1. Sources of Wisdom

Question 1

What are the 4 sources of wisdom and authority?

Answer 1

1. Sastra (Smritis + Srutis)
2. Guru (spiritual master)
3. Sadacara (great sadhus)
4. Atmatusti (inner voice of conscience)

Question 2

What does Narottama dasa Thakur say about sources of wisdom?

Answer 2

Only accept if all sources are in alignment with atmatusti

Question 3

What are some examples of the relevance of Hindu guidance from the sources of wisdom?

Answer 3

1. Purusasuka: value, unity, equality and divinity of all of creation
2. Dharma: eternal principles for respect and love
3. Reincarnation and Karma: incentive to do good acts so you can bear them in the next life

Question 4

What is Sruti?

Answer 4

• apauruseya (without author)
• direct download from brahman
• sages could see and ehar mantra
• that which is heard

Question 5

What is the nature of the Rg-veda?

Answer 5

1. songs to the Gods
2. Purusasukta:
   - all the body of brahman
   - rta
   - sanatana and sadharna
   dharma
   - ahimsa
3. Perversion from Varna to Jati (born into varna)
4. Disorganised hymns

Question 6

What is the nature of the Yajur Veda?

Answer 6

1. Organised hymns
2. Transactional relationship between gods and humans
3. Fire sacrifices

Question 7

What is the nature of the Sama Veda?

Answer 7

1. music and hymns
2. Brahman as sacred sound (nada brahman)

Question 8

What is the nature of the Atharva Veda?

Answer 8

1. magic
2. medicine
3. dodgy status
4. occult
5. Apotropaic Shiva
6. Purusasukta

Question 9

What is the importance of the Vedas in modern times?

Answer 9

1. Yajna (fire sacrifices)
2. Mantra meditation
3. Culture (music and dance)
4. Domestic daily rituals from the Atharva Veda
5. Purusasukta and environment
6. Ayurveda
7. Worship of the cow

Question 10

What are the different parts of all the vedas?

Answer 10

1. Samhitas: foundational hymns to the various gods
2. Brahmana: ritualistic and sacrificial protocols
3. Aranyaka: shift from the rituals to mental practice
4. Upanisads: the ultimate sacrifice of the atma to brahman

1+2 = karma kanda (purva mimamsa)
4 = jnana kanda (uttara mimamsa)

Question 11

What does the yaksha episode illustrate?

Answer 11

the yaksha (brahman) shows how the demigods cant even burn, lift etc a straw and how their power comes from Him

Question 12

What are Sankaracharya’s main mahavakyas?

Answer 12

1. neti neti
2. aham brahmasmi
3. prajnana brahman
   4 tat tvam asi

Question 13

What are tattva, hita and purusartha?

Answer 13

1. nature of brahman, prakriti and the soul and the relationship between all of them
2. The means of liberation
3. Nature of the liberated state

Question 14

Why are ethics required for Sankaracharya?

Answer 14

1. develop discipline
2. detachment
3. purity necessary for athato brahma jignasa
4. blessings of saguna isvara