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Isn’t it fascinating how greatly ancient India is described in them? Leaving even the greatest scientist in awe about the knowledge held by the scholars at that time, quite fascinating how accurate they are also.
So let’s embark on an exciting adventure to explore ancient India and find out the reason why they lost the glory too.
India's ancient texts, the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Ramayana, and Mahabharata, stand as beacons of wisdom and knowledge. They hold a great amount of knowledge which remains unmatchable even now. Its vivid description of flora and fauna leaves even scientists in awe.
Four Ancient Hindu Texts
The Vedas
They are the oldest and most sacred texts of Hindus, dating back 3500 years- divided into Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda.
Rigveda - It contains prayers admiring various deities, forces of nature and cosmic rules.
Samaveda - It sets the prayers to music.
Yajurveda - It provides directions for the ceremonies and sacrifices.
Atharvaveda - It includes spells and incantations as well as knowledge of medicine and daily life.
The Upanishads
They are the ancient texts that inspire others to think deeply about life and explore the nature of reality and existence. They motivate us to comprehend the importance of consciousness and how it permeates everything in our environment.
Furthermore, they guide us on a transformative journey and on the path of spiritual awakening.
The Puranas
The Puranas are ancient texts that cover a wide range of stories, myths and legends. They were written between 300C.E. and 1500C.E., providing valuable insight into Ancient Indian society, customs and beliefs.
These texts are a source of inspiration, guiding individuals on the path of cultural and spiritual enrichment.
The Epics - Ramayana and Mahabharata
They are the two epics of Hindu culture that have captivated the hearts of millions for centuries.
The Ramayana, written by sage Valmiki, narrates the story of Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and their journey to uphold righteousness and dharma (moral duty).
The Mahabharata, written by sage Vyasa, is an epic that narrates the story of the rivalry between The Pandavas and The Kauravas. It also contains philosophical discourses, including The Bhagavad Gita, spiritual wisdom shared by Krishna to Arjuna.
Why did India Lose Its Past Glory?
The more we dive deeper into history we have discovered that the preservation and perpetuation of these sacred texts faced numerous challenges.
Invasion and Colonialism
The invasion throughout history by different dynasties and later colonial rule by Britishers had a profound impact on Indian Culture. During this invasion period many sacred places, ancient libraries and learning places were pillaged and destroyed.
Additionally, the rulers attempted to impose their beliefs ignoring the indigenous beliefs that were there leading to a decline in Hindu culture.
Emphasis on Formal Education
The colonial period brought the system of formal education in India, de-rooting the ongoing culture of Gurukuls, and putting emphasis on the Western education system.
As a result, the study and dissemination of Hindu texts faced challenges, affecting their transmission to future generations.
Linguistic and Scriptural Evolution
Over the last thousand years, India has experienced changes in language and scriptural adaptation. Ancient languages like Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Pali, in which our texts used to be written gradually gave way to modern languages.
While this change made communication easier to people it also separated them away from the original text getting only a few drops of knowledge. As a result, we went away from our originality.
Social and Cultural Shifts
Significant changes were brought about by shifting social mores, migration, and inter-communal contact in India's complex cultural context.
Several customs and rituals connected to the Hindu texts altered or vanished as communities developed. The way the Hindu tradition was perceived and kept alive was also influenced by other cultures and religions.
Misinterpretations and Misrepresentations
As we faded away from our original languages, the misinterpretation of our ancient texts became common with very few people with knowledge of ancient languages being fully able to understand what was written in them.
This created an internal discord and misconception about the true essence of our heritage among our people, leading to distortion of its teaching and value.
Final Thoughts
We have indeed lost the glory in India as it was being described in our ancient text but despite the challenges faced in thousands of years, it has never completely faded away. The resilience of scholars, sages and dedicated individuals has ensured that these heritages keep passing on.
In recent times, initiatives are being taken to revive and preserve the heritage Initiatives in education, research, and cultural promotion are helping to reconnect people with their roots and rediscover the timeless wisdom found within the Hindu texts.
Written by Shivam Sharma
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