SHRI RAM MURTI SMARAK ENGINEERING

INSTITUTIONS
Subject Name:- Indian Tradition, Culture and Society
Subject Code- KNC/502/602
Unit- II
Lecture.1
Topic Name :- Evolution of Script and Vedic Literature
Dr. Ashok Kumar
SRMS, Collage of Law
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 1
 Content
1:- Evolution of Script
2:- The Vedas
3:- The Brahmanas
4:- The Aranyakas
5:- Upnishads
6:- Sutras
7:- Vedangas
8:- The Puranas
9:- The Maha Kavya
10:-Importance of the Vedic Literature
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 2
 Evolution of Script
• A language usually refers to the spoken language, a
method of communication. A script refers to a
collection of characters used to write one or more
languages.
• A language is a method of communication. Scripts
are writing systems that allow the transcription of a
language, via alphabet sets.
• After the pictographic representations of early man
the first evidence of a writing system can be seen in
the Indus valley civilization.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 3
 Continued…
Indus script
•  The earliest evidence of which is found on the pottery and
pot shreds of Rahman Dheri and  these potter’s marks,
engraved or painted, are strikingly similar to those appearing
in the Mature Indus symbol system.
• Later the writing system can be seen on the seals and
sealing's of Harappan period. Most inscriptions containing
these symbols are extremely short (5 symbols), making it
difficult to judge whether or not these symbols constituted a
script used to record a language, or even symbolize a writing
system.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 4
 Continued…
• The long inscriptions are found in Gujarat particularly
Dholavira where we find slabs of stone inscribed with
inscriptions which might represent name plates of the
houses with 24 to 34 symbols.  
• The characters are largely pictorial but include many
abstract signs. The inscriptions are thought to have been
written mostly from right-to-left (because there are
several instances of the symbols being compressed on
the left side, as if the writer is running out of space at the
end of the row there.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 5
 Continued…
• The number of principal signs is about 400. Since that is
considered too large a number for each character to be a
phonogram, the script is generally believed to instead be
logo-syllabic.
Brahmi script
• Brahmi is the originator of most of the present Indian
scripts, including Devanagari, Bengali, Tamil,
Malayalam etc.  
• It was deciphered in 1838 by James Princep. The best-
known Brahmi inscriptions are the rock-cut edicts of
Ashoka in north-central India, dated to 250–232 BCE.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 6
 Continued…
• Many scholars support that Brahmi probably derives
from Aramaic influence and others support that the
Brahmi language can have some Indus script influence.
• The Brahmi script confirms to the syllabic writing
system and was used more for writing Prakrit, the
language spoken by ordinary people initially and later
Sanskrit also was written in this script.
• According to the epigraphers- All Indian scripts are
derived from Brahmi. There are two main families of
scripts:
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 7
 Continued…
1. Devanagari, which is the basis of the
languages of northern and western India like
Hindi, Gujarati, Bengali, Marathi, Dogri,
Panjabi, etc.
2. Dravidian which shows the formats
of Grantha

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 8

 Vedic Literature
The Vedic literature is a term which has an extensive
meaning. The word Veda comes from the root
‘Vida’, which means to know. Thus Veda means
wisdom or knowledge. In other words the Veda is
the store-house of the Indian wisdom or knowledge
of the Aryans collectively. It consists of not only the
four Vedas but also of all the important books like
the ‘Brahamanas’, the ‘Arayanaks’, the
‘Upnishadas’, the ‘Sutras’, the ‘Vedangas’, the
‘Up-Vedas’, the ‘Puranas’, the ‘Mahakavyas’, etc.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 9
 Continued…

The Vedic Literature can be divided into two distinct

classes on the basis of the time of their composition-
1. Early Vedic Literature- It comprises four Vedas, The
Brahmanas, the Aranayakas, the Upnishadas, etc. Vedic
Literature is generally known as “Shruti”. The word
“Shruti” from the term “Shruti” Literature means to
hear and describe the sacred texts which comprise of
the “Vedas”, the “Brahmanas”, etc.

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 10

 Continued…
2. Later Vedic Literature- Ii consists of the Sutras, the
Vedangas, the Upvedas, the Darshanas, the Puranas,
etc. Later Vedic literature is known as “Smriti”. The
word Smriti literally means to be remembered and
which is supplementary and may change over time.

Early Vedic Literature

They are the oldest books of the Aryans. A great
majority of Indians believe that they are revealed
books. They are four in numbers, written in Sanskrit.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 11
 Continued…
They are regarded as the most renowned religious books
of the Hindus and are held in great reverence. It is believed
that these Vedas were revealed to the ‘Rishis’ by God.
They later composed them in the present form. As God
revealed this knowledge to the ‘Rishis’ to help them, it is
regarded as the Divine ‘Knowledge’. The four Vedas are-
1. The Rig Veda
2. The Sama Veda
3. The Yajur Veda
4. The Atharva Veda

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 12

 Continued…
The Rig Veda (1500-1000 BC.)
It is the oldest Veda and perhaps the first book written
in the world. The composition of the Rig Veda began
by 1500 BC and ended by 1000 BC. It contains 10
books or Mandals. The oldest hymns are contained
in the mandals II to VII, which are known as
‘Family books’ on account of their compositions of
different families of Sagas. Rig Veda consists of 1017
hymns or mantras known as Sakal and supplemented
by 11 others called Valkhilyas.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 13
 Mandal & Writers
• 1- Dirghatma & Ghora • 6- Bhardwaj Rishi
Rishi • 7- Vasistha Rishi
• 2- Gritsamad Rishi • 8- Kanav Rishi
• 3. Vishwamitra Rishi • 9- Angira Rishi
• 4- Vamdev Rishi • 10- Latest Part
• 5- Atri Rishi

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 14

 Continued…
- Rig Veda is the only book of the Vedic literature which
was dated to the early Vedic period. So it is the oldest
of the four Sanghitas.
- In Mandal III of the Rig Veda , composed by
Vishwamitra, we find the famous Gayatri Mantra,
addressed to the solar deity Savitri.
- In the Xth mandal of the Rig Veda is present the hymn
on creation which is called the Purushasukta hymn,
which is the largest hymn of the Rig Veda, which also
mentions the chaturvarna scheme of society.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 15
 Continued..

- The first and the tenth mandals of the Rig Veda

are considered as the latest based on the style of
their composition as well as the nature of material
culture revealed by them.
- The Vedas was probably written when the Aryans
lived in the Punjab. A large number of its hymns
were written in praise of different gods of nature.

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 16

 Continued…
The Sama Veda
It’s name is derived from Saman, a song or
melody. It consists of hymns taken from the Rig
Veda and set to tune for the purpose of singing.
This Veda contains more hymns than even the Rig
Veda. These hymns were meant for the priests only
and then used to sing them at the time of the
performance of Yajnas. It is called the book of
Chant's and origin of Indian music are traced to
it.

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 17

 Continued…
The Yajur Veda
It is the Veda of formulae consisting of various mantras for
the purpose of recitation and rules to be observed at the time
of sacrifice. The study of this Veda indicates that it was
written at the time when Aryans had been living for a very
long time in India. It shows that the Aryans had acquired
knowledge of sacrifices by that time.
- The two royal ceremonies of Rajasuya and Vajpeya are
mentioned for the first time in this Veda.
- In contrast to the Rig Veda and the Sama Veda which are in
verse entirely, this one is in both verse prose.

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 18

 Continued…
According to Satpath Brahmanas , the Rig Veda, Sama Veda and
Yajur Veda constitute the Traya Veda and are composed by
Arayans.
The Atharva Veda
This Veda has a collection of hymns, dealing with spells and
magical charms for the control of demons effects, of demons and
evil spirits.
It was compiled by Atharva sage, a non Aryan.
- It also has the origins of Indian medicine.
- It is considered to be the most useful Veda since it contains
information of diverse nature about agriculture, cattle rearing and
industry.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 19
 Continued…
- Of all the four Vedas the Rig Veda alone has the
greatest importance for the historians. It provides
important information regarding the social, political,
religious, economic life of the Arayans.
- It also contains a description about the mutual
quarrels of the Aryans and their war against the
‘asuras’.
- The Rig Veda also gives details about the other three
Vedas thrown light on the beliefs of the Aryans about
sacrifices and evil sprits.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 20
 Continued…
The Brahmanas
The Brahmanas are prose commentaries on the four
Vedas. The Brahmanas are a sort of notes on the Vedas.
They are written in prose and are appended to each Veda in
large numbers. The subject matter is ritual. They deal with
the science of sacrifice. It provides us information not only
about sacrifices and ceremonies but also theology,
philosophy, manners and customs of the later Vedic period.
There are a total of 18 Brahmanas the most important of
them are Satpath and Aitrey Brahmanas.

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 21

 Continued…
Each Vedas has one or more of its own
Brahmans and each Brahmana is generally
associated with a particular shakha or schools.
For Example-
1. Aitaray & Koshitaqi Brahmans- Rig Veda
2. Tanday & Jaimini Brahman- Sama Veda
3. Satpath Brahman- Yajur Veda
4. Gopath Brahman- Atharva Veda
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 22
 Continued…
The Aranyakas or Forest Books
They are also known as ‘Vaniye Granth’. They are
not separate books from the Brahmanas but they are
their portions only. They were written for the
guidance of the jungle-dwellings Sadhus. They do
not give much information about rituals and
sacrifices but they deal with mysteries of life and
philosophy. The Aranyakas contain transitional
material between the mythology and ritual of the
Samhitas and Brahmanas.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 23
 Continued…
They were written in such a way that those hermits
living in the forest might be able to understand the
Vedic literature easily while sitting in the calm and
peaceful atmosphere of the forest. Hence their name,
Aranyakas is appropriate. Aranayakas also associated
with Vedas, like-
1. Aitaraya & Koshitaqi Aranayaka- Rig Veda
2. Jaimini & Chandogya Aranayaka- Sama Veda
3. Virihdaranayaka, Taitariye & Satpath Aranayaka-
Yajur Veda
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 24
 Continued…
Upanishadas
The word Upnishada means to be seated at the feet of the
Guru to receive the teaching. Many mysteries and sides
of life have been discussed in them. There language is
simple and they were written at times different from one
another. They contain the philosophy of Aryan. An
attempt has been made to throw light on certain very
difficult questions, such as the nature of God (Brahma)
and the Soul (Atma). They provide sufficient knowledge
about the relation of God with the Soul.

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 25

 Continued…
The doctrine of Karma, Mukti and Maya have been so
elaborately discussed and explained in them that majority
of scholars acknowledge that the past of the Hindus was
very glorious.
The Upnishads have an essential place in the history of the
ancient times because they provide knowledge about the
social and religious conditions as well as the philosophy of
ancient Aryans.
There are a total of 108 Upnishadas of which are 12 are
considered to be Shruti or of divine revelation. Most of
them have been written by Kshatriye.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 26
 Continued…
The Upnishads are critical of the ritualistic
interpretation of the Vedas. Upnishada of the
Veda’s-
1. Rig Veda- Aitraya & Koshitaqi Upnishada
2. Sama Veda- Chandogya & Jaimini Upnishada
3. Yajur Veda- Vrihdaranyak, Katho Upnishada
4. Atharva Veda- Mandukupnishad

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 27

 Continued…
Some important facts mentioned in Upnishads are-

1. The idea of rebirth first appears in the Brihadaranyaka

Upanishad.
2. The concept of Unity in diversity, is drawn from Mundaka
Upanishad.
3. The earliest reference to Lord Krishna is in Chandogya
Upanishad.
4. Shiva is mentioned for the first time in Svetasvatra
Upanishad.

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 28

 Continued…
The Upanishad constitute the Vedanta not only
because they constitute the last part of them,
but also because the Vedas reach the highest
metaphysical state in the Upanishads
considered to be the highest philosophy ever
conceived by the human mind. Buddhist texts
are rich with material drawn from the
Upanishads.

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 29

 Later Vedic Literature
Later Vedic Literature known as ‘Smriti’ which consists of
‘Sutras’, ‘Vedangas’, ‘Up-Vedas’, ‘Six Schools of
Philosophy’, ‘Puranas’, ‘Maha Kavya and Dharm Shastras
as well as others.
Sutras
Many of them were written between 700 to 200 BC. As the
time passed, many new social customs came into being. It
was difficult to remember them all. These new customs,
therefore, collected in new books rather than linked with
the Ancient literature. Theses new type of literature came to
be known as ‘Sutras’.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 30
 Continued…
‘Sutras’ are divided into three parts-
1. Srauta Sutras- They deal with the religious ideas of the Arayans,
the great Vedic sacrifices, Agni and Soma. The Sulvsutras, which
are the oldest book of Indian geometry are part of the this Sutras.
2. Dharma Sutras- They are concerned with the social customs and
the Civil and Criminal law.
3. Griha Sutras- They deal with the duties or ‘Sanskaras’ that a
family man has to perform during the whole life from birth till
death. It contains ‘Sanskaras’ connected with the birth, admission
to an educational institution and marriage of an individual.

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 31

 Continued…
Vedangas
They are six in number and they are a part of the Vedic
literature. These Vedangas are-
1. Kalpa- Religious rituals
2. Siksha- Pronunciation
3. Vyakarna- Grammar
4. Jyotish- Astronomy
5. Nirukt- Etymology of science of words
6. Chhandas- Metrics
Of all these Vedangas, Kalpa is most important one. They have
a special use in understanding the Vedas.

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 32

 Continued…
Up-Vedas
Four minor Vedas called Up-Vedas came to be written
on the basis on the basis of the Vedic literature. They
are-
1. Ayurveda- It deals with medicine.
2. Dhanurveda- It throws light on the art of warfare.
3. Ghandharva Veda- It deals with dance and music.
4. Shilpa Veda- It deals with architecture and other arts.

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 33

 Continued…
The Purnas
Literally, purnas mean old. They contain the ancient
history of the Hindus, written in Sanskrit. They treat of
the evolution of the universe, power of the Hindus Gods
and the ancient history of the India. They are 18 in
number and each has five sections. For the purpose of
history, however, only the fifth section is important
because it deals with the history of kings and their
dynasties or Vansa-Charit. The puranas proved very
profitable in the reconstruction of ancient History and
Culture. Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 34
 Continued…
• All the Puranas are strongly sectarian—some devoted
to Shiva some to Vishnu, and some to a goddess. But even
those officially devoted to a particular god often pay
considerable attention to other gods.
• By far the most popular Purana is the Bhagavata-purana,
with its elegant treatment of the childhood and early life
of Krishna.
• There are also 18 “lesser” Puranas, or upa-puranas, which
treat similar material, and a large number of sthala-puranas,
which glorify temples or sacred places and are recited in the
services at those temples.

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 35

 Continued…
The Maha Kavya (The Epics)
• The period between the close of the Rig Vedic period
and the rise of Buddhism in India etc. 2000 to 700
BC. Is known as the Epic age.
• In this period the prominent events of the bravery of
the Arayans, described in the Ramayana and the
Mahabharata, occurred. At this time the Arayans had
advanced into the regions beyond the Punjab and had
brought a considerable part of north India under their
rule.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 36
 Continued…
• The Epic age, in fact, was that period when Rama,
Krishna and Arjuna, the gallant heroes were born in
India.
• The two epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata
give the details of the lives of some great heroes of the
Arayans.
• Thus, they have proved to be of great worth and value
to the historians who have been able to know much
about the social, economic, religious and political life
of the people of the Epic age or later Vedic period.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 37
 Continued…
• The Ramayana is the oldest and the most
renowned Epic of the Hindus. It contains about
24,000 verses. It is generally belief that it was
originally written by Rishi Valmiki.
• It is very difficult to say when this great Epic
was written. The Indians believe that this
important book was written even before 3,000
BC. But many western historians do not agree
to this date.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 38
 Continued…
• Mahabharata is the second great Epic. It has 18
cantos and about 100000 (one Lac) Verses. The
Indian believe that it was written by the Rishi
Vyas.
• But many scholars do not agree to it. Hindu
family believe that Mahabharata war was
fought about 3,000 years BC. According to Dr
Tripathy, this book was compiled some time
between 500 BC. And 500 AD.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 39
 Continued…
Importance of the Vedic Literature
- The Vedic literature occupies an important place
of its own in the Indian history. It has helped us
a good deal by providing us with information in
the reconstruction of the ancient Indian history.
- From these books we have glimpses of the
social, religious, economic, political and cultural
life of the Aryans of the ancient times.

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 40

 Continued…
- They are the only source of our information about
the domestic life of Aryans, the place of women in
the society, their food and dress and various means
of their amusements.
- This literature alone contains the information about
the origin and the development of the caste-system.
- These books have thrown light on the progress made
by the Arayans in different occupations like
agriculture, domestication of animals, trade, etc.

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 41

 Continued…
- This literature make us familiar with the religious
beliefs of the Aryans, their nature of worship,
chanting of hymns, yajnas and sacrifices also.
- We also come to know from this literature that the
elements of democracy, so much talked of today,
were found in their Sabha and Samiti.
Besides, by the study of the Vedic literature we
come to know that this literature is the oldest one in
the world. It is accepted on all hands that the Vedas
are the oldest books of the world.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 42
 Continued…
From these books it is proved that the Aryans were
the most advanced race which had made a great
progress in the philosophical and spiritual fields of
thought and ideas.
Not only this but the later civilization and culture
of the Aryans was also founded in this literature.
The theories, ideology and ideals which were
explained in this literature, formed the body and
soul of the Aryans society and religion afterwards.

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 43

 Continued…
The Vedic literature is written in Sanskrit language.
Sanskrit language has cast spell over other Indian
languages. As a matter of fact, Sanskrit is the mother
of all the Indian languages.

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 44

 Important Questions
Q1.Give a brief account of the Vedic Literature.
Q2. Write short note on Early Vedic Literature.
Q3. How Upnishads important as a point of to
know the culture of Ancient people?
Q4. Write short note on Brahmanas.
Q5. Write short notes on importance of Vedic
literature in to know Ancient Indian Culture.

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 45

 References
• Reference Books:-
1. V.D. Mahajan, Ancient India
2. R. S. Sharma, India’s Ancient Past
3. A.L. Basam, The wonder that was India
4. D.N. Jha, Ancient India
5. U.S. Singh, Ancient India
6. S.R. Myneni, Ancient India
• Notes:- IGNOU.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 46
Thank You

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 47