta, Aushanasa, Shanka, Likhita, Atreya, Vishnu, Aapastambha, and Hareeta smritis. Additionally Ushana, Vasishta and Vyasa smritis are present as seen in other texts[1].
- Upasmritis : 18 Upasmritis are Kanva, Kapila, Lohita, Devala, Kaatyayana, Lokakshi, Budha, Shaatatapa, Atri, Prachetasa, Daksha, Vishnu, Vrddhavishnu, Vrddhamanu, Dhaumya, Naarada, Paulatsya, and Uttaraangira upasmritis. It may be noted that some names appear in both the Smriti and Upasmriti lists[1].
Smriti literature includes Vedangas, Veda Upangas, Itihasa and Puranas. However, smritis can be classified into two types :
- Define Code of Conduct : In them are defined the different Varnaashrama dharmas, Relationships between people, Raja dharmas, Rules about consumption of food (activities of daily life), Pujas and Rituals, Yagnas and yagas, Shraddha karma for the deceased, judiciary rules. Example : Dharma sutras of Manu and Yagnavalkya.
- Expound Sastras : Some texts contain information related to one subject such as Panini's Ashtadhyayi for Vyakarana, Gautama sutras in the Nyaya sastra.
Itihasas
Itihasas describe the history of past events or happenings. Example : Mahabharata[1] and Ramayana.
Puranas
Amarakosa defines Purana as one having the Panchalakshanas
sargascha pratisargascha vamso manvantarani cha
According to this definition, Purana is one which describes Sarga, Pratisarga, Vamsa, Manvantara, and Vamsaanucharita. Mention of Puranas has been made in the Brahmanas, Smriti says Puranas are commentaries on vedas, while Mahabharata has used the Purana to mean stories about devas and siddhas[2].
Aagamas
Aagamas, meaning "that which were handed down" to us from past generations. They include an enormous collection of texts and include those written on vedic foundation. They are the primary source and ultimate authority for temple construction and rituals followed therein[1]. The three main shaakas namely Vaishnava, Shaakta, and Saiva - have their own Aagama texts related to the deity.
They include methodology for worship of the deity, yoga, yantra, temple construction, deity installation, rituals and purificatory rites, social and religious observances to be followed, conduct of celebrations and festivals, tantric instructions and other finer details concerned with these topics.
Darsanas
Darsana (Samskrit : ) word means "to look", "view". In Vedantic terms it means tattvasastra one which explains the nature (of a particular thing). They are of two types : Astika and Nastika.
Astika darsanas that believe in Vedic Philosophy: Vedanta, Saiva, Vaishnava, Shaakta, Gaanesha, Sauradarsanas. Vedanta darsanas are further divided into Shadarsanas namely Samkhya, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Yoga, Purva Mimamsa and Uttara Mimamsa[1]. There are different versions whether Samkhya darshana follows vedic principles.
Nastika darsanas that do not adhere to Vedic Philosophy: Charvaka, Baudha, Jainadarsanas among others.[1]
One who is well versed in darshanas is called Daarshanika.
Shastras/Sastra
Shastras (sastra) are used to denote texts of specialized education/knowledge in a general sense. Shastras explain righteous instructions confirming to the Vedas and define the Pravritti and Nivritti ways[1]. Shastras are treatises containing methodical exposition of specialized technical knowledge in a defined area of practice. Generally, each shastra contains objective, eligibility and framework for study, purvapaksha (theory), pramanas (sources of knowledge) and siddhantas (propounding concept through pramanas), vadaopavadas (debate)[3]. For example :
Vedanta
Vedanta means "end of Vedas" typically given in Upanishads. Aranyakas and Upanishads are inseparably connected with each other[2].
Upanishads
Upanishad is that which is near". Upanishads are called the Jnanakanda of the vedas as they describe the tattva or nature of the Brahman and the different ways to attain Brahman (Panchagnividya). They contain the knowledge about Pranava, Brahma, Atma, Sristhi and paraloukika jnana. Upanishads are many in number with 108 most important ones and for 10 of which Srimad Shankaraacharya has given his commentaries.
Vedic textual classification
Parishistha
Shaka
Mantra
Anuvaka
Prapathaka
Adhyaya
Kanda
Sukta
Sloka
Stuti
Sutra
People of Vedic times
Rishi
Rig Veda gives an ancient, extraordinary definition about a rishi as follows
प्रत्यर्धिर्यज्ञानामश्वहयो रथानाम्। ऋषि: स यो मनुर्हितो विप्रस्य यावयत्सख: ॥ (Rig. Veda. 10.26.5)
Accordingly, the term ऋषि:॥ Rishi is one who has the following qualities
यज्ञानां प्रति अर्धि: = One who effectively promotes and accomplishes yagnas (sreshta karma) and who is as pure, absolute and spotless always involved in performing the right deeds.
रथानाम् अश्व: (हय:) = One who earnestly and speedily urges forward the journey of a person's life on a positive path and redirects the journey of people with crooked, conniving, wavering mentalities back into the righteous track with his positive methods.
मनु: हित: = One who unbiasedly without prejudice works tirelessly for the well-being of mankind
विप्रस्य सख: = One who befriends wise and intellectual persons
यावयत् सख: = One who extends beyond the boundaries of mankind to promote the well-being of all creatures.
Devi/Devata/Deva
Sura
Asura Vaidika kosha
Dasyu
Pani
Vaidika Kriyas
Yagnam
Yagam
Isthi
Purodasha
Havishya
References
- Pt. Bhagavad Datta and Hansraj. (1926), Vaidika- Kosha, Varanasi : Vishvabharati Anusandhana Parishad (Link : https://ia800609.us.archive.org/24/items/HindiBook-vaidika-kosh.pdf/HindiBook-vaidika-kosh.pdf)