We are delighted to invite you to the third session of the Indian Literature Lecture Series.

This insightful lecture titled “Understanding Vedic Literature: Rig Veda, Mandala I” delivered by Dr. Mritunjay Kumar, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India 

Indian Literature Lecture Series: Session 3 – “Understanding Vedic Literature: Rig Veda, Mandala I”

📅 Date & Time: 21 October 2024, 13:30
📍 Location: Student Center Hy-flex 09 and Zoom

Join Zoom Meeting: Click here

Meeting ID: 840 9820 6467

Passcode: 048856

About the Lecture

Vedic literature offers an insightful perspective into ancient India’s culture and spiritual heritage. The Early Vedic period (1500-600 BCE) marks the emergence, growth, and spread of Vedic culture in India and beyond. In contrast to the urban Harappan civilization, the Vedic culture is noted for its village-based, egalitarian society. This lecture aims to explore how such a simple yet profound culture influenced not only the Indian subcontinent but also presented an alternative to contemporary cultures worldwide.

The focus will be on the 1st Mandala of the Rig Vedic literature, providing a comprehensive understanding of Vedic rituals, including the worship of deities, contributions of Rishis/Seers, and concepts of heaven and hell within the Vedic Pantheon. The lecture will also delve into the use of Sanskrit as a sacred language and how it evolved over time to meet the needs of its users. Furthermore, it will examine how these developments later influenced the creation and connection with epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, laying the foundation for Hindu culture and traditions globally.

Speaker Profile

Dr. Mritunjay Kumar
Assistant Archivist, Panjab University, Chandigarh

Dr. Mritunjay Kumar is a historian and archivist currently heading the Archival Cell (UGC) at Panjab University, Chandigarh. Prior to this, he served as a researcher at the National Archives of Singapore. With over 15 years of experience teaching history at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels at the University of Delhi and Panjab University, he has developed and delivered courses on the Rise and Growth of Colonialism in India and the History of the USA for the PG Program in History at the Centre for Distance and Online Learning, Panjab University.

Dr. Kumar holds a Master’s and M.Phil from Jawaharlal Nehru University and a PhD from Panjab University. He has published over 15 papers in various journals and edited books. More about Dr. Kumar.