Literature


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Literature

Writing Books on Science:

This was also the time when Aryabhata, a mathematician and astronomer, wrote a book in Sanskrit known as the Aryabhatiyam. He stated that day and night were caused by the rotation of the earth on its axis, even though it seems as if the sun is rising and setting everyday. He developed a scientific explanation for eclipse as well. He also found a way of calculating the circumference of a circle.

Compositions In Sanskrit

Sanskrit is the forerunner of a large number of Indian languages. Several works of religious and literary significance were composed in this language, for instance, the Vedas. The Rig Veda was composed in Vedic  Sanskrit an early from of the language. It is a collection of prayers offered to various gods like Varuna, Agni and Surya. The other Vedas that followed are the Yajur Veda the Sama Veda, and the Atharva Veda. Apart from these, there are the Vedangas, the Aranyakas and the Upanishads. The two great epics, the Ramayana are the Mahabharata, are the religious cornerstones of the faith of the Hindus even today. There are 18 main puranas, which deal with myths, legends, religious rites and customs. The most outstanding poet of the gupta period was Kalidasa. His works, like the Abhignanshakuntalam, Meghaduta and Ritusamharam are known for the rich quality of their poetry.

Writings In Pali and Prakrit

The language most used by the common people during the ancient period was Pali. The Tripitakas, e.i., the Sutta Pitaka, the Abhidhamma Pitaka and the Vinaya Pitaka, are three important Buddhist texts that contain the teachings of the Buddha. They are known as Sutras in Sanskrit and Sutras in Pali. The Jataka Tales is a large collection of fables, and  the characters are mainly talking animals.

 
 


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