Vedic Sanskrit is the language of the Vedas, the earliest sacred texts of India. The earliest of the Vedas, the Rigveda, was composed in the 2nd millennium BC, and use of the Vedic dialect was continued for the composition of religious texts until roughly 500 BC, when the later Classical Sanskrit language began to emerge. The Vedic form of Sanskrit is an early descendant of Proto-Indo-Iranian (spoken around 2000 BC), and still comparatively similar (being removed by maybe 1500 years) to the Proto-Indo-European language. Vedic S ...

Including:

• Vedic Sanskrit - History
• Vedic Sanskrit - Phonology
• Vedic Sanskrit - Grammar

Read more here: » Vedic Sanskrit: Encyclopedia - Vedic Sanskrit

Ghee (Hindi घी, from Sanskrit ghṛta घृत "sprinkled") is a type of clarified butter important in Indian cuisine and tradition. Ghee is made by simmering unsalted butter in a large pot, until its water has been boiled off and its protein has settled at the bottom of the pot. This method of preparation gives it a somewhat nutty aroma that Western clarified butter does not have. The clarified butter is then spooned off, taking care not to distur ...

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Sage Yajnavalkya of Mithila (perhaps 1800 BC) advanced a 95-year cycle to synchronize the motions of the sun and the moon. He is also credited with the authorship of the Shatapatha Brahmana, in which the references to the motions of the sun and the moon are found. He is also a major figure in the Upanishads. His deep philosophical teachings in the Brhadaranyaka Upanishad, and the apophatic teaching of 'neti neti' etc. is found to be st ...

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The word yoni is the Sanskrit word for the 'female reproductive organ'. Translated directly into English, it could mean vulva or vagina. It also has a wider meaning in religious and spiritual contexts, where its meaning is 'creativity'. The yoni is also considered to be symbolic of Shakti or other goddesses of a similar nature. Yoni is perhaps the most misused and misunderstood word from the ancient Indo-Aryanic language, Sanskrit. The word yoni was originally used more often in a spiritual sense rather than as a term to ...

Including:

• Yoni - Historical perspective
• Yoni - Yoni worship
• Yoni - Yoni massage
• Yoni - Other

Read more here: » Yoni: Encyclopedia - Yoni

The Caraṇavyuha (attributed to Shaunaka) lists nine shakhas or schools of the Atharvaveda: paippalāda ...

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Atharvaveda, Atharvaveda - Status, Atharvaveda - Recensions, Atharvaveda - Issues of note, Atharvaveda - Dating, Atharvaveda - Editions

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The Indo-Aryans were nomadic or at least peripatetic, following their herds of cows around from pasture to pasture. Consequently they had no permanent settlements; the RgVeda only mentions temporary huts. These leave no archaeological record. So it is only to be expected that the migrations left no archaeological traces. The Huns are a comparable instance. No one doubts that the Huns actually invaded parts of western Europe on more than one occasion. Yet -- because the Huns were nomads -- they left no archaeological ...

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Indo-Aryan migration, Indo-Aryan migration - Overview, Indo-Aryan migration - History, Indo-Aryan migration - Linguistics, Indo-Aryan migration - Philology, Indo-Aryan migration - Rig Veda, Indo-Aryan migration - Vedic and Puranic King lists, Indo-Aryan migration - Puranas, Indo-Aryan migration - Avesta and Airyanem Vaejah, Indo-Aryan migration - Archaeology, Indo-Aryan migration - Indus Valley Civilization, Indo-Aryan migration - Vasishta head, Indo-Aryan migration - Pottery, Indo-Aryan migration - West Asia, Indo-Aryan migration - Astronomical data, Indo-Aryan migration - Physical Anthropology, Indo-Aryan migration - Genetics and Archaeogenetics

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The Ashvamedha could only be conducted by a king. Its object was the acquisition of power and glory, the sovereignty over neighbouring provinces, and general prosperity of the kingdom. The horse to be sacrificed must be a stallion, more than 24, but less than 100 years old. The horse is sprinkled with water, and the Adhvaryu and the sacrificer whisper formulas into its ear. Anyone who should stop the horse is ritually cursed, and a dog is killed symbolic of the punishment for the sinners. The horse is then set loose towards the North- ...

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Ashvamedha, Ashvamedha - The Vedic Sacrifice, Ashvamedha - Vedanta and modern Hinduism

Read more here: » Ashvamedha: Encyclopedia II - Ashvamedha - The Vedic Sacrifice

Hinduism - The Eternal Way. "Sanātana Dharma" (सनातन धर्म, The Eternal Values ), the traditional name of Hinduism, speaks to the idea that certain spiritual principles hold eternally true, transcending man-made constructs, representing a pure science of consciousness. This consciousness is not merely that of the body or mind and intellect, but of a transcendental state that exists within and beyond our existence, the unsullied Soul of all. Religion to the Hindu is the eternal sear ...

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Hinduism, Hinduism - Core Concepts, Hinduism - The Eternal Way, Hinduism - Basic beliefs, Hinduism - Practice Yoga Dharma, Hinduism - The four objectives Of Life, Hinduism - The four stages of Life, Hinduism - The four classes of the society, Hinduism - Nature of God, Hinduism - Denominations, Hinduism - Hindu sacred texts, Hinduism - Shruti, Hinduism - Bhagavad Gītā, Hinduism - Smriti, Hinduism - Origins and society, Hinduism - Origins of Hinduism, Hinduism - Etymology, Hinduism - Vedic religion, Hinduism - Hindu nationalism, Hinduism - Temples, Hinduism - Current geographic distribution, Hinduism - Hindu philosophy: the six Vedic schools of thought, Hinduism - Pūrva Mīmāmsā, Hinduism - Yoga, Hinduism - Uttara Mimāmsā: Vedānta and its three main schools, Hinduism - Alternative cultures of worship, Hinduism - The Bhakti schools, Hinduism - Tantra, Hinduism - Important symbolism and themes in Hinduism, Hinduism - Tilaka symbol on forehead or between eyebrows, Hinduism - Ahimsa non-violence vegetarian diet and the cow, Hinduism - Hindu symbolism, Hinduism - Murtis icons, Hinduism - Sanskrit, Hinduism - Mantra, Hinduism - Criticism, Hinduism - Hinduism, Hinduism - Related systems and religions

Read more here: » Hinduism: Encyclopedia II - Hinduism - Core Concepts

After the Aryan race intermingled with the indigenous communities of ancient India, a form of idolatory, or idol worship, developed. While the Aryans originally practiced a form of worship that did not use idols, the Dravidian form of worship made prolific use of idols. The new race that was born of their merger tended towards the Dravidian style of worship. In time, certain commonly accepted forms were adopted for the idols of each of the gods. A woman with 10 hands and bearing weapons signified Kali, or power, a woman with heavy ornaments sig ...

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Yoni, Yoni - Historical perspective, Yoni - Yoni worship, Yoni - Yoni massage, Yoni - Other

Read more here: » Yoni: Encyclopedia II - Yoni - Yoni worship

Hinduism was born out of the very complex, controversial, humane and violent dynamics of the ancient peoples of India. It involved spirituality, materialism, politics, war and scientific pursuit. History of Early Hinduism - The Aryans of India and Iran. See Also: Aryan, Indo-Aryan, Indo-Iranian, Aryan Invasion Theory History of Early Hinduism - The Indus Valley Civilization. See Also: Indus Valley Civilization History of Early ...

See also:

History of Early Hinduism, History of Early Hinduism - Analyzing the History, History of Early Hinduism - At the birth of Hinduism, History of Early Hinduism - The Aryans of India and Iran, History of Early Hinduism - The Indus Valley Civilization, History of Early Hinduism - Influences of the Indus Valley and Dravidian People, History of Early Hinduism - The Indigenous Peoples within India, History of Early Hinduism - Composition of the Vedas, History of Early Hinduism - From the Ancient Vedic Religion, History of Early Hinduism - Influences from the Indus Valley, History of Early Hinduism - The Classical Age: Ramayana and Mahabharata

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Vedic religion evolved into the Hindu paths of Yoga and Vedanta, a religious path considering itself the 'essence' of the Vedas. The Vedic pantheon was interpreted as a unitary view of the universe with God seen as immanent and transcendent in the forms of Ishvara and Brahman, projected into various deities in the human mind. Religions considered to be related to the Vedic religion include: BuddhismSee also:

Vedic religion, Vedic religion - Post-Vedic religions

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The Shri Rudram Chamakam is divided into Shri Rudram or Namakam, which describes aspects of Rudra. Additionally, the devotee asks for the benevolent aspect of Shiva to be invoked rather than the terrible aspect and requests forgiveness of sins. The Chamakam, asks for the fulfilment of wishes. They consist of eleven anuvaka or hymns each. Shri Rudram Chamakam - Shri Rudram. The anuvakas of Shri Rudram correspond to the eleven hymns of TS 4.5, with the final anuva ...

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Shri Rudram Chamakam, Shri Rudram Chamakam - Text, Shri Rudram Chamakam - Shri Rudram, Shri Rudram Chamakam - Chamakam, Shri Rudram Chamakam - Interpretation

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The reconstruction of the history of Vedic India is based on text-internal evidence, and on matching information from the texts with archaeological evidence. Linguistically, the Vedic texts could be classified in five chronological strata: Rigvedic. The Rigveda is by far the most archaic of the Vedic texts preserved, and it retains many common Indo-Iranian elements, both in language and in content, that are not present in any other Vedic texts. Its creation must have taken place over several centuries, and apart from the ...

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Vedic civilization, Vedic civilization - Overview, Vedic civilization - Rigvedic period, Vedic civilization - Political organization, Vedic civilization - Society and economy, Vedic civilization - Vedic Religion, Vedic civilization - The later Vedic period, Vedic civilization - Kingdoms, Vedic civilization - Society

Read more here: » Vedic civilization: Encyclopedia II - Vedic civilization - Overview

The reconstruction of the history of Vedic India is based on text-internal evidence, and on matching information from the texts with archaeological evidence. Linguistically, the Vedic texts could be classified in five chronological strata: 1. Rigvedic: The Rigveda is by far the most archaic of the Vedic texts preserved, and it retains many common Indo-Iranian elements, both in language and in content, that are not present in any other Vedic texts. Its creation must have taken place over several centuries, and apart from ...

See also:

Vedic civilization, Vedic civilization - Overview, Vedic civilization - Rigvedic period, Vedic civilization - Political organization, Vedic civilization - Society and economy, Vedic civilization - Vedic Religion, Vedic civilization - The later Vedic period, Vedic civilization - Kingdoms, Vedic civilization - Society

Read more here: » Vedic civilization: Encyclopedia II - Vedic civilization - Overview

Five chronologically distinct strata can be identified within the Vedic language. Rigvedic. The Rigveda is by far the most archaic of the Vedic texts preserved, and it retains many common Indo-Iranian elements, both in language and in content, that are not present in any other Vedic texts. Its creation must have taken place over several centuries, and apart from the youngest books (1 and 10), it must have been essentially complete by 1500 BC. Mantra language. This period includes both the mantra and prose language of th ...

See also:

Vedic Sanskrit, Vedic Sanskrit - History, Vedic Sanskrit - Phonology, Vedic Sanskrit - Grammar

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The following subsections contain remarks on the nature and use of mantras in their context as Hindu religious practice. Mantra - What is Dharma?. A western expert on Hindu philosophy and religion writes: Sanatan (eternal) Dharma as a universal tradition has room for all faiths and all religious and spiritual practices regardless of the time or country of their origin. Yet it places religious and spiritual teachings in their appropriate place relative to the ultimate goal of Self-realization, ...

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Mantra, Mantra - Introduction, Mantra - Mantra in Hinduism, Mantra - Mantra Japa, Mantra - Some Hindu mantras, Mantra - Lead me from Ignorance to Truth, Mantra - Hare Krishna Maha Mantra, Mantra - The shanti mantras, Mantra - Universal prayer, Mantra - Other examples, Mantra - The Hindu Bija Mantra, Mantra - Remarks, Mantra - What is Dharma?, Mantra - The Significance of the Symbol Om, Mantra - Mantras and Prayers, Mantra - Kirtan and Bhajan, Mantra - Vedic Conception of Sound, Mantra - Mantra in Buddhism, Mantra - Mantra in Shingon Buddhism, Mantra - Mantra in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism, Mantra - Om mani padme hum, Mantra - Some other mantras used by Tibetan Buddhists, Mantra - Mantra in other traditions or contexts

Read more here: » Mantra: Encyclopedia II - Mantra - Remarks

The religion of the Vedic period, particularly at its earliest, was distinct in a number of respects, including reference to females in positions of religious authority (female rishis, or sages), an apparent lack of belief in reincarnation, and a markedly different pantheon, with Indra generally the chief god, and little mention of the later primary gods Vishnu and Shiva, although Brahma does appear quite frequently. While Hinduism is generally monistic or monotheistic admitting emanating deities, the early Rig Veda (undeveloped early ...

See also:

Vedas, Vedas - Organization, Vedas - Position and compilation, Vedas - Study, Vedas - Religious views: Monism, Monotheism, Henotheism and Polytheism, Vedas - Cosmogony

Read more here: » Vedas: Encyclopedia II - Vedas - Religious views: Monism, Monotheism, Henotheism and Polytheism

The history of yoni massage is not fully known. However, studies of carvings at places such as Khajuraho in India, and texts such as the Kama Sutra, reveal it developed as a form of foreplay for women in the harems of the ancient Indian kings and emperors. These rulers had dozens of wives and hence, were unable to satisfy the carnal desires of all of them. In fact, some members of the harem never had sexual relations w ...

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Yoni, Yoni - Historical perspective, Yoni - Yoni worship, Yoni - Yoni massage, Yoni - Other

Read more here: » Yoni: Encyclopedia II - Yoni - Yoni massage

Vedic had a subjunctive absent in Panini's grammar and generally believed to have disappeared by then at least in common sentence constructions. Long-i stems differentiate the Devi inflection and the Vrkis inflection, a difference lost in Classical Sanskrit. ...

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Vedic Sanskrit, Vedic Sanskrit - History, Vedic Sanskrit - Phonology, Vedic Sanskrit - Grammar

Read more here: » Vedic Sanskrit: Encyclopedia II - Vedic Sanskrit - Grammar

The religion of the Vedic period, particularly at its earliest, was distinct in a number of respects, including reference to females in positions of religious authority (female rishis, or sages), an apparent lack of belief in reincarnation, and a markedly different pantheon, with Indra generally the chief god, and little mention of the later primary gods Vishnu and Shiva, although Brahma does appear quite frequently. While Hinduism is generally monistic or monotheistic admitting emanating deities, the early Rig Veda (undeveloped early ...

See also:

Vedas, Vedas - Organization, Vedas - Position and compilation, Vedas - Study, Vedas - Religious views: Monism Monotheism Henotheism and Polytheism, Vedas - Cosmogony

Read more here: » Vedas: Encyclopedia II - Vedas - Religious views: Monism Monotheism Henotheism and Polytheism

In the dharmashastras the study of the Vedas was regarded as a religious duty of the three upper varnas (Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas). Women and Shudras were neither required nor allowed to study the Veda (this came to happen only in the very Later Vedic or the Sutra Age, because numerous evidences suggest that all humans were equally allowed to study the Vedas, and many Vedic "authors" were women). Elaborate methods for preserving the text (by learning them by heart and not by writing), subsidiary disciplines (Vedanga), exegetical literature, etc., were developed in the Vedic schools. In the fourteenth century Sayana wrote famous c ...

See also:

Vedas, Vedas - Organization, Vedas - Position and compilation, Vedas - Study, Vedas - Religious views: Monism Monotheism Henotheism and Polytheism, Vedas - Cosmogony

Read more here: » Vedas: Encyclopedia II - Vedas - Study

Hinduism is criticized based on current or past regressive social customs such as Dowry, Sati and casteism. Many also criticize it by linking it with Hindutva (the theory of Hindu nationalism). From the worldview of the three other Abrahamic religions, Hinduism is criticized as being polytheistic and for promoting idolatry - both of which they consider evil. The Hindu counter-argument is that Hinduism is not polytheistic (monism or monistic theism is more apt), though it may present an appearance of polytheism to external obser ...

See also:

Hinduism, Hinduism - Core Concepts, Hinduism - The Eternal Way, Hinduism - Basic beliefs, Hinduism - Practice Yoga Dharma, Hinduism - The four objectives Of Life, Hinduism - The four stages of Life, Hinduism - The four classes of the society, Hinduism - Nature of God, Hinduism - Denominations, Hinduism - Hindu sacred texts, Hinduism - Shruti, Hinduism - Bhagavad Gītā, Hinduism - Smriti, Hinduism - Origins and society, Hinduism - Origins of Hinduism, Hinduism - Etymology, Hinduism - Vedic religion, Hinduism - Hindu nationalism, Hinduism - Temples, Hinduism - Current geographic distribution, Hinduism - Hindu philosophy: the six Vedic schools of thought, Hinduism - Pūrva Mīmāmsā, Hinduism - Yoga, Hinduism - Uttara Mimāmsā: Vedānta and its three main schools, Hinduism - Alternative cultures of worship, Hinduism - The Bhakti schools, Hinduism - Tantra, Hinduism - Important symbolism and themes in Hinduism, Hinduism - Tilaka symbol on forehead or between eyebrows, Hinduism - Ahimsa non-violence vegetarian diet and the cow, Hinduism - Hindu symbolism, Hinduism - Murtis icons, Hinduism - Sanskrit, Hinduism - Mantra, Hinduism - Criticism, Hinduism - Hinduism, Hinduism - Related systems and religions

Read more here: » Hinduism: Encyclopedia II - Hinduism - Criticism