7. India’s Cultural Roots

Introduction to Indian Culture

Indian culture is one of the oldest and richest cultures in the world, stretching back several thousand years. It can be compared to an ancient tree:

  • Roots: These are the traditions, beliefs, and values passed down from generation to generation.

  • Trunk: The main civilisation of India, which is nourished and supported by the roots.

  • Branches: The different expressions of Indian culture, such as art, literature, science, medicine, religion, governance, martial arts, and more.

Even though the branches are different, they are all connected to the same trunk, which means they share the same basic cultural foundation.

Schools of Thought

In this context, schools of thought means groups of thinkers, philosophers, or spiritual seekers who have similar ideas about:

  • Human life

  • The purpose of living

  • The nature of the world and the universe

These schools can differ in their beliefs and methods, but all have contributed to India’s cultural development.

Ancient Origins

Archaeologists and historians believe that many of India’s cultural roots go back to the Indus Valley Civilisation (also called the Harappan or Sindhu–Sarasvatī Civilisation), which existed over 4,000 years ago. Over time, hundreds of schools of thought grew from these ancient beginnings.

Some of the earliest and most important schools shaped India into a nation with a unique personality and deep cultural identity. By studying these roots, we can understand not just history but also the deeper meaning of the phrase "India, that is Bharat" — the unity of our nation through its cultural heritage.

1. What are the Vedas?

The word “Veda” comes from Sanskrit vid meaning knowledge.

There are four Vedas:

1. Rig Veda – the oldest
2. Yajur Veda
3. Sama Veda 
4. Atharva Veda
  • They are some of the oldest books in the world.
  • Made up of thousands of hymns (prayers in poems and songs).
  • Not written down at first — passed orally from teacher to student for many generations.
  • Composed in the Sapta Sindhava region (Land of Seven Rivers).
  • Written in early Sanskrit by Rishis (male sages) and Rishikas (female sages).
  • Hymns praise gods like Indra (god of thunder), Agni (fire), Varuna (water), Saraswati (river/goddess of learning), and others.
  • Main values: Truth, unity, and harmony.

2. Vedic Society
  • People lived in groups called janas (clans). Example: Bharatas, Purus, Kurus, Yadus.
  • Each jana lived in a different part of northwest India.
  • Some leaders were called Raja (king or chief).
  • Sabha and Samiti were assemblies where people met to discuss important matters.
  • Occupations mentioned in Vedas:

Farmers

Weavers

Potters

Carpenters

Healers

Dancers

Priests, etc.

3. Vedic Schools of Thought
  • Rituals (Yajna/Yagya) were important — offerings to gods, especially Agni (fire god).
  • Over time, rituals became more complex.
  • The Upanishads were special books explaining deep ideas:
  • Rebirth – being born again and again.
  • Karma – our actions and their results.
  • Brahman – one divine essence in the whole universe.
  • Atman – the divine Self in each living being, same as Brahman.
  • Prayer for all: "Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah" – May all be happy and free from sorrow.
  • Later, Yoga developed to help people realise Brahman through meditation and discipline.
  • These ideas became the base of Hinduism.

Buddhism

1. What is Buddhism?

  • A religion and way of life started by Siddhartha Gautama, about 2,500 years ago.
  • It did not follow the Vedas and had its own ideas.
  • Today, it is followed in many parts of the world.

2. Life of Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha)

  • Birthplace: Lumbini (in present-day Nepal).
  • Born as: A prince, living a comfortable and protected life in a palace.
  • Turning point: At age 29, he saw for the first time:
    1. An old man
    2. A sick man
    3. A dead body
    4. An ascetic (holy man) who looked peaceful.
  • This made him realise that life has suffering.
  • He left his palace, wife, and son to search for the cause of human suffering.

3. Enlightenment

  • Siddhartha meditated for many days under a pipal tree at Bodh Gaya (Bihar).
  • He understood that the main causes of suffering are:
    • Avidya – ignorance (not knowing the truth)
    • Attachment – holding on too tightly to things and people.
  • He found a way to remove these causes.
  • From then on, he was called Buddha – The Enlightened One.

4. Teachings of the Buddha

  • Ahimsa – non-violence, or not hurting any living being.
  • Inner discipline – being sincere, truthful, and self-controlled.
  • Focus on wisdom and compassion.

5. The Sangha

  • The Buddha created the Sangha – a community of:
    • Bhikshus – monks
    • Bhikshunis – nuns
  • They spread his teachings across India and Asia.

6. Influence

  • Buddhism had a huge impact on India and many Asian countries.
  • Even today, Buddha’s ideas are followed all over the world.
Jainism

1. Who was Mahāvīra?
  • Born as Prince Vardhamāna near Vaiśhālī (Bihar) in the 6th century BCE.
  • Left his palace at age 30 to find truth.
  • Lived a very simple, strict life for 12 years.
  • Achieved supreme wisdom and was called Mahāvīra (“Great Hero”).
  • Taught people how to live a good and peaceful life.

2. Main Ideas of Jainism

a. Ahimsa – Do not harm any living being.

b. Anekāntavāda – Truth has many sides; no one can know it completely.

c. Aparigraha – Do not collect unnecessary things; be happy with little.


Belief: All living things depend on each other to survive.


3. How Jainism Spread?
  • Monks and nuns travelled to different places to teach.
  • Built monasteries and lived in caves.
  • Archaeologists found stone beds and names of monks carved in caves.
Other Beliefs at the Time

Chārvāka: Believed only in the physical world, no life after death.

Did not become popular and slowly disappeared.

4. Common Concepts in Vedic, Buddhist, and Jain Thought

  • Dharma (righteous duty)

  • Karma (actions and their results)

  • Rebirth (cycle of life)

  • Ending suffering and ignorance

  • Compassion, truth, and self-discipline


Folk and Tribal Roots
a. What They Are?

Folk traditions – customs, songs, stories, and rituals of ordinary people, passed on by word of mouth.

Tribal traditions – beliefs and practices of tribal communities, also passed without writing.

Both are part of India’s oral culture.


b. Mixing of Traditions

Folk and tribal beliefs often mix with main religions like Hinduism.

Examples:

Jagannath (Puri, Odisha) – once a tribal god.

Tribes in northeast and south India have their own versions of Ramayana and Mahabharata.


c. Common Beliefs

Nature is sacred – mountains, rivers, trees, animals, and even stones have life.

Toda tribe (Tamil Nadu) – believe over 30 mountain peaks are homes of gods; never point at them.


d. Supreme Gods in Tribes

Donyipolo – Sun & Moon god (Arunachal Pradesh).

Khandoba – central India.

Singbonga – creator god (Munda & Santhal tribes in eastern India).


e. Importance

Long interaction between folk, tribal, and main religions made Indian culture rich and diverse.

These traditions are an important root of India’s cultural heritage.


Conclusion

  • India’s culture is built on thousands of years of shared knowledge, beliefs, and practices.
  • From the Vedas to tribal traditions, from philosophical schools to local customs, all contribute to the great “tree” of Indian civilisation.
  • Its roots go deep, its branches spread wide, and its values – truth, unity, compassion, and respect for life – continue to guide us.



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Exercise Answers – Chapter 7: India’s Cultural Roots

Questions, Activities, and Projects

1. If you were Nachiketa, what questions would you like to ask Yama?
(Sample answer – 100–150 words)
If I were Nachiketa, I would ask Yama about the mystery of life and death. I would want to know where the soul goes after death and whether it lives on in another body. I would also ask about the true purpose of human life and how one can free oneself from the cycle of birth and death. I would request guidance on how to overcome ignorance and sorrow. Finally, I would ask Yama to explain the nature of the Self (ātman) and how it is connected to the supreme reality (brahman), so that I could live a life of wisdom, compassion, and peace.

2. Explain a few central ideas of Buddhism. Briefly comment upon them.

  • Suffering is part of life, and its cause is ignorance (avidyā) and attachment.

  • Ahimsa (non-hurting) is important for peace.

  • Inner discipline and self-control are more important than rituals.

  • True purity comes from truth and dharma, not from outward actions.
    Comment: These ideas encourage kindness, self-awareness, and freedom from selfish desires.

3. Discuss the quotation of the Buddha “Not by water is one made pure…”
This quotation means that simply performing rituals, like bathing in holy rivers, does not make a person pure. Purity comes from within, through truthfulness, right conduct, and following dharma. It teaches that inner change is more important than outward show.

4. Explain a few central ideas of Jainism. Briefly comment upon them.

  • Ahimsa – complete non-violence in thought, word, and deed.

  • Anekāntavāda – truth has many sides; no single view can explain it fully.

  • Aparigraha – non-possession; limit needs to what is necessary.
    Comment: These principles help people live simply, respect all life, and understand different perspectives.

5. Consider and discuss André Béteille’s thought.
Béteille said that Hinduism and tribal religions have influenced each other throughout history. This is true because both have shared ideas, deities, and customs. For example, some Hindu gods like Jagannath were originally tribal deities, and many tribes adopted Hindu festivals and stories. This shows mutual respect and cultural exchange.

6. Make a list of popular gods and goddesses in your region and the festivals they are associated with.
(Example – Odisha)

  • Lord Jagannath – Rath Yatra

  • Goddess Durga – Durga Puja

  • Lord Shiva – Mahashivratri

  • Goddess Lakshmi – Kumar Purnima

7. List two or three tribal groups from your region and their art/belief systems.
(Example – Odisha)

  • Santhal Tribe – worship Singbonga, creator god; famous for folk dances.

  • Gond Tribe – nature worship; Gond painting art.

  • Bonda Tribe – believe in mountain spirits; wear distinctive traditional dress.

True or False

  1. The Vedic hymns were written on palm-leaf manuscripts. – False

  2. The Vedas are India’s oldest texts. – True

  3. The Vedic statement Ekam sat viprā bahudhā vadanti reflects unity of cosmic powers. – True

  4. Buddhism is older than the Vedas. – False

  5. Jainism emerged as a branch of Buddhism. – False

  6. Both Buddhism and Jainism advocated peaceful coexistence and avoidance of harm. – True

  7. Tribal belief systems are limited to belief in spirits and minor deities. – False