Before the Guptas :
Began with Panini - the Vakatakas and the
Bharasivas (Nagas) patronized Sanskrit. The mahabashya of Patanjali was
patronized by Pushyamitra Sunga - Patanjali refers to dramatic recitals
of Kamasavadha. He also mentions of a poet of the second century B.C.
Vararuchi who wrote in Kavya style. Susruta and Nagarjuna were
well-versed in Sanskrit - Asvaghosha wrote Buddha Charita and Soundara
Manda. Astadhyayi of Panini hints at the existence of dramatic
literature. Kalidasa alludes to Sanksrit writers like Saumilla.
Asvaghosha of the first century wrote dramas with Buddhist themes and
this dramas were based on the norms laid down in Bharata's Natyashastra.
During the Guptas :
Sanskrit ast he language of the elite
Buddhists also used it. Kalidasa, the exponent of Kavya style -
Ritusamhara and Meghadoot during Chandragupta II's time. Kalidas was
contemporary of Chandragupta II, Vikramaditya or Kumara Gupta I, His
Meghadoot is a lyric of delicate beauty. Sahakuntalam in his great work.
Vishakadatta is the author of Mudra-Rakshasa. Mrichakataka appeared in
this period. Panchatantra was probably elaborated.
RELIGION :
Before the Guptas : In religions filed also the Gupta age witnessed such
standards which are till today accepted. Religions, too, like the other
filed did not originate during the Gupta period but reached a
donsummation. Worhip of Vasudeva in early fourth century B.C. - in the
middle second century B.C. Heliodours erected a garudadhwaja. Dharam
shastras and Grihyasutras emerged in the fourth century B.C. along with
the laws of Manu. The Bharasisvas and the Vakatakas contributed to the
Re-establishment of Aryan society and culture and performed Asvamedhas.
DURING THE GUTPAS :
(1) As idols became objects of worship, the sacrificial part of Hindu
religion receded into the background. Pujas gained in importance as
opposed to Yajnas. Images worship captivated the imagination of the
people
(2) Redaction of thamajor Puranas and the Mahabharata. The Puranas
created the necessary mythology while sculpture brought the deities to
the homes of the common man. The essentials of the later day Hinduism
appeared is a simple fashion in the Puranas.
(3) Vaishnavism and Shivism came into existence.
(4) Development of the tantric belief - emergence of the Shakti cult.
(5) With the development of the panthoon of gods in Hinduism the gods came to be attributed wives.
(6) The concept of Yugas was postulate during this period - at the end
of each Yuga, the universe is recreated kaliyuga is associated with the
coming of Kalikin, the would-be incarnation of Vishnu.
(7) Also, the six system of Philosophy came into existence. Nyaya lays
stress on logic. Vaisheshika treats matter and soul as separate
universes. Sankhya maintains the existence of 25 principles as the
causes of creation - is essentially atheistic. Yoga stresses on the
control of the body and senses leading to eternity - required knowledge
of human anatomy. Meemasa ephasises the ultimate law of the Vedas and
their rituals primarily supported by the brahmins. Vednanta is the
metaphysical interpretation of the Vedas - the should be reached by the
atman of each individual for salvation.
(8) Mahayana doctrine was the vogue of the day of this period. Buddhism
developed its own tantrics - in the 7th century the Thunderbolt school
added female
counterparts to Buddhist pantheon known as Taras. Jainism was patronized
by the merchant communities. A Jaina council was held at Valabhi in the
sixth century and it finalized the Jaina canon.
Science : In the field of science, too, the Gupta period witnessed a
conusmmeratino. The beginnings of science were far too ancient
Metallurgical skill was known from the days of the Mauryas. The
scientific knowledge of the Greeks was admired in the post-Gupta era.
These beginnings reached a culmination during the Gupta period.
Most probably a few eminent ment of science belonged to his period.
Aryabhatta was a methematician and he probably conceived the concept of
zero. Arterya was a surgeon and he performed operations of Herina and
catract. Varahminhira was as astronomer and he anticipated Copernicus.
Probably, Charakha and Susruta, two authorities on medicines, belonged
to this period.
SHORTCOMINGS :
(1) All was not well with the Gupta economic prosperity. After the Huna
Invasions, trading activity with north-west came to a stop. Also goods
from the Gangetic region could not be easily carried to the Western
coast. This was one of the causes of the shift of trade towards
South-East Asia.
(2) The administration of the Guptas was not as successful as that of
the Mauryas. Autonomy granted to provinces, districts and villages. The
local officials formed into cligues and very often offices became
hereditary. Corruption was known. Officials were expected to be treated
with rice, curd and flowers - the last time perhaps, had its own
implications.
(3) Although Sanskrit drama attained great heights, some of the writings
of the day show that they were only for a select few of society. Good
number of legal codes were prepared like that of Yajnavalka, Narada,
Barihaspati and Katyayand. The social system became very rigid.
(4) In matters of religion also decadent features started appearing. New
cults emerged worshipping female deities. This became the nucleus for a
number of magical rites which later came to be known as Tantricism.
(5) It was in the social field the institutionalization of difference
between the castes had begun. In the dramatic wrirings of the day, the
characters belonging to the upper state of society speak Sanksrit while
those of the lower strapa and women speak Prakrit. The status of women
declined because of the practice of early marriages. And most of the
legal codes of the day reiterate the Brahmin view-point in all matters
including the status of women. The lot of Shudras which was downgraded
in the Maurya period was legalized. And the institution of
untouchability was fully established.
