India's Cultural Roots Chapter Notes | Social Studies (SST) Class 6 PDF Download

Introduction

Indian culture is very old and has a rich history, like an ancient tree with many roots and branches. The roots show common traditions, while the branches represent different parts of Indian culture, such as art, literature, science, medicine, religion, governance, and martial arts. All these parts come from the same foundation.

Indian culture also includes many "schools of thought," where groups of people share similar ideas about life and the world. Some experts believe Indian culture began with the Indus Valley or Harappan civilization. Over time, many different schools of thought developed in India, each adding to its unique identity. By learning about these early schools, we can better understand India, or "Bharat."

The Vedas and Vedic Culture

a. What are the Vedas?

• The Vedas are ancient texts from India, considered the oldest in the country and among the oldest in the world.
• There are four Vedas: Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Säma Veda, and Atharva Veda.
• The word "Veda" comes from the Sanskrit word "vid," meaning "knowledge."
• The Vedas contain thousands of hymns, which are prayers written in the form of poems and songs.
• These hymns were not written down but were recited orally, passed down through generations.
• The hymns were composed in the Sapta Sindhava region, an area in ancient India.
• The Rig Veda, the oldest of the four Vedas, was composed a long time ago, but experts disagree on the exact date.
• Some experts think it was written between the 5th and 2nd millennium BCE, which is a very long time ago.
• The Vedas were passed down orally for many generations, between 100 and 200, with very few changes.

Who wrote the Vedic hymns?

• The hymns were composed by rishis (male sages) and rishikas (female sages) in an early form of Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language.
• These sages addressed various deities (gods and goddesses) in their poems, such as Indra, Agni, Varuna, Mitra, Sarasvati, and Ushas.
• The rishis and rishikas saw these deities as different names for the same supreme reality. As one famous hymn puts it,

What was important in the Vedic worldview?

• In the Vedic worldview, "Truth" was very important and was often considered another name for God.
• The Rig Veda also emphasizes the importance of unity among people, encouraging them to come together, speak together, and share a common purpose.
• For example, one verse from the Rig Veda says,

UNESCO Recognition of Vedic Chanting (2008)

• Vedic chanting was acknowledged by UNESCO in 2008 as a significant part of humanity's oral and intangible heritage.
• This recognition was due to the careful transmission of Vedic chanting over thousands of years.

b. Vedic society

• The early Vedic society was organized into different janas or clans, which were large groups of people. The Rig Veda mentions over 30 such clans, including the Bharatas, Purus, Kurus, Yadus, and Turvaéhas. Each clan was associated with a specific region in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent.

• Not much is known about how these clans governed their society. The Vedas provide some clues through terms like räjä (meaning king or ruler), sabhä, and samiti, which refer to gatherings or assemblies of people.
• The Vedic texts also mention various professions, including agriculturist(farmer), weaver, potter, builder, carpenter, healer, dancer, barber, and priest.

c. Vedic schools of thought

• Vedic culture created various rituals called yajna, often pronounced as 'yagya,' aimed at different deities (gods and goddesses) for personal or communal benefits and well-being.
• Daily rituals usually involved prayers and offerings to Agni, the fire deity, but over time, these rituals became increasingly intricate.
• A set of texts known as the Upanishads expanded on Vedic ideas and introduced concepts like rebirth (the cycle of being born again) and karma (the principle of cause and effect in actions).
• According to a philosophical perspective called Vedanta, everything—human life, nature, and the universe—is one divine essence known as brahman (not to be confused with the god Brahma) or simply tat ('that').
• Two famous mantras convey this idea:

Concept of Atman

• The Upanishads also introduced the idea of atman or Self, which is the divine essence present in every being and ultimately united with brahman.
• This concept implies that everything in the world is interconnected and interdependent.
• A common prayer reflecting this idea begins with sarve bhavantu sukhinah, meaning "May all creatures be happy," and continues with wishes for freedom from disease and sorrow.

Birth of New Philosophical Schools

• In the early 1st millennium BCE, various philosophical schools emerged from the Vedas, one of which was Yoga.
• Yoga developed practices aimed at realizing brahman in one's consciousness.
• These diverse schools of thought collectively laid the groundwork for what we now refer to as Hinduism.

Buddhism

Can we be certain about the exact year of Siddhārtha Gautama's birth?

We don’t know the exact year Siddhārtha Gautama was born, but 560 BCE is a commonly accepted estimate.

The Life of Siddhartha Gautama: From Prince to the Buddha:

• About 2,500 years ago, a young prince named Siddhārtha Gautama was born in Lumbini, which is now in Nepal. Scholars have different opinions on the exact year of his birth, but we will use 560 BCE as an approximate date for this story. 
• Siddhārtha Gautama grew up in a very protected environment in the palace. When he was 29 years old, he asked to go out into the city for the first time. During this trip, he saw an old man, a sick man, and a dead body. He also met an ascetic who seemed happy and peaceful. 
• After this experience, Siddhārtha decided to leave his life in the palace and give up his wife and son. He traveled as an ascetic, meeting other ascetics and scholars, searching for the main cause of suffering in human life. 
• After meditating for many days under a pipal tree at Bodh Gaya (now in Bihar), he reached enlightenment. He understood that avidyā (ignorance) and attachment are the roots of human suffering and found a way to eliminate these causes. 
• Siddhārtha then became known as the 'Buddha', which means the 'enlightened' or 'awakened' one. 
• The Buddha began teaching what he discovered, including the principle of ahimsa, which is usually translated as 'non-violence', but originally means 'non-hurting' or 'non-injuring'. 
• He emphasized the importance of sincere inner discipline. One of his sayings reflects this clearly:
  
• The Buddha established the Sangha, a community of bhikṣus (monks) and later bhikṣuṇīs (nuns) who committed themselves to practicing and spreading his teachings. 
• His impact on India and the rest of Asia was immense and can still be felt today.

Stories from the Upanishads about Asking Questions

The Upanishads, ancient Indian texts, emphasize the importance of asking questions regardless of who asks them—be it men, women, or children.

1. Shvetaketu and the Seed of Reality (Chhändogya Upanishad)

• Rishi Uddälaka Aruni sent his son, Shvetaketu, to a gurukula to learn the Vedas. When Shvetaketu returned 12 years later, his father realized he had become very proud of his learning. So, Uddälaka tested him with questions on the nature of brahman, which Shvetaketu could not answer.
• Uddälaka explained that brahman, though invisible, is everywhere. He used examples:
  • Banyan Seed: Just like a seemingly empty banyan seed contains the future banyan tree, brahman is the essence behind everything.
  • Clay Pots: Different pots made from the same clay illustrate that everything around us emerges from the same essence—brahman.
• Uddälaka concluded by emphasizing that everything consists of this subtle essence and that Shvetaketu is a part of it.

2. Nachiketa and His Quest (Katha Upanishad)

• Once, a man was giving away all his possessions in a ritual. When his son Nachiketa asked him which god he would be offered to, the father became angry and said, "I give you to Yama," the god of death.
• Nachiketa went to Yama's world and, after a long wait, met the god. His main question was about what happens after the death of the body.
• Yama initially tried to avoid answering, but Nachiketa persisted. Pleased with his determination, Yama explained that the ätman, or self, is hidden within all creatures. It is neither born nor does it die; it is immortal.
• With this profound knowledge, Nachiketa returned to his father, who welcomed him joyfully.

3. The Debate of Gärgi and Yäjüavalkya (Brihadäratgyaka Upanishad)

• King Janaka offered a prize for the winner of a philosophical debate. Yäjfiavalkya, a famous rishi, came to the court and defeated many scholars.
• When Gärgi, a rishika, asked Yäjfiavalkya questions about the world and eventually about brahman, he asked her to stop.
• Later, Gärgi continued her questions, and Yäjfiavalkya explained that brahman is the force behind the world, seasons, rivers, and everything else.

Jainism

Can we say that Jainism is believed to have much older origins than Buddhism?

Yes, Jainism is thought to have origins that date back further than Buddhism, although both belief systems became prominent around the same time.

Let us explore the origins and teachings of Jainism:

• Jainism is a significant belief system that became popular around the same time as Buddhism, although it is believed to have much older origins.
• Like Siddhārtha Gautama, Prince Vardhamāna was born into royalty in the early 6th century BCE.
• He was born near the city of Vaiśālī, which is in present-day Bihar, India.
• At the age of 30, he chose to leave his home to seek spiritual knowledge.
• He practiced a strict ascetic discipline and after 12 years, he attained what is known as 'infinite knowledge' or supreme wisdom.
• He earned the title 'Mahāvira', meaning 'great hero', and began to share his teachings.
• Jain teachings focus on several key principles:
  • Ahimsa: This principle emphasizes non-violence and respect for all living beings. Mahāvira said,
    
  • Anekāntavāda: This means that there are multiple perspectives on truth. No single statement can fully capture the whole truth.
  • Aparigraha: This teaches non-possessiveness, encouraging people to detach from material things and only keep what is truly necessary.
• Jainism highlights the interconnectedness and interdependence of all living beings, from humans to tiny organisms. Each creature supports the others and relies on one another for survival.
• Scientific studies of nature have confirmed this important truth about the relationships among different forms of life.
• In both Buddhism and Jainism, monks and sometimes nuns traveled to share their teachings.
• Some monks established new monasteries in distant locations, while others chose to live as ascetics in caves.
• Archaeological discoveries have uncovered many remnants of these monasteries, including names of the monks who lived in rock-cut caves and slept on stone beds.
• There were also other schools of thought at that time, such as the Chārvāka school (also called Lokāyata), which believed that only the material world exists and that there is no life after death.
• This school did not gain much popularity and eventually faded away.
• Mentioning this school highlights the diversity of beliefs, allowing people to choose what they found meaningful.
• Although the Vedic, Buddhist, and Jain traditions had significant differences, they also shared some common ideas, including:
  • Dharma: duty or righteousness.
  • Karma: the law of cause and effect.
  • Rebirth: the cycle of birth and rebirth.
• The quest for an end to suffering and ignorance.
• These shared concepts can be thought of as the 'trunk' of the tree that represents the various paths.

Meaning of 'Jain' or 'Jaina'

• The term 'Jain' or 'jaina' is derived from the word 'jina,' which means 'conqueror.'
• However, this conquest is not about taking over land or defeating enemies. Instead, it refers to conquering ignorance and attachments in order to achieve enlightenment.

Buddhist and Jain Stories with Important Lessons

The Jataka Tale of the Monkey King

• The Jataka tales are stories about the past lives of the Buddha and teach important Buddhist values in a simple way.
• In one famous story, the Buddha was the king of a group of monkeys.
• These monkeys lived near a special tree that bore delicious and fragrant fruit.
• One day, despite the monkey-king's orders to keep all the fruit safe, a ripe fruit fell into the stream below.
• The fruit was carried away by the current, caught in a net, and taken to the palace.
• The king of the land tasted the fruit and was so impressed by its flavor that he sent his soldiers to find the tree it came from.
• After a long search, the soldiers found the tree and saw the monkeys enjoying the fruit.
• The king wanted the fruit for himself, but the monkeys were in danger of being captured.
• The monkey-king realized that the only way to save his troop was to help them cross the stream.
• Since the monkeys were too small to cross on their own, the monkey-king used his large body as a bridge, holding onto a tree on the other side while the monkeys crossed.
• This act caused him great pain, and he eventually died from the effort.
• The king, watching from a distance, was deeply moved by the monkey-king's selfless act of sacrifice.
• This made him reflect on the responsibilities of a king towards his subjects.

A Jain Story of Transformation

• Rohineya was a very clever burglar who was hard to catch. On his way to a city, he accidentally overheard part of a sermon by Mahavira about escaping the ordinary life of ignorance.
• When he reached the city, Rohineya was recognized and arrested. He pretended to be a simple farmer.
• A minister came up with a clever plan to make Rohineya confess his true identity. But Rohineya, remembering Mahavira's words, figured out the minister's plan and avoided it.
• Feeling guilty about his actions, Rohineya went to Mahavira, admitted his crimes, returned the stolen items, and asked for forgiveness. He then became a monk, understood the illusion of his previous life, and focused on gaining higher knowledge.
• This story teaches us the importance of doing the right thing and thinking correctly. It also shows that everyone deserves a second chance to change for the better.

Folk and Tribal Roots

Can India's cultural roots be traced through oral traditions and texts like the Vedas?

Yes, India's cultural roots are well-documented in texts like the Vedas and have a rich history of oral traditions passed down through everyday practices.

The Interaction Between Tribal, Folk, and Hindu Traditions in India's Cultural Evolution:

• India's cultural roots are well-documented in texts and have a rich history of oral traditions, where teachings and practices were passed down through everyday practice without written texts, as seen in the case of the Vedas.
• Among these traditions are folk traditions, transmitted by common people, and tribal traditions, passed down by tribes.
• There has been a constant interaction between folk, tribal traditions, and leading schools of thought in India. This interaction is evident in the exchange of deities, concepts, legends, and rituals.
• For example, Jagannath, worshipped in Puri (Odisha), was originally a tribal deity, and various forms of the mother-goddess worshipped across India also have tribal origins. Some tribes have long adopted Hindu deities and have their own versions of the Mahabharata and Ramayana, as documented from India's northeastern states to Tamil Nadu.
• The long-standing and natural interactions between folk, tribal, and Hindu belief systems can be attributed to their shared concepts. For instance, all three systems regard elements of nature, such as mountains, rivers, trees, plants, animals, and certain stones, as sacred due to the consciousness behind them.
• Tribes often worship deities associated with these natural elements. The Toda tribals of the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu, for example, consider over thirty mountain peaks as residences of gods or goddesses, treating these peaks with great reverence.
• Despite the multiplicity of deities, many tribal groups, like Hindus, have a concept of a higher divinity or supreme being. For instance, several tribes in Arunachal Pradesh worship Donyipolo, a combined form of the Sun and Moon who later became a supreme god.
• In parts of central India, the god Khandoba is revered, while in eastern India, tribes like the Munda and Santhal worship Singbonga, a supreme deity who created the world. There are numerous such examples across different tribes.
• Indian sociologist André Béteille noted the mutual influence between castes and tribes in their religious beliefs and practices throughout history.
• While it is widely accepted that tribal religions have been influenced by Hinduism, it is equally true that Hinduism has been shaped by tribal religions, both during its formative phase and throughout its evolution.

What is a tribe?

• Definition: A tribe is considered a group of families or clans with a shared tradition of common descent, culture, and language. They live closely under a chief and do not hold private property.
• Historical Context: In ancient India, there wasn't a specific word for 'tribe.' Tribes were seen as different janas(social groups) adapted to specific environments like forests or mountains.
• Modern Usage: The Indian Constitution uses the terms 'tribes' and 'tribal communities' in English, and janjati in Hindi.
• Population: According to the 2011 census, India had 705 tribes with a population of about 104 million people, which is more than the populations of Australia and the United Kingdom combined.
• Anthropological Views: In the 19th century, tribes were often viewed as 'primitive' or 'inferior' by anthropologists. However, with more research into the rich and complex cultures of tribal communities, these biased views have largely been discarded.

Conclusion

The Vedas, which are India's oldest texts, gave rise to various schools of thought, including the well-known Vedanta and Yoga. Buddhism and Jainism, while departing from Vedic authority, emphasized specific values and practices. Despite their differing principles and methods, these schools shared a common goal of understanding the cause of suffering and finding ways to eliminate ignorance.

Tribal belief systems and art have interacted with Hinduism for millennia, involving a process of mutual borrowing and sharing. Tribal belief systems often hold the land and its features as sacred while also possessing a higher concept of divinity. This rich tapestry of beliefs and practices reflects the diverse and evolving nature of Indian thought and spirituality.

Key Words

1. Spiritual: Concerned with the spirit or soul (ätman in Sanskrit and many Indian languages). Spirituality is the search for a deeper or higher dimension beyond our current personality. 
2. Seeker: Someone who seeks the truths of this world. This could be a Sage, a saint, a yogi, a philosopher, etc.
3. UNESCO: UNESCO stands for 'United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization'. It promotes dialogue between people and nations through education, science and culture. 
4. Cosmos: The world or the universe as an ordered and harmonious system.
5. Worldview: A certain view or under- standing of the world, its origin, or its workings.
6. Healer: Someone who uses traditional practices to relieve or heal diseases.
7. Consciousness: The quality or state of being aware, for instance of something within oneself.
8. Ascetic: Someone who engages in a rigorous discipline to attain a higher consciousness. 
9. Attachment: The condition of having a bond with someone or something, usually through sentiment or habit.
10. Monk: A man who, giving up the usual life in the world, dedicates himself to religious or spiritual pursuits. A monk usually takes vows, that is, commits himself to follow strict rules for a disciplined life. 
11. Nun: The female equivalent of a monk.