Vedic Period Research Articles

Abstract 1005: A three-decade-long community-based participatory research among India and Bhutan’s ethnic minorities led to the discovery of 32 unique medicinal plants having anti-cancer properties

Abstract The country of Bhutan, and India’s Northeast is an economically deprived region inhabited by diverse groups of indigenous and underserved communities. They live in mostly rural areas, where cancer disparity is very high. On the other hand, they have rich traditional knowledge systems including tantra philosophies (remnant of the Vedic age philosophy), herbal medicinal practice, and spiritual practices that can be traced back to India’s Vedic age. To harness this traditional knowledge to reduce cancer disparity, we have taken an indigenous knowledge system (IKS) based approach (1) and initiated a community-based participatory research (CBPR) program in 1998 to conduct public health research in tuberculosis and cancer (2,3). Using this CBPR program, we have unraveled a Vedic age philosophy of Vedic Jiva Upkara Cikitsha Tantra (Vedic altruism-based medicinal system) (2,3). Specially, using the CBPR program we seek to identify novel herbal medicinal agents having anti-cancer activities. Methodologies: We used the CBPR methodologies of focused group discussion (FGD), debate, and community social work with various indigenous communities living in the Sualkuchi-Hajo cultural complex of Assam, Roing of Arunachal Pradesh, and Mongar of Bhutan. Since 1994, BD has conducted CBPR through the KaviKrishna Telemedicine Care. We have retrospectively analyzed the data of FGD, and suppositional reasoning (tarka) with the community healers, various Hindu, and Buddhist ethnic spiritual organizations of the region. Thematic analysis and the grounded theory method were applied to organize the data. The resulting database of herbal medicinal plants was searched in the scientific database to find the scientific names. Out of the 36 medicinal plants, we have prepared herbal extracts of 10 medicinal plants and then tested for their anti-cancer efficacy at the KaviKrishna Laboratory. Results: We have found the names of 32 plants used by the indigenous healers practicing the Vedic Jiva Upakara Cikitsha Tantra. We also found that these healers used curd-made whey protein concentrate, special soil, and fecal extracts to treat cancer (3). Our CBPR process also led to the research capacity building in the Sualkuchi-Hajo community. Conclusion: The study unraveled a unique cancer-care-related philosophy of Vedic Altruism. Our work indicates that IKS-based CBPR can equitably involve researchers and community members to develop a partnership for the process of knowledge emergence. We found that CBPR-based research takes new meaning because of the unique perspectives that inform the ways that research studies take shape for knowledge emergence.

Historiography of Yogācāra Philosophy in 20th Century India

Paradigms of historiography of philosophy in India have being changed since late 19th c. till present, depending on the social and cultural context of the history of Indian philosophy as a part of contemporary Indian culture. This change manifests itself in the conceptions of Indian historians concerning the teaching of Buddhist Mahāyāna school of Yogācāra (4th c. and later). Historians of colonial times, basing themselves on the philosophy of Neovedаntism (S. Radhakrishnan, S. Dasgupta), regarded Buddhism as a derivate of late Vedic culture and Yogācāra as a teaching that reflected - though in an essentially transmuted form - the ideology of Upaniṣads. The latter, according to Neovedantists, was based on the postulate of the existence of the single cosmic soul - Brahman, the true human Self (Ātman) being identical to it. Historians of the late colonial and early postcolonial times (P.T. Raju, D.P. Chattopadhyaya, A.K. Chatterjee, partly also S. Dasgupta) brought Yogācāra closer to the teachings of European idealism, mainly to conceptions of G. Berkeley, G.W.F. Hegel, F. Bradley, J.E. McTaggart, trying to demonstrate a principal identity of fundamental problems in Indian and Western philosophy. At the same time, they brought Yogācāra together with the teaching of Brāhmaṇic school, Advaita Vedānta, regarded as another form of Indian idealism. In later times, following the evolution of contemporary Indian culture and changings in its social and political context, historians like D.J. Kalupahana became to analyze Yogācāra as a kind of philosophy of mind. All these facts show the dependence of strategies of historico-philosophical studies in India on its social, political and cultural context: in the Yogācāra teaching mainly those aspects call attention that a historian sees as the closest to the problematic field of contemporary philosophy.

Recognition of Women Strength in the Organization

Women empowerment means that women have independence, gender equality, proper education, good health, and the ability to take every decision in their lives. From the later Vedic period onwards, women's empowerment gradually declined and its ramifications flourished in various sectors of society. Women are the backbone of any society and equality is important for the development of any society. Therefore, it’s monumental to take steps for women's basic rights and freedom. Keywords- Women, Empowerment, Equality, Independence.

How can Vedic Education Ideals Save Our Current Education System and Help in Its Improvement?

Our current education system is not going well. It is not producing quality education and capable citizens. It is sick at all levels whether its primary, secondary or higher educational level. It has many serious problems which need to be solved as soon as possible for a better education system. It has many issues like - lack of discipline, low concentration power in students, lack of dedication in teachers, high fee charges, corrupt practices, rote learning, theoretical curriculum, boring teaching methods, no personality or character development, pen-paper based evaluation system, no scope for creativity or vocational training, etc. etc. If order to make our modern education system better, more relevant and efficient we need to look at our past. Our ancient historical time period has all the solutions for our modern day problems. We should revive our vedic period’s Gurukula education system. Gurukuls were based on “simple living, high thinking” principle. If we revive some ideals of our Gurukula education system, our whole education system will witness a revolution. This new revolution will be so impactful that it can remove all the current shortcomings in our education system. This article will focus on the need of revivaling the Gurukula system. It will also try to suggest some possible ways to implement Vedic ideals in current education system. Vedic educational ideals are the only hope to save our education system by degrading. They will make our education more practical and valuable.

A Review of the Pharmacological effects of Alpinia galanga Linn. and it’s Phytoconstituents

Middle class people who live in rural or urban areas often find it difficult to get modern health services, so they more often use traditional medicines obtained from herbal plants that grow around them. From the ancient Vedic era, green plants are being used for their medicinal properties to treat several diseases. Green plants represent a big source of bioactive compounds. Alpinia galanga (Linn.) of Zingiberaceae family is one amongst those medicinally important plants. Alpinia galanga plant is used in medicine and in food preparation. Rhizome extract of Alpinia galanga have high phenolic and flavonoid contents when compared to leaf extract. Because of elevated phenolic and flavonoid content in rhizome extract of Alpinia galanga there is noticeable antimicrobial as well as radical scavenging potential. It is a well-known official drug thought out the country as integrated contribution of nature. It is commonly used for the management of eczema, coryza, bronchitis, otitis interna, gastritis, ulcers, morbilli and cholera, pityriasis versicolor, to clear the mouth, emaciation. The different parts of the plant have various effects like antifungal, antiprotozoal, antiplatelet, antiviral, antidiabetic, immunomodulatory, antibacterial, anti-oxidant effects, hypolipidemic and many others. The current review add significant information about its, pharmacological activities, medicinal properties and phytochemical investigations as a traditional drug to cure for a number of diseases. Every fraction of the plant has valuable properties that can deliver humanity. The complete plant will be broadly investigated for further future prospective.

Rereading minor women characters of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata through their contemporary adaptation in the novels of Kavita Kane

This study explores the changes in the portrayal of minor women characters in the Ramayana and the Mahabharata to that of the contemporary fictional narratives of Kavita Kane. Women’s struggle, except in the Vedic period, expresses their endeavor for self-reliance and individuality. It also carries their subsequent efforts to camouflage or appropriate the patriarchal norms to be at peace with society. The struggle of marginalized women in epic stories—whether misrepresented, represented, or silenced—is now being brought to light by reframing their roles as protagonists who assert themselves, fight for their rights, and challenge the pre-determined social and cultural expectations that have caused their oppression in a male-dominated society. These stories prompt us to question gender and class-based discrimination by highlighting female characters’ neglected mental abilities.

The Great Goddess: An Evolution from Cosmogony to Cosmology

Hindu Religious thought has always been deeply concerned with the ‘idea of femininity’. Hindu beliefs and practices have identified the feminine both in the material world and the divine world. The history of the development of goddesses from the early Vedic period to contemporary worship plays into certain debates and discussions about what it means to have a certain concept of divinity in a tradition. This paper aims to understand the historical and thematic development of The Great Goddess/Devī/Mahādevī as the source of ultimate cosmic powers. To reach my aim, I have divided this paper into two major sections: First, the analysis of the iconographies of twelve major Goddesses (starting from the early Vedic period to the Pūrāṇic and Epic Tradition), namely, Uṣas, Rātri , Pṛthivī, Aditi, Sarasvatī, Vāc, Nirṛti, Śrī-Lakṣmī, Pārvatī, Dūrgā, Kālī, and Mahādevī (the lengthiest section of the paper). Second, I have traced (with the help of the analysis from the first section) the cosmogonies associated with these twelve individual goddesses to project a final single goddess who is the cause of this Cosmos. The Early Vedic Goddesses are depicted as ‘givers, helpers, mothers, nurturer figures’ but gradually in the Pūrāṇic and Epic Tradition they are partially involved in the process of creation, as the śakti of their male counterparts. Finally, the Devī-Māhātmya and Devī Bhagavata Pūrāṇa delineate the picture of an independent goddess, The Great Goddess/Devī/Mahādevī. This Great Goddess emerged as the embodiment of śakti, prakṛti, and māyā, therefore is the cause of this universe.

Curriculum and Pedagogy in Indian Knowledge System: A Relevance Educational Practice for Today's Educational Scenario

India has had a rich tradition of education and learning since ancient times, especially during the Renaissance period, which was the golden age of Indian culture. The principle of karma holds great importance in the Indian education system and has evolved during the transition. The four Vedas, namely, Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda were configured through ideals, practices and conduct. In the Vedic period, two methods of teaching were prevalent, first, the oral/verbal method, and second, the method based on thinking (contemplation). Bloom's taxonomy defines three domains: learning, cognitive, affective, and psychomotor. Ancient education systems are also based on three domains, developing higher- order learning by building lower-level cognitive skills. Ancient to modern education. The current Higher Education 2020 also suggests a multidisciplinary approach on similar lines. The Vedic period saw teaching being student-centred. Listening, understanding and discussion method of oral work, reasoning used gave rise to generalization and application of knowledge. Santiniketan which follows the philosophy of Naturalism in its curricular dealings. Many other experiments of Gurukul's system are being explored in different parts of the country. It becomes imperative that we learn from our past and adopt ways of designing our curriculum and pedagogy to meaningfully address societal needs. What are the academic subjects from the past that can be included in the present day curriculum? How can the curriculum be based on Indian teachings? What instructional strategies can be integrated from the past? Through the answers to these questions, we can prepare better citizens for an advanced society by introducing an educational practice relevant to today's educational scenario. Because in ancient times, educational practices included such subjects which have relevance even today.

INDIAN BERBERRY DARUHARIDRA- AN ENLIGHTENMENT OF SYNONYMS FROM NIGHANTU

Naming a plant is a crucial step similar to calling a person to give them a unique identity. The name of any drug is based on its appearance, morphological and unique characteristics. It helps in the identification of a vast collection of plants. Since Vedic times, drugs have been named from time to time according to their special features like Udabhavbhodhak (Name of the origin), Swaroopbhodhak ( Morphological characters), Gunabhodak (Knowledge of properties), Karmabhodhak ( Pharmacological actions). Different synonyms are given in Samhitas and Nigantus according to their description. In Nama-Rupa gyana, additional synonyms (Prayaya) of drugs are compiled. Daruharidra (Berberis aristata DC.) is a plant with yellow wood growing in upper Himalayas .Berberis means a plant of a genus that comprises the berberries and aristata is a plant with rough leaves and stem. It resembles yellow colour like Haridra. It has some of the famous synonyms are Darvi, Panchpacha, Peetdaru, Peetchandanam, Kaleyak etc.

A CLINICAL STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFICACY OF VEDANA STHAPANA MAHAKASHAYA GHANA VATI AND YASHTIMADHU GHRITA VARTI IN POSTOPERATIVE PAIN MANAGEMENT OF ARSHA

Arsha or Haemorrhoid is nowadays, the most common anorectal disease worldwide. A haemorrhoid condition and Arsha's characteristics can be related. The disease Arsha can be traced back to the Vedic period. It is a disease that tortures people as an enemy. The extensive list of etiological elements, including mechanical lifestyle, nutrition, diet, habits, and indulgences, as well as the comprehensive explanation of its pathophysiology, is evidence of our Acharyas' great vision, profound insight, and scientific understanding. For the treatment of arsha roga, Acharya Sushruta said chaturvidha sandhanopaya, Shastra Karma, or surgery is one of these four techniques. Any surgical or non-surgical procedure that is performed causes excruciating pain that can be classified as post-operative pain and necessitates immediate medication to provide pain relief. In Ayurveda, the ability of the practitioner to relieve a patient's pain or suffering following surgery is still a disadvantage. An effort was undertaken to treat post-operative discomfort following shastra karma effectively. Patients experience excruciating pain after Ksharsutra ligation. To treat the post-operative pain in Arsha, the patients in the current study who had undergone Ksharsutra ligation were given the prescriptions Vedana sthapana mahakashaya ghana vati orally and Yashtimadhu Ghrita Varti locally. This study tried to assess the analgesic effect of Vedana sthapana maha kashaya ghana vati and Yashtimadhu Ghrita Varti to get relief from the post-operative pain in arsha

JATAMANSI (NARDOSTACHYS JATAMANSI DC. ): INSIGHT OF ITS MORPHOLOGY AND ITS MEDICINAL USE IN AYURVEDA

Ayurveda is a traditional system of natural health care that originated in India's ancient Vedic times. Its primary emphasis is on disease prevention and maintaining mankind's health. In Ayurveda, various medicinal plants have been mentioned to cure diseases. The precious medicinal plants are the backbone of the Ayurvedic system of medicine. One such medicinal plant, Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi DC.), has remained an all-time favourite of Vaidya's since ancient Vedic times to treat diseases. It is an endangered, primitive, and therapeutic herbal agent belonging to the family Valerianaceae and has been reported to have many therapeutic activities like Antioxidant, Antifungal, hepatoprotective, and cardioprotective. It is a well-known drug in the list of Medhya drugs. This review article summarises the potential benefits of this medicinal plant as reported in offline and online literature. The review also highlights the need to use this plant in the Ayurvedic system of medicine and prospects for further research.

An Analysis of Vedic Period in Terms of Physical Activities and Their Symbolism in the Rigveda Scriptures.

An Analysis of Vedic Period in Terms of Physical Activities and Their Symbolism in the Rigveda Scriptures.

Issues and Challenges before Higher Education in Bihar: An Empirical Study

Indian Knowledge Tradition believes that education is not just the beginning of the spiritual life of mankind, but it is also the training of human soul. It aims at all round development of an individual. Education plays an important role in shaping a country’s socio-economic growth. India is one of the fastest growing economies with a huge human resource. With such vast human capital, the scope of higher education is very much wider in comparison to the other countries. We, in India have the tradition of believing and recognizing “Maa Saraswati” as the goddess of knowledge. We have Vedas, Upanishads, puranas in our core value system. The Bhagwad Gita enlightens and guides mankind in the gravest of life’s problems and awakens not just human mind but also enlightens human soul. The role of women scholars in the Vedic era in developing and enriching Indian tradition cannot be undermined. Takshashila is regarded as the oldest university in the world. While Nalanda, Vikramshila in Bihar are the examples of many distinguished centers of higher education centers in India, which were way ahead of times. The main aim of such higher education institution was to impart Vedic knowledge which leads to spiritual growth. The glory can be traced from the writings of many of the foreign travelers who came to visit Bharat during those times in order to not just see the prevailing higher education system but also to attain knowledge. Our modern education system is largely based on colonial legacy and English education pattern. The foreign invasion and the British rule destroyed traditional Indian educational system in a planned way. According to UNESCO, there are around 235 million students enrolled in different universities around the world. If India is willing to become a super power someday it will only be through knowledge-based society. In this paper we will be discussing the issues and challenges before the higher education system in Bihar. There are 17 state Universities in Bihar, each university has broadly two types of colleges- namely Constituent college and Affiliated college. Constituent Colleges are more or less like Government College and Affiliated colleges are like Private college. This research is primarily focused on the constituent colleges. Present paper seeks to highlight different issues and hindrances before the higher education system in Bihar e.g. Low Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), inadequate Pupil-Teacher ratio, delayed session, poor attendance of students in college, absence of proper laboratory facility, NAAC accreditation, implementation of National Education policy 2020 etc. This is an empirical research based on observational methodology. Higher education has experienced expansion both in terms of institutions and enrolment over the period of time, but it has not been sufficient. Present higher education system has total disconnect from our great ancient tradition. Innovative and transformative strategies need to be implemented on priority basis at the higher education level.

Standard manufacturing process of Aadityapaka Guduchi Taila with unique Pakavidhi (Aadityapaka): a Sneha Kalpana

Abstract BACKGROUND: Since the Vedic era, Ayurveda has promoted natural components to develop a healthy lifestyle and eradicate the disease’s underlying cause by restoring homeostasis. Recently, the acceptability of herbal formulations has grown profusely and garnered global attention. Ayurveda system is enriched with single herbs and polyherbal formulations prepared with different processes. Standardization of a polyherbal formulation process is more essential. Aadityapaka Guduchi Taila (AGT) is a formulation of Chakradutta for Hair fall and is prepared with a peculiar manufacturing process using sunlight. METHODS: AGT was prepared after proper identification and authentication of ingredients as per the standards mentioned in the API. Pharmacognostic and pharmaceutical analyses were carried out to adequately assess the finished product from the viewpoints of efficacy, and quality. RESULTS: The oil prepared from Aadityapaka vidhi was dark orange in color, Ugragandha (strong) in odor pertaining to Jatamansi, and had a greasy consistency. The loss of oil was observed more in the process due to the powder texture of the ingredients. CONCLUSION: There are very few scientific references reported for the Adityapaka process (oil prepared in sunlight). The current study illustrated the standardization of AGT process. The study may be employed as a reference for future research.

Phytochemical and Chromatographic Studies in the Latex Milk Powder of P. Daemia. Linn

India being a rich and varied flora of medicinal plants since the Vedic period. The present study deals with the scientific validation of P. daemia.Linn with special reference to its pharmacognostical and phytochemical investigations. This is commonly known as P. daemia, figure and is known to have medicinal properties, also even used as home remedies in the rural and the remotest parts of the India Qualitative & Quantitative analysis for nutritional value and amino acid detection for both sample has been estimated & detected TLC finger prints of latex of at 366 nm (before derivatization) & Rf values in TLC finger prints of latex at 254 nm (after derivatization) has been studied for both Samples. Latex is applied externally on chronic infected wounds to alleviate edema, pain and to promote the healing; therefore an attempt has been made to carried out the detailed quality control and assurance of the drug followed by HPTLC profiles, HPTLC profile of P. Daemia latex milk powder observed under 366 nm & 254 nm shows the variety of results A – C (Gautala forest,) B - Aurangabad (M.S.) Sample A, B & C.

Usefulness and challenges of distance learning system in classical music

There has been a great tradition of music education in India since the Vedic period. In ancient times, music education was given only through the Gurukul system. Later, in the Middle Ages, the Gharana or Sampradaya system came into existence. The music that has reached us today has been transmitted in the form of oral tradition throughout generation to generation. In the present era, with the development of technology, music education is also changing. Due to today’s increasing population, the importance of technology in the field of education has revolutionized various aspects of our lives. Gurmukhi arts like music are being taught by today’s resources. In today’s era, teaching music through distance mode is the need of the hour for the promising music students of the country. The mobile revolution and the availability of the internet have opened important doors for this. Distance education system is a method of education that transcends geographical boundaries and exists as a powerful tool in providing quality education. The present paper aims to explore the potential of distance education in the field of music education, highlight its benefits, challenges and the ways in which it can be beneficial to music students and teachers.

Religion in the later Vedic period

Religion in the later Vedic period

AN OVERVIEW OF SOME MEDICINAL PLANT SPECIES COMMONLY USED AS TRADITIONAL MEDICINE IN BANGLADESH

Medicinal herbs have been utilized since the Vedic period. Approximately 75% of people in rural areas of Bangladesh utilize traditional medicines in some capacity. Bangladesh is the home to over 10,000 different varieties of medicinal plants. The use of herbal and ayurvedic medicines predates humankind. There is substantial evidence of the historical relationship between man and his hunt for pharmaceuticals in nature, including written records, surviving monuments, and even the first plant medicines. The use of plants as a source of research in the search for active compounds for medicine has been proven to have a significant scientific output. An analysis of the scientific literature indexed in various databases concerning medicinal plants clearly shows that in the last 20 years, progress has been rapid, with a peak in the last century. Although there is a vast list of beneficial plant species for humans, this review article attempted to concentrate on describing the traditional medical applications of a few chosen plant species in Bangladesh.

Vedic period Education and culture

Indian culture, full of feelings of human welfare and world welfare, is one of the oldest cultures in the world. Vedic education and culture have been praised in the country and abroad. Indian culture and education are contained in Vedic literature. A well-organized form of education is visible in Vedic literature. The main objective of education at that time was to develop good values and civilization. Through education, the all-round development of high ideals like morality, philanthropy and feeling of public welfare was to be done in human beings. The aim of the form of education during the Vedic period was to develop a high character by assimilating high ideals and ideas. Education means: learning or acquiring knowledge. Education is the natural, balanced and dynamic development of man's internal powers, which is the statement of the great educationist "Pestology".

Ayurveda and New Education Policy Present and Future Prospects

Education in India remained a very much concerned and organized subject since the Vedic period and was continued under the observance and teachings of "Gurus" mostly in temples, gurukuls (schools), ashramas, pathshala, or Matthias. In such a system of education in gurukuls, etc., the main focus was on the holistic development of the people under the Guru (teacher) along with professional, vocational, and spiritual education. This type of education used the person to make useful for the society and the ultimate aim always remained as Moksha (salvation). There was no system of formal degrees or certificates at that time and a student trained by a perfect guru was acceptable to society and administration as well. For higher studies, students used to study in viharas or universities such as Nalanda and Takshashila. The current government introduced the National Education Policy 2020 under the Ministry of Human Resource Development. This strategy aims to modernize the 34-year-old education system and school policies that are already in place. Instead of focusing on getting high marks, this approach takes into account the actual conditions in the nation and places an emphasis on personality development, creativity, and innovation. The first education policy of the twenty-first century, NEP 2020, replaces the thirty-four-year-old National Policy on Education (NPE), 1986. This policy, which is founded on the fundamental pillars of access, equity, quality, affordability, and accountability, aims to transform India into a thriving knowledge society and global knowledge superpower by making both school and college education more holistic, flexible, multidisciplinary, suited to 21st century needs, and focused on bringing out the unique capabilities of each student. It also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda.