Principles and Practice of Hindu Religion
Chapter - III : A Historical Approach to the Hindu Traditions
A Study of the History and Evolution of the Faith along with
the Beliefs and Culture of India over the Time of Several Millennia
 
   
 
Lesson - 44 :
Ages of Smrithis, Suthras and Puranas
Age of the Smrithis and Puranas - ( 500 B.C. to 650 A.D. )
 
 

 

 
 

 

 

The Smrithis and Tamil Sangam: The Smrithis of Vasishtha and Parasara came later in this age. The works of Charaka and Sushrutha on medicine, several Buddhist and Prakrith literature, Jain Angas were written. Buddhist and Jain religion were popular in the South. Their thoughts influenced many of the literary works of Tamil Nadu at that time. They had many religious texts and secular books that were written at this time. The Tamil Sangam literature including Silappathikaram, Manimekalai and Thirukkural also were written at this time. The sculptures of Gandhara, Mathura schools, Amaravathi, Sanchi, Bodh-Gaya Temples and Ajanta caves were made at this time. Sages Manu, Badarayana (Vyasa), Gautama, Jaimini, and Tamil Kings Cheran Senguttuvan and Karikala Cholan belong to this age. Age of Puranas (300 to 650 A.D.): The age of the Puranas, Darshanas and Agamas starts in 300 A.D. The Great Guptha Empire ruled in the North, Chalukyas in the Deccan, Pallavas in the South. Later, Harsha came to power in the North and Shashanka in the East India. Huna invasions occurred at this time. The Eighteen great puranas were edited and Hindu religious ideals were popularized through them. Congregational worship methods started and Temples were built during this age.

 

Saivism and Vaishnavism revived in the South as Buddhism spread to the Central and Southeast Asia. Settlers from the West like the Syrian Christian community formed in Travancore. The Agamas were popularized along with Vedic Hinduism. Saivism, Vaishnavism and Shakthism practices were started as main Agamic form of Hinduism. Sanskrit literature and several secular works flourished at this time along with the works of the great poet Kalidasa. Several mathematical treatises and Shilpa sasthra for Temple and Deities and Thevaaram in Tamil were written. Several famous Temples, Pallava architecture and the great Iron pillar at Delhi (at Qutub Minar) were built at this time. King Chandraguptha-II (Vikramadhithya), Harsha, Narasimha Varma, Kalidasa, Tamil Saivite leaders like Thirugnana Sambhandar, Appar, and Sundarar belong to this age.

 
   
 
 
   
 
Lessons : - 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46, 47 , 48 .