Author(s): Dr. Mamata Pradhan
Abstract:
The Vājasaneyī Saṃhitā, one of the principal texts of the Śukla Yajurveda, contains significant insights into the ethical and social ideals of Vedic society. While primarily associated with sacrificial rituals, the text also presents a comprehensive framework of social ethics based on duty, harmony, cooperation, and moral responsibility. This study examines the concept of social ethics in the Vājasaneyī Saṃhitā with particular reference to varṇa, family, marriage, women, and education. The text portrays varṇa as a system of social responsibility in which each group contributes to the maintenance of social order and collective welfare. It emphasizes the family as the primary institution for ethical learning and regards marriage as a sacred partnership founded on mutual trust and shared duties. The study further highlights the honoured position of women in family and religious life, recognizing their role in nurturing moral and social values. In addition, the ideals of education and Brahmacarya are examined as means of cultivating discipline, self-control, and responsible citizenship. Through an analysis of the Vājasaneyī Saṃhitā and the Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa, the paper demonstrates that social ethics in the Vedic tradition were deeply rooted in moral conduct, social cooperation, and the pursuit of collective well-being.
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