Vedic Religion

So what do we mean by Vedic? Either: Religious ideas that are found in the Vedas; Fire sacrifice, Many Gods, Varna & social structure. Acceptance of the vedas is a commonly held mark of “authenticity” Or: Because it is a mark of Authenticity, many groups whose ideas are not inherently “Vedic”, use the term to describe what they do, in order to buy into “authenticity”.

What are the Vedas? Sanskrit texts, composed by rishis (seers). Referred to as Shruti (that which is heard) Impart the knowledge that enables people to contact the divine. Rig Veda, Veda of Mantras Artha Veda, Veda of incantations, Samaveda, Veda of Melodies, Yajurveda, Veda of Rituals.

Early Vedic religion : Was portable; Using temporary fire altars No God images Mystical and direct through soma intoxication. Centered on the worship of personified natural phenomena; 3 categories of devas : Sky Atmosphere Earth

Atmosphere & Sky Devas

Varuna Guardian of cosmic order, and overseer of correct action. He created the world and ruled it by the standard of rita; the proper course of things. This was the standard for cosmic, moral, liturgical order; the basis for what is true and proper, for speech and movement. Later his activities were taken over by Vishnu, who in the vedic period was a subordinate deity.

Indra Indra is the thunder god of the Aryans, and was very popular, probably because he reflects a great deal about the self-image of the Aryan warrior caste. Indra not only defeated the spiritual enemies of mankind, but is also said to have subdued the human enemies of the Aryans. He is tawny in colour, intoxicated on soma, beard agitated, brandishing his thunderbolt, boasting of previous martial success, and eager to join battle.

Rudra Rudra was another atmospheric deva, of comparatively little importance in the early Vedas, who was generally feared for his control of primal powers of nature, and called upon with the epithet Shiva; auspicious.

Fire Sacrifice: Yajña The sacrificer would pay a Brahmana to perform the sacrifice to gain boons from the Gods. The relevant deities would be invited to attend, and then offered gifts, which were seen to be consumed in the fire. They would be seen to be attending by the soma-intoxicated.

Earth Devas of the Fire sacrifice Agni was the deified fire; the god who transported the sacrificial gifts to the others. Brihaspati was the divine cultic priest, with the knowledge of the correct words. Soma was the principal offering; the libation that enabled the gods to be seen by their worshippers.

Changes in understanding of the fire sacrifice Originally: An attempt to gain the favour of the divine through offering gifts. Then: Powerful in it’s own right: earth devas are more important Eventually: The driving force of the universe.

Earth devas become more important You, O Agni, are Indra, the bull (strongest) of all that exists; you are the wide-striding Vishnu, worthy of reverence; you, O lord of the Holy Word, are the chief priest who finds riches (for the sacrificer); you, O distributor are associated with munificence. You, O Agni, are King Varuna, whose laws are firm; you are Mitra, the wonder- worker to be revered; you are Arayaman, the reliable lord, of whom I would get enjoyment….. You, O Agni, are Rudra, the Asura of lofty heaven you control sustenance. (Rig Veda. II.1.3,4,6)

Layout of the fire sacrifice. Garhapatya Vedi Ahavaniya Dakshina N

Suitable offerings. Man  horse  ox  goat  grains, fruit, ghee & milk. All contain(ed) Medha – sacrificial substance.

Mantras Brihaspati’s power came through the knowledge of the words of the sacrifice; thus the idea of Mantra; a powerful utterance. Saying a mantra is a magically \ spiritually powerful act. Just knowing the (sanskrit) words is significant. Thus the prominence of the goddess Vac (utterance).

Vac Holy utterance (Vac) is measured as four quarters; wise brahmanas know these. The three that are set down in secret they do not bring into movement. The fourth is what men speak. They call in Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Agni….that which is One (Neuter gender) the seers speak of in various terms; they call it Agni, Yama, Matarishvan. Rig Veda 1.164