Varna-Ashrama-Dharma in Vedic Period.href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/3576/3850/1600/037.jpg">
Varna-Ashrama-Dharma in Vedic Period.

In later Vedic period in India several villages and cities were built and developed. Metals like gold, silver, copper, bronze and iron were used in the preparation of ornaments, utensils and weapons.

Property was, as a rule, inherited by sons. Daughters were allowed to hold properties with certain limitation. Adoption was in practice. On the whole the Aryas in the Vedic period were both industrious and prosperous. The harmony between various between various classes and people of different professions were based on the “Dharma of class and stage of life” [Varna-Ashrama-Dharma]. The dharma a general code of conduct is also supplemented by a Dharma appropriate to each class and each stage in the life of the individual. Some political people in India say that Varna system is based on the colour consciousness of the Aryas and their keen desire to protect its purity. This is not correct. There is no evidence to suggest such a division of society based on colour. Varna is an order of chosen professions only.

The Varna system was an order of society consisting all the vedic people. It was a grouping of castes. The society was divided into four groups Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. Birth has nothing to do with the system. Everyman, when he chooses a function, must do it to the best of his capacity and with an eye on social good and it is the Varna-Dharma. Every individual must do his duty and the contribution to the social welfare.

The duties of the Brahmana and other rules of discipline specially devised for them were difficult. The number of brahmanas was and always has been very small. Kshatriyas, were men of action and enjoyed the unique privileges in social organization, study and meditation were compulsory for them, and several kshatriyas distinguished themselves as philosophers. Vaishyas were the largest group engaged in various wealth-producing activities. They could help the rulers and others in their duties. A vaishya was an expert business-man with a specialized knowledge of jewels, metals, cloth, spices, perfumes, trades and crafts. The Shudras were labourers doing hard work like agriculture and other duties like cattle-breeding, industry and commerce.

The duties of Varna were to ensure social harmony and welfare conduct, and not birth, remained the basis of the Varna system.


[Baratha Bhoomi will continue.]

Early Vedic Society In India.

In early Vedic period of India several family groups are mentioned in Rig-Veda to indicate separate units. They are called as Bharatas, Matsyas, Krivis, Tritsus, Yadus, Purus, Anus and etc.

Rajan was the name for the ruling chief, primarily a leader of war. He was elected by the people. Valour and military leadership was important considerations in electing him. Several verses in Rig-Veda and Athervanaveda describe the keen contest of rival candidates in the elections of Kings. Gradually, Kingship became hereditary. The Royal treasury was filled with gifts from the people, tributes of defeated tribes and the boot of war.

In Vedic period Rajan was not an absolute monarch but a sort of dignified magistrate with only executive duties. Two assemblies, Sabha and Samiti were responsible for the government of the nation. Sabha was an assembly of the distinguished great men of various activities and Samiti was the popular assembly of all Aryas, belonging to the region. Sabhasad, the member of the Sabha was greatly respected. Gramani, the representative of the Grama [Village] was also included in the Assembly.

All the members participated in the councils held by the King to discuss the matters of government and the Rajan was to act according to the decision of the members. Purohita was the learned Vedic Pandits who guided the King and the people in all matters of religious, social customs, morality, law etc. Senani was the leader of the Army.

Some of the tribes in remote villages managed their own affairs without a King. It is explained in Vedic verses that Chiefs or Rajas met together and decided matters in the tribal assembly. The word of Raja was applied to all important persons participating in the deliberations of such assemblies.

The King was in no sense divine but was duly respected. Living in a grand palace, the King conducted his court with dignity. Administration of justice was also are his important duties. But usually the disputes were settled in the village through the arbitrator, Madh-yamsi. Crimes of theft, robbery, murder, etc, were condemned and punished with heavy fines called vairadeya and shatadaya. Failure to repay debts often resulted in slavery.

The Aryas had already a class division. In hymn Purushasukta in Rig-Veda that the four classes, Brahmana, Rajanya, vaishya, and shudra. But all are belonging to the Group of Aryas only. The classes were not distinct nor were they rigid.


[Indian early Vedic society will continue]

Tradition of Bharatham

On Indian Tradition several authors have contributed their voice through several ways. I have made an attempt to give a comprehensive and integrated picture of ancient Indian life and society in ancient days.

In Bharatham according to the tradition there are four Vedas. The four Vedas are called as ‘anadhi’ that their origin is totally forgotten. These vadas are created by ‘Veda Vyasa’ the great saint who lived in the closing years of Dvapara yuga. The Dbvapara yuga according to scholars came to an end on 18th February 3102 B.C.The beginning of Kaliyuga i.e., 19th February 3102 B.C.

Further taking into consideration, the dynasties of the kings mentioned in the puranas the date of Rig-Veda civilization goes back to about 7000 B.C. According to geologists also the Ganga-Sindhu region become firm and dry and fit for the human habitation about 7000B.C.

At present the available evidence proves that the Vedic period extends from an unknown past i.e., x to 500 B.C. which are usually assumed. However mode of scholars is inclined to place the Vedic civilization during the third millennium before Christ.

The Rig-Veda though the earliest record of mankind, reveals a fully developed civilization, and is regarded by Indians as a source of tradition and authority in all matters of religion, philosophy, literature, fine arts and sciences.

Aryas and Dravidas belong to the same race, language and culture. They are the original inhabitants of India and there is no convincing evidence to imagine that either of them came from outside India. The period of the Vedic civilization is usually divided into early Vedic period and later Vedic period. Further it is to be taken that the term of ‘Arya’ is only a cultural and not a racial term. It refers to that section of the Vedic people who believed in the Vedic ideals and way of the life. Those who do not accept were termed as ‘Asuras’ and in several other names. These are examples of Rishis who succeeded in winning some of the Asuras over to the Vedic way of life.


[Indian Tradition will continue]