Transcript Indian Literature

INDIAN LITERATURE
“Night” from the Rig-Veda
“Night” from the Rig-Veda



The Rig-Veda is a collection of more than a
thousand hymns revered as sacred texts in the Hindu
religion.
Can you think of important hymns from a religious
text you may know of?
Can you remember why songs were so important to
early societies and their religious/cultural
traditions?
“Night” from the Rig-Veda



The Rig-Veda was written in Sanskrit, an ancient
language brought to India by the Aryans around
1500 B.C.E.
“Rig-Veda—means “hymns of supreme sacred
knowledge—and is one of four Vedas, the most
sacred books in Hinduism.
The Rig-Veda is considered to be the most
important of Vedic scripture.
“Night” from the Rig-Veda




The hymns were originally sung only by priests of
the early Hindu religion.
However, they were believed to have been a
product of divine inspiration and should be passed
down through the generations.
This is why they were recorded in Sanskrit.
Can you think of another story we have studied that
has a similar history?
“Night” from the Rig-Veda



Generations of Brahmans, or Hindu priests, devoted
their lives to the methodical memorization of Vedic
literature.
This process proved effective: Vedic scripture from
different regions and different historical periods
have virtually no differences.
What does this tell us about the importance of Oral
Tradition in early societies?
“Night” from the Rig Veda



The Vedas provide great insight into the early
history of Hinduism and the Aryan culture that
founded it.
The scriptures tell us how the Aryans were nomadic
people that came to settle in Northern India began
to develop simple farming societies which
eventually led to the rise of Indian culture.
They were known for their reverence for poetry and
song which demonstrated their worship of the forces
of nature.
“Night” from the Rig Veda



The Aryan culture laid the foundation for Indian
culture.
However, modern day Hinduism departs from early
Aryan forms on some basic rituals and traditions.
But, Hindu priests still memorize and solemnly chant
hymns from the Vedas to this day.
Night from the Rig Veda



In Vedic literature a god was assigned to every
aspect of nature.
The phenomena of darkness or “Night” was no
different.
“Night” is the only hymn, however, dedicated to
Ratri, the goddess of night. “Night” was thought to
be the sister of Dawn, a bright Goddess.
“Night” from the Rig Veda


“Night” is not just simply described as the absence
of light.
On the contrary, Ratri was said to have beautiful
bright eyes like the stars that drove away the
darkness of nighttime.
Vocabulary
Hymn: a lyric poem, or song that is addressed to a
divine being. Hymns are songs that often
address god(s) for mercy or aid. They often contain
repeated words or phrases to emphasize important
ideas or beliefs.
 Apostrophe: a figure of speech in which abstract
qualities or inanimate objects are directly
addressed as if they were present.

“Night” from the Rig Veda
Read “Night” from the Rig Veda
*Scavenger Hunt--read “Night” on page 368. With a
Partner identify examples of personification, apostrophe,
And aspects of the poem that fit the definition of a hymn.
Finally, on the SAME sheet of paper, answer question 1-6
“Thinking Critically” & “Extending & Evaluating” on page
369.
“Night” from the Rig Veda
*Remember a Hymn is a lyric poem that is meant to be sung.
Hymns or songs often repeat key phrases, words, or ideas:
*Look for repeated words or phrases that are emphasized
*What effect does the repetition create?
Hymns often contain a requests for divine aid or mercy:
*What request does the hymn make of “Night”?
“Night” from the Rig Veda
Apostrophe is often seen in hymns where god(s) that are
not actually present (transcendence) are addressed.
*Why do you think the speaker begins to speak directly to
“Night” in verse 4?
Personification is a literary device in which inanimate objects
are given human or living qualities. This is largely due to the
fact that ancient religions saw their gods as having an active
role in their everyday lives.
*Where do we see examples of Personification in “Night”?