The later Vedic texts draw a line of demarcation

However usually the later Vedic texts draw a line of demarcation between

the three increased orders on the one hand, and the sudras on the opposite.

There have been, nonetheless, a number of public rituals linked with the

coronation of the king through which the sudras participated, presumably as

members of the unique tribe. Sure sections of artisans similar to rathakara or

chariot- maker loved a excessive standing, and have been entitled to the sacred

thread ceremony Subsequently even in later Vedic instances varna distinctions

had not superior very far

Within the household we discover the growing energy of the daddy, who may

even disinherit his son In princely households the suitable of primogeniture

was getting stronger Male ancestors got here to be worshipped. Girls have been

usually given a decrease place Though some girls theologians took half m

philosophic discussions and a few queens participated in coronation rituals,

ordinarily girls have been considered inferior and subordinate to males

The establishment of gore appeared in later Vedic instances Actually it

means the cow-pen or the place the place cattle belonging to the entire clan

aie stored, however in course of time it signified descent from a typical

ancestor. Individuals started to practise gotra exogamy. No marriage may happen

between individuals belonging to the identical gotra or having the identical

ancestor,

Asramas or 4 levels of life weren’t nicely established in Vedic instances. Within

the post-Vedic texts we hear of 4 asramas: that of brahmachan or pupil,

grihastha or householder, vanaprastha or partial retirement and samyasa or full

retirement from the world. However solely three arc talked about within the

later Vedic texts, the final or the fourth stage had not been nicely

established in later Vedic instances.

Gods, Rituals and Philosophy

Within the later Vedic interval the higher doab developed to be the cradle

of Aryan tradition underneath brahmanical affect. The entire of the Vedic

literature appears to have been compiled on this space within the land of the

Kuru-Panchalas. The cult of sacrifice was the corner-stone of this tradition

and was accompanied by quite a few rituals and formulae.

Indra and

Agni

The excellent Rig Vedic gods, Indra and Agni, misplaced their former significance. Alternatively Prajapati, the creator, got here to occupy the supreme place within the later Vedic pantheon. A few of the different minor gods of the Rig Vedic interval additionally got here to the forefront ‘Rudra, the god of animals, turned vital in later Vedic instances and Vishnu got here to be conceived as th preserver and protector of the individuals who now led a settled life as a substitute of a semi-nomadic life as they did in Rig Vedic instances.

As well as, some symbolic objects started to be worshipped, and we discover indicators of idolatry in later Vedic instances As society turned divided into social courses similar to brah- manas, rajanyas, vaisyas and sudras, a number of the social orders got here to have their very own deities. Pushan, who was alleged to take care of cattle, got here to be considered the god of the sudras, though within the age of the Rig Veda cattle- rearing was the first occupation of the Aryans Individuals worshipped gods for a similar materials causes on this interval as they did in earlier instances Nevertheless, the mode of worship modified significantly Prayers continued to be recited, however they ceased to be the dominant mode of placating the gods. Sacrifices turned way more vital, they usually assumed each public and home character. Public sacrifices concerned the king and the entire of the group, which was nonetheless in lots of instances equivalent with the tribe.

Non public sacrifices have been carried out by people of their homes be- -causa on this interval the Vedic individuals led a settled .life and maintained well-established households. People offeied oblations to Agni, and every one in every of these took the type of a ritual or sacrifice.