H e r i t a g e

The Brahminic concepts and practices have deep roots going back to 6000 B.C called the Vedic period. It was during this period that the priestly class exerted their greatest influence on society. Animal sacrifice was an important form of worshipping gods. The sacrificial ceremonies that became elaborate, demanded special training for the priestly class. The ‘Yajna kartru’ (the head of the family who performed the Yajna) who might be a king or a Brahmin house - holder had limitations for conducting the complex and minute rituals of the sacrificial ceremony. Priesthood became hereditary, each family having its own priest (Kula Purohit ). Yet another circumstance that led to the ascendancy of the priestly class was the need to preserve the Vedas and promote Vedic culture. The Brahmin class assumed this responsibility. To be worthy for this honor, the Brahmin became devoted to his calling, set and lived by high standards, shunned worldly honor, spoke the truth, led a virtuous life, and kept himself pure in mind and body. This, he did with admirable dignity and honor. Vedic tradition is still a driving force for millions of Hindus the world over, thanks to the devotion and sacrifice of the priestly class, who weathered the storms of bigotry and hatred not only of the alien forces, but also of certain sections of Indian society which did not see eye to eye with the Brahmin class. This bigotry continues even to this day.

Vedas

Brahma

 Veda means ‘Divine knowledge’. It is believed that the Vedas emanated like breath from the creator ‘Brahma’, the soul of the universe. They were revealed to the ‘Rishis’ (sages) and hence known as ‘Shrutis’. (what was heard).

The Vedas dating back to 6000 B.C are the holy books on which the Hindu religion is based. There are four Vedas, Rig-Veda, Yajur-Veda, Sama-Veda and Atharva-Veda. Of these the Rig-Veda is the chief. Vedas consist of Hymns (sacred songs, mantras) written in Sanskrit. Vedas have been handed down from generation to generation by word of mouth by dedicated generations of Brahmins.  for the benefit of humanity.

Phenomenon of Oral Communication. 

" In the British Museum one may see the written Bible of the third and fourth centuries A.D; The Holy Qoran of thirteen hundred years ago beautifully scribed, but one would rarely find a script of the Veda of such an ancient date. Such an amazing phenomenon of preserving the most ancient texts of 20,000 verses through all the years of History could not have occurred in any other land. The credit goes to the traditional Brahmanas of India who against all hazards of human history could keep the texts so well preserved with the right phonetic accents and accuracy to this day."
Credit:  - "The Holy Vedas - A Golden Treasury" by Pandit Satyakam  Vidyalankar. Published by Clarion Books. Delhi. 

Each Veda consists of three parts known as Mantras, Brahmanas and Aranyakas. The collection of the mantras (hymns) is called Samhita. The Brahmanas include the precepts and religious duties. The Upanishads and the Aranyakas are the concluding portions of the Brahmanas, which discuss philosophical concepts. The Upanishads contain the intellectual background of the subsequent thought of the country - India

‘While the hymns reflect the creativity of the poets, the Brahmanas are the work of the priests and the Upanishads are the treatise of meditations of the philosophers and deal with ‘esoteric doctrine.’ 

A unique feature of the Vedas is that they do not say, ’this is the only God’. Or ‘this is the only way’. They are non – dogmatic.

The Rig-Veda Samhita (collection) consists of 1017 hymns (Mantras), covering a total of about 10,589 verses, in praise of gods. (Devas). It begins and ends with a hymn to Agni (god of fire).

The Vedas and Upanishads also contain verses of universal appeal. Some examples:

" Ano Bhadraaha Kritao Yantu Vishvataha."

"Om Sahanau vavatu, sahanau bhunaktu 
Sahaveeryam karavavahai
 Tejasvina vadheetamastu, Maa Vidvishavahi". 

" Let us live in harmony, let us share the harvest
  let our thoughts and deeds create synergy 
to illuminate the Globe." ( R.G ).

"Ekam Sat, Vipraha bahuda vadanti."

"Om Purnam adah purnam idam
  purnaat purnam udachyate.
  Purnaysa puornam aadya  
 purnam evavashishyate"

‘That is full, this is full
  From Fullness is born fullness
  When fullness is taken away from fullness,
  Fullness still remains’.

According to His Holiness Sri Prabhupada, founder of the International Society for Krishna consciousness - ISKCON,

" The personality of Godhead is perfect and complete. Because He is completely perfect, all emanations from Him, such as this phenomenal world, are perfectly equipped as a complete whole. Whatever is produced of the complete whole, is also complete in itself. Because He is the complete whole, even though so many complete units emanate from Him, He remains the complete balance."   

"Satyam Vada, Dharmam Chara".

"Maatru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava, Acharya Devo Bhava, Atithi Devo Bhava"

"Mother is divine, Father is divine, Teacher is divine, Guest is divine’.

The Vedas, like no other religious text, pray for the well being of not only the human beings but also
 of animals and plant life:

"Shanno astu Dwipade sham Chatushpade"

‘Let not only two legged but four legged beings thrive’.

The word ‘yaj’ means worship and the word ‘yajur’ means sacrificial worship. Yajur - Veda gives a practical shape to the verses of the Rig-Veda, and helps actual performance of the Yajnas by using the hymns and mantras of the Rig-Veda. This Veda has 1975 verses.

Yajur - Veda is divided into two main branches. Shukla (white) Yajur-veda and Krishna (black) Yajur - Veda. Rishi ‘Yaajnavalkya’ is believed to have brought the Shukla Yajur - Veda to the knowledge of the world, from the Sun god. While Shukla Yajur-Veda is the prevalent school in North India, Krishna Yajur-Veda is the norm in South India.

"Sama" pronounced as ‘ Saama’, means to bring peace (Shanti) of mind. The Sama-Veda sets to melodious music, the mantras of the Rig-Veda. Sama Gaana is said to be the basis and source of the seven Swaras (notes) which are embedded in to Indian classical music. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna declares, ‘ Amongst the Vedas, I am Sama Veda.’ Sama Veda has 1875 verses.

This Veda is named after a Rishi by name Atharvan, who brought to light these Mantras. Many types of Mantras to ward off evil and hardship and for destruction of ones enemies are contained here. This Veda has mantras that pertain to gods not mentioned in the other Vedas, also hymns dealing with Creation. Brahma who supervises Yajnas, is representative of Atharva Veda. This Veda has 5977 verses 

There are different sets of priests for each of the first three Vedas. Those who specialize in reciting the Rig Veda are called ‘Hotris’.

The priests specializing in the recital of Yajur-Veda are called ‘Adhwaryus’.

The chanters of the Sama Veda are called  'Udgatris’.

Phenomenon of oral Communication.

" In the British Museum, one may see a written Bible of the third and fourth centuries A.D.; the Holy Qoran of thirteen hundred years ago beautifully scribed, but one would rarely find a script of the Veda of such an ancient date. Such an amazing phenomenon of preserving the most ancient of texts of 20,000 verses through all the years of history could not have occurred in any other land. The credit goes to the traditional Brahmins who against all hazards of human history could keep the texts so well preserved with the right phonetic accents and accuracy to this day" 
 From 'The Holy Vedas, A Golden Treasury' by Pandit Satyakam Vidyalankar. Clarion Books. Delhi. India

Upa Vedas

There are four secondary Vedas, which are science rather than Shruti. Their ages are not determined, although they may be of much later origin.

The Upavedas are; Ayurveda (medicine), Dhanur Veda (military science) Gandharva Veda (music and dance) and Sthapatya Veda (Architecture).

Upanishads form the concluding part of the Vedas and are called ‘Vedanta’. They are the foundations on which most of the philosophies and religions of India rest. The objective of these treatises is to ascertain the mystic sense of the text of the Vedas. Such metaphysical subjects as the origin of the Universe, nature of God, nature of Soul, and the connection between mind and matter are discussed.

Upanishads are generally in prose form but some are in verse form too. There are about 108 in number, the oldest one dating back to the sixth century B.C.

Isaavaasya Upanishad. Kenopanishad. and Kathopanishad. 
Prashna, Mundaka and Mandukya Upanishads. 
Taittereeya Upanishad and Aitareya Upanishad. 
Chaandogya Upanishad. 
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.

Brihadaaranyaka is the biggest Upanishad. This Upanishad discusses the nature of the Soul (Aatman) and describes it as ‘ that which cannot be described’. This is it’s ‘neti neti’ doctrine, meaning ‘not this, not this’.

Mundakopanishad is meant for enlightened persons like Sanyasis, who are detached from worldly attachments.

Prashnopanishad, as the name indicates, is in Question and Answer format. It answers, questions such as, what is the origin of Creation? Who are Devatas (gods)? How is life connected to the body? What is the truth behind the states of Wakefulness, Sleep and Dream? what are the benefits of chanting the Omkara mantra (Om). And finally what is the relationship between Jeeva (Life force) and Purusha. (Supreme Being)

Great names from the Vedic period.

Brahmavadini

In addition to Arundhati, Gargi and Maitrayi mentioned above we come across  the following  women of high learning and exalted status.