The chronology of later Vedic developments is not known with any precision, but it probably encompasses the period from 1000 to 500 bce, which are the dates of the Painted Gray Ware strata in the archaeological sites of the western Ganges valley. These excavations reflect a culture still without writing but showing considerable advances in civilization. Little, however, has been discovered from sites of this period that throws much light on the religious situation, and historians still must rely on the following texts to describe this phase of the religion.
The Yajurveda and Samaveda are completely subordinate to the liturgy. The Yajurveda contains the lines, usually in brief prose, with which the executive priest (adhvaryu) accompanies his ritual activities, addressing the implements he handles and the offering he pours and admonishing other priests to do their invocations. The Samaveda is a collection of verses from the Rigveda (and a few new ones) that were chanted with certain fixed melodies.
The Atharvaveda stands apart from other Vedic texts. It contains both hymns and prose passages and is divided into 20 books. Books 1–7 contain magical prayers for precise purposes: spells for a long life, cures, curses, love charms, prayers for prosperity, charms for kingship and Brahmanhood, and expiations for evil actions. They reflect the magical-religious concerns of everyday life and are on a different level than the Rigveda, which glorifies the great gods and their liturgy. Books 8–12 contain similar texts but also include cosmological hymns that continue those of the Rigveda and provide a transition to the more-complex speculations of the Upanishads. Books 13–20 celebrate the cosmic principle (book 13) and present marriage prayers (book 14), funeral formulas (book 18), and other magical and ritual formulas. This text is an extremely important source of information for practical religion, particularly where it complements the Rigveda. Many rites are also laid down in the Kausika-sutra (the manual of the Kausika family of priests) of the Atharvaveda.
Ravana-the-10-headed-demon-king-detail-from-a-GulerRavana, the 10-headed demon king, detail from a Guler painting of the …[Credits : Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art, Ohio, gift of George P. Bickford]
The-Great-Bath-Mohenjo-daroThe Great Bath, Mohenjo-daro.[Credits : Frederick M. Asher]
Vishnu-with-his-consort-Lakshmi-from-the-temple-dedicated-toVishnu with his consort Lakshmi, from the temple dedicated to Parsvanatha in the eastern temple …[Credits : © Anthony Cassidy]
Surya-Deula-Konarak-Orissa-IndiaSurya Deula, Konarak, Orissa, India.[Credits : Frederick M. Asher]
The-Chariot-Festival-of-the-Jagannatha-temple-Puri-Orissa-IndiaThe Chariot Festival of the Jagannatha temple, Puri, Orissa, India.[Credits : © Dinodia/Dinodia Photo Library]
Rabindranath-TagoreRabindranath Tagore.[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
Mahatma-GandhiMahatma Gandhi.[Credits : Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images]
Surya-stone-image-from-Deo-Barunarak-Bihar-India-9th-centurySurya, stone image from Deo-Barunarak, Bihar, India, 9th century ce.[Credits : Pramod Chandra]
Learn about the origins of Hinduism and its general principles.[Credits : Acquired from Vast Video]
Learn about the basic principles and goals of Hinduism, including reincarnation and karma.[Credits : Acquired from Vast Video]
Hinduism believes that the chains of Karmic law are broken by achieving union with the Divine.[Credits : Acquired from Vast Video]
Learn about the gods of the Hindu religion and their symbolisms.[Credits : Acquired from Vast Video]
Learn about the life and beliefs of Hindu monks.[Credits : Acquired from Vast Video]
Discover the many rituals of Hindu prayer, including breath control and the use of prayer beads.[Credits : Acquired from Vast Video]
Learn about the life and beliefs of Hinduism’s holy men, known as Sahdu.[Credits : Acquired from Vast Video]
Learn about the stages of Hindu life.[Credits : Acquired from Vast Video]
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