Vedic Terminology
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.
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.
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.
- 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.
Smritis are of 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
- Expound Sastras : Some texts contain information related to one subject such as Panini's Ashtadhyayi for Vyakarana, Gautama sutras in the Nyaya sastra.
Itihasas
Puranas
Aagamas
Darsanas
Shastras
Vedanta/Upanishad
Parishistha
Shaka
Mantra
Anuvaka
Prapathaka
Adhyaya
Kanda
Sukta
Sloka
Stuti
Sutra
Karmakanda
Jnanakanda
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
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)