Hinduism

The Sanskrit Epics Representation of Vedic Myths

As the name of this research project, “The Sanskrit Epics’ Representation of Vedic Myths,” suggests, my objective is to investigate the manner in which certain myths that are first presented (as far as India is concerned) in the Vedas, and more specifically in the Rgveda, are retold in the Sanskrit Epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, and to investigate the manner in which the Epics re-use the mythological material Before we go any further, I will first provide a concise synopsis of the type, contents, and dates of the documents that were discussed earlier in this paragraph. The various passages ‘holy speech’ is what the phrase’mantra’ or ‘brahman’ meant when it was first used, and the name ‘Veda’ referred to the earliest layer of literature in the Sanskrit language. According to later Indian tradition — in particular, according to the Mimamsa, which is a school of Vedic exegesis — the Veda is eternal and authorless, and it was a’revea1d’ to the Vedic rsis or seers. Other names for the Veda include the sruti, which can be translated as “that which has been heard,” or the “revelation.” The Veda is composed of many layers of writings; the earliest of these are known as the Samhitas, which literally translate to “collections.” There are four different Samhitas. The Rgveda Samhita, also known as the “collection of poems,” is the earliest of the four. It was written between 1500 and 1000 BCE and is organised into ten mandalas, also known as books. The tenth mandala is often believed to be a more recent addition to the collection in comparison to the other nine mandalas.

Author

DANIELLE FELLER

Arya Samaj Movement in South Africa

Even though it is primarily a religious organisation, the Arya Samaj movement emerged as a significant player in India’s fight for social and cultural autonomy, which involved both religious and secular groups. It was established in 1875, foreshadowing the establishment of an independent India in 1947. This work makes no attempt to provide a detailed

investigation of the movement, but also presents a summary of its development and philosophy in the context of the contributions made by its founder, Swami Dayanand Sarasvati. There is a lot of reason to be proud of the Samaj’s complex of institutions and upliftment programmes that they started, as well as the major historical forces that played a role in shaping the movement.

The nineteenth century saw the beginning of a number of different socio-religious groups, one of which was the Arya Samaj. Despite this, it was responsible for the construction of many of the most prestigious educational institutions in northern India. Indian groups who had immigrated to other countries, such as Mauritius, South Africa, and Guyana, were among the first to feel the impact of these events. What was once a little religious group has now grown into a religious denomination that has significant weight in the world today. One of the Arya Pratinidhi Sabhas may be found in South Africa.

the most well-known Hindu organisations that have a significant amount of sway over the north Indian subset of the Hindu people.

Author

T. Naidoo

About the Author

Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Dr. Thillayvel Naidoo went to school and graduated as a teacher. A graduate of the University of South Africa, he moved to India to pursue his M.A. in Indian Philosophy at the University of Madras. Research Officer at the University of Durban-Department Westville’s of Science of Religion. He is presently a professor of Philosophy of Religion at the university where he earned his doctorate. On Hinduism, he is the author of many publications on the subject: The Hindu Way, Sai Baba: An Analysis of Manifestations, The Parsee Community in South Africa, and Tamil People in South Africa.

Agni (2 Vols.) with 2 CDs: The Vedic Ritual of the Fire Altar

A consideration of the role of the Agnicayana in the Vedic srauta tradition, its textual loci, traditional and contemporary interpretations of its origins and meaning, and an overview of the Nambudiri Vedic tradition are all included in the first book of Agni: The Vedic Ritual of the Fire Altar. The majority of the book is dedicated to a comprehensive account of the twelve-day performance that took place in 19875. This account was written in close collaboration with C.V. Somayajipad and M.Itti Ravi Nambudiri, and it is lavishly illustrated with tipped-in photographs that are predominantly coloured and almost entirely taken by Adelaide de Menil. There are various images, tables, and maps included inside the text. Both the original Devanagari text and an English translation of the mantras are provided. Archeology, the pre-Vedic Indian background, geometry, ritual vessels, music, Mudras, Mimamsa, a survey of Srauta traditions in recent times, the influence of Vedic ritual in the Homa traditions of Indonesia, Tibet, China, and Japan, and related topics are covered in the second volume, which was edited with the assistance of Pamela MacFarland. This volume contains contributions from an international galaxy of scholars on archaeology, the pre-Vedic Indian background There are also translations of the relevant Srauta Sutras of Baudhayana (together with Calanda’s text) and the Jaiminiya (with Bhavatrata’s commentary) as well as the Kausitaki Brahmana; and there is also a survey of the project along with an inventory of the films and tape recording that was made in 1975.

Author

Frits Stall