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History of Indian Philosophy....
A thread
A thread
Start point : Veda or Sruti (Sru to hear).
If we roughly classify this huge literature, we can point out 4 different types:
1. Samhita or collection of verses
2. Brahmanas
3. Aranyakas
4. Upanishads
If we roughly classify this huge literature, we can point out 4 different types:
1. Samhita or collection of verses
2. Brahmanas
3. Aranyakas
4. Upanishads
1. Samhitas
4 collection of Samhitas:
1.1: Rig Veda
1.2: Sama Veda
1.3: Yajur Veda
1.4: Atharva Veda
Rig Veda the earliest.
Sama Veda consists of stanza taken from RV.
Yajur Veda consists in addition to verses taken from RV, many original prose.
Atharva Veda book of spells.
4 collection of Samhitas:
1.1: Rig Veda
1.2: Sama Veda
1.3: Yajur Veda
1.4: Atharva Veda
Rig Veda the earliest.
Sama Veda consists of stanza taken from RV.
Yajur Veda consists in addition to verses taken from RV, many original prose.
Atharva Veda book of spells.
2. The Brahmanas
They were written in prose, and explain the sacred significance of the different rituals to those who are not already familiar with them. They reflect the spirit of an age in which all intellectual activity is concentrated on the sacrifice, ceremonies & value.
They were written in prose, and explain the sacred significance of the different rituals to those who are not already familiar with them. They reflect the spirit of an age in which all intellectual activity is concentrated on the sacrifice, ceremonies & value.
3. The Aranyakas
These were probably composed for old men who had retired into the forest & were thus unable to perform elaborate sacrifices. In these, meditation on certain symbols were supposed to be of great merit.This began to supplant the sacrifices as being superior order.
These were probably composed for old men who had retired into the forest & were thus unable to perform elaborate sacrifices. In these, meditation on certain symbols were supposed to be of great merit.This began to supplant the sacrifices as being superior order.
With Aranyakas we find that amongst a certain section of intelligent people the ritualistic ideas began to give way, and philosophical speculations about nature of truth became gradually substituted in their place. It was thus Aranyakas could pave the way for the Upanishads.
4. Upanishads
The Upanishads the source of all philosophy that arose in the world of Hindu thought.
More on Upanishads later.
The Upanishads the source of all philosophy that arose in the world of Hindu thought.
More on Upanishads later.
I will go slowly as possible. Will write only on this till I can. Young ones keep reading. Will try to give a structured flow to the thought as we proceed & will touch, very brief, like I have done above. People who are interested to read further, can check out books on the same.
