1. What are Upavedas?
The upavedas are traditionally associated with Vedas.
- Ayurveda (medicine): associated with Rig Veda, propounder Brahma
- Gandharvaveda (music): associated with Sama Veda, propounder Narad
- Dhanurveda (archery): associated with Yajur Veda, propounder Vishwamitra
- Shilpaveda/arthaveda (craft wealth): associated with Atharva Veda, propounder Vishwakarma
2. What are the different Vedangas?
They are illustrated in the following table:
Name | Meaning | Examples |
Shiksha | Phonetics | Tratishakya is the oldest text on phonetics |
Kalpa sutras | Rituals | Shulva sutras (deal with sacrifices), Griha sutras (deal with family), Dharma sutras (deal with varnas) |
Vyakarana | Grammar | Ashtadyayi by Panini is the oldest grammar in the world |
Nirukta | Etymology | Nighantu by Kasyap is a collection of difficult vedic words and is the oldest word collection of the world. Nirukta by Yask is the oldest dictionary of the world. Nirukta is based on Nighantu |
Chanda | Metrics | Chhandasutras by Pingal is famous text |
Jyotisha | Astronomy | Vedanga Jyotisha by Lagadh muni is the oldest astronomy text |
3. What are the six schools (shad darshanas) of Indian Philosophy?
They are illustrated in the following table:
Darshana | Founder | Basic text |
Sankhya darshana | Kapila | Sankya sutra |
Yoga darshana | Patanjali | Yoga sutra |
Nyaya darshana | Akshapada Gautama | Nyaya sutra |
Vaishesika darshana | Uluka kanada | Vaishesika sutra |
Purva mimansa | Jaimini | Purva mimansa sutra |
Vedant/Uttara mimansa | Badarayana | Brahma sutra/Vedant sutra |
4. What are the different types of Hindu marriages?
They are illustrated in the following table:
Marriage | Description |
Brahma Vivaha | giving girl to man with dowry |
Daiva Vivaha | giving girl to priest himself in lieu of his fees |
Arsha Vivaha | giving girl to man after accepting a bride price |
Prajapatya Vivaha | giving girl to man without demanding bride price |
Gandharva Vivaha | love marriage |
Asura Vivaha | marriage with purchased girl |
Rakshasa Vivaha | marriage with daughter of defeated king or kidnapped girl |
Paishacha Vivaha | marriage to girl after seducing or raping her |
Anuloma Vivaha | marriage between bridegroom from upper caste and bride from lower caste |
Pratiloma Vivaha | marriage between bride from upper caste and bridegroom from lower caste |
5. What are the six systems of philosophy in Hinduism?
They are illustrated in the following table:
Philosophy | Founder |
Sankhya | Kapila |
Nyaya | Akshapada Gautama |
Yoga | Patanjali |
Vaisheshika | Uluka kanada |
Mimansa | Jamini |
Vedanta | Badrayana |
6. What is the meaning of terms Gavisthi,Gotra,Goghana,Yava,Jana,Sabha,Rajsuya,Purohit,Ashwamedha,Rig,Saman,Yaju,Atharvan,Mahishi,Bali ,Varna,Nishka,Shudra,Vaishya,Kshatriya used during Vedic age.
They are illustrated in the following table:
Term | Meaning |
Gavisthi | Search for Cows |
Gotra | People having common ancestors |
Goghana | Cow Killer |
Yava | Barley |
Jana | Tribe |
Sabha | Assembly of Elders |
Rajsuya | Coronation Ceremony |
Purohit | Chief Priest |
Ashwamedha | Horse Sacrifice |
Rig | Praise |
Saman | Melody |
Yaju | Ritual |
Atharvan | Magic |
Mahishi | Chief Queen |
Bali | Voluntary Tax |
Varna | Colour |
Nishka | A Coin |
Shudra | Labourers and Workers |
Vaishya | Traders |
Kshatriya | Kings and Warriors |