Social System in Later Vedic Age
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General Changes
The Sabhas and Samitis continued to hold the ground, however the women were not allowed to sit in Sabha. Brahmins and Nobles took the place.
The King became important and territorial authority became important. The term Rastra which indicated a territorial country got prominent in the later Vedic Age.
Ashvamedha Yagya was considered to authorize the unquestioned authority over an area where the Royal Horse could runA run involves a person creating activity in a security by successively buying or selling that security. The intention is that the increased activity would, ...... The levy of taxes started and became prominent and the officer responsible for this function was sangrihitri. The standing army was not possessed by the king even in Later Vedic period and gramas mustered in times of war.
Changes in Economy
The life became sedentary and the domestication of animals and cultivation increased. Cattle were still the currency and principle movable property. The idea of private possession of lands started taking shape. Ironsmiths, weavers, jewelers, dyers, potters, are the new classes of artisans. Trade was also boosted.
The Gold piece of specific weight Satamana was used as a currency rate. Use of Gold as currency is mentioned in Satapatha Brahman. Nishka was another popular currency. The other matellic coins were Suvarna and Krishnala. Barter system still existed.
Money lending as a trade was prevalent.
The Four Varnas
The society was now divided into 4 varnas viz. Brahmans, Kahstriyas, Vaish and Shudras. Each of them was assigned its duty. The vaishyas were common people who were responsible for producing the agricultural commodities and rearing of the cattle. The engaged in trade and were called vaniks. Nagara was used for the first time, which meant a city and beginning of town life.
Types of Marriages in later Vedic Ages:
Marriage Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Brahma Vivah | Marriage of a girl with the boy of same Varna with Vedic rites and rituals |
| Daiva Vivah | When father donated his daughter to a priest as a part of Dakshina. |
| Arsa Vivah | A token bride-price of a Cow and a BullA market player who believes prices will rise and would, therefore, purchase a financial instrument with a view to selling it at a higher price. ..... was given |
| Prajapati Vivah | Marriage without dowry |
| Gandharva Vivah | It was a kind of love marriage or swyamavara type |
| Asura Vivah | Marriage by Purchase |
| Paisach Vivah | Seduction of a girl while sleeping or mentally unstable due to a drink. |
| Rakshasha Vivah | Marriage by abduction |
Anuloma and Pratiloma Vivah
The marriage of a man of higher Varna with a girl from lower Varna was called "Anuloma Vivah". It was allowed by the sacred texts. The marriage of a girl of higher Varna with a man of a lower Varna was called "Pratiloma Vivah" and it was NOT allowed in the texts.
Ashrama System
4 stages of the lifespan of 100 years were not established in the early Vedic era. They were well established in the later Vedic era and 4 Ashrams were:
- Brahamcharya Ashram: The first 25 years were set for student life
- Grihastha Ashram: The age from 25 to 50 years was kept for having a family and discharging the worldly duties such as giving birth to children and raising them
- Vanaprastha Ashram: Age from 50-75 years was fixed for partial retirement and living life in forests.
- Sanyas Ashram: The last age of 75-100 years was fixed for complete retirement from the world.
Please note that 4th ashram has not been mentioned in early Vedic texts. The Sanyas ashram is mentioned in Jabala UpanishadThe word Upanishad means to sit down near someone and denotes a student sitting near his guru to learn. Eventually the word began to be ......
Sacrifices & Rituals
- Rajsuya: This sacrifice conferred supreme power to King.
- Asvamedha: Unquestioned control over an area
- Vajapeya: It was a chariot race in which the Royal Chariot was to win race against the kinsmen. This elevated the Raja to a Samrat.
- Garbhdharana: The conception ceremony.
- Pumsayam: Ritual to procure a male child.
- Sementonayam: Ritual to ensure safety of the child in womb.
- Jatakarma: Birth ceremony performed prior to cutting the umbilical chord of the newborn infant
- Culakarma: performed in 3rd year of the baby's life
