Early Vedic Period
- Early Vedic people worshipped forces of nature and personified them as gods and goddesses.
- Indra, Agni, Varuna, and Marut were some of their gods while Usha: Aditi, Prithvi were some of their goddesses.
- Some of the solar Gods and goddesses referred to in the Rig Veda are Surya, Savitri and Pushau.
- Varuna is the enforcer as well as an upholder of law and order. He is known as God of moral law.
- Though Aryan society was patriarchal, women were treated with dignity and honour.
- Niyoga: A widow could marry the younger brother of her deceased husband.
- Soma and sura,the alcoholic drinks were consumed.
- No animal worships.
- Aghanya: The cow was not to be killed.
- The society were compromised of four varnas: Brahmans,Kshatriya,Vaisya and Sudra.
Rig Vedic Gods & Goddesses
| Rig Vedic Gods & Goddesses | |
| GOD/ GODDESSES | RELATED TO |
| Indra | God of thunderstorms, lightning and fierce weather. Also known as Purandhara (Breaker of Forts). |
| Fire or Agni | Messenger between gods and human beings |
| Varuna | The god of oceans, guardian of moral law and God of truth |
| Deus | Sky god (most ancient) |
| Soma | Lord of the plants, or of the woods (Vanaspati). |
| Usha | Goddess of the dawn |
| Vishnu | God of three worlds |
| Maruts | Storm god |
| Prithvi | Goddess of grain and of procreation |
| Surya | Destroyer of darkness. |
| Pushan | Responsible for marriages, journeys, roads, and the feeding of cattle. |
| Aditi | Goddess of eternity |
| Arnayani | Goddess of forest |
Later Vedic Period
- The period between 500 BC and 500 AD saw the crystallisation of the caste system. The number of castes increased because of growth of several crafts, the arrival of new elements in population, inter-caste marriages (Anuloma and Pratiloma) and inclusion of many Tribes in caste hierarchy.
- In later Vedic times, Rigvedic tribal assemblies lost importance and royal power increased at their cost. Women were no longer allowed to sit in Sabha.
- The condition of women began deteriorating from the later Vedic period and they suffered on account of education and social roles which restricted them to be in the houses.
- Later Vedic period saw rise of four-fold varna classification (Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras) and institution of gotra.
- Later Vedic time also saw an established ashrama system or the division of life span into four distinct stages i.e., brahmacharya (period of celibacy, education and disciplined life in guru’s ashram), grihastha (a period of family life), vanaprastha (a stage of gradual detachment and Sanyasa (a life dedicated to spiritual pursuit away from worldly life). However, these stages were not applicable to women or to people from lower varnas.
- Purdah and sati were not prevalent.
- Rigvedic gods, Indra and Agni, lost relevance in later Vedic period, their place was taken by a new trinity of Gods where Brahma enjoyed the supreme position, while Vishnu became preserver and Shiva completed the trinity. Religion became extremely ritualistic.
