Vedic period and Talk:Minsc: Difference between pages

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I love Minsc, but I don't think it's fair to say that only Sarevok surpasses him- Korgan is just as good a fighter, possibly better, and only gets the short shaft from fans because he's tempermentally unsuited to most parties. [[User:Stilgar135|Stilgar135]] 22:17, 18 June 2006 (UTC)

The time period in the [[history of India]] known as the '''Vedic period''' or '''Vedic age''' is the period of the composition of the sacred texts called [[Vedas]] and other such texts in [[Vedic Sanskrit]]. The associated culture sometimes referred to as '''Vedic civilization''' was centered on the [[Punjab region|Punjab]] (modern [[Pakistan]]) and the [[Gangetic plain]] (modern [[India]]). Scholarship places the Vedic period into the [[2nd millennium BCE|2nd]] and [[1st millennium BCE|1st]] millennia BCE, continuing up to the [[6th century BCE]] when it began to be transformed into classical forms of [[Hinduism]]. Early medieval [[Hindu]] authors<ref>e.g. [[Aryabhata]] (5th c.){{fact}}</ref> suggest dates as early as the [[4th millennium BCE]].

== Warrior? ==

Its early phase saw the formation of various [[kingdoms of Ancient India|kingdoms of ancient India]]. In its late phase (from ca. 700 BCE), it saw the rise of the [[Mahajanapadas]], and was succeeded by the golden age of Hinduism and classical [[Sanskrit literature]], the [[Maurya Empire]] (from ca. 320 BCE) and the [[Middle kingdoms of India]].

"Minsc is the strongest joinable warrior in both games"

==Overview==

The reconstruction of the history of Vedic India is based on text-internal details. Linguistically, the Vedic texts could be classified in five chronological strata:

Isn't Minsc a Ranger?

1. '''Rigvedic''': The [[Rigveda]] is by far the most archaic of the Vedic texts preserved, and it retains many common [[Indo-Iranian]] elements, both in language and in content, that are not present in any other Vedic texts. Its creation must have taken place over several centuries, and apart from the youngest books (1 and 10), it must have been essentially complete by [[3000 BCE]] <ref> [http://www.hindunet.org/hindu_history/ancient/aryan/aryan_agrawal.html Demise of the Aryan Invasion Theory] by Dr. Dinesh Agarwal </ref>, although some claim a later date, usually around [[1500 BCE]]. Archaeologically, this period corresponds with the [[Indus Valley Civilization]] (IVC), ''[[Cemetery H culture|Cemetery H]]'' cultures of the [[Punjab region|Punjab]] and the ''[[Ochre Coloured Pottery culture]]'' (OCP) further east. It is undisputed that there is a strong component of cultural continuity of the indigenous IVC.

[[User:Deadhoax|Deadhoax]] ([[User talk:Deadhoax|<small><font style="color:#800080;">Talk</font></small>]] | [[Special:Contributions/Deadhoax|<small><font style="color:#800080;">Contr</font></small>]]) 10:26, 14 November 2006 (UTC)

[[Image:Map of Vedic India.png|thumb|left|410px|Map of early Iron Age Vedic India after Witzel (1989). Realms or tribes are labelled black, Foreign tribes mentioned in early Vedic texts purple, Vedic [[shakha]]s in green. Rivers are labelled blue. The [[Thar desert]] is marked orange.]]

2. '''Mantra language''': This period includes both the mantra and prose language of the [[Atharvaveda]] (Paippalada and Shaunakiya), the Rigveda [[Khilani]], the [[Samaveda]] Samhita (containing some 75 mantras not in the Rigveda), and the mantras of the [[Yajurveda]]. These texts are largely derived from the Rigveda, but have undergone certain changes, both by linguistic change and by reinterpretation. Conspicuous changes include change of ''vishva'' "all" by ''sarva'', and the spread of the ''kuru-'' verbal stem (for Rigvedic ''krno-''). This is the time of the early [[Iron Age]] in north-western India, corresponding to the ''[[Black and Red Ware]]'' (BRW) culture, and the kingdom of the [[Kuru (India)|Kurus]], dating from ca. the [[12th century BCE]].

With a hamster yes. But with the way he acts, its a mix between Warrion/Fighter, paladin(doing hid own good, a good rebel)and ranger, with abilities.

3. '''Samhita prose''': This period marks the beginning of the collection and codification of a Vedic canon. An important linguistic change is the complete loss of the [[injunctive mood|injunctive]], of the [[subjunctive]], and of the [[aorist]]. The commentary part of the [[Yajurveda]] (MS, KS) belongs to this period. Archaeologically, the ''[[Painted Grey Ware]]'' (PGW) culture from ca. [[900 BCE]] corresponds, and the shift of the political center from the Kurus to the [[Pancala]]s at the [[Ganges]].

[[User:Pece Kocovski|Pece Kocovski]] 05:05, 15 November 2006 (UTC)

4. '''Brahmana prose''': The [[Brahmanas]] proper of the four Vedas belong to this period, as well as the oldest of the [[Upanishad]]s ([[BAU]], [[ChU]], [[JUB]]).

A Ranger is a type of warrior. [[User:Pyromaniac589|Pyromaniac589]] 20:30, 20 June 2007 (UTC)

5. '''Sutra language''': This is the last stratum of Vedic Sanskrit leading up to [[500 BCE]], comprising the bulk of the [[Shrautasutra|Shrauta]] and [[Grhyasutra|Grhya]] Sutras, and some [[Upanishads]] (E.g. [[KathU]], [[MaitrU]]. Younger Upanishads are post-Vedic). [[Videha]] as a third political center is established.

== PC vs NPC ==

6. '''Epic and Paninian Sanskrit''': The language of the [[Mahabharata]] and [[Ramayana]] epics, and the Classical Sanskrit described by [[Panini (grammarian)|Panini]] is considered post-Vedic, and belongs to the time after 500 BCE. Archaeologically, the rapid spread of ''[[Northern Black Polished Ware]]'' (NBP) over all of northern India corresponds to this period. The [[Vedanta]], the [[Buddha]], and the [[Pāli|Pali]] Prakrit dialect of Buddhist scripture belong to this period.

Minsc is '''not''' a non-playable character since not only can he join the group but he is also fully under the control of the player. This should be changed in the article. See [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Player_character wikipedia's article] [[User:Bragador|Bragador]] 15:52, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

Historical records set in only after the end of the Vedic period, and remain scarce throughout the Indian Middle Ages. The end of Vedic India is marked by linguistic, cultural and political changes. The grammar of [[Panini (scholar)|Panini]] marks a final apex in the codification of sacred texts, and at the same time the beginning of Classical Sanskrit. The invasion of [[Darius I]] of the Indus valley in the late 6th century BC marks the beginning of outside influence, continued in the kingdoms of the [[Indo Greeks]], new waves of immigration from [[150 BCE]] ([[Abhira]], [[Shaka]]), and ultimately the Islamic [[Sultan]]s. The most important historical source of the geography of post-Vedic India is the [[2nd century]] Greek historian [[Arrian]].

== Sarevok spoiler? ==

==Rigvedic period==

:''See also [[Rigvedic tribes]]''

The origin of the Vedic civilization and its relation to the [[Indus Valley civilization]], [[Indo-Aryan migration]] and [[Gandhara Grave culture]] related cultures [[Aryan Invasion Theory (history and controversies)|remains controversial]] and politically charged in Indian society, often leading to [[Out of India theory|disputes]] on the history of Vedic culture. The [[Rigveda]] is primarily a collection of religious hymns, and allusions to, but not explanation of, various myths and stories, mainly in the younger books 1 and 10. The oldest hymns, probably in books 2&ndash;7, although some people hold book 9, the [[Soma]] Mandala, to be even more ancient, contain many elements inherited from pre-Vedic, common [[Indo-Iranian]] society. Therefore, it is difficult to define the precise beginning of the "Rigvedic period", as it emerges seamlessly from the era preceding it. Also, due to the nomadic nature of the society described, it cannot be localized, and in its earliest phase describes tribes that were essentially on the move.

It might be a borderline-case, but shouldn't Sarevoks appearence in Baldur's Gate 2 (and especially that he can join your party) be marked as a spoiler? It's in the "Powers"-section. <blockquote>''Minsc is the strongest joinable warrior in both games (Strength 18/93) until the Baldurs Gate II addon Throne of Bhaal that introduced Sarevok (Strength 18/00) (...)''</blockquote> -- [[User:Anissen|Anissen]] 12:22, 29 January 2007 (UTC)

===Political organization===

The ''grama'' (village), ''vis'' and ''jana'' were political units of the early Vedic Aryans. A ''vish'' was probably a subdivision of a ''jana'', and a ''grama'' was probably a smaller unit than the other two. The leader of a ''grama'' was called ''gramani'' and that of a ''vish'' was called ''vishpati''. Another unit was the ''gana'' whose head was a ''jyeshta'' (elder).

== Vin Moosk and Boo ==

The ''[[rashtra]]'' (state) was governed by a ''rajan'' (king). The king is often referred to as ''gopa'' (protector) and ''samrat'' (supreme ruler). He governed the people with their consent and approval. It is possible that he was sometimes elected. The ''[[sabha]]'' and ''[[samiti]]'' were popular councils.

You don't suppose that when there is another episodes of [[Kids Next Door]] featuring Moosk, that Boo may make a Cameo/homage role? After all there Are hamsters in the show and Moosk is very much like Minsc. Even the name is a slight anagram.

The main duty of the king was to protect the tribe. He was aided by two functionaries, the ''purohita'' (chaplain) and the ''senani'' (army chief; ''sena'': army). The former not only gave advice to the ruler but also practiced spells and charms for success in war. Soldiers on foot (''patti'') and on [[chariot]]s (''rathin''s), armed with bow and arrow were common. The king employed ''spasa'' (spies) and ''duta''s (messengers). He often got a ceremonial gift, ''bali'', from the people. cheesedoodle.

Vin Moosk

===Society and economy===

Minsc (C is a K sound)

The concept of ''varna'' and the rules of marriage were rigid as is evident from Vedic verses. The status of the [[Brahmins]] and [[Kshatriya]]s was higher than Dasyus and Vaisyas. The Brahmins propagated specialization of an extreme order. Functioning as an intellectual bureaucracy, they also restricted social mobility, as in fields of science, war, literature, religion and the environment. The proper enunciation of verses was considered essential for prosperity and success in war and harvests. [[Kshatriya]]s amassed wealth, and commissioned the performance of sacrifices. Kshatriyas administered the state, maintained society and the economy of a tribe. They also functioned to maintain law and order. They presided over an assembled court of intellectuals and warriors. They distributed the finances of their treasuries, with respect to acts and deeds. They also maintained budgets of the tribe with the assistance of ministers.

[[User:Pece Kocovski|Pece Kocovski]] 11:00, 1 March 2007 (UTC)

Rig Vedic society was characterized by a rural lifestyle, with [[cattle]] rearing being the chief occupation.<ref name="The Aryan-Non Invasionist Model">[http://www.voiceofdharma.com/books/ait/ch63.htm The Aryan Non-Invasionist Model] by Koenraad Elst</ref> Cattle and cows were held in high esteem and frequently appear in Rigvedic hymns; goddesses were often compared to cows, and gods to bulls. [[Agriculture]] grew more prominent with time as the community settled down. Money was unknown, and [[barter]]ing with cattle and other valuables replaced financial commerce.

Families were [[patrilineal]], and people prayed for abundance of sons. Society was strictly organized in a system of [[varna]] (to be distinguished from caste or colour, it pertained to the occupation of the respective people). The four major [[varna (caste)|varnas]] were [[Brahmin]] (the priests and learned people), [[Kshatriya]] (kings and warriors), [[Vaishya]] (traders and merchants) and [[Shudra]] (labourers and workers). Those who are outside these caste structure are known as [[adivasi]]s.

The food of the Rigvedic Aryans consisted of parched grain and cakes, milk and milk products, and various [[fruit]]s and [[vegetable]]s.

==Vedic Religious Practices==

''Main article: [[historical Vedic religion]].''

These forms of belief are the precursor to modern [[Hinduism]].

Texts considered to date to the Vedic period are mainly the four [[Vedas]], but the [[Brahmanas]], and some of the older [[Upanishad]]s are also considered Vedic. The Vedas record the [[liturgy]] connected with the rituals and sacrifices performed by the [[purohita]]s. The [[Rig-veda]] is considered to be the oldest written text that is in existence today.

The [[rishi]]s, the composers of the hymns of the [[Rigveda]], were considered divinely inspired seers (or rather "hearers", ''[[shrauta]]'' means "what is heard").

The mode of worship was performance of sacrifices and [[chant]]ing of verses (see [[Vedic chant]]). The priests helped the common man in performing rituals. People prayed for abundance of children, cattle and wealth.

The main deities of the Vedic [[wiktionary:pantheon|pantheon]] were [[Indra]], [[Agni]] (fire), and [[Soma]]. Other supposed deities were [[Varuna]] (the sky), [[Surya]] (the Sun), [[Mitra (Vedic)|Mitra]] (the friend or ally), [[Vayu]] (the wind). Goddesses included [[Ushas]] (the dawn), [[Prithvi]] (the Earth) and [[Aditi]] (the mother of gods or sometimes the cow). Rivers, especially [[Saraswati]], were also considered goddesses. Deities were not viewed as all-powerful. The relationship between the devotee and the deity was one of transaction, with Agni (the sacrificial fire) taking the role of messenger between the two. Strong traces of a common [[Indo-Iranian]] religion remain visible, especially in the [[Soma]] cult and the fire worship also preserved in [[Zoroastrianism]]. The [[Ashvamedha]] (horse sacrifice) has parallels in the [[2nd millennium BC]] [[Andronovo]] culture, in India allegedly continued until the 4th century AD.

Rig-Veda advocates prohibition of cow-slaughter in numerous places such as follows :

You should impart love to each other as the non-killable cow does

for its calf (RgVeda VII.56.17)

Punish the killer of the cow and the man.(RgVeda VIII.101.15)

Cow is pure, do not kill it.(RgVeda X.10.87.16)

The root-compound ''goghan'' "slaying cattle", in RV 7.56.17 used parallel to ''nrhan'' "slaying men" in reference to the referring to the weapon ''vadha'' of the Maruts,

:17c ''aaré gohaá nRhaá vadháH vaH astu'' "far be your cow-slaying, men-slaying weapon!"

in Panini is taught to refer to a "receiver of a cow" exclusively; this change occurred parallel to the rise of, and possibly under the influence of, [[Buddhism]], which began as a reform-movement of some practices of the Vedic religion namely indulgences by priests. In Rig-Veda, Upanishads and later texts, the cow is often described as ''aditi'' and ''aghnya'' (that which should not be killed).[http://sandhyajain.voiceofdharma.com/articles/20011212.htm]

Vedic religion evolved into the [[Hindu]] paths of [[Yoga]] and [[Vedanta]], a religious path considering itself the 'essence' of the Vedas, interpreting the Vedic pantheon as a unitary view of the universe with God seen as immanent and transcendent in the forms of [[Ishvara]] and [[Brahman]], projected into various deities in the human mind. These post-Vedic systems of thought, along with later texts like [[Upanishads]], epics (namely [[Gita]] of [[Mahabharat]]) [[Brahmanas]], have been fully preserved and form the basis of modern Hinduism. The ritualistic traditions of Vedic religion are most faithfully preserved in the conservative [[Shrauta]] tradition.

==The later Vedic period==

The transition from the early to the later Vedic period was marked by the emergence of agriculture as the dominant economic activity and a corresponding decline in the significance of cattle rearing. Several changes went hand in hand with this. For instance, several large kingdoms arose because of the increasing importance of land and its protection. The late Vedic period from ca. [[500 BCE]] more or less seamlessly blends into the period of the [[Middle kingdoms of India]] known from historical sources.

===Kingdoms===

The late Vedic period was marked by the rise of the sixteen ''[[Mahajanapada]]s'' referred to in some of the literature. The power of the king greatly increased. Rulers gave themselves titles like ''ekarat'' (the one ruler), ''sarvabhumi'' (ruler of all the earth) and ''chakravartin'' (protector of land). The kings performed sacrifices like ''[[rajasuya]]'', (royal consecration) ''[[vajapeya]]'' (chariot race) and [[ashvamedha]] (horse sacrifice). The coronation ceremony was a major social occasion. Several functionaries came into being in addition to the [[purohita]] and the senani of earlier times. The participation of the people in the activities of the government decreased.

==Notes==

<references />

==References==

* Bokonyi, S. 1997b. "Horse Remains from the Prehistoric Site of Surkotada, Kutch, Late 3rd Millennium BC.", South Asian Studies 13: 297-307.

*Kocchar, Rajesh, ''The Vedic people: their history and geography'', Hyderabad: Orient Longmans (1999).

* Lal, B.B. 2005. The Homeland of the Aryans. Evidence of Rigvedic Flora and Fauna & Archaeology, New Delhi, Aryan Books International.

* [[Michael Witzel]], ''Tracing the Vedic dialects'' in ''Dialectes dans les litteratures Indo-Aryennes'' ed. Caillat, Paris, 1989, 97&ndash;265.

* Michael Witzel, ''The Pleiades and the Bears viewed from inside the Vedic texts'', EVJS Vol. 5 (1999), issue 2 (December) [http://users.primushost.com/~india/ejvs/ejvs0502/ejvs0502.txt].

== Further reading ==

*[[R. C. Majumdar]] and [[A. D. Pusalker]] (editors): [[The History and Culture of the Indian People]]. Volume I, The Vedic age. Bombay : Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan 1951

* R.C. Majumdar et al. ''[[An Advanced History of India]]'', MacMillan, 1967.

==External links==

*[http://www.quantumyoga.org/Movement%20for%20the%20Restoration%20.pdf Restoration of Vedic Wisdom] (pdf), Patrizia Norelli-Bachelet

[[Category:Vedic Civilization]]

[[Category:Hindu history]]

[[Category:History of India]]

[[Category:History of Pakistan]]

[[Category:Iron Age]]

[[Category:Indo-Aryan peoples]]

[[Category:Civilizations]]

[[es:Civilización Védica]]

[[hi:वैदिक सभ्यता]]

[[pt:Civilização védica]]

[[ru:Ведическая цивилизация]]