Introduction

• The word Veda is derived from the root word Vid (to know).
Refers a vast body of spiritual knowledge.

• Anta means end, Veda +anta = Vedanta, the knowledge that is

infinite, end of final knowledge or infinite or what is found at the
end of the Vedas i.e. Upanishads

• The first Veda (Rig) came about circa 10,000

BCE –a general consensus of Hindus at large

• Vedas are revealed knowledge to the seers.

Preservation
• Vedas are handed by gurus to their sishyas by oral tradition.
• A strict order of chanting was maintained to preserve the original
meanings
• Since Vedas were heard by Rishis they are termed srutis.

Four Vedas listed in chronological order

1. Rig Veda
2. Yajur Veda
3. Sama Veda
4. Atharva Veda Vedic Samhitas Samhitas: a methodically, rule‐
based combination of text or verses
Itihasas (Epics)
1. Ramayana
2. Mahabharata

Itihasas narrates a story that happened in the ancient days, and has
come down to us by oral tradition. Itihasas must contain four
pursharthas: dharma (virtue); artha (wealth); kama (desires of flesh);
and moksha (emancipation).

Upavedas

• The four upavedas are mapped to the four original Vedas:

1. Ayurveda (science life and health)

2. Dhanurveda (science of war)
3. Ghandrava Veda (science of music)
4. Stapathya Veda (architecture)
 Puranas
Vedas are basic scriptures of Hinduism. Puranas accommodate
various forms of worship and diverse philosophies within the
• construct of broad Hinduism, while keeping the core of the religion
in tact.

• Purnas are hugely responsible for keeping the Hindu religion in tact
against the onslaught of barbarian invasions and impact of Semitic
religions on Indian society.
• The other reason Purnas are saviors of Hinduism is because it has
encompassed all aspects of human life.
• At a time the only access to knowledge for masses was listening to
Puranas to discharge their duties in the society.

Antiquity of Puranas
• The word Purana is derived in two ways: Pura bhavam (ancient
narratives) and Pura api navam (that which has new even in
the ancient days).
• Puranas as old as Vedas. However, 18 Maha Puranas extant are
dated A.D.
• By the time Apastamba (450‐350 B. C.) the term Purana had
become restricted to a particular class of books.
• There are 18 Upapuranas
General Characteristics of the Puranas

• Sarga (creation)
• Pratisarga (intermediate Creation)
• Vamsa (dynasties of gods and patriarchs)
• Manvantaras (14 manus and their period
 1 A.D. 600
2 Bhavisya 14,500 A.D. 500‐900
3 Brahma 10,000 A.D. 1300
4 Brahmanada 12,000 A.D. 400
5 Brahmavaivarta 18,000 A.D. 1000
6 Garuda 18,000 A.D. 900
7 Kurma 18,000 A.D. 500
8 Linga 11,000 A.D. 600‐1000
9 Markandeya 9,000 A.D. 300
10 Matsya 14,000 A.D. 300
11 Naradiya 25,000 A.D. 900‐1600
12 Padma 55,000 A.D. 800
13 Skanda 81,000 A.D. 700‐900
14 Vamana 10,000 A.D. 900
15 Varaha 24,000 A.D. 800‐1100
16 Vayu 24,000 A.D. 200
17 Vishnu 23,000 A.D. 300

• Bhakti Yoga
• Karma yoga
• Gnana Yoga
• Raja Yoga
• Samanvaya Yoga (Integral Yoga)
Darsanas (seeing) –Six Systems of
Hindu Philosophy
Darsanas are divided to Astika and Nastika Categories
AStikas
• Saddarshanas (sad=six)
1. Nyayadarsana – Gautama
2. Vaisesikadarasna – Kanada
3. Sankhyadarsana – Kapila
4. Yogadarsana – Patanjali
5. Mimasasadarsana – Jaimini
6. Vedantadarsana – Badarayana

Nastikas
Carvaka, Loakayatamatam, Jainadarsana, and Bauddhadarsana
Organization ‐ Vedas

• The Rig Samhita = 10,552 verses

• Yajur Veda = 1,975 verses

• Sam Veda = 1,875 verses

• Atharva Veda = 5,977 verses

• Total number of verses in Vedas = 20,416

• The language of divine Rig Veda has ~ 35,000 words

Organization – Vedas ‐2
Every mantra in Vedas can be classified into rik, yajus, saman, and
atharvana
• A rik mantra has a metrical structure determined by the number
of syllables in it.
• There are seven well known families of meters: Gayathri,
Ushanik, Anushtup, Brhati, Pangti, Trishtup, and Jagati.
• Rik is the mantra of divine conscientiousness, it brings its light of
revelation.
• Yajus is the mantra of divine power, it brings its will of
effectuation.
• Saman is the mantra of divine ananda, it brings its equal fulfilment
of the spiritual delight of existence.
• Atharvana are incantations and spells for health, healing, and
psychic powers.

Organization ‐Rig Veda

• In the beginning Rig Veda consisted a single collection of mantras
with a non‐linear structure with every mantra connected to many
others.
• Ancient Hindus divided Rig Veda two different ways:
1. The Ashtaka Method
2. The Mandala Method
Organization – Rig Veda 2
• The Ashtaka method was designed to facilitate easy
memorization by apportioning more less equal number mantras to
each section.
• The Mandala method was designed group mantras based on the
subject matter.

Organization – Rig Veda ‐ 3

Organization of Rig Veda

The Astaka Method
Astakas No. Adhyayas No. Vargas Mantras
1 8 265 1,370
2 8 221 1,147
3 8 225 1,209
4 8 250 1,289
5 8 238 1,263
6 8 331 1,730
7 8 248 1,263
8 8 246 1,281
Totals 64 2,024 10,552

• The Ashtaka Method: The Rig Veda is divided into 8 Ashtakas; each
Ashtaka is divided into 8 Adhyayas; each Adhyaya has a varied
number of Vargas ( varying from 221 to 331); and each Varga has
a varied number of mantras (varying from
1,147 to 1,730).

Organization – Rig Veda ‐4

• The Mandala Method: The Rig Veda is divided into 10 Mandalas;
each Mandala contains 4 to 24 Anuvakas; each Anuvaka contains
43 to 191 Suktas; in all 1,028 Suktas contain 10,552 mantras.
• Notes: In Rig Veda the word Mandala refers to the name of 10
books or sections into which it is divided based on the subject
content; Anuvaka literally means reciting Vedas after teacher or
following the teacher, in the Rig Vedic organizational context it
means a subdivision of a Mandala; and Varga means group or
class division.
Yajur Veda
• Second of the four Vedas that emerged out of the southern face
of Brahma

• Available in two main streams: Krsna Yajur Veda and Sukla Yajur
Veda

Yajur Veda ‐2
• Only 5 Yajur Veda Samhitas are available:
1. Taittiriya Samhita
2. Maitrayaniya Samhita
3. Kathaka Samhita
4. Kapisthala‐Kathaka Samhita
5. Vajasaneyi Samhita
• The first four belongs to Krsna Yajur Veda. Vajasaneyi Samhita is
the only belonging to Sukla Yajur Veda.
• The fourth Samhita is not fully recovered.
Sama Veda
• Sama Veda or Sama Veda Samhita is the third of the four Vedas.

• Sama Veda comprises mostly of Rig Vedic mantras (Riks) set to

the saptasvara system of Indian music to be sung at appropriate
places in a sacrifice.
• It is the Udgatr (third of the four priests) along with his three
assistants who conducts this sacrificial ceremony.

Sama Veda ‐2
• Sama: that which destroys sorrow by its sweetness; a song.

• Samas are those mantras of Rig Veda which had been set to the
tunes as prescribed by special treatises.

• The same Rik can be sung in different tunes thus producing

different samas, and the number can vary from 1 to 18.

• According to one calculation there are 1,875 Riks and 2,639

samas.
Sama Veda ‐3
• Sama Veda has around thousand shakas (branches) of which only
13 are discovered so far. These 13 are the names of the teachers
who are responsible for their recension.Three of those shakas are
extant now. They are Jaiminyasakha, Kauthumasakha, and
Ranayaniyasakha
Sama Veda ‐4
• Sama Veda has two internal divisions. Purvarcika and Uttrarcika.
• Purvarcika has several prapathakas (chapters) containing several
dasatis (decads), and dastis are divided into Kandas
(chapters). Each Kanda contains several Riks.
• Uttararcika has nine prapathakas and are divided into
Kandas (Chapters). Each Kanda contains several Riks.

• All four Vedas have three groups : Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and

Upanishads
• Brahmanas (nine of them):
1. Arsya Brahmana
2. Devatadhyaya Brahmana
3. Prudha Brahmana
4. Sadvimsa Brahmana
5. Samavidhna Brahmana
6. Samhitoponishad Brahmana
7. Talvakara Brahmana
8. Upanishad Brahmana
9. Vamsa Brahmana
• Aranyakas:
1. There is only one Aranyaka available called Talvakara Aranyaka, it
is part of Talvakara Brahmana.
• Upanishads

1. Chandogya and Kena (or Talvakara) Upanishads are the major

Upanishads of Sama Veda
2. Other minor Upanishads of Sama Veda include
Arunopanishad; Jabaladarsanopanishad; Jabalyupanishad;
Mahopanishad; and Vasudevaopanishad.
• Any mantra of Rig Veda ( a Rik) set to music as per the system of
svaras or notes of Sama Veda becomes a Sama. This is
explained in Naradiyasiksa.
• According to Naradiyasiks: there are 7 svaras (musical notes), 3
gramas (scales of music, lower range, middle range, and top
range); 21 murchanas (variation of notes in orderly manner); and
49 tanas (protracted notes).
Atharva Veda
• This is the fourth Veda.
• Circa 3,000‐2,500 BCE
• The word Atharva comes from Athar, an obsolete word
for fire or priest of fire. Atharvan may be a name of the ancient
sage who brought down fire from heavens to start sacrificial rites
on earth.
• Atharvan is also regraded as the son of
Brahma.
Atharava Veda ‐2
• Atharva Veda is also called by other names:
1. Atharvana Veda
2. Atharavangirasa
3. Angirasa
4. Bhruguangirasa
5. Bhruguvistara
6. Brahma Veda – Atharva son of Brahma
7. Bhaisajyaveda – bhaisajya (medicine and treatment)
8. Ksattraveda – warrior class , Ksatriya

Atharva Veda ‐3
• Atharva Veda differs from the other three in the sense that it deals
with issues of life as opposed to issues of hereafter. It deals with
things of here and now. Major portion of Vedas is concerned with
diseases and their cure, rites for prolonging life, rites for fulfilling
one’s desire, building construction, trade and commerce,
statecraft, and Propitiatory rites.
• Also, referred to as the scripture of masses.
• From ancient times 9 sakhas (branches) of Atharava Veda are
known to have existed. However two of them are extant: Pippalada
and Saunaka.
 Atharva Veda ‐4

Atharava Veda Samhita

Prapathakas Kandas Suktas Mantras
1 1‐7 433 2,030
2 8‐12 45 1,573
3 13‐18 43 1,063
4 19‐20 215 1,411
Totals 736 6,077

Atharva Veda ‐5

• In all 6,077 mantras are distributed over 20 kandas and 736

suktas, and 4 prapathikas.

• The number of suktas may vary depending the method of

classification but the number mantras remains 6,077.

• The 20th kanda is heavily borrowed from the Rig Veda.

Atharva Veda
• Bhaisajya Suktas: deals with diseases, their causes, and cures.
Hence, Atharva Veda is considered to be precursor to Ayurveda.
Sometimes Ayurveda is listed as the upaveda of Atharva Veda.
• Paustika Suktas: prayers for worldly progress and welfare (good
rains, growth of crops, and building construction).
• Abhicaraika Suktas: aimed at harming or destroying our enemies
who obstruct our progress.
• Prayascitta Sukta: concerned with expiatory rites to offset either
wrong performance or non‐performance of religious rites.

Atharva Veda
• Strikarma Sukta: deals with love and marriage.
• Rajakarma Sukta: gives an account of political system that existed
those days. The king used to be elected by the people . National
and social problems were solved by samiti, a parliament of people.
• Brahmanya Sukta: nature of Brahmana and the absolute.
• Ayusya Sukta: contains supplications for longevity.

Atharva Veda
• Only one Brahmana of Atharava Veda has been discovered :
Gopatha Brahmana.
• No Aranynaka of Atharva Veda has come to light to date.
• Three well known Upanishads of Atharva
Veda are: Prasna, Mundaka, and Mandukya.
Introduction of Yoga

Yoga is a healthy way of life, originated in India. Now it is believed to

be a form of science accepted all over the world. The western culture
also is accepting it as a healthy form of scientific exercise. Although
the origin of yoga is obscure, it has a long tradition. In course of time,
various schools of yoga developed. The major schools of yoga are
Jnana yoga, Bhakti yoga, Karma yoga and Raja yoga. These schools
of yoga advocate particular type of methodology which includes a
variety of systematised practices of yoga depending on their
particular approach. However, all these are leading to the common
goal of selfrealisation and integration of body and mind.

The word 'Yoga' is derived from Sanskrit root yuj which means 'join'
or 'unite'. This may be taken as the union of body, mind and soul, and
is used in the literature both as an end as well as means. As an end,
yoga signifies 'integration of personality' at the highest level. As
means, yoga includes various practices and techniques which are
employed to achieve the development of such integration. These
practices and techniques are means in the yogic literature and are
also referred collectively as 'Yoga'.

Objectibve Of Yoga Practices

• To develop a understanding of yogic practices and apply this

understanding accordingly in one’s life and living.
• To develop a healthy habit and lifestyle in children.
• To develop humane values in children.
• To develop physical, emotional and mental health through yogic
activities.
Asana
The term asana means sitting in a particular posture, which is
comfortable and which could be maintained steadily for long time.
Asana gives stability and comfort, both at physical and mental level.
There may be variations in the techniques of some of the asanas
depending upon the following yoga institutions.

Asana may broadly be classified into three categories:

a) Cultural or Corrective asana
b) Meditative asana
C) Relaxative asana

Pranayam

Pranayama consists of the breathing techniques which are related to

the control of breath or respiratory process. Pranayama popularly
known as ‘yogic breathing’, involves a conscious manipulation of our
breathing pattern.

Pratyahara

Yogic practice of Pratyahara means withdrawal of senses from sense

organs in order to control mind. In pratyahara the awareness about
the external surrounding is withdrawn and is taken to inside.
Introspection, studying good books are some practices which can
help in pratyahara.
Bandha and Mudra

Bandha and Mudra are the practices involving manipulation of certain

semi-voluntary and involuntary muscles in the body. These practices
bring about voluntary control and tone up the internal organs.

Kriya

Shatkarma means six karmas or kriyas. The karma/kriya means

'action'. Shatkarma consists purificatory processes which cleanse the
specific organs of the body by detoxifying them. The purification
helps to keep the body and mind healthy.

There are six cleansing processes described in hatha yogic texts.

These are Neti, Dhauti, Basti, Trataka, Nauli and Kapalabhati. These
are used to clean the internal organs or systems by using water, air
or manipulation of certain organs of the body.

Meditation

Meditation is a practice which helps in concentration of the body and

mind. In meditation, concentration is focussed for a long time on a
single object like tip of the nose, space between eyebrows, etc. It
develops a sense of well-being and improves memory and decision
making power in the person.
Surya Namaskar
Surya means 'sun' and namaskara means 'salutation' or 'bowing
down'. It consist of 12 postures. The regular practice of surya
namaskara helps improve blood circulation throughout the body and
maintain health, and thereby helps one to remain disease-free.
Postures practised during surya namaskara act as a good link
between warm-ups and asanas. Surya namaskara should preferably
be done at the time of sunrise. It can be done any time on an empty
stomach. However, morning is considered to be the best time for it.
Adolescents should start doing surya namaskara daily to have
healthy body and mind.
Tadasana
Tada in Sanskrit means 'palm tree'. This is called Tadasana because
in this asana the student stands straight like a palm tree. Hence, it
has been named Tadasana.

Uttana-Mandukasana
Uttana means 'upright' or 'stretched up' and manduka means 'frog'. In
final position of this asana, the body looks like a stretched up or
upright frog, hence, it is called Uttanamandukasana.
Akarna-Dhanurasana
Akarna means 'ear' and Dhanur means 'bow'. In this asana, the
posture resembles like a 'bow'. In this posture, hand is pulled up to
ear like pulling a bow and arrow. Hence, this is called Akarna
Dhanurasana.

Bhujangasana
Bhujangasana comprises of two words - bhujanga and asana. In
Sanskrit, bhujanga means cobra (snake) and asana means posture.
In the final position of this asana, the body resembles the shape of a
hooded snake, hence the posture is called Bhujangasana.
Kapalbhati

Kapalabhati is considered a Kriya (cleansing practice) which

cleanses the frontal brain. In Sanskrit, Kapala means 'skull' and bhati
means 'shine'. Kapalabhati helps to improve the functions of the
organs located in the skull.

KAPALBHATI