The Period of the epics is Mahabharata and Ramayana. Mahabharata is the longest written epic in the world. It consist of 18 books and about 1,00,000 couplets. It describes the conflict among the Aryans and is authored by Sage Vyasa. Hastinapuri mentioned in this epic is Delhi and Kurukshetra is in Haryana state.
Ramayana : The second largest epic, consists of 24000 verses. The theme of Ramayana is the conflict between Rama (Aryan) and Ravana (Non-Aryan). The author is Sage Valmiki.
Religious Movements in Ancient India
The Rise of Brahmanism
- During the later Vedic Period, religion became more complicated one.
- Brahmins could only perform religious ceremonies.
- Revolts against Brahmin supremacy.
Buddhism (6th Century BC)
- Gautama Buddha was known as ‘Light of Asia’ is the founder of Buddhism.
- Gautama Buddha (a Kshatriya prince of Saka Clan) also known as Siddhartha, Sakyamuni and Tathagata.
- He was born in BC 563 at Lumbini in Nepal.
- At the age 29 he left his family life.
- He attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya under a Pipal Tree (at the age of 35).
- He delivered his first sermon at Sarnath in Benaras.
- Budha rejected the authority of Vedas and opposed caste system.
- Ahimsa or non-violence is the basic teaching of Buddhism.
- Buddha spoke in Pali and it is the official language of Buddhism.
- He passed away at the age of 80 in BC 483 at Kushinagara (UP)
- Four truths : Ashtanga Marga, Belief in Nirvana, Belief in Ahimsa, Law of Karma, Existence of God were the major doctrines of Buddhism.
Buddhist Councils
- The first councils was held in BC483 at Sattapani cave near Rajagriha to compile the Sulta Pitaka and Vinaya Pitaka, during the reign of Ajatha Satru.
- The second council was held in Vaishali in BC383, during the reign of Kalasoka.
- The third council was held at Pataliputra in BC250 during the reign of Ashoka.
- The fourth council was held at Kashmir in AD78 during the reign of Kanishka under the president ship of Vasumitra and Aswaghosa. It resulted in the division of Buddhism into two-Hinayanism and Mahayanism.
- Hinayanism, its followers believed in the original teachings of Buddha,they were against the idol-worship.
- Mahauanism, its followers believed in the heavenliness of Buddha. They believed in idol-worship.
Four Nobel Truths of Buddha
- The world is full of sorrows.
- Desire is the root cause of sorrow.
- If desire is conquered, all sorrows can be removed.
- Desire can be removed by eight fold path.
Eight fold path
- Right understanding
- Right speech
- Right livelihood
- Right mindfulness
- Right thought
- Right action
- Right effort
- Right concentration
Jainism
- Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara or prophet or guru, is the founder of Jainism.
- According to Jain tradition, Rishaba was the first Thirtankara, Paraswanath, the 23rdand Mahavire, the 24th and the last.
- Mahavira was born in BC540 at Kundala grama near Vaishali in Bihar. His father was Siddhartha and mother Thrisala. His wife's name was Yashoda. Jamali was his daughter. He died at Pavapuri in 468BC,at the age of 72.
- Jina means conqueror.
- He wascalled Jina or Jitendriya, Nirgrantha and Mahavira.
- Right belief, Right knowledge and Right action are considered to be the Triratnas of Jainism.
Five Main Teachings
- Non-injury(ahimsa)
- Non-llying(saryai)
- Non-stealing(asateya)
- Non-possession(aparigraha)
- Observe continence(brahmacharya)
16 Mahajanapadas
Magadha,Kasi,Kosala,Vaji,Avanti,Anga,Malla,Vaatsa,Kuru,Panchala,Chedhi,Ashmaga,Surasena, Matsya,Gandhara and Kamboja.
Magadha Empire (6th - 4th BC)
- Of the sixteen Mahajanapadas,Magadha,Kosala,Vatsa and Avanti were more powerful.
- A small kingdom became a major power in north India(Extent districts of Patna and Gaya in Bihar).
- Ultimately, Magadha under the leadership of Bimbisara (BC 542-493) and Ajathashatru(BC 493-461) emerged victorious.
- Magadhan ascendancy began with Bimbisara of Haryanka dynasty.
- Bimbisara was murdered by his own son,Ajatasatru.(he annexed Kashi).
- Ajatasatru was succeeded by Udalyin (BC 460-444). He founded the new capital at Pataliputra.
- The Haryanka dynasty was succeeded by the Sisunaga dynasty.(Avanti was incorporated in the Magadhan empire).
- The Sisunagas were succeeded the Nandas,who annexed Kalinga to the empire.
- Mahapadma Nanda was the most important king of his dynasty.
Alexanders invasion of India
- Alexander, the king of Macedonia in Greece invaded India in 326 BC.
- He was welcomed by Ambi, the king of Taxila.
- He was challenged by Porus in the Battle of Hydaspas in 326 BC.
- Alexander died at age of 33 at Babylonia. Selecus was the commander-in-chief of Alexander.
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