Vedic religion

The religion of the Vedic civilization is the predecessor of classical Hinduism, usually included in the term. Its liturgy is reflected in the text of the Vedas. The religion centered on a clergy (the Brahmins) administrating sacrificial rites.

Specific rituals and sacrifices of the Vedic religion include:

• The Soma cult described in the Rigveda, descended from a common Indo-Iranian practice.
• Fire rituals, also a common Indo-Iranian practice, c.f. Zoroastrianism:
  • The Agnihotra or oblation to Agni
  • The Agnicayana, the sophisticated ritual of piling the fire altar.
  • The Agnistoma or fire sacrifice
• The Ashvamedha or horse sacrifice described in the Yajurveda
• The Purushamedha or human sacrifice, probably very early reduced to a symbolic sacrifice.
• The rituals described in the Atharvaveda concerned with demonology and magic.

See also: Vedic priesthood.