Indian History and World History (Part-2)

The meaning of Sanskrit word Agni is fire. Agni is the second most important god in the Vedic mythology of ancient India. 200 Rigvedic hymns are devoted to Agni.

Indra is the king of the gods in Vedic Hindu mythology. Indra was considered to be the rain god. Indra is sometimes referred to as "the thousand-eyed".

Soma was a plant producing potent drink, an offering at the Vedic sacrifices. The personified deity Soma was the “king of plants.”

In April 2016, the BJP-ruled Haryana government changed the name of Gurgaon to Gurugram.

According to Vedic philosophy, human life has a definite purpose. Whilst the final Goal of life is “Moksha”, there are three other (intermediate) goals of life and together these are called four objectives or pursuits of life.

These objectives are :
• Dharma-Righteousness
• Artha - Acquisition of wealth by proper means and its correct use
• Kama - Fulfillment of noble desires
• Moksha - Liberation or the final Goal

The list included :

1. Matsya,
2. Kurma,
3. Varaha,
4. Narasimha,
5. Vamana,
6. Parashurama,
7. Rama,
8. Krishna or Balarama,
9. Buddha or Krishna;
10. and Kalki.

Male Gods of Vedic Period:

• Indra (most important): God of thunder/rain
• Agni: God of fire
• Varuna: God of water
• Soma: God of plants
• Yama: God of death
• Pushan: God of jungle paths, herdsmen, and cattle
• Vishnu: Benevolent god
• Marutas: god of storm

Ashvins: twin god of war and fertility

Female Gods of Vedic Period:

• Savitri: Solar deity
• Aditi: Goddess of eternity
• Prithvi: Earth Goddess
• Nirrti: Goddess of death
• Usha: Goddess of dawn

Demi-gods of Vedic Period:

• Gandharvas (divine musicians)
• Apsaras (Mistress of God)
• Vishwadevas (Intermediate Deities)

Aryaman (Guardian of compacts and marriages)

The list included :

1. Matsya,
2. Kurma,
3. Varaha,
4. Narasimha,
5. Vamana,
6. Parashurama,
7. Rama,
8. Krishna or Balarama,
9. Buddha or Krishna;
10. and Kalki.

Aitareya Brahmana is a branch or part of the Rigveda ascribed to Mahidasa Aitareya. It is divided into 8 Panchikas, and the last two panchikas explain the coronation ceremony.

1. Brahmin,
2. Kshatriya,
3. Vaishya and
4. Shudra

Brahmins are varna of Hinduism specializing as priests, teachers (acharyas) and custodians of sacred learning across generations.

‘Kshatriya’ is the second highest varna among the four varnas and traditionally belonged to the military or ruling class.

The Vaishya varna comprises people who were engaged in agriculture, trade and commerce.

The Shudra varna comprises people employed in a service considered to be menial, such as slaves.

In Hinduism, there are 4 varnas -

1. Brahmins,
2. Kshatriyas,
3. Vaishyas, and
4. Shudras.

Brahmins are the highest of the four varnas. They include priests, scholars and teachers of Vedic texts.