Epic Civilisation 3

Question 1

Sruti

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Veda

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Vyasa

Answer 3

Vyasa means ‘compiler.’ Traditionally, he is considered to be the sage who compiled the Vedas into sections and who also composed the Mahabharata, Puranas and the Brahmasutra.

Question 4

Aranyaka

Answer 4

‘Forest discussions’ of the vedas’ inner meaning.

Question 5

Upanisad

Answer 5

Philosophical discussions of the identity of the atman with the brahman

Question 6

Vedanta

Answer 6

The teaching of the Upanisads, literally the ‘final part’ or goal of the veda.

Question 7

Smrti

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Vedanga

Answer 8

‘The support of the veda’. Six sciences which preserve the proper understanding and recitation of the veda. Their subjects are: siksa, pronunciation, chandas, metre, vyakarana, grammar, nirukta, meaning of words, jyotisa, astronomy and kalpa, performance of rituals.

Question 9

Vyakarana

Answer 9

Science of grammar. One of the vedangas.

Question 10

Sutra

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Panini

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Dhatu

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Pratyaya

Answer 13

Endings of words

Question 14

Yogasutrani

Answer 14

A text outlining the principles of yoga (yog). Attributed to
Patañjali.

Question 15

Manusmrti/dharmasastra

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Sastra

Answer 16

Scripture, methodology, teaching.

Question 17

Ramayana

Answer 17

The story of Rama and his battles with the demons, by the sage Valmiki.

Question 18

Mahabharata

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Mantra

Answer 19

A special magic word.

Question 20

Bhagavad Gita

Answer 20

The ‘Song of the Lord’, found in the Mahabharata, records
the spiritual discourse between Krsna and the warrior Arjuna.

Question 21

Purana

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Shrimad Bhagavatam

Answer 22

The most famous Purana, dealing especially with the life and exploits of Krsna.