Sanjivani University
School of Engineering and Technology
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
INDIAN KNOWLEDGE SYSTEM
(24UFSIK101)
By,
Sakshi Mane
UNIT - I
Indian Knowledge System (24UFSIK101) by Sakshi
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Indian Knowledge System (24UFSIK101) by Sakshi
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1-17TeZvV0&t=214s
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Indian Knowledge and the Vedic Corpus
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INTRODUCTION TO INDIAN KNOWLEDGE SYSTEM
Indian Knowledge System (IKS) are complex knowledge systems that our ancestral communities have
accumulated over many generations as a result of their interactions with the environment. It refers to a set
of empirical information and ideas about how living things interact with one another and their
environment that have been passed down culturally through generations of long-term inhabitants of a
particular region. These were downplayed by the English rulers and went close to oblivion through the
years of violence and oppression that we faced.
IKS & Education
IKS essentially teaches us how to ask questions. In what manner? To what extent? Our way of thinking
will be directed and reoriented by fundamental sutras. The axiomatic beliefs that “Vasudhaiva
Kutumbakam ” (the entire universe is a family) and “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah ” (may all be happy)
form the foundation of IKS’s new worldview.
IKS & Language
No knowledge exists without words. Language serves as the path of light to wisdom and all knowledge is
intertwined with words. Therefore, language education has been considered an integral part of our
education system. Indian languages are extremely important in the context of IKS or IKS-based
education. The understanding of fundamental categories is necessary to comprehend the IKS. Terms from
the Indian language are used to express these fundamental categories in any Indian Knowledge System.
Translating the core ideas and theories into the English language would deplete the crux of it. As a result,
Indian education should carefully balance IKS and Indian languages education to encourage high-quality
research that promotes harmonious economic growth.
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ORGANIZATION AND HISTORY
Structure and organization of Indian Knowledge
1. Divided into Śruti (revealed knowledge) and Smṛti (remembered knowledge).
2. Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, and other texts form the core literature.
Timeline of historical development
3. Vedic period (c. 1500 – 500 BCE): Foundation of Vedic literature.
4. Classical period (c. 500 BCE – 500 CE): Development of Upanishads, epics like Mahabharata and
Ramayana.
5. Medieval period (c. 500 – 1500 CE): Expansion into various philosophical schools and
commentaries.
Key figures and texts in the Indian Knowledge tradition
6. Sages like Vyasa, Valmiki, Patanjali.
7. Texts include Vedas, Upanishads, Mahabharata, Ramayana, and the works of major philosophers like
Shankara, Ramanuja, and Madhva.
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INTRODUCTION TO VEDAS
Definition and significance of the Vedas
1. The oldest and most authoritative scriptures of Hinduism.
2. Source of spiritual knowledge and guidance for rituals.
Historical context and authorship
3. Composed in Sanskrit between 1500 and 500 BCE.
4. Authored by ancient sages (rishis) who are considered seers of the divine truths.
Oral tradition and preservation
5. Transmitted orally for centuries through precise chanting techniques.
6. Preserved by Brahmin families dedicated to maintaining the purity of the texts.
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SYNOPSIS OF THE FOUR VEDAS
RIGVEDA
Hymns and praises to deities, contains 1028 hymns in ten books.
SAMAVEDA
Melodies and chants used in rituals, derived mostly from Rigveda hymns.
YAJURVEDA
Rituals and sacrifices, provides procedural details for rituals.
ATHARVAVEDA
Spells and incantations, addresses everyday life issues and healing practices.
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SUB-CLASSIFICATION OF VEDAS
SAMHITAS
Collections of hymns and mantras.
BRAHMANAS
Ritualistic texts explaining the hymns.
ARANYAKAS
Philosophical treatises meant for forest-dwelling hermits.
UPANISHADS
Mystical and spiritual teachings focusing on meditation and metaphysics.
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MESSAGES IN VEDAS
Core teachings and philosophies
Emphasis on the eternal truth (Satya) and cosmic order (Rta).
Concepts of Dharma, Karma, and Moksha
1. Dharma: Duty and righteousness.
2. Karma: Law of cause and effect.
3. Moksha: Liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
Importance of rituals and ethics
1. Rituals as means to connect with the divine.
2. Ethical living to maintain harmony and order.
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INTRODUCTION TO VEDĀṄGAS
DEFINITION AND PURPOSE OF VEDĀṄGAS
Six auxiliary disciplines aiding the understanding and practice of Vedic texts.
Vedānga (वेदाङ्ग – limbs of the Vedas) are six sub-disciplines connected with the study of
the Vedas. The intent of Vedānga was to ensure retention of purity of the original texts from degradation
arising from time, local syntax, pronunciation changes, introduction of grammatical changes etc., all of
which impact languages over time. This study allows the Vedas to retain their original design purity.
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ŚIKṢĀ
Phonetics and pronunciation to ensure the integrity of oral transmission.
Śikṣā or study in phonetics and pronunciation. The focus here is to ensure that the recitation of the
Vedic texts follows a specific accent, stress, melody and incantation. It had six elements
– vārna (quality), svara (accent), mātra (cadence), balā (strength of delivery or
articulation), sāman (recital) and saṁtana (continuity of delivery).
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VYĀKARAṆA
Grammar and linguistic analysis to maintain the purity and correctness of the Vedic texts.
Vyākaraṇa or grammar. This is the study of grammar which allows correct formation of words and
sentences to represent ideas. Though there were many, the most famous of Sanskrit grammarians are
Panni and Taska (around 500 BCE). The term literally means “separation, analysis or explanation”. The
most celebrated vyākaraṇa work is Panini’s 4,000-sutra aṣṭādhyāyī, which set the linguistic standards for
classical Sanskrit, but it should be understood that development of vyākaraṇa principles have been
enunciated in the Rig Veda (2000 BCE) and there have been many since, such as Patanjali who have
worked on vyākaraṇa.
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NIRUKTA
Etymology and explanation of words to interpret Vedic texts accurately.
Nirukta is study of etymology or glossary of words. It emerged as a limb of the Vedas due to a
requirement whereby the meaning and source of almost 20% of the words used in the Vedas started
getting lost as they had been used only one. Nirukta ensures that the meaning and correct usage are
explained. This removes ambiguity in the meaning of various words and establishes the context in which
they may be used. Major contribution in this limb is credited to Yaska (around 500 BCE).
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CHANDAS
Prosody and meter in Vedic texts to preserve the rhythm and structure of hymns.
Chandas or study of meter in the poetry of the Vedas, including number of syllables, words, spacing
etc in the structuring of the śloka or verse. The placement of words was defined and precise; this when
used in conjunction with vyākaraṇa and śikṣā, the meaning and formation could remain unchanged for
centuries.
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KALPA
Ritual and ceremonial instructions, including sacrificial rites and daily rituals.
Kalpa or ritual processes. This is the instruction manual of how various rituals need to be performed.
There are four primary kalpa-śāstra
• Śrauta-sūtra and Śulba-sūtra which primarily deal with public rituals or yajñá (sacrifice)
• Gṛhya-sūtra which deals with rituals connected with the home, often major life events as detailed in
the saṃskāra such as birth, thread ceremony, marriage and funeral rites.
• Dharma-sūtra which deals with the duties of various individuals, castes and communities. This deals
with conditioning of behavior within a society.
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JYOTIṢA
Astronomy and astrology to determine auspicious times for rituals and ceremonies.
Jyotiṣa refers to astrology/ astronomy or study of movement of planets and their impact on various
elements of life, used mainly for conducting rites and rituals. Over time, the science of jyotiṣa was used
for many other activities such as astrology.
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VEDIC LIFE: DISTINCTIVE FEATURES
Social structure and daily life in Vedic times
Varna system (social classes), roles, and responsibilities:
1. Brahmins: Priests and scholars responsible for performing rituals and preserving sacred
knowledge. They were the educators and spiritual leaders of society.
2. Kshatriyas: Warriors and rulers tasked with protecting society and upholding justice. They
governed and ensured the safety and order of the community.
3. Vaishyas: Merchants and landowners who managed agriculture, trade, and commerce. They
played a crucial role in the economic development and prosperity of society.
4. Shudras: Laborers and service providers who supported the other three varnas through their work.
They were essential for the day-to-day functioning and maintenance of society.
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GURUKULA SYSTEM OF EDUCATION
1. Traditional residential schooling system where students (shishyas) lived with their teacher (guru)
in an ashram or hermitage.
2. Emphasis on holistic education, including spiritual, intellectual, and physical training.
3. Subjects taught included Vedic literature, philosophy, astronomy, mathematics, and various arts
and crafts.
4. Education was personalized and focused on the development of character and discipline.
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Community participation in rituals and festivals
• Rituals: Central to daily life, included yajnas (sacrificial rituals) performed to please the gods,
ensure prosperity, and maintain cosmic order.
• Festivals: Celebrated with great enthusiasm, reinforcing social bonds and communal harmony.
Examples include seasonal festivals like Holi, Diwali, and harvest festivals.
• Participation: Involvement of the entire community in rituals and festivals fostered a sense of
unity and collective identity. These events were occasions for social interaction, cultural
expression, and the transmission of traditions.
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Influence of Vedic knowledge on Indian culture
1. Art: Vedic themes and symbols profoundly influenced Indian art forms, including sculpture,
painting, and temple architecture. Deities and mythological stories from the Vedas are depicted in
various art forms.
2. Literature: The Vedic corpus laid the foundation for later Indian literature, including the epics
(Mahabharata and Ramayana) and Puranas. Sanskrit, the language of the Vedas, became the
classical language of Indian literature.
3. Philosophy: Vedic teachings gave rise to diverse philosophical systems such as Vedanta,
Mimamsa, and Samkhya. These philosophies explored metaphysical questions, ethics, and the
nature of reality and self.
4. Cultural practices: Vedic rituals, ceremonies, and festivals continue to be integral to Hindu
culture and religious practice. Concepts like Dharma (duty), Karma (action), and Moksha,
(liberation) from the Vedas are deeply embedded in Indian cultural consciousness.
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Reference
• https://hoidla.spordimuuseum.ee/?g=what-are-the-hindu-scriptures-what-are-the-hindu-vv-9OA3VB
sv
• https://unikolom.com/the-vedic-prologue/
• https://www.templepurohit.com/the-six-vedangas/
• https://testbook.com/ias-preparation/varna-system
• https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Caste-System-or-Varna-in-Brahmanism_fig8_318038990
• https://medium.com/@cruserose95/various-education-system-6b51730c5db
• https://vediceducationgmu.blogspot.com/2017/11/vedic-education-aims-salient-features.html
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