This period is named for the Vedas, a set of hymns that formed the cornerstone of Aryan culture.

Hindus consider the Vedas, which were transmitted orally by priests, to be the most sacred of all literature for they believe these to have been revealed to humans directly by the gods.

 The period of composition of the two great epics, Mahabharata and the Ramayana. This time was also the growth of later Vedic literature, new Sanskrit literature, and Buddhist literature in Pali. The Dhammapada was also probably composed during this period. The Maurya Empire (322-230 B.C.) ruled by Ashoka promoted Buddhism and preached goodness, nonviolence, and righteousness although this period was known for warfare and iron-fisted rule. The Gupta Dynasty (320-467 B.C.) was the next great political power. During this time, Hinduism reached a full flowering and was evident in culture and the arts.

 The main literary language of northern India during this period was Sanskrit, in contrast with the Dravidian languages of southern India. Sanskrit, which means perfect speech is considered a sacred language, the language spoken by the gods and goddesses. As such, Sanskrit was seen as the only appropriate language for the noblest literary works. Poetry and drama peaked during this period. Beast fables such as the Panchatantra were popular and often used by religious teachers to illustrate moral points.

Persian influence on literature was considerable during this period. Persian was the court language of the Moslem rulers. In the 18th century India was directly under the British Crown and remained so until its Independence in 1947. British influence was strong and modern-day Indians are primarily educated in English. Many have been brought into the world of Western learning at the expense of learning about their own culture.

 Indian creativity is evident in

religion as the country is the birthplace of two important faiths: Hinduism, the dominant religion, and Buddhism, which ironically became extinct in India but spread throughout Asia.

 literally

the belief of the people of India, is the predominant faith of India and of no other nation. The Hindus are deeply absorbed with God and the creation of the universe.

 The Purusarthas are the three ends of man: dharma virtue, duty, righteousness, moral law; artha wealth; and kama love or pleasure. A fourth end is moksha the renunciation of duty, wealth and love in order to seek spiritual perfection. It is achieved after the release from samsara, the cycle of births and deaths.

 The

Hindus believe that all reality is one and spiritual, and that each individual soul is identical with this reality and shares its characteristics: pure being, intelligence, and bliss. Everything that seems to divide the soul from this reality is maya or illusion.

Life is viewed as an upward development through four stages of effort called the four asramas: a) the student stage applies to the rite of initiation into the study of the Vedas; b) the householder stage marries and fulfills the duties as head of the family where he begets sons and earns a living; c) the stage of the forest dweller departs from home and renounces the social world; and d) ascetic stops performing any of the rituals or social duties of life in the world and devotes time for reflection and meditation.

 Kama

refers to one of the proper pursuits of man in his role as householder, that of pleasure and love. The Kamasutra is a classic textbook on erotics and other forms of pleasure and love, which is attributed to the sage Vatsyayana.

 The Hindus regard Purusha, the Universal Spirit, as the soul and original source of the universe. As the universal soul, Purusha is the life-giving principle in all animated beings. As a personified human being, Purusha's body is the source of all creation. The four Varnas serve as the theoretical basis for the organization of the Hindu society. These were thought to have been created from Purushas body:

- The Brahman (priest) was Purushas mouth. Their duty is to perform sacrifices, to study and to teach the Vedas, and to guard the rules of dharma. Because of their sacred work, they are supreme in purity and rank. The Ksatriyas (warriors) are the arms. From this class arose the kings who are the protectors of society

 The Vaisyas (peasants) are the thighs. They live by trading, herding, and farming. The Sudras (serfs) are the feet. They engage in handicrafts and manual occupation and they are to serve meekly the three classes above them. They are strictly forbidden to mate with persons of a higher varna.