Vedic Age – The Religious Life

Religion of Vedic Age discussed by Harsh Kumar

The Vedic Age was flourished around the c. 1500 BC to c. 500 BC in Indian subcontinent. During this age the society was evolved with time and different changes were occurred during this time. The religious traditions were also evolved over these years. Many of the religious practices of Vedic age are the basis of various religious practices of modern-day peoples in Indian subcontinent. Hence, the religious life of Vedic Age needs to study for understanding the modern religious practices of Hindu community.

Also Read : Vedic Age – Origin and Political Life

Vedic Age – The Social Life

Vedic Age – The Economic Life

The Religious Traditions of Early Vedic Age

The religious practices included the rituals and sacrifices, which were the crux of the early Vedic age. The rituals and sacrifices were simple in nature during the early Vedic age. The role of priestly class not important during the Early Vedic age in the rituals and sacrifices. There were sixteen categories of priestly class during the early Vedic age. Brahmana was one of them and was most important.

The householders were considered the seventeenth category. Most of the sacrifices and rituals were performed by the householders himself. The philosophical thinking was still at the nascent stage of development. The only references of the concepts like Heaven and Hell were founded in the Rigveda. The philosophical elements like soul and salvation were yet to be emerged during the early Vedic age.

The materialistic outlook was dominant in the rituals and sacrifices. Most of the rituals and sacrifices were done for the benefits of sons in war and battles, and for increasing the cattle wealth. The religious practices were quite liberal and progressive during the early Vedic age. The main purpose behind these rituals and sacrifices were the betterment of their lifestyle. The main deities during this age were Indra, Varuna, and Agni.

The Religious Traditions of Later Vedic Age

The status of Sun deity was undergoing significant changes during the later Vedic age. During the early Vedic age, Indra, Varuna and Agni were the main deities but during the later Vedic age the main deities were Vishnu, Brahma, Rudra and Prajapati. Rituals and sacrifices were become elaborated, complex and costly during the later Vedic age.

Some of sacrifices like Ashwamedha, Rajasuya and Vajapaya were went for many days. The Ashwamedha sacrifice was practiced for increasing the territorial boundaries of state. Rajasuya was performed during the coronation of the king. Vajapaya was performed for displaying the strength of the monarch. The role of priestly class was most important in performing these rituals and sacrifices.

The importance of Brahman was increased significantly during the later Vedic age, now the sacrifices were incomplete without involvement of the Brahman, they became the most important class during later Vedic age. The priestly ideas like ascetism and renunciation were becoming the part of the life of later Vedic peoples.

The philosophical ideas like Hell, Heaven, Soul, Salvation and transmigration were became common during later Vedic age. Spiritual and philosophical outlook became dominant during the later Vedic age because the rituals and ceremonies were no longer performed for the material benefits.

The Common Religious Practices of Early and Later Vedic Age

 Nature worship was common practice during the Vedic age. Historians and scholars believed that Vedic Aryans failed to understand the logic behind the various natural phenomenon like blowing of air, periodic sunset and sunrise, the rainfall pattern, the logic behind fire etc. Hence, they gave these phenomenon name of God and Goddess. For example, Agni was God of fire, Indra was God of rain, Varuna was God of wind etc.

 Human attributes were attached to the deities. Personification of natural activities was the most important aspect of the Vedic age. The Vedic age was polytheistic in nature as many Gods and Goddess were worshipped by the Vedic Aryans. The status of Male deity was higher than the female deities. So, Goddess were inferior in status.

Vedic Religion was ana example of Henotheism or Kat henotheism. In this system, the status of a particular deity held superior than other deities. On other occasions, the status of other deities become superior. The cult of domestic heath enjoyed a place of great significance in the Vedic religion as most of the offerings were made in the kitchen fire for deities.

Thus, the religious life of Vedic age was very significant in many ways because many of the elements of the Vedic age still followed in the modern-day Hindu community. For example, the nature’s worship still practiced by the peoples of modern Hindu community.