We discussed the concept of a primary source with the example of the US constitution for laws, and the Vedas for Hindus. We discussed the way Hindu scriptures are structured and categorized as Shruti (that which was heard) and Smriti (that which was remembered). Shruti is revealed knowledge and is considered to be authorless and includes the Vedas. Smriti includes Bhagavad Gita and Puranas such as Ramayana. which are categorized "vertically" into four shakhas (branches) namely Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, and Atharva Veda. The Vedas are also categorized "horizontally" into Samhita, Brahmana, Aranyaka, and Upanishad.
A unique aspect about Vedic scriptures are that they were remembered over ages in an oral tradition where students learned to recite Vedic scriptures directly from teachers and then continued the tradition by teaching the next generation. Among the various chants, slokas, poems that we can learn to chant or sing, Vedic chants are some of the oldest, and likely the oldest, known to mankind. Mantra Pushpam is one of the most common and popular Vedic chants that children may hear in temples and pujas. It is taken from the Taittiriya Aranyaka of the Yajur Veda.
We learned to chant Mantra Pushpam, and the students seemed to enjoy the process. We will continue the learning in further classes. The following file has the text, meaning, and links to audio recordings. This was also sent by email.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_lmQAGoNmsgMXJWektyVmg1X3M/edit?usp=sharing
No comments:
Post a Comment