Author: Pranati Ghosal
Publisher: D K Printworld
Year: 2006
Language: English
Pages: 300
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8124603448
Description
Based on a deep analysis of the Vedic literature, the book deals with aspects of everyday life of the Vedic people: their housing, mode of production and occupations, social organisation, education, food and drink, entertainment, dress and cosmetics, etc.
Tracing the influence of Vedic learning on Upanishads and Såtra literature which have also been referred to here for details on the Vedic people and their traditions, this study focuses on the lifestyle of seers and the elite as well as that of the common people and stresses the importance of the ritualistic context in discussing aspects of daily life like preparing of food and food-eating habits, style of dressing, building of houses and so on.
It deals with the Vedic people’s approach to life, covering points such as their attitude towards knowledge and their quest for Brahman, their view of death and their yearning for heaven. This publication also examines the growth of the Vedic tradition from one based on the minimum requirements of life to a tradition involving refinement of things — a system of writing and a complex religion based on deep philosophical study and explanations of cosmology.
The book will be useful to all students and scholars of ancient Indian religion and culture.
Contents
Foreword by R C Sharma
Preface
Key to Transliteration
Abbreviations
Introduction
1. Food Habit
Grains
Barley
Wheat
Rice
Milk
Milk Products
Fruits and Vegetables
Meat
Fish
Preparation of Food
Use of Cooking Spices
Utensils/Implements
Drinks
Food Prescribed on Sacrificial Occasions
First Food to the Child
Manners Concerning Food
Restrictions and Prohibitions on the Use of Food
2. Dress Arrangement
Dress: As a General Term
Varieties of Dress
Variety of Materials Used for Dress
Use of Different Dresses on Different Occasions
Ornaments
Variety of Materials Used for Ornaments
Hair-dressing
Cosmetics
3. Housing System
Lay-out of the House/Building Plan
Construction of the House
House hold Furniture
4. Mode of Production and Other Occupations
Agriculture
Importance of Agriculture
Stages of Cultivation
Farmers
Agricultural Implements
Cattle Rearing
Trade & Commerce
Other Modes of Production
Hunting
Fishery
Vocations Related to Cottage Industries
Weaving
Smith
Carpentry
Pottery
Miscellaneous Vocations
Barber & Washer
Occupations related with House-Hold
Occupations related to the King/Administration
Occupations related to Conveyance
Professions related with Music and Dance
Forbidden Professions
5. Entertainment
Dicing
Mythological Background of Dicing
The Game - Its Classification
Dice: Its Material
Relation Between Names of Ages and Dice
Racing
Chariot Race & Horse Race
Mythological Background of Races
Racing Horse
Contests of Skill/Pre-eminence
Plays/Games
Lottery Contest
Hunting
Cultivation of Fine Arts
Music and Dance
Dance and Music in Social Life
Musical Instruments
Employment of Music and Dance in Rituals
People’s Attitude towards Music & Dance
6. Education
Students: Brahmacarin
Upanayana
Tenure of Studentship
Duties of a Student
Study
Subjects of Study
Time and Place of Study
Holidays
Eligibility of being a Student
Students’ Manners
Teachers
Duties of a Teacher
Teacher’s Desire for Students
Convocation
Relation between Teacher and Students
System of Free Education
Method of Study and Teaching
Variety of Institutions
Women’s Education
Education for Common People
7. Social Life
Classification of Society Based on Four Classes
Origin of Four Castes
Characteristic Features and Occupations
Right to the Vedic Studies
Four Orders of Life
Studenthood
Daily Routine of a Student
Domestic Life (Garhasthya)
Necessity of Domestic Life
A Pen-Picture of Domestic Life
Exceptions
Duties of a Householder
Agnihotra
Pancamahayajna
Balikarma
Vanaprastha and Samnyasa
8. View of Life
Srauta Sacrifices
Grihya Rites
Death as Viewed by People
Desire for Heaven
Quest for Supreme Knowledge
Pupilage
Its Tenure
Eligibility
Result: Liberation
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX