Upaveda Dictionary

Upaveda: (Sanskrit) "Secondary Vedas."

A class of texts on sacred sciences, composed by rishis over the course of time to amplify and apply the Vedic knowledge. The four prominent Upavedas (each encompassing numerous texts) are: Arthaveda (statecraft), Ayurveda (health), Dhanurveda (military science) and Gandharvaveda (music and the arts). Also sometimes classed as Upavedas are the Sthapatyaveda (on architecture) and the Kama Shastras (texts on erotic love).

See: Arthaveda, Ayurveda, Dhanurveda, Kama Sutra, Gandharvaveda, purushartha, Stapatyaveda.

(See also: Upaveda , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Sthapatyaveda: (Sanskrit) "Science of architecture."

A class of writings on architecture, sometimes classed as one of the Upavedas. It embodies such works as the Manasara, the Vastu Shastras and the architectural Shilpa Shastra.

See: Upaveda.

(See also: Sthapatyaveda , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Arthaveda: (Sanskrit) "Science of statecraft." A class of ancient texts, also called Nitishastras, on politics, statecraft and much more, forming the Upaveda of the Rig Veda. The most important text of this group is Kautiliya's Arthashastra (ca 300 bce) which gives detailed instructions on all areas of government. It embodies the kshatriya perspective of rulership and society. See: Upaveda.

(See also: Arthaveda , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Kama Sutra(s): (Sanskrit) "Aphorisms on pleasure."

A fifth-century text by Vatsyayana on erotics. The Kama Shutra and other Kama Shastras are sometimes classed as an Upaveda.

See: Upaveda.

(See also: Kama Sutra , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Upaveda:

Upaveda (Upavedha). Appendix to the Vedas.

(See also: Upaveda , Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Dhanurveda: (Sanskrit) "Science of archery."

A class of ancient texts on the military arts, comprising the Upaveda of the Yajur Veda. Dhanurveda teaches concentration, meditation, hatha yoga, etc., as integral to the science of warfare.

See: Upaveda.

(See also: Dhanurveda , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

ayurveda: (Sanskrit) "Science of life." A holistic system of medicine and health native to ancient India. This sacred Vedic science is an Upaveda of the Atharva Veda. Three early giants in this field who left voluminous texts are Charaka, Sushruta and Vagbhata.

Ayurveda covers many areas, including:

1)    chikitsa, general medicine,

2)    shalya, surgery,

3)    dehavritti, physiology,

4)    nidana, diagnosis,

5)    dravyavidya, medicine and pharmacology,

6)    agada tantra, antidote method,

7)    stritantra, gynecology,

8)    pashu vidya, veterinary science,

9)    kaumara bhritya, pediatrics, 1

10) urdhvanga, diseases of the organs of the head,

11) bhuta vidya, demonology, 1

12) rasayana, tonics, rejuvenating,

13) vajikarana, sexual rejuvenation.

Among the first known surgeons was Sushruta (ca 600 bce), whose Sushruta Samhita is studied to this day. (Hippocrates, Greek father of medicine, lived two centuries later.) The aims of ayurveda are ayus, "long life," and arogya, "diseaselessness," which facilitate progress toward ultimate spiritual goals. Health is achieved by balancing energies (especially the doshas, bodily humors) at all levels of being, subtle and gross, through innumerable methods, selected according to the individual's constitution, lifestyle and nature. Similar holistic medical systems are prevalent among many communities, including the Chinese, American Indians, Africans and South Americans. See: doshas.

(See also: Ayurveda , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Upaveda: (Sanskrit) "Secondary Vedas."

A class of texts on sacred sciences, composed by rishis over the course of time to amplify and apply the Vedic knowledge. The four prominent Upavedas (each encompassing numerous texts) are:

á      Arthaveda (statecraft),

á      Ayurveda (health),

á      Dhanurveda (military science) and

á      Gandharvaveda (music and the arts).

Also sometimes classed as Upavedas are the

á      Sthapatyaveda (on architecture) and the

á      Kama Shastras (texts on erotic love).

See: Arthaveda, Ayurveda, Dhanurveda, Kama Sutra, Gandharvaveda, purushartha, Stapatyaveda.

(See also: Upaveda , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Upaveda: (Sanskrit) "Secondary Vedas."

A class of texts on sacred sciences, composed by rishis over the course of time to amplify and apply the Vedic knowledge. The four prominent Upavedas (each encompassing numerous texts) are:  Arthaveda (statecraft),  Ayurveda (health),  Dhanurveda (military science) and  Gandharvaveda (music and the arts).  Also sometimes classed as Upavedas are the  Sthapatyaveda (on architecture) and the  Kama Shastras (texts on erotic love).

See: Arthaveda, Ayurveda, Dhanurveda, Kama Sutra, Gandharvaveda, purushartha, Stapatyaveda.

(See also: Upaveda , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Hinduism Lexicon on A

From aadheenam to axis.

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