What are the grounds for the belief that the ancient Iranians and the ...
The Rig Vedic and Avestan languages are essentially the same, with very minor differences in grammar. They share a common vocabulary in the fields of mythology, ritual, culture, and religious practices.
What are the grounds for the belief that the ancient Iranians and the ...
The belief that the ancient Iranians and the Vedic Aryans belong to the same race is based on several grounds, the most significant of which is the close similarity between the language of the Vedas and that of the Avesta.
1. Close Similarity in Language:
- The language of the Vedas, known as Vedic Sanskrit, and the language of the Avesta, known as Avestan, share several linguistic and phonetic similarities.
- Both languages belong to the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European language family.
- The grammar, vocabulary, and syntax of Vedic Sanskrit and Avestan show remarkable resemblances, indicating a common linguistic heritage.
2. Common Religious Literature:
- Both ancient Iranians and Vedic Aryans have religious texts that share common themes and deities.
- The ancient Iranians had their religious texts called the Avesta, which contains hymns, rituals, and prayers.
- The Vedic Aryans had their religious texts called the Vedas, which include the Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, and Atharva Veda.
- Both the Avesta and the Vedas are considered to be among the oldest religious texts in the world and share common elements, such as the worship of gods like Indra and Agni.
3. Cultural and Mythological Similarities:
- The ancient Iranians and Vedic Aryans share similar cultural practices and mythological beliefs.
- Both societies practiced a form of religious sacrifice known as yajna or yasna.
- They both believed in the concept of duality, with gods representing good and demons representing evil.
- The ancient Iranians and Vedic Aryans believed in the existence of a cosmic order known as Asha or Rta.
- Both cultures revered sacred rivers, such as the Sapta Sindhu (seven rivers) in the Vedas and the Vourukasha in the Avesta.
4. Flora and Fauna:
- While it is mentioned in option 'd' that the Vedic Aryans were familiar with the flora and fauna of ancient Iran, this alone is not a strong ground for the belief that they belong to the same race.
- The presence of similar flora and fauna could be due to geographical proximity and shared ecological conditions.
In conclusion, the belief that the ancient Iranians and the Vedic Aryans belong to the same race is primarily based on the close similarity between the language of the Vedas and the Avesta. The common religious literature, cultural practices, and mythological beliefs further support this notion. The familiarity with the flora and fauna of ancient Iran, mentioned in option 'd', is not as significant as the linguistic and cultural similarities.
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