GAQ BC 101 - 22nd March 2012 (Thursday)

• Brahmanism (900 BC - 700 BC)
• Priest becomes more powerful than Gods
• Caste System
• Brahmins
• Kattiyas
• Vaishyas
• Suddas
• Supremancy of "Sacrifice"
• Increasing Materials Expenses and doubt that it can solve human problems
• Created new deity "Prajapati"
• Is he/she all-mighty
• Aryanyakas (Vanaprastha)
• Sacrifices uses symbolism expresion instead of physical performances
• Enphasizes on Meditation
• Philosophical Ideas
• Horse Sacrifice "Asramedha"
• Sun is the horse eye
• the wind is his breath
• the sacrifice fire is his mouth
• the seasons are his limbs
• the stars are his bones
• the plants and trees are his hairs
• Brahmana <-> Aryanyakas <-> Upanishads
• Features of Aryanyakas
• Do not give rules for the performances of sacrifices ad the explanation of the ceremonies
• Meditation is teh spirit of their teaching
• Austerities are emphasized
• Hence stress the efficasy of the inner or mental sacrifice as distinguished from the outer ot formal sacrifices i.e. Brahmana sacrifice
• Aryanyaka period clearly shows the transition from the Path of Sacrifice to the Path of Knowledge which was to be attained through severe ascetic practice and deep contemplation
• Sraddha means introspection