The Aryans and the Vedic Age

The Indian Subcontinent

Decline of the Indus Valley Civilization

Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were the largest cities

Civilizations participated in long-distance trade

Possible causes for their Decline:

Monsoons destroyed irrigation and farming prospects

InvasionsLong distance trade collapsed

AryansRoot of the word is arya meaning “noble” or

“pure”

Spoke an early form of Sanskrit

Where did they come from?

Theory One: Aryans descended from North India through the Hindu Kush.

Theory 2: they arrived much earlier, and perhaps descended from the Harappans.

Theory 3: they were the originals inhabitants of India

Aryans and the VedasThe Vedas

A collection, in multiple volumes, of hymns, rituals, and philosophies

The Vedas include stories that attempt to explain how the world was created, who the gods are, etc.

Thought to be the earliest written texts

Rig Veda

The earliest VedaOriginally was recited orally and passed down

generation to generationChildren began learning the Rig Veda at an early

age, would learn to chant each syllable in perfect order

Importance of Aryans: Introduction of a Social Order

Each tribe was headed by a raja, or chief

Priests were next in importance

They learned complicated ritualsRituals typically focused on honoring or appeasing the

gods

Warrior class

Farmers

Non-Aryans made up the lowest classThey were not slavesThey were only allowed to perform the most menial tasks

Caste SystemThe system of

dividing society into hereditary groups that limited interaction with each other, especially marriage between castes

The hierarchical groups (classes) into which Indian society was divided is called a varna

Brahmins (priests)

Kshatriyas (warriors and officials)

Vaishyas (merchants and artisans)

Sudras (peasants and laborers)

Dalits (untouchables) outside the caste system

Caste SystemBrahmins

Aryan priests who supported the growth of royal power

The only caste that was permitted to perform important, sacred, daily religious rituals

UntouchablesWere not permitted to participate in or be near

religious ritualsIt is believed that people ended up in this caste as

a result of bad karma that accumulated in previous lifetimes

Perform(ed) the most menial jobs

The Beginning of Hinduism

Brahmanism

Brahmins memorized Vedas and passed traditions down from generation to generation

The religion of the Vedic Age is called Brahmanism

Brahmins studied the Vedas and were the only ones that performed rituals

Beginnings of HinduismIndians beliefs began to change

Gurus were thinkers and teachers that left their homes and went into the forest to meditate about life and its big questions: Ex. Why are we born? Ex. How should we live?

Their ideas were put into writing (Upanishads)

Vedas and Upanishads became Hinduism’s holy scriptures

Epic Poems explained how people should lead their lives

as Hindus

Ramayana Mahabharata

Moral lessons about right and wrong

Importance of loyalty and respect

200,000 lines longTwo families at war

for control of kingdom

Moral IssuesBhagavad-Gita:

(“Song of the Lord”) is a sacred section of this poem.

Beliefs of HinduismReincarnation

The rebirth of the soul in a new body

KarmaEffects of a person’s

actions in this and in previous lives

Determines how a person is reborn

Bad karma brings rebirth into a lower caste or as an animal

Beliefs of Hinduism

There is one supreme cosmic consciousness, spiritual force, or God called Brahman

All of the Gods and Goddesses are a form of BrahmanEx. Vishnu, Shiva,

Shakti

Brahman is the source of all things

Every person is born with a soul

The soul is also a form of Brahman

Hinduism: 4 Basic Goals in Life

DharmaA person’s duty or what

is right and wrong for them.

Your caste’s dutiesAhimsa: avoid doing

harm to any living being

Strive for Well BeingMake a good living with

dignityRaise a familyRun an honest business

PleasurePhysical PleasuresEx. Eating good foodCannot be only goal we

seek

MokshaLiberation from

reincarnationPerson’s souls becomes

one with BrahmanLive forever in state of

joy

3 Paths to Moksha 1st Path: Way of Knowledge

BrahminsTrue understanding of one’s

soul

2nd Path: Way of WorksCarrying out religious rituals

and dutiesGood deeds without

expectations

3rd Path: Way of DevotionPath of loveWorship of Gods and

goddessesOfferings to the Gods