Rig Vedic Society
Contents [hide]
- Patriarchy in Vedic society
- The Evolution of Varna System in Vedic society
- Marriage and women in Vedic society
- Education in Vedic society
- Institution of Gotra in Vedic society
- Amusements and entertainments in Vedic society
- House holding in Vedic society
- Eating Habits in Vedic society
- Dress code in Vedic society
- Health and hygiene in Vedic society
The family was the basis of the social structure in Rig Vedic society. The Jana or the tribal society was given importance. There is another term mentioned in Vedic text is Vis which means a clan. Vis consisted of many gramas, which was a tribal unit meant for fighting (Samgrama). The society was divided into smaller gramas. Whenever there was a clash between gramas, it was a Sangrama.
Patriarchy in Vedic society
The family was a joint unit and patriarch society and birth of a son was desired repeatedly. The institution of marriage was established. Status of women was equal to men and they received the Upanayan samskaras. They studied Vedas and some of them composed Vedic Hymns. There was presence of practice of polygamy as well as Polyandry.
The eldest male member of the family was known as Kulapa (protector of the family). The social structure was based on kinship, which was rather simple. Terms for father, mother, brother, sister, son and daughter existed distinctly but nephews, grandsons and cousins were known by a common term naptri.
Father's and mother's were known by a common term
The Evolution of Varna System in Vedic society
There was Varna system, which was mainly based upon the color. Initially the society had only Aryans, who were fair in color. They conquered the indigenous people who were dark in color and once conquered they were used as slaves and called "Dasa". The Dasyu have been identified as the enemies of the Aryan Vedic tribes. A relation between Dasa and Dasyu has not been established; however, Dasyu seams to be derived from Iranian Dahyu which means a tribe.
In the later Vedic era, the tribal society was divided among 3 groups Warriors, priests and common public. Later the fourth division Shudras appeared in the later Rig Vedic society. The division of 4 Varnas viz. Brahman, Kshatriya , Vaishya and Shudra was initially not very sharp and based upon the occupation BUT later became sharp and based upon birth.
Marriage and women in Vedic society
Despite of the patriarchal character of the family, the position of women was much better in the Rig Vedic period than in later times. They could attend assemblies and offer sacrifices along with their husbands. Five women have been mentioned as composers of hymns out of which Ghosha, Lopamudra and Apala are famous. Girls were normally married off after puberty (between the age of 16 and 17). Unmarried girls grew up in the home of their parents. Some unmarried woman like Visvavara and Apala offered sacrifices on their own. There are also evidences of widow remarriage in the Rig-Veda. Marriage as an institution was well.
Education in Vedic society
In the early Rig-Vedic era, entire instruction was given orally. Art of writing does not seem to have developed yet. In the well-known Gayatri mantra there is a prayer to savitri for the stimulation of the intellect. There were women teachers. Many of them possessed the highest spiritiual knowledge. Maitreyi and Gargi were gifted scholars. Rishis who composed hymns founded their own schools separately to teach their pupils and every person among the vis was entitled to learn Vedic mantras.
In the later-Vedic phase, with the development of varnaasramas, education began with an investiture ceremony (upanayan). Since Upanayan was confined to three upper Varnas, the sudras were not entitled to education. Sometimes girls were also encouraged. When teacher was satisfied with the student, last sermon called snatakopadesa (kind of convocation) was delivered.
Institution of Gotra in Vedic society
Gotra or cowpen was a mechanism for widening social ties a new relationship were established between hitherto unrelated people. It is possible that animals were herded in common and such a place was known as gotra and from this it acquired the character of an exogamous institution.
Amusements and entertainments in Vedic society
Music, both vocal and instrumental, was well known. We have been told that the Vedic Aryans played on the Vina and flute Vana to the accompaniment of drums and cymbals. Some authors claim that Dhrupad of Indian classical music originated in Vedic Era.
Dancing was common. The chariot race was a favourite sport and source of entertainment. Chariot race was a symbolic source of political authority of the king. The fascination of gambling and the ruin caused by its addiction find mention in the Rig-Veda.
House holding in Vedic society
The Griha sutra prescribes a code of conduct, which gives a fairly good idea of the manners and etiquette of the later-Vedic age. A guest (atithi) was welcomed at all times and special guests, like the guru, the king, and the father-in-law, etc. were given special treatment. Respect for the elders self-restraint, moral purity, abstinence of all kinds and faithfulness were some of the virtues. Cleanliness was a passion. Daily bath, washing of the feet and hands every now and then, and purifying the atmosphere with Vedic mantras were a part of ritual when ritualism acquired special significance in the later-Vedic age. It became one of the many sources of the development of hierarchy and the supremacy for the Brahmanas.
Eating Habits in Vedic society
The main cereal produced by the Rig Vedic people was Yava or barley. Wheat and rice where not known to them. Godhuma or wheat is mentioned in several later-Vedic texts only. Yava was also a generic term for various kinds of cereals. In later-Vedic times we have evidence of rice (Vrihi), bean-pulse (masa), sesamum (tila), millet (syamaka), kidney bean (mudga) mustard (sarshapa), etc. Milk, Milk products and cattle meat was popular. Alcoholic drinks were known and common. Soma and Sura are two intoxicating liquors. Sura may be a kind of beer and Soma was acceptable to Gods.
Dress code in Vedic society
Two pieces of cloth were normally worn- the upper garment was called uttariya and the lower one was known as antariya. The dress for the male and the female did not differ much.
Health and hygiene in Vedic society
Everyone aspired for and everyone was blessed to live for a hundred years. Epilepsy was common and it affected the children as well. Superstitions and magical charms were employed to cure the diseases. Miraculous cures are ascribed to the twin-gods, the Ashvins, who are the great healers of diseases and experts in the surgical art. They were divine physicians who restored eyesight and cured the blind, sick and maimed.
