Epic Civ 3

Question 1

वेद

Answer 1

Thought to be the oldest Sanskrit literature, the veda is a collection of hymns compiled into four sections. These are: ऋक्, सामन्, यजुस्, and अथर्व. Traditionally, the veda is considered to be the eternal, non-human knowledge that shapes the creation.

Question 2

वेदाङ्ग

Answer 2

‘The support of the veda.’ Six sciences which preserve the proper understanding and recitation of the veda.
Their subjects are शिक्षा (pronunciation) छन्दस् (metre) व्याकरण (grammar) निरुक्त (meaning of words) ज्योतिष (astronomy) and कल्प (performance of rituals).

Question 3

श्रुति

Answer 3

‘What has been heard’ i.e., Vedic literature. This is considered to be of the highest authority.

Question 4

व्यास​

Answer 4

Vyāsa means ‘compiler.’ Traditionally, he is considered to be the sage who compiled the veda into sections and who also composed the Mahābhārata, Purāṇas and the Brahmasūtra.

Question 5

आरण्यक​

Answer 5

Forest discussions of the vedas’ inner meaning.

Question 6

उपनिषद्

Answer 6

Philosophical discussions of the identity of the ātman with the brahman.

Question 7

वेदान्त​

Answer 7

The teaching of the Upaniṣads, literally the ‘finally part’ or goal of the veda.

Question 8

स्मृति

Answer 8

‘What has been remembered’. The teachings of great sages. Secondary in authority to the śruti.

Question 9

व्याकरण​

Answer 9

Science of grammar. One of the vedāṅgas.

Question 10

सूत्र​

Answer 10

A very terse statement which is part of a complete system explaining a science.

Question 11

पाणिनि

Answer 11

Author of the 4000 or so sūtras comprising the vyākaraṇa. In this science all words are shown to derive from a few simple dhātus (seed forms) and an even simpler system of pratyayas (endings).

Question 12

धातु

Answer 12

Seed of a word. For example, ‘vid’ is the dhātu of veda.

Question 13

प्रत्यय​

Answer 13

The endings of words.

Question 14

योगसूत्राणि

Answer 14

A text outlining the principles of yoga. Attributed to Patañjali.

Question 15

मनुस्मृति

Answer 15

Also called dharmaśāstra. The Laws of Manu sets out the laws of human life according to the universal system of dharma.

Question 16

शास्त्र​

Answer 16

Scripture, methodology, teaching

Question 17

रामायाण​

Answer 17

The story of Rāma and his battles with the demons, by the sage Vālmīki.

Question 18

माहाभारत​

Answer 18

The world’s longest epic, by Vyāsa, narrating the story of the battle between the Pāṇḍavas and the Kauravas and the events leading to it.

Question 19

मन्त्र​

Answer 19

A special magic word or verse with particular powers.

Question 20

भगवद्गीता

Answer 20

The ‘Song of the Lord,’ found in the माहाभारत​, records the spiritual discourse between Kṛṣṇa and the warrior Arjuna.

Question 21

पुराण​

Answer 21

‘The ancient teachings.’ Eighteen works traditionally attributed to Vyāsa that deal with creation and dissolution, kings, sages, incarnations etc.

Question 22

श्रीमद्भगवतम्

Answer 22

The most famous Purāṇa, dealing especially with the life and exploits of Kṛṣṇa.