Difference between revisions of "Vrātyas"
m (Deval Sancheti moved page Talk:Vrātyas to Vrātyas) |
m (Links to existing pages added by LinkTitles bot.) |
||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
==Vrātyas as per Manusmṛti== | ==Vrātyas as per Manusmṛti== | ||
| − | The Manusmṛti<ref>Manusmṛti 2.38, 39</ref> declares that a brāhmaṇa, kṣattriya and vaiśya should undergo the upanayāna sacrament before the ages of 16, 22 and 24 respectively. If they do not, they become vrātyas, unfit to receive the | + | The [[Manusmṛti]]<ref>[[Manusmṛti]] 2.38, 39</ref> declares that a brāhmaṇa, kṣattriya and vaiśya should undergo the upanayāna sacrament before the ages of 16, 22 and 24 respectively. If they do not, they become vrātyas, unfit to receive the Sāvitrī[[mantra]].<ref>Sāvitrīmantra means Gāyatrīmantra.</ref> |
==Origin of Vrātyas== | ==Origin of Vrātyas== | ||
| − | According to this definition, the vrātyas were dvijas by birth but had neglected or ignored the upanayāna sacrament. They could however be re-absorbed into the society by the performance of Vrātyastoma sacrifice as expiation. They probably led a nomadic life not practicing either agriculture or commerce. They might have lived to the west of the Sarasvatī river. | + | According to this definition, the vrātyas were dvijas by birth but had neglected or ignored the upanayāna sacrament. They could however be re-absorbed into the society by the performance of [[Vrātyastoma]] sacrifice as expiation. They probably led a nomadic life not practicing either [[agriculture]] or commerce. They might have lived to the west of the [[Sarasvatī]] river. |
==Vrātyas as per Pañcavimśa Brāhmana== | ==Vrātyas as per Pañcavimśa Brāhmana== | ||
The Pañcavimśa Brāhmana<ref>Pañcavimśa Brāhmana 17.1</ref> gives some interesting details about their dress and way of life. Their leader known as gṛhapati wore a turban,<ref>Turban means uṣṇīṣa.</ref> carried a whip<ref>Whip means pratoda.</ref> and a kind of bow.<ref>Bow means jyāhroḍa.</ref> He moved in a wagon<ref>Wagon means vipatha.</ref> covered with planks. He dressed himself well. His subordinates wore red-bordered garments. | The Pañcavimśa Brāhmana<ref>Pañcavimśa Brāhmana 17.1</ref> gives some interesting details about their dress and way of life. Their leader known as gṛhapati wore a turban,<ref>Turban means uṣṇīṣa.</ref> carried a whip<ref>Whip means pratoda.</ref> and a kind of bow.<ref>Bow means jyāhroḍa.</ref> He moved in a wagon<ref>Wagon means vipatha.</ref> covered with planks. He dressed himself well. His subordinates wore red-bordered garments. | ||
| − | After they were readmitted into the main Aryan fold, they had to surrender all these things and adopt the way of life prescribed for the dvijas.<ref>Dvijas are the twice-born classes, the first three castes.</ref> The Atharvaveda<ref>Atharvaveda 15.1.1</ref> uses the word vrātya for God sounds interesting. | + | After they were readmitted into the main Aryan fold, they had to surrender all these things and adopt the way of life prescribed for the dvijas.<ref>Dvijas are the twice-born classes, the first three castes.</ref> The [[Atharvaveda]]<ref>[[Atharvaveda]] 15.1.1</ref> uses the word vrātya for God sounds interesting. |
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
| − | * The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore | + | * The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram [[Krishna]] Math, Bangalore |
[[Category:Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism]] | [[Category:Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism]] | ||
Latest revision as of 08:19, 19 December 2016
By Swami Harshananda
Sometimes transliterated as: Vratyas, VrAtyas, Vraatyas
Contents
Vrātyas as per Manusmṛti
The Manusmṛti[1] declares that a brāhmaṇa, kṣattriya and vaiśya should undergo the upanayāna sacrament before the ages of 16, 22 and 24 respectively. If they do not, they become vrātyas, unfit to receive the Sāvitrīmantra.[2]
Origin of Vrātyas
According to this definition, the vrātyas were dvijas by birth but had neglected or ignored the upanayāna sacrament. They could however be re-absorbed into the society by the performance of Vrātyastoma sacrifice as expiation. They probably led a nomadic life not practicing either agriculture or commerce. They might have lived to the west of the Sarasvatī river.
Vrātyas as per Pañcavimśa Brāhmana
The Pañcavimśa Brāhmana[3] gives some interesting details about their dress and way of life. Their leader known as gṛhapati wore a turban,[4] carried a whip[5] and a kind of bow.[6] He moved in a wagon[7] covered with planks. He dressed himself well. His subordinates wore red-bordered garments.
After they were readmitted into the main Aryan fold, they had to surrender all these things and adopt the way of life prescribed for the dvijas.[8] The Atharvaveda[9] uses the word vrātya for God sounds interesting.
References
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore