Chapter - 7 India’s Cultural Roots
India has one of the oldest and richest cultures in the world. Its roots go back thousands of years and are shaped by history, religion, languages, festivals, and traditions.
What are the vedas? :- The Vedas are the oldest and most sacred books of Hinduism. The word “Veda” means “knowledge” in Sanskrit.
- They are a collection of religious texts written in Sanskrit.
- They were composed over 3,000 years ago.
- The Vedas contain hymns, chants, prayers, and rituals used in ancient Indian life.
The Four Vedas:
- Rigveda – The oldest Veda; it has hymns praising nature and gods like Agni (fire) and Indra (rain).
- Samaveda – Has musical chants used during worship.
- Yajurveda – Contains rules and rituals for religious ceremonies.
- Atharvaveda – Has magical spells and everyday prayers for health, peace, and protection.
Who composed vedic hymns:- Rishis (male seers or sages) and Rishikas (female ones) composed in Sanskrit language.
- They were addressed so many deities(god or goddesses):- Indra, Agni, Varuna, Mitra, Saraswati, Ushas, etc.
- These deities sustained ritam, or truth and order in human life and in the 'cosmos'.
- The last mantras (verses) of the Rigveda also call unity among people.
- Early vedic society was organised in different janas or 'clans'.
- Rigveda alone lists over 30 such janas. Bharatas, purus, Kurus, Yadus, Turvashas eacch class has particular region northwest part of the subcontinent.
- Sabha and Samiti both words refers to a collective gathering or assembly.
Vedic schools of thought
- Vedic culture also developed many rituals(Yajana or yagya).
- Upanishads:- A group of text. another concept introduced such as rebirth and karma.
- Upanishads also introduce the concept of atman or self - the divine essence that resides i n every being but in this world is connected one with 'Brahman'.
- Common prayer:- sarve bhavantu sukhinah
- Vedanta:- According to this, school of thought, human life, nature and universe is one divine essence called brahman.
- Except vedas other school of thought grew, it was 'Yoga'
Buddhism:- Buddhism is a religion and way of life that started in India over 2,500 years ago. It was founded by a prince named Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as the Buddha, which means “The Enlightened One.”
- Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini, in present-day Nepal, around 2,500 years ago.
- He was a prince and lived a life of luxury, but after seeing the suffering of people (old age, sickness, and death), he decided to seek the truth of life and how to overcome suffering.
- He meditated under a tree for many days and found the answers to end suffering. That’s when he became the Buddha.
Buddhism's Core Beliefs
Non-violence (Ahimsa): Buddhists believe in being kind to all living beings.
Buddha Founded:-
- The Buddha founded the Sangha, a community of bhikshu or monks. (bhikshuna or nuns)
- They all spread the teaching of Buddha.
Jainism:- Jainism is one of the oldest religions of India. It teaches people to live a life of non-violence, truth, and peace.
- Jainism was founded by Lord Mahavira.
- He was born over 2,500 years ago in Bihar, India.
- Mahavira was a prince, but At the age of 30 he gave up his royal life to find truth and inner peace.
- He became the 24th Tirthankara (spiritual teacher) of Jainism.
Main Teachings of Jainism:- Jainism is based on three main principles:
- Ahimsa (Non-violence) – Never harm any living being, even the smallest insect.
- Satya (Truth) – Always speak the truth.
- Aparigraha (Non-attachment) – Don’t be greedy or too attached to material things.
Disciple of Buddh and Jainism, monk or nuns began to travelling across the land and spread the teaching of Buddhisma and Jainism
Other school of thought:-
- 'Charvaka' and 'Lokayata' belieced that, material world is the only thing that exist, and therefore there can be no life after death.
- these school does not seem to have gained much popularity.
Folk and Tribal Roots:-
- Many text were availabe in 'Oral' form.
- It is transmitted by common people, and tribal traditions transmitted by tribes.
- There has been a constant interaction between follk and tribal tradition.
NCERT QUESTIONS
Q.1- If you were Nachikeat, what questions would you like to ask Yama? Write them down in 100-150 words.
Answer:- If I were Nachiketa, standing before Yama, the god of death, I would ask deep and thoughtful questions about life and beyond. I would ask:
“Why do people fear death? What truly happens after we die? Is the soul eternal, and how can it be free from the cycle of birth and death? What is the meaning of a good life? How can one live without hatred or greed? Is there a way to find peace even while living in this world of change and sorrow? Can knowledge and truth lead us to freedom? What is the path to real happiness — not just for a moment, but forever?”
These questions would help me understand not just death, but also how to live wisely. Like Nachiketa, I would seek truth, peace, and the way to eternal knowledge.
Q.2- Explain a few central ideas of Buddhism. Briefly comment upon them.
Answer.2- 1. The Four Noble Truths
What they are:
1. Life has suffering (dukkha).
- Suffering is caused by desires and attachments.
- We can end suffering.
- There is a path to end suffering.
- These truths help us understand that pain is part of life, but we can overcome it by living wisely and letting go of selfish desires.
2. The Eightfold Path:-
A path with 8 steps to live a good life, like right speech, right action, right thought, and right effort.
It teaches us to be kind, honest, and thoughtful in everything we do.
3. Karma and Rebirth:- Good actions lead to good results, and bad actions lead to suffering. After death, the soul is reborn.
This idea teaches us to be responsible for our actions and live a good, moral life.
Q.3- Discuss in class the quotation of the Buddha which begins with "Not by water is one made pure, though many people may bathe here (In sacred rivers)" to make sure that its meaning has been understood by all.
Answer.3- This quote means that just bathing in holy rivers or doing religious rituals does not make a person truly pure or good. True purity comes from having honest thoughts, kind behavior, and a clean heart.
Many people believe that washing in sacred rivers removes their sins. But Buddha says that real purity is not from outside — it comes from within. Being truthful, kind, and helpful is more important than just following rituals.
Q.4- Explain a few central ideas of Jainism. Briefly comment upon them.
Answer.4-
1. Ahimsa (Non-violence):- Never harm any living being — not even an insect.
2. Satya (Truthfulness):- Always speak the truth.
3. Aparigraha (Non-possessiveness):- Do not be greedy or overly attached to material things.
4. Karma and Moksha:- Good or bad actions bring results (karma), and the goal is to be free from the cycle of birth.
Q.6- Make a list of popular gods and goddesses in your region and the festivals they are associated with.
Answer.6-
Lord Ganesha –
Festival: Ganesh Chaturthi
Known for: Removing obstacles and bringing good luck.
Goddess Durga –
Festival: Durga Puja / Navratri / Dussehra
Known for: Power, protection, and destroying evil.
Lord Rama –
Festival: Ram Navami and Dussehra
Known for: Truthfulness and being an ideal king.
Lord Krishna –
Festival: Janmashtami
Known for: Love, wisdom, and playfulness.
Goddess Lakshmi –
Festival: Diwali
Known for: Wealth, fortune, and prosperity.
Lord Shiva –
Festival: Maha Shivaratri
Known for: Destruction of evil and meditation.
Goddess Saraswati –
Festival: Vasant Pancham
TRUE/FALSE
- The Vedic hymns were written on palm-leaf manuscripts.
- The Vedas are India's oldest text.
- The Vedic statement ekam sat vipra bahudha vadanti reflects a belief in the unity of cosmic power.
- Buddhism is older than the Vedas.
- Jainism emerged as a branch of Buddhism.
- Both Buddhism and Jainism advocated gor peaceful coexistence and the avoidance of harm to all living beings.
- Tribal belief system are limited to belief in spirits and minor deities.
Answers:- (1 - True) (2 - True) (3- True) (4 - False) (5 - False) (6 - True) (7 - False)
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