NSW DEC Sites2See

Beliefs, values and practices of the Aryans druing the Vedic period

Raja Drupada begs Shiva to grant him a boon1

©SriLoudhar10001 Public domain2

Read about Rudra3, a Vedic god, thought by some to be identified with Shiva in later Hinduism.

Read about how the Soma plant4 was used to heighten spiritual awareness.

Explore complex ceremonies and rituals such as the Asvamedha5 or Horse ritual, the Vajapeya6 and the Rajasuya7. Examine the Asvamedha ritual in detail8.

The Brahmanas9 are commentaries on the Vedas and detail the proper performance of rituals. The Brahman, or priest varna10 became very important during this period.

Investigate early Hinduism11 and explore the early Hindu Gods3.

Read about funeral rites12 described in the Vedas.

Examine the philosophies13 of early Hinduism which became established in the late Vedic period.

Links

  1. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Raja_Drupada_Begs_Shiva_to_Grant_him_a_Boon.jpg
  2. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Public_domain#Material_in_the_public_domain
  3. http://www.ancientindia.co.uk/hinduism/explore/exp_set.html
  4. https://www.vedanet.com/the-secret-of-the-soma-plant/
  5. http://www.dictionaryofspiritualterms.com/public/glossaries/terms.aspx?ID=531
  6. http://www.dictionaryofspiritualterms.com/public/Glossaries/terms.aspx?ID=895
  7. http://www.dictionaryofspiritualterms.com/public/Glossaries/terms.aspx?ID=773
  8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashvamedha
  9. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/77126/Brahmana
  10. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/623520/varna
  11. http://www.ancientindia.co.uk/hinduism/home_set.html
  12. http://www.finaljourneyseminars.com/?page_id=438
  13. http://www.iep.utm.edu/hindu-ph/#SH1a