Unit 5 - Life in Vedic Literature

1. Will it be correct to say that 'the Vedic Literature is the most ancient literature in the world'?
Ans. No, it will not be correct to say that 'the Vedic Literature is the most ancient literature in the world', Certainly the Mesopotamian and Egyptian cultures existed prior to them.

2. How do you describe the Vedic hymns?
Ans. The Vedic hymns are a poetic testament of a people's collective reactions to the wonder and are of existence.

3. To what period do the first two Vedas belong?
Ans. The first two Vedas belong to the period when the Aryans were living in the region watered by the Sindus and its tributes.

4. What proves the Atharvaveda's late origin?
Ans. The Atharvaveda's late origin is shown by the fact that the tiger, a native of marshy Bengal are unknown to the other Vedas, is frequently referred to as a terrible beast of pray in it.

5. By whom were the Aranyakas composed?
Ans. The Aranyakas were composed by thinkers who retired from the ritual-dominated society to the peace of the forests where they were free to pursue their adventure of thought.

6. Mention the five Vedangas?
Ans. The five Vedangas are phonetics, grammar, etymology, metrics and astronomy.

7. Explain the meaning of the term 'Upanishad'?
Ans. The term 'Upanishad' means sitting down (of the pupil) near the teacher for communication and the progressive evolution.

8. By what time decline set in the Vedic culture?
Ans. Decline set in the Vedic culture when the Adhvaryu priests began to cater to the masses and produce spells of magic and sorcery directed against diseases, enemies and demons.

9. Mention three sacrificial fires?
Ans. The three sacrificial fires are the first fire in front of which the holy priest recited the hymns of the Rig Veda. the second fire was officiated by the Udgatra priest who sang the saman chant and the third fire was officiated by the Adhvaryu priest who recited the Mantras of the Yajur Veda.

10. What is the content of the Atharva Veda?
Ans. The Atharva Veda contains 6000 mantras of magic and sorcery against disease, demons and enemies.

11. What was the purpose of the Brahmana Granthas?
Ans. The purpose of the Brahmana Granthas was to provide the rules of precepts for rituals and explanations.