Significance of Bard

The term Bard encompasses various interpretations across different texts. In Purana, it refers to individuals like vaitalika who sing praises and adorn themselves for court occasions. In Kavya, bards provide entertainment through song. Vyakarana describes them as singers who praise kings or announce dawn, using terms such as Vaitalika and Magadhas. Vedanta casts a bard as a character seeking Raikva, while Dharmashastra highlights their role in praising individuals, including kings, often using poetry and engaging with women in designated contexts.1
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Synonyms: Poet, Minstrel, Lyricist

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Hindu concept of 'Bard'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, Bard symbolizes both traditional singers and heralds who enhance court life with their attire and knowledge, as well as individuals who poetically praise kings and engage in cultural expressions, reflecting the era's values.

Significance in Dharmashastra (religious law):
Dharmashastra Books

From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi

(1) Individuals who sing the praises of kings and may also interact with women in specific contexts.[1] (2) A person who sings praise, often in a poetic form, of individuals.[2]

Dharmashastra contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Significance in Vedanta (school of philosophy):
Vedanta Books

From: Chandogya Upanishad (Shankara Bhashya)

(1) A character in the story tasked with finding Raikva and delivering the praises or inquiries regarding him to Janashruti's great-grandson.[3]

Vedanta refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Griffith)

(1) Bards, known for wearing their finest attire, and heralds, recognized for their knowledge of ancient traditions, assembled in the king's chamber, contributing to the court's atmosphere.[4]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Plural form: Bards.