Meditation or Prayers.

[pingyao]

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Meditation or Prayers cum pujas:
which is the earliest form practiced before the vedas?

 

[prasad1]

Indeed, the emergence of organized religion can be traced back to the Neolithic Revolution, a pivotal moment in human history that ushered in significant social and economic changes. The transition from nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyles to settled agricultural communities led to the development of complex societies, which in turn fostered the evolution of organized religion.

One of the primary functions of organized religion was to justify the authority of central figures, such as chiefs, kings, and emperors. These rulers often claimed divine sanction for their leadership, which helped solidify their power and legitimacy in the eyes of their subjects. In return for their supposed divine right to rule, these leaders would collect taxes and provide essential social services, thereby maintaining stability within their societies.

Moreover, organized religion played a crucial role in fostering social cohesion among disparate groups of individuals. In early human societies, which were often small and kin-based, cooperation was relatively straightforward. However, as communities grew larger and more diverse, mechanisms were needed to promote unity and cooperation among unrelated individuals. Organized religions provided a common set of beliefs, values, and rituals that helped bind people together and mitigate conflicts.

The moralizing aspects of many religions, particularly those that emphasized the importance of ethical behavior and adherence to divine laws, also served to promote cooperation and discourage antisocial behavior. By instilling a sense of accountability to higher powers, organized religions helped foster trust and reciprocity among members of society.

Furthermore, the intertwining of religious and political authority in ancient states and empires further reinforced the role of organized religion in maintaining social order. Rulers often presented themselves as intermediaries between the divine and the earthly realms, thereby legitimizing their rule and ensuring obedience from their subjects.

Overall, the emergence of organized religion during the Neolithic Revolution played a crucial role in shaping early human societies, providing a foundation for social cohesion, political authority, and moral order.

 

[prasad1]

Before the Vedas, the form of worship in ancient societies varied widely depending on geographical location, cultural traditions, and the specific beliefs of the people. Since written records from that time are scarce, much of what we know about pre-Vedic religious practices comes from archaeological evidence, oral traditions, and interpretations of later religious texts.

Animism and Shamanism: Many early human societies practiced animism, the belief that all natural objects, including plants, animals, and even inanimate objects, possess a spiritual essence or soul. Shamanism, a related practice, involved religious specialists known as shamans who acted as intermediaries between the human world and the spirit realm.
Ancestor Worship: Another common form of worship was ancestor worship, where reverence was paid to deceased ancestors believed to have influence over the living. Ancestral spirits were often invoked for guidance, protection, and blessings.
Nature Worship: Some cultures worshiped natural elements such as the sun, moon, stars, rivers, and mountains, attributing divine qualities to these phenomena and venerating them through rituals and offerings.
Fertility Cults: Agricultural societies often practiced fertility cults, venerating deities associated with fertility, agriculture, and the cycles of nature. These deities were believed to ensure bountiful harvests and the continuation of life.
Polytheism and Pantheism: Many ancient religions were polytheistic, worshipping multiple gods and goddesses who represented various aspects of the natural world, human experiences, and cosmic forces. Pantheistic beliefs, which view the entire universe as divine, were also prevalent in some cultures.
Ritual Sacrifice: Sacrificial offerings, including animal sacrifices and sometimes even human sacrifices, were common in pre-Vedic religious practices. These rituals were believed to appease gods, seek their favor, or maintain cosmic balance.
Megalithic Cultures: Some prehistoric societies, such as those associated with megalithic structures like Stonehenge in Europe or dolmens in various parts of the world, likely had complex religious beliefs and rituals, although the specifics remain speculative.
It's important to note that religious beliefs and practices were highly localized and evolved over time within different cultural contexts. The Vedas, which are among the oldest religious texts in the world, provide insight into the religious beliefs and rituals of ancient Indian society and mark the beginning of Hinduism as a formalized religion. However, before the Vedas, diverse forms of worship and spirituality existed across the ancient world.

 

[prasad1]

Yes, meditation, prayers, and various other worship methods were likely practiced in prehistoric and ancient societies before the Vedas. While specific details are scarce due to the lack of written records from that time, archaeological evidence, as well as comparative studies of contemporary indigenous cultures, suggest that early humans engaged in a wide range of spiritual practices.

1. Meditation: The practice of meditation, or focused introspection aimed at achieving a state of heightened awareness or spiritual connection, likely predates recorded history. While the specific techniques and purposes of meditation may have varied among different cultures, evidence suggests that forms of meditation were employed by ancient peoples to cultivate inner peace, spiritual insight, and communion with the divine.
2. Prayers and Invocations: Verbal communication with spiritual beings, such as gods, ancestors, or natural forces, through prayers, invocations, or chants, was likely a common form of worship in ancient societies. These rituals often involved supplication, praise, gratitude, and requests for blessings, protection, or guidance.
3. Sacred Rituals and Ceremonies: Various sacred rituals and ceremonies, including offerings, sacrifices, purification rites, and communal gatherings, were integral to prehistoric and ancient religious practices. These rituals served to establish and maintain connections with the divine, commemorate significant events, and reinforce social cohesion within communities.
4. Symbolism and Sacred Objects: The use of symbolic objects, sacred symbols, and ritual artifacts played a significant role in early religious practices. These objects, ranging from simple amulets and talismans to elaborate ceremonial items, were imbued with spiritual significance and used in rituals, prayers, and meditation to facilitate spiritual experiences and connections.
5. Nature Reverence and Animistic Beliefs: Many prehistoric and ancient cultures held animistic beliefs, viewing the natural world as imbued with spiritual energy or inhabited by supernatural beings. Practices such as nature reverence, sacred pilgrimages to natural sites, and rituals honoring the cycles of the seasons were common expressions of this worldview.

While the Vedas and other ancient religious texts provide valuable insights into the religious beliefs and practices of specific cultures, they represent only a fraction of humanity's diverse spiritual heritage. Before the formalization of religious traditions found in texts like the Vedas, early humans likely engaged in a rich tapestry of spiritual practices aimed at understanding and communing with the divine forces they perceived in the world around them.

 

[Krishnan.vp]

Meditation or Prayers cum pujas:
which is the earliest form practiced before the vedas?

Dear PingYao,

If you are asking purely on the basis of hindu thought.. then according to the hindu puranas and scriptures, this world and its existence itself started with Brahma starting to meditate on Lord Vishnu.

So giving precedence to what is given in our hindu sastras instead of leaning on european explanation of what europeans could never understand, it would best be surmised that meditation gains supremacy.