Hindu Beliefs Flashcards

Question

Story of why Lord Brahma is not worshipped (reference - Vedas)

Answer 1

During a ceremony, Brahma was listening to music so he was punished Brahma created a female deity and fell in love with her, Shiva disliked Brahma's obsession so he ordered that he should not be worshipped

Answer 2

Protector of his creation Maintainer of his creation Destroyer of evil, protects devotees through avatars He is in everyone's heart (Paramatma)

Answer 3

Lotus - symbolizes purity and wealth Crown - represents his supreme authority Chakra - confirms the ability to destroy evil and establish dharma

Answer 4

'Everything rests on me' - B.G 'Vishnu is in all things and in all things are Vishnu' - Vedas

Answer 5

Brigu went to Lord Shiva and kicked him in the chest, Lord Shiva wanted to kill him Brigu then went to Lord Vishnu and did the same thing but did not want to hurt him With this information, Brigu decided that Lord Vishnu was superior

Answer 6

One who comes down, descends or incarnates

Answer 7

'There is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata' -B.G

Answer 8

Protect his devotees Re-establish religious principles Increase devotion Show love for his devotees Set an example Restore faith in him/her

Answer 9

Hiranyakasipu grew jealous of Lord Vishnu and conquered three worlds Prahlada (the son of the demon) worshipped Lord Vishnu and the demon therefore wanted to kill him Prahalda said God is everywhere so the demon punched the pillars and Lord Narasimha (half man - half lion) came out and killed the demon

Answer 10

Krishna told everyone to worship Govardhan Hill instead of Indra Indra got angry and sent rain and thunder to the village Krishna saved everyone by lifting the hill with his finger Lord Indra prayed for forgiveness and Krishna enlightened him of his dharma

Answer 11

After Ravana took away Sita, Rama and Hanuman built a stone bridge to bring Sita back With the help of the monkey's Rama killed Ravana bringing Sita home

Answer 12

Responsible for tama guna (destruction + death) Compassionate and grants wishes to his devotees Allows ghosts to follow him to enter a new gross body

Answer 13

Earrings - Lord Shiva is both male and female Blue body - Shiva drank poison to save the earth Serpent - Shiva's power to destroy and recreate Trident - represents the Trimurti

Answer 14

Shiva drank poison but it stayed in his neck, therefore saving the world

Answer 15

The Goddess of knowledge, music, art, speech, wisdom, and learning Mother of the Vedas Has a son called Manu - father of mankind

Answer 16

The goddess of wealth, fortune, power, beauty, fertility and prosperity Worshipped during Diwali

Answer 17

Also known as Sakti, Durga or Kali

Answer 18

The monkey warrior The symbol is a mace symbolizing strength and authority Devotion to Rama and Sita

Answer 19

Son of Shiva and Parvati Remover of obstacles Wisdom and knowledge

Answer 20

Refers to an orderly harmonious systematic universe

Answer 21

Eternal Unchanging Infinite Imperishable

Answer 22

Temporary Changing Finite Perishable

Answer 23

'The soul is neither born, nor does it ever die' - B.G 'Only the material body is perishable' - B.G

Answer 24

Material reality Impersonalists say that maya means illusion; the material world is not real and therefore has no value Personalists say that maya means 'illusory'; the world is not real because it is temporary. They decide to serve others rather than being distracted from the material world

Answer 25

Maha Vishnu maintains the totality of the cosmic manifestation He resides on the Casual Ocean Unlimited universes are generated, when he inhales universes are consumed, but when he exhales universes are created Then Garbhodakaśāyī Vishnu, enters each universe and gives birth to Brahma Vishnu empowers Brahma to create the planetary systems within each universe Brahma is the secondary creator When Vishnu inhales the universes are destroyed. Shiva destroys the material planets and thus allows their renewal

Answer 26

Residents are wise and pious There is no quarrel or disharmony Residents are God conscious They don’t age or fall sick The duration of life is long

Answer 27

Both enjoyment and suffering are present in this realm This is the best place to become God conscious

Answer 28

There is no sunshine in these realms but some of them are more opulent than the upper planets There is conflict and a lack of awareness of God Punishment takes place in the hellish planets

Answer 29

Beginning & end Goal oriented From simple to complex From ignorance to progress Pressure and worry about the future

Answer 30

No beginning, no end Static, progress and wisdom already exist Promotes community Inclusive of deities or ideas Encourages patience & tolerance

Answer 31

A person's inner self Also soul, spirit or living force

Answer 32

Analogy of space in a jar Analogy of a driver in a vehicle

Answer 33

'The atman is neither born, nor does it die' - BG

Answer 34

Transmigration of the atman from one body to another

Answer 35

'As the self passes into another body at death' - B.G 'One who attains to my abode never takes birth again' - B.G

Answer 36

The continuous cycle of birth, death and rebirth

Answer 37

The ultimate goal of human life, liberation from the cycle of rebirth

Answer 38

'And whoever quits his body, remembering Me alone, at once attains My nature' - B.G ‘Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body that state he will attain without fail’ - B.G

Answer 39

Consequences of one’s actions; the total of good and bad actions and reactions Vikarma - bad actions result in punishment Akarma - selfless actions bring no rewards or punishment but help us attain moksha

Answer 40

The idea that individuals are in control of their destiny

Answer 41

The analogy of traveling on a plane: We can choose a destination but we can't decide who sits next to us or other events

Answer 42

Through ahimsa and fulfilling our dharma

Answer 43

Having a duty to do good things rather than bad things in the world

Answer 44

Duty performed according to eternal religious principles

Answer 45

Duty based on personal inclinations, talents (varnas) and stages in life (ashramas)

Answer 46

Fields of work based of natural inclinations & talents

Answer 47

Know about Brahman, teach scriptures, guide & advice e.g. priests, teachers

Answer 48

Apply law and justice; protect e.g. warriors, lawyers

Answer 49

Generate wealth & keep the economy going e.g. business people

Answer 50

Support other groups e.g. they are employed by others

Answer 51

Stages of life

Answer 52

Study, develop good character, prepare for life, e.g. students

Answer 53

Provide for family members, teach virtues, moral & religious principles, e.g. household

Answer 54

Focuses on spiritual activities, e.g. retired

Answer 55

Devote one's life to God, e.g. renounced