Tag: Indian

Introduction

One of the greatest kings in Indian history was Ashoka the Great. In Ashoka’s life, the Kalinga War marked a turning point. He was upset to witness so much carnage and ruin throughout that conflict. He was highly affected by Buddhist doctrine and abandoned all forms of violence. Furthermore, he advocated the “Dhamma” policy, which accepted the tenets of Buddhism, while keeping in mind non-violence and compassion. The Sanskrit term “Dharma,” which denotes religious and moral obligation, is the root of the word “dhamma.” For all living things to coexist happily on this planet, Ashoka intended to propagate good moral ideals among the populace through this policy.

The Dhamma Policy of Ashoka

After the Kalinga War, Ashoka became a Buddhist and began to follow and propagate Buddhist ideas. In addition, he developed a new “dhamma” policy that emphasised non-violence, compassion, and peace. 

• He never made a big deal out of any complicated sacrifices or rites in this. After that, he gave up on his plan to conquer more territory and subjugate other cultures.
• He decided to become “Dhamma Mahamatta,” a travelling preacher of the Dhamma, to spread its teachings throughout his empire. Even his son and daughter were dispatched to Sri Lanka to propagate the Dhamma. 
• Secularism, which did not focus on any single religion but rather respected all religions, was the foundation of his Dhamma. He never forced the Dhamma on his subjects; instead, they were persuaded and came to accept it.
• He set an example for others to follow by adhering to this policy himself in a very strict manner. On numerous rocks and structures, he carved his edicts in languages used by regular people. So that everyone living in his empire might read, comprehend, and apply the “Dhamma” to their daily life.

Dhamma of Ashoka’s Principles

The Buddha’s teachings served as an inspiration for Ashoka’s Dhamma. His Dhamma’s concepts were quite straightforward and easily understood by the populace. Ashoka was more interested in using persuasion than regulation and imposition to spread this policy. The guiding concepts of his strategy are as follows:

• Ashoka wished for his followers to adhere to the non-violence, or ahimsa concept toward all living things, including people and animals. To strengthen the Empire at the time, which was quite common, he abandoned the idea of war for territorial expansion. Additionally, he preached against harming or killing animals.
• Respect for parents and other adults: He counselled kids to always respect and obey their parents and other adults. Similarly, parents and elders are required to be compassionate and kind toward their young charges.
• He emphasised the need for us to exhibit generosity toward everyone by choosing the way of kindness, love, harmony, and respect. He recommended charitable giving to the poor and turn toward slaves, servants, and animals to achieve this. Respect should be shown for one another. We shouldn’t abuse our position and influence. Instead, we ought to think about how we may be kind to others.
• He proclaimed via his Dhamma that one should appreciate those who practise different religions. He did not advocate joining a specific religion or turning to a specific deity. Furthermore, he granted everyone in his kingdom the freedom to follow their principles and to live their lives as they saw fit, and he vowed that the government would never force a specific religion on its people. Additionally, he favoured peaceful coexistence among all races, religions, and creeds. His goal was to create harmonious relationships between many aspects of society to eventually unite the populace behind shared values and rule a tranquil, huge empire.

Summary

The Dhamma of Ashoka was mostly derived from Buddhist teachings. After the Kalinga conflict, he implemented this policy, which caused the loss of many lives and left him feeling guilty, and sorry for himself. He was able to keep his empire pleasant and harmonious by using the Dhamma. In a sense, he was able to eradicate socio-political instability in his empire by upholding the values of mutual kindness, respect for all religious beliefs, compliance with authority figures, and consideration for younger people. He also rejected superstitious practices and advocated for ahimsa. In essence, he created a secular and liberal empire with this approach, freeing him from the necessity to impose a particular faith on his subjects. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1.Why did Ashoka and Kalinga Fight?
Ans: Kalinga, now Odisha, was a powerful maritime nation. The power might open up commercial opportunities for the Mauryan Empire with nations in Southeast Asia. Ashoka, therefore, desired to incorporate that country within his empire.

2.Why was Ashoka referred to as “Ashoka the Great”?
Ans: One of the kings who became known as the greatest king in Indian history was Ashoka. This was a result of his distinct management style, which allowed him to oversee such a sizable empire while preventing any physical injury to anyone.

3.How does Ashoka’s Dhamma still have value in Modern Society?
Ans: Yes, Ashoka’s Dhamma principle—which advocated a moral way of life centred on showing respect for all living things—is still very much important in today’s culture. It also emphasised the need for tolerance, which is essential for surviving in a nation as varied and multi-religious as India.

Introduction

Human desires are not constrained in any way. People are driven by lust, avarice, and rage. There is an Ashram system in place to help us overcome all the negative aspects of our lives. Since ancient times, the Ashram system has existed throughout India. They held the view that the ashram system enables a man to live a happy, healthy life. Moreover, by adhering to the Ashram system, one can acquire spiritual understanding, education, and life principles.

What is An Ashram? 

One of the facets of the Hindu notion of Dharma is the Ashrama system. It is also a component of the ethical theories found in Indian philosophy, where it is connected to the Purusartha, or four proper human life aims, including satisfaction, happiness, and spiritual emancipation. The individual lifespan was split into four phases under the Ashram system. The individual’s fulfilment and growth were each period’s main objectives.

Learn More about The System of Ashram. Check out more videos in Class 6th Social Science Lessons

How Does An Ashram Work? 

The four guiding principles for ashram operations are Dharma, Artha, Kama, and finally Moksha. These four principles are the only ones that guide a person throughout their entire existence. Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha all refer to virtue, riches, willingness, and liberation respectively. To attain the purpose of life, order is crucial. First, there is Dharma, which fulfils the definition of the term. In various life circumstances, this life principle functions in a distinct way. The source of all human values, it is.

The second tenet is that Artha represents prosperous accomplishments. Achievements might include developing skills, habits, and moral principles for living. Therefore, attaining artha necessitates a moderate level of motivation. It alludes to the notions shaped by societal conditioning and influencing personal desire. Such cultural conceptions vary in their profundity and tenacity. Because they are shared by a huge number of individuals within the community, which endures even as individuals come and go, they are more expansive and long-lasting than personal goals. Therefore, attaining Artha necessitates a moderate level of motivation.

The third principle is the Kama, which represents people’s openness to receiving anything. Each person has different desires. Time and experience both have the power to lessen or manage it. The Kama Principle is the ideal illustration for inspiring someone.

Bringing a man to Moksha is the ultimate objective of the Ashram system. It means that people are free. The existence of desires is non-existent. People are not affected by the things that harm their bodily and emotional well-being. There is only knowledge and spirituality, and nothing else. All ashrams, though, employ spiritual doctrine.

Importance of An Ashram in Ancient Indian Society 

When entering a new stage of life, people prepare themselves by taking a break in an ashram. It was very important in controlling how ancient people lived. According to the Ashrams’ idea, four stages of life are classified in antiquity.

Significance of Brahmacharya

The beginning of life is referred to as Brahmacharya. Through the ceremony of upanayana, a child enters the cycle of Ashrams of life phases and is regarded as a reborn kid. The ceremony will be performed by a boy who is eight years old. Children are educated about the Vedas, Indian customs, and several disciplines during this period. Ashram’s goal is to help people develop their personalities.

Significance of Grihastha

In this era of life, a boy transitions from childhood into adolescence. He got married and started a family. However, they must serve the public, which necessitates both them and the birds and animals.

Significance of Vanaprastha

At the age of fifty, Vanaprashta, the following stage of life, begins. At this point, he must depart from both the village and his family. He has to go to the wilderness by himself to meditate. This is the method for purifying the soul.

Significance of Sannyasa

After the vanaprastha occurred at the age of 75, the ultimate stage of life began. At this point, one forgets about all ties to the outside world and serves God.

Education in Ashrams

The optimum location for learning is an ashram, as was previously discussed. A child studies the Vedas and spirituality, starting at the level of Brahmacharya. He then discovers how to get rid of cravings of life. In the instance of Grihastha, he learns to shoulder both his family’s responsibilities and his obligation to assist the entire world. In the Vanaprastha stage, a person serves not only the world but also the younger generations by passing on knowledge and wisdom. He learns to give his life to God in the Sannyasi stage and begins working for God. Additionally, he learns to let go of his tie to his family and the cosmos.

Summary

The Ashram system is the foundation of Indian history and culture. A person’s mental and physical development is greatly aided by the ashram. The objectives of ashrams, however, are currently at odds with the way of life of the younger generations. People neglect to fulfil their obligations to both the nation and the rest of society. Without understanding life stages, a person cannot function in society or experience inner happiness. Therefore, there is a need to swiftly raise awareness of ashrams among the current generation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is taught through an Ashram?
Ans. A person’s personality grows in an ashram, and his spirit becomes serene and pure. Additionally, yoga and other forms of physical exercise as well as Indian cultural ideals are taught in an ashram.

2. Which of the Ashrams is nowadays performed by the people?
Ans. The current generation’s primary goals are to settle down and get married. Therefore, everyone today performs on the Grihastha stage of Ashrams.

3. What is the main target of life to be achieved by the system of Ashrams?
Ans. One aspect of Hinduism’s Dharma concept is the Ashrama system. Additionally, it is a part of Indian philosophy’s ethical beliefs, where it is paired with the four legitimate aims of Purushartha, which are fulfilment, happiness, and spiritual liberation.

4. How many types of Ashrams are there in our life?
Ans. The beginning of life is referred to as Brahmacharya. In this stage of life, a boy transitions from childhood into adolescence, gets married and starts a family. This period is called grihastha. At the age of fifty, Vanaprashta, the next stage of life, begins. After the vanaprastha occurred at the age of 75, the ultimate stage of life, sannyasa, begin.

Introduction 

Indian philosophy encompasses the countless, unending intellectual traditions that developed on the Indian subcontinent across various epochs. Its origins cannot be pinpointed to a specific time period, but rather date back to endless antiquity. Origin of philosophies takes place, from these three stages- Pre-logic, Logic, and Ultra-Logic.

• The pre-logic spans both the pre-and post-Mauryan eras.
• The logic period begins from the Kushans to the Gupta period.
• The dawn of the ultra-logic span began in India when India coincided with the advent of imperialism and the western philosophies of utilitarianism, idealism, and empiricism.

Indian Philosophy 

Hindu philosophy, also known as Indian philosophy,  looks for the way to salvation and the meaning of life. The concepts of Karma and moksha, or freedom from the cycle of birth and rebirth, were central to all Indian philosophy. There were two groups of philosophers here- 

• Ashthika– which follows conventional philosophical ideas and regards the Vedas as the main source of knowledge. It has two primary branches, Atheistic (which denies the existence of a God) and Theistic (which believes in the existence of a God). Six Indian philosophical schools made up the Ashthika school of thought. They were Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Purva Mimamsa, Uttara Mimamsa, or Vedanta.
• Nastika– Disregarded the authority of the Vedas as the fundamental source of knowledge. The three branches of the Nashthika school of philosophy are Charvaka, Jainism, and Buddhism (the school of materialism).

Schools of Philosophy 

The schools of philosophy which made up the Ashthika school of thought comprise 6 schools. They are as follows- 

• Samkhya

It is one of the oldest philosophical traditions and was given by Kapila Muni. It holds that two components, Purusha (consciousness or soul) and Prakriti (nature and matter) are the sources of all things in the universe. Despite being the earliest school of thinking, it was formed on logical and scientific principles. These thinkers held that nature, instead of the soul or Purusha, was responsible for the world’s creation; but, by the fourth century A.D., they started giving equal importance to the Purusha in the creation of the universe. Because Samkhya combined both the materialism and spiritualistic aspects in the creation of the world, it was also known as dualistic philosophy. The Samkhya philosophy serves as the theoretical foundation for the Yoga school of thinking.

• Yoga

Yoga is the application of the Samkhya theory. This school of thought was established by the sage Patanjali. According to this theory, nirvana can be attained by mastering the body, mind, and sense organs. Ashtanga yoga, which consists of various asanas and breathing exercises, can help one achieve this nirvana. In this instance, God is viewed as a mentor or teacher rather than a creator.

• Nyaya

The Nyaya, whose literal meaning is “justice,” was another logical, scientific school of philosophy. This idea was put forth by Gautam Muni. This philosophy is based on parmana or pratyaksha pramana, or proof. It emphasizes that anything should be accepted based on logic and personal experience. Nyaya states that accurate knowledge can be obtained through inference, comparison, perception, and testimony.

• Vaisheshika

The Vaisheshik philosophy is founded on metaphysical theory, which emphasizes that everything in the universe may be broken down into atoms, or parmanu.

It was put forth by the wise Kanada. It recognized just two paths to accurate knowledge: pratyakṣa (perception) and anumāṇa (inference). It resembles a naturalistic and objective philosophy of the cosmos in which each atom in the universe is given significance.

• Purva Mimamsa

The wise man Jaimini founded this school of thought. It discusses the significance of mantras and yajnas in maintaining the cosmos. In a sense, it acknowledged the Vedas’ supreme authority, where adherence to their teachings can lead to the route to nirvana. It also says that studying the Vedas is a reliable way to learn and gain knowledge.

• Uttara Mimamsa or Vedanta

The founder of this philosophical system was Badarayana. The Upanishadic section of the Vedas serves as the foundation for Vedanta philosophy, which places a strong emphasis on the Brahma Gyan. Advaita by Adi Shankara, Visishtadvaita by Ramanuja, Dvaita by Madhvacharya, Dvaitadvaita by Nimbarka, Shuddhadvaita by Vallabhacharya, and Achintya Bheda Abheda by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu are the six divisions of the Vedanta philosophy.

Effects of Indian Philosophy on Society 

Indian philosophy had a great impact on society.

• They provided a variety of perspectives regarding the world or the universe.
• Although these six schools of philosophy had different roads, they all pointed toward the same direction of nirvana or liberation.
• These philosophies were founded on the ideas of metaphysics, religion, logic, and epistemology.
• Indian philosophy gave the people the ability to think rationally, because people now began seeking the logic or justification for everything rather than just accepting it, based on blind faith.
• To be liberated from the afflictions of the world, these ideologies stressed the significance of self-realization and made society more logical.

Summary 

Indian philosophical systems have developed millions of years ago and since then were responsible for shaping the community. The Hindu philosophy gave maximum importance to obtaining nirvana, or ultimate salvation. This can be obtained through various paths, which they named schools of philosophy. The 6 schools of philosophy were Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Purva Mimamsa, Uttara Mimamsa, or Vedanta. All these Indian philosophical systems had the same goal: to make society and the people dwelling in it stronger

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Describe Charvaka.
Ans: Chravaka belonged to the Nashthika philosophical tradition. It stressed that there is no other world and that death marks the end of human life. In addition to this, they also believe in materialism.

2. What are the various yoga Techniques under Ashtanga Yoga?
Ans: Ashtanga yoga includes- Yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharna, dhyana, and Samadhi. These yoga techniques help in keeping command over the mind, body, and sense organs.

3. Jainism is considered a Nastika Philosophy. Explain.
Ans: Nastika is primarily a philosophy that rejects the notion of a deity.

Similar to this, Jainism rejected the significance of god, placing ‘Jina’ higher than god. This philosophy was primarily founded on the following three ideas: correct belief, proper knowledge, and right behaviour.

4. What was Buddhist Philosophy?
Ans: Between the severe ritualism of Hinduism and the extreme asceticism of Jainism, Buddhism offers a middle way. This philosophy also gives importance to logical thinking and reasons instead of blind faith.

Introduction 

A significant Mahajanapada that existed between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE was Vajji. Its political system, in which kings were chosen by the populace rather than by hereditary succession, is what makes it special. The Vajjis had a republican system of governance at that time when the majority of the kingdoms were run by autocrats. There were eight distinct clans in the confederation. The Videhas, Lichhavis, Jantrikas, and Kshatrikas were the most popular of them. And the Gana-sanghas was the name of the political party in Vajji. One of the strong rulers of Magadha, Ajatshatru, later conquered the capital of this Mahajanapada.

Capital of Vajji

Among the sixteen Mahajanapadas, the Vajji occupied an important position due to its social and political arrangements. Some of these arrangements are as follows: 

• There was a democratic type of government system at that time in the Vajji K, which was a significant Mahajanapada then.
• By rejecting the Vedic philosophy of the Varna system, the kingdom was able to achieve greater unity and equality among the people. 
• As opposed to Magadha, the republican society was stratified into two parts: royalty (Kshatriyas) and slaves (Dasa-Karmakar’s).
• The capital of Vajji, Vaishali, was surrounded by strong fortifications, protecting it against enemy attacks.

Peculiarities of Vajji

• The most significant feature about Vajji is that it was the first republican state in history to be located in India. 
• Its political system was based on the “Gana-Sanghas” system. A group of rulers chosen by the entire populace made up the Gana-sangha. 
• The sangha’s members were each given the title of king. Together, they carried out all rites and participated in assemblies to discuss and vote on issues affecting the welfare of the state.
• These assemblies were closed off to women and slaves. 
• Vajji’s status as a Gana-Sanghas persisted for a long time before the Gupta emperors conquered the state. 
• This Mahajanapada included both Mahavira and Gautama Buddha. Even in Buddhist scriptures, we can find data concerning the operation of Gana sanghas.

For more help, you can refer to Social Studies Tuition. Check out the video Lesson for a better understanding.

Gautama Buddha and the Magadha-Vajji War

The influence of Gautam Buddha in the Magadha-Vajji battle is a topic of debate. Even though Buddha often shied away from social and political matters, it is thought that King Ajatshatru dispatched his minister to consult with Buddha. Buddha explained to him the seven noble truths, which made Vajj a powerful kingdom that was challenging to subdue. Buddha intended to avert the conflict between Vajjia and Magadha in this manner. However, Ajarshatru utilized the Buddha’s guidance and discovered a strategy to overthrow the Vajji empire.

Magadha – Vajji War and the Consequences 

Between 484 and 468 BCE, a conflict between the Magadha and Vajji kingdoms erupted. This conflict pitted the Licchavis confederation of Vajji against the Haryanka dynasty of Magadha. It was rumoured that a town close to the Ganges river was home to a diamond mine. The Licchavis of Vajji and the ruler Ajatashatru were about to split that equally. However, Ajatashatru fell short of the goal, and the Vajjian people assumed full responsibility. As Ajatashatru grew restless, he reasoned that it would be impossible to battle the entire Vaishali at once. He, therefore, decided to act first by dissolving the unity of the Vajji kingdom’s Gana-sanghas.

To learn how to vanquish the Vaishali, he sent his minister to the Buddha. The seven secrets of the Vaishali city and the Vajjis were revealed by Buddha. He claimed that residents of the city of Vaishali were extremely timely, respectful to their elders, and considerate of women in their community. The Vaishali city’s daughters were very strong. Ajatashatru sent his prime minister to join the alliance of the Vajji city after learning about its secrets. He was able to divide the Mahajanapada in a short amount of time, and after a protracted conflict that lasted 16 years, he eventually annexed this state.

The Vajjians made every attempt to battle Magadha, even though they were ultimately vanquished during this conflict. They shut the main gate and surrounded themselves with the city’s defences. Vaishali was surrounded by high, sturdy walls. As a result, Ajatashatru was unable to knock down the wall. Finally, the Magdhan army was able to breach Vaishali’s defences and invade the city. When the Magadhan people defeated the Vajji, the fight was finally over. The Magadha empire subsequently annexed the Vajji Kingdom.

Summary 

A significant Mahajanapada that existed between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE was the Vajji. There was a democratic type of government system at that time in the Vajji Kingdom. Its political system was based on the “Gana-Sanghas” system. The capital of Vajji, Vaishali, was surrounded by strong fortifications, protecting it against enemy attacks. Between 484 and 468 BCE, a conflict between the Magadha and Vajji kingdoms erupted. The Vajjians made every attempt to battle Magadha, even though they were ultimately vanquished during this conflict. The Magadha empire subsequently annexed the Vajji Kingdom.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What do you understand about Mahajanapada? Give an Example.
Ans. The places where the Indo-Aryan tribes resided during the later Vedic period came to be known as Mahajanapadas, or “great and powerful kingdoms.” An example of Mahajanapada is Vajji.

2. List Sixteen Sixth-Century BCE Mahajanapadas.
Ans. Gandahar, Kamboja, Magadha, Vajji, Matsya, Kuru, Chedi, Malla, Kosala, Shurasena, Ashmaka, Anga, Kashi, Avanti, Vatsa, and Panchala are the sixteen sixth century BCE Mahajanpadas.

3. Who was Ajatshatru?
Ans. The second strong monarch of Magadha was Ajatshatru, the son of Bimbisara. He had a reputation for winning wars. Among the kingdoms he overthrew were Vaishali, Kasi, and Kosala. Magadha rose to prominence under him as the most powerful kingdom in northern India.

4. What is a Republic? Name a few Historic Indian Republics called Mahajanapadas.
Ans. Republic is a form of governance in which the ruling class is chosen by the populace rather than by hereditary descent. Malla, Vajji, Kuru, and Kamboja were a few of the republic’s mahajanapadas in history.

Introduction

The Upanishads were written between 700 and 400 BCE  in the Sanskrit language. They contributed to the ancient people’s advancement in spiritual understanding. Vedanta also known as the Upanishads means “end of the Vedic period”. There are roughly 200 Upanishads, the most famous of which are the Aitareya Upanishad, Brhadaranyaka Upanishad, Chandogya Upanishad, Isha Upanishad, Katha Upanishad, Kausitaki Upanishad, Kena Upanishad, Maitri Upanishad, Mandukya Upanishad, Mundaka Upanishad, Prashna Upanishad, Sveta.

Birth of Upanishads

The Vedas could only be read and translated by Brahmins, regular people had great difficulty understanding them. Saints, therefore, wrote a summarized version of the Vedas that included additional queries and concepts in the form of Upanishads. The Upanishads were written at a time when there was a great deal of social, political, and economic unrest. The rural tribal civilization was in danger of extinction because the monarchy absorbed the people into urban life. In times of uncertainty, learnings from the Upanishads gave people peace, a sense of self-realization, and purpose.

Upanishads and Indian Society

The Upanishads are the repository of Hindu philosophy, and they served to uplift and maintain Hindus for a long period. Combining various Upanishads will give a good picture of the kind of civilization and way of life that existed during that era. 

At that time, the kings were specialists in both administration and warfare. They made an effort to promote knowledge of Vedic religion and also provided sanctuary for wise men and sages. 

The Upanishad era was characterized by a strong caste system. In terms of the Ashram system. Brahmacharya, Garhasthya, and Vanaprastha were more prevalent, while Sannyasa may also have been practised. The sanctity and integrity of each person’s private life were emphasized.

The status of women in Hindu society during that era was relatively high. During this time, females participated in spiritual discussions. Gargi and Maitreyi were famous women who participated in such discussions and gave their views regarding various spiritual topics. 

Learnings from Upanishads

The Upanishads are thought to be the authentic teachings of the sages of ancient India.

Learnings from the Upanishads include:

• The philosophy of human spiritual realization, including the meaning of life, existence, birth, and death, is addressed in the Upanishads.
• It explained the complicated truth of existence and how a  person can correct his thinking and be inspired to think differently from the inner soul’s perspective.
• It enabled people to examine their beliefs and give their relationships more meaning.
• The Upanishads describe the understanding of Brahman and Atman’s self-existence. Atman is a particular soul, while Brahman is the all-pervading soul.
• People learned about their being and how Brahman and Atman combined formed the substance of “permanence” (which existed) through the Upanishads.
• The four doctrines of dharma, karma, samsara and moksha are the foundation of the Upanishads and are well explained in these texts.
• According to the Upanishads, a spiritually aspirational person must think about the symbolic sacrifices that occur in the mind rather than concentrating on external sacrifices.
• Last but not least, the Upanishads explain the self-realization theory. By realizing the purpose of life, people might lessen their sorrow and suffering.

Interesting Facts 

• The best place to learn about self-realization and life’s realities is from the Upanishads.
• The impact of the Upanishads was not limited to India; it also extended to other nations.
• Although there are about 200 Upanishads, the majority of Hindu literature only mentions 108 of them.
• These Upanishads were among the earliest intellectual writings ever discovered; they even predated the Bible and the Qur’an by 800 and 1300 years, respectively.
• The Upanishads claim that Hindu sages united several Gods because they believed in unity. 
• Agni, Indra, and other Vedic deities are compared to the highest truth and given a spiritual purpose.
• The development of various Vedanta that differed from the Brahman and Atman aspects was aided by the Upanishads.

Summary 

The most important learning from the Upanishads-The final triumph, the victory of the soul over matter and man over nature, helped to establish, sustain, and perpetuate a vast heritage of spirituality. This was achieved, through the courageous pursuit of logical conclusions and intuitive, undetectable encounters outside the realm of reason. The experiences received from these learnings merged into a single principle that helped in human development. Upanishads are one of the oldest spiritual texts in Indian history, which helped man to live a life and build a society.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What do Dharma, Karma, Samsara, and Moksha Mean?
Ans:  Karma denotes a person’s response to an action. Dharma refers to a person’s obligations and responsibilities to society. Samsara, the cycle of both life and death, arises. Moksha is the ultimate goal of departing from the cycle of rebirth and death.

2. Who is the Upanishads’ Author?
Ans: The Upanishads’ author is still a mystery. The Upanishads are said to have been written by several authors. The scriptures were written with the help of famous sages like Aruni, Balaki, Sanatkumara, Yajnavalkya, and others.

3. Give the four Ashramas of the later Vedic Era.
Ans: The 4 ashrams of the Vedic period are-

• Brahmacharya: A phase in the Gurukul, the education process.
• Grihastha-A man was supposed to have a wife and children. Have a family life.
• Vanaprastha: A stage of life during which a person was supposed to put aside materialistic ambitions and relocate to the forests.
• Sanyasa: A man who abandons material interests to pursue exclusively spiritual objectives.

4. Give the names of the four Vedas. Which Veda is the Oldest?
Ans: The Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda are the four Vedas of the Vedic era. The oldest of them all is the Rig Veda.