LATER VEDIC RELIGION:
by Rongsinthui Rongmei,
second year, MA (History ).
Date 09/05/24
Introduction: The historical Vedic religion, also known as Vedicism and
Vedism, constituted religious ideas and practices prevalent among the Indo- Aryan
peoples of the northwest Indian subcontinent during the 1500 BCE to 500 BCE.
These ideas and practices are found in the vedic text and some vedic rituals are still
practised today. It is one of the major traditions which shaped Hinduism, though
present day Hinduism is significantly different from the historical Vedic religion.
Later Vedic religion: The later vedic period refers to the span from 1000 BCE
to 500 BCE and during this period the vedic religion had undergone a significant
change, some of the old beliefs and practices of the Rig vedic continued to be in
vogue. The old religious practices not only become complex but also more
stereotyped. The priestly class developed a complicated mode of worship and
sacrifice became common features of Superstition made its appearance in the
religious sphere. The Brahmins (priestly class) established their supremacy in
religious and social spheres.
The early vedic gods like Varuna, Indra, Agni, Surya etc lost their importance
and popularity and were worshipped with less zeal. The new gods like Prajapati,
Vishnu, Rudra, siva were given special importance and became dominated in
worship during the later vedic period. Prajapati, the creator who replaced purusha of
Rig veda now occupied the supreme position among the later vedic gods. Rudra and
Vishnu enjoyed the next position. Vishnu, who replaced Varuna of Rig Veda, was the
preserver and protector of the people. Siva and Rudra are synonymous. The Siva
(benevolent) later became regarded as a Mahadeva (the great god) and the lord of
animals (pasupati). Pushan were now associated with the shudras as the god of
cattle. These gods were repeatedly mentioned in the Vedic texts like vedic literature,
Atharvaveda.
Another significant change in the later vedic religion was the raising of
Gandharvas, Apsaras, Nagas etc. to a semi divine rank. Snake worship became a
clear feature of the religious life of later vedic people. In this period, the people
believed in one supreme god and advocated monotheism. The worship of gods was
mainly for material prosperity.
Another change that took place during this period was in mode of worship.
Elaborate and complicated rituals and sankaras were introduced during this period
which necessitated the existence of the priestly class. Sacrifice became the all
important thing in worship and assumed both public and domestic character, which
were associated with certain formulae and rituals. People believe that right
by Rongsinthui Rongmei,
second year, MA (History ).
Date 09/05/24
Introduction: The historical Vedic religion, also known as Vedicism and
Vedism, constituted religious ideas and practices prevalent among the Indo- Aryan
peoples of the northwest Indian subcontinent during the 1500 BCE to 500 BCE.
These ideas and practices are found in the vedic text and some vedic rituals are still
practised today. It is one of the major traditions which shaped Hinduism, though
present day Hinduism is significantly different from the historical Vedic religion.
Later Vedic religion: The later vedic period refers to the span from 1000 BCE
to 500 BCE and during this period the vedic religion had undergone a significant
change, some of the old beliefs and practices of the Rig vedic continued to be in
vogue. The old religious practices not only become complex but also more
stereotyped. The priestly class developed a complicated mode of worship and
sacrifice became common features of Superstition made its appearance in the
religious sphere. The Brahmins (priestly class) established their supremacy in
religious and social spheres.
The early vedic gods like Varuna, Indra, Agni, Surya etc lost their importance
and popularity and were worshipped with less zeal. The new gods like Prajapati,
Vishnu, Rudra, siva were given special importance and became dominated in
worship during the later vedic period. Prajapati, the creator who replaced purusha of
Rig veda now occupied the supreme position among the later vedic gods. Rudra and
Vishnu enjoyed the next position. Vishnu, who replaced Varuna of Rig Veda, was the
preserver and protector of the people. Siva and Rudra are synonymous. The Siva
(benevolent) later became regarded as a Mahadeva (the great god) and the lord of
animals (pasupati). Pushan were now associated with the shudras as the god of
cattle. These gods were repeatedly mentioned in the Vedic texts like vedic literature,
Atharvaveda.
Another significant change in the later vedic religion was the raising of
Gandharvas, Apsaras, Nagas etc. to a semi divine rank. Snake worship became a
clear feature of the religious life of later vedic people. In this period, the people
believed in one supreme god and advocated monotheism. The worship of gods was
mainly for material prosperity.
Another change that took place during this period was in mode of worship.
Elaborate and complicated rituals and sankaras were introduced during this period
which necessitated the existence of the priestly class. Sacrifice became the all
important thing in worship and assumed both public and domestic character, which
were associated with certain formulae and rituals. People believe that right
