Vedic
Religion
So what do we mean by Vedic?
Either:
• Religious ideas that
are found in the
Vedas;
• Fire sacrifice,
• Many Gods,
• Varna & social
structure.
• Acceptance of the
vedas is a commonly
held mark of
“authenticity”
Or:
• Because it is a mark
of Authenticity, many
groups whose ideas
are not inherently
“Vedic”, use the term
to describe what they
do, in order to buy
into “authenticity”.
What are the Vedas?
• Sanskrit texts,
composed by
rishis (seers).
• Referred to as
Shruti (that which
is heard)
• Impart the
knowledge that
enables people to
contact the divine.
Rig Veda, Veda of
Mantras
Artha Veda, Veda of
incantations,
Samaveda, Veda of
Melodies,
Yajurveda, Veda of
Rituals.
Early Vedic religion:
• Was portable;
• Using temporary
fire altars
• No God images
• Mystical and direct
through soma
intoxication.
• Centered on the
worship of
personified natural
phenomena; 3
categories of devas :
Sky
Atmosphere
Earth
Atmosphere & Sky
Devas
Varuna
Guardian of cosmic order, and overseer of
correct action. He created the world and
ruled it by the standard of rita; the
proper course of things. This was the
standard for cosmic, moral, liturgical
order; the basis for what is true and
proper, for speech and movement. Later
his activities were taken over by Vishnu,
who in the vedic period was a
subordinate deity.
Indra
Indra is the thunder god of the Aryans, and was
very popular, probably because he reflects a
great deal about the self-image of the Aryan
warrior caste. Indra not only defeated the
spiritual enemies of mankind, but is also said
to have subdued the human enemies of the
Aryans. He is tawny in colour, intoxicated on
soma, beard agitated, brandishing his
thunderbolt, boasting of previous martial
success, and eager to join battle.
Rudra
Rudra was another
atmospheric deva, of
comparatively little
importance in the early
Vedas, who was
generally feared for his
control of primal
powers of nature, and
called upon with the
epithet Shiva;
auspicious.
Fire Sacrifice: Yajña
The sacrificer would pay
a Brahmana to perform
the sacrifice to gain
boons from the Gods.
The relevant deities
would be invited to
attend, and then offered
gifts, which were seen to
be consumed in the fire.
They would be seen to
be attending by the
soma-intoxicated.
Earth Devas of the Fire
sacrifice
Agni was the deified fire; the god who
transported the sacrificial gifts to
Brihaspati wasthe others.
the
divine
Soma
was the principal offering; the
cultic
priest,
libation that enabled the gods to be
with the
seen by their worshippers.
knowledge of
the correct
words.
Changes in understanding
of the fire sacrifice
• Originally:
An attempt to gain the favour of the
divine through offering gifts.
• Then:
Powerful in it’s own right: earth
devas are more important
• Eventually:
The driving force of the universe.
Earth devas become more
important
You, O Agni, are Indra, the bull (strongest) of all
that exists; you are the wide-striding Vishnu,
worthy of reverence; you, O lord of the Holy
Word, are the chief priest who finds riches (for
the sacrificer); you, O distributor are associated
with munificence. You, O Agni, are King Varuna,
whose laws are firm; you are Mitra, the wonderworker to be revered; you are Arayaman, the
reliable lord, of whom I would get enjoyment…..
You, O Agni, are Rudra, the Asura of lofty
heaven you control sustenance.
(Rig Veda. II.1.3,4,6)
Layout of the fire sacrifice.
Garhapatya
Vedi
N
Dakshina
Ahavaniya
Suitable offerings.
Man  horse  ox
 goat 
grains, fruit, ghee & milk.
All contain(ed) Medha –
sacrificial substance.
Mantras
Brihaspati’s power came through the
knowledge of the words of the
sacrifice; thus the idea of Mantra; a
powerful utterance. Saying a
mantra is a magically \ spiritually
powerful act. Just knowing the
(sanskrit) words is significant. Thus
the prominence of the goddess Vac
(utterance).
Vac
Holy utterance (Vac) is measured as four
quarters; wise brahmanas know these.
The three that are set down in secret
they do not bring into movement. The
fourth is what men speak. They call in
Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Agni….that which
is One (Neuter gender) the seers speak
of in various terms; they call it Agni,
Yama, Matarishvan.
Rig Veda 1.164