(old)Vedic religion (original by ven. Nārasīha)
As it is the oldest of all living religions, Brāhmanism possesses a rich standard literature. Here, scholars consider the age of Vedas to be from 2000 BC to 1000 BC. Most of the literature and philosophy of Hinduism is not just meant for intellectual curiosity and vain speculation but it is a guide to life. The four Vedas, which were considered to be the backbone of Brāhmanism is the oldest scripture in the world. Prof. Max Müller advocated this view by saying that Ṛg Veda is the most ancient text. Vedic literature helps to understand the concept of religion. In this regard, Dr. S. Rādhakriśṇan says that Vedic literature depicted the concept of religion clearer than any other literature. It shows how evolution or religion took place from the simplest to the highest level.
In Brāhmanism we see there are two ways of liberation, that is Karma-mārga and Ñāṇa-mārga. Karma-mārga is mainly practiced by Brāhmaṇas and ñāṇa-mārga by Upaniṣadic philosophers. The above mentioned Brāhmanism is not developed to the final stage at one time, it developed through the passage of time. Different stages of development can be seen there. Worshiping the nature stage, personification stage, deification stage, polytheism, henotheism, monotheism, brāhmaṇa, Āranyaka, Upaniṣadic stage. At first Vedic Āryans who were nomads, worshiped nature simply because they were amazed by the power of the nature. In the second stage, they began to think that there might be some high spiritual being behind this nature. Hence they personified the nature as some god or goddess. This second stage is called personification. And thirdly, they deified the nature as a separate god, such as Sun god, Moon god, Rain god and so on. Gradually, all powerful nature was titled as God and according to record there were about 33 000 000 in number.
As a result of that polytheism period had come, where the worshiping was practiced to many gods. Then there was henotheism when they subscribed God a particular purpose. The next is monotheism, where they believed there was only one highest God of all. Hence, they began to worship one god. And later Brāhman was considered as the highest of all. Because there was a corruption in the Brāhmaṇa priesthood, the intellectual people tried to find out the true meaning of Brāhmaṇism. They began to meditate and live in the forest. As a result it, two intellectual periods arose: Āranyaka and Upaniṣadic period.
In this Vedic religion, the two ways of liberation Karma-mārga (sacrifice) and Ñāṇa-mārga (wisdom) are followed. These two means of liberation are still practiced today. While Karma-mārga is mostly practiced in Brahmāṇa period, Ñāṇa-mārga mainly practice in Āranyaka and Upaniṣadic period.
