Hinduism Flashcards
Sanatana Dharma
eternal order (the original name for Hinduism)
Sanskrit
the language that the Hindu scriptures were written in. Similar to arabic or ancient greek
What do the Vedas describe and where can they be found?
How to sacrifice. Can be found in the Scruti.
What is the Scruti?
Part of the Hindu scripture that was believed to be written by the Gods. Known as the “heard” texts
What is the Smrti?
Part of the Hindu scripture that was created by humans. Known as the “remembered” texts
Who is the Primal Man? Where is his story told?
The story of the primal man can be found in the Purusha. He is segmented into different parts that represent the castes.
What does the Primal Man’s mouth represent?
the Brahmin (priests)
What do the Primal Man’s arms represent?
The Kshatriya (warriors and rulers)
What do the Primal Man’s thighs represent?
The Vaisya (middle class/skilled artisans etc.)
What do the Primal Mans feet represent?
The Shudra (low skilled jobs/manual labor)
In what texts are the caste system introduced?
the Scruti (the earliest texts that we have)
The caste system is an example of…
sacred legitimation
What is the caste system sometimes called and what does that mean?
Varna, meaning color. This refers to the idea that the higher class individuals were lighter in skin color
Who are the Dalit and what is another name for them?
The Dalit, or “untouchables” are individuals who are outside of the caste system because of either geographical location or because they converted to Hinduism.
Today, the Dalit are only really found it…
rural areas
What happened to the old deities during the AXIAL AGE?
Stories were created describing where they went.
What is the story of why Indra is no longer a popular deity?
The people who were asking for rain weren’t getting it because the demon Virtra (Vrtra) was stealing it all. Indra goes into battle and kills the demon. It turns out that Vrtra was only ½ demon and ½ Brahmin. If you kill a Brahmin then you are supposed to be killed, therefore he must be punished for the brahminicide. Fours things “die” and take the guilt for what he did: trees (leek sap), water (big waves disrupt surface), earth (get cracks in it like the grand canyon), women (have periods).
Avatar
A representative for an individual at a place they cannot be
Dvija
“twice born” men of the upper middle castes
Gopis
female herders/cowgirls
Brahma, Brahmin, Brahman
Brahma - God of creation
Brahmin - The caste of priests (highest class, mouth of primal man)
Brahman- cosmic substance that makes up everything
What can only Dvija do?
Sacrifices
Who cannot become Dvija?
Women, Dalit, and Shudra
What does Yoga mean?
Union
The type of “Yoga” we do is…
Asana
Yoga as we know it is….
secularized
What is Yoga?
Yoga is not stretching. It is ANY ACTION that is done in devotion to a deity or something that one worships
What is Bhakti?
Devotion to Supreme Self or God or Goddesses
Bhakti is characterized by…
intense love or devotion
Who/What is our example of Bhakti?
Meera, who is a woman who writes songs and poems praising Krishna
Who is Krishna?
An avatar of Vishnu
Why is Bhakti important?
It is important because it allows those other than the Dvija worship and connect to the deities
What is Om/Oum?
RELIGIOUS. said to be the first sound of the universe.
Why are male deities often shown to be feminine?
To show that their wives are a part of them.
Who are the avatars of Vishnu?
Lord Rama and Krishna
Where is the story of Lord Rama found?
In the Ramayana. Avatar of Vishnu.
Explain Krishna
- shown in all stages of life
- shows his humanness
What is Krishna like as a kid?
he is mischievous. steals pies and runs through clothing lines.
What is Krishna like as a teenager?
Flirts with Gopis. Shows sexuality.
What is the Bhagavad Gita?
Ancient poems in which Krishna is the main character
When were the Sectarian Deities created?
In the axial age (800 - 200 BCE)
Who are the Trimurti?
- Secretarian deities
- 3 prime male deities
- Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva
Who is Brahma?
God of Creation.
What does Brahma look like?
- depicted with many faces (all seeing)
- pink lotus
- beard
Who is Vishnu?
God of Preservation.
What does Vishnu look like?
- Approachable
- Cobra hoods
- lotus growing out of belly button
- daylight
- water
- smile
- holding conch
Who is Shiva?
God of Destruction
What does Shiva look like?
PRIMARY: dark, crescent moon on the forehead, half-lidded eyes
OTHER: six arms holding images, may be seen dancing
OTHER: Linga or Lingum (HARDworking)
Shiva has the role of keeping…
everything balanced.
What are the wives of the Trimurti called?
The Tridevi.
Who are the Tridevi?
- Saraswati (Brahma)
- Lakshmi (Vishnu)
- Parvati…Durga…Kali (Shiva)
What does Saraswati look like?
- seated in white lotus
- holding sitar and book
Who is Saraswati?
Goddess of Learning
Who is Lakshmi?
Goddess of Wealth or Fertility
Describe Lakshmi
- lots of pink (pink lotus and sari)
- gold pot, dropping in coins
- white elephants
Who is Parvati?
She is the Goddess of Love and Power
What does Parvati look like?
She is sweet. Sometimes shown with different women in the background.
Who is Durca?
Parvati. Goddess of Power.
What does Durca look like?
Rides lion and slays demons. Multiple arm with many weapons (including trident from Shiva).
Who is Kali?
Means darkness and time.
What does Kali look like?
terrifying, looks demonic, dark blue with tongue out and necklace of skulls. sometimes standing on Shivas dead body.
Why would Shiva kill a baby?
because she saw its future and wanted to send it to its next life.
In the Axial Age we move from the Vedas to the…
Upanisads.
What is the translation of Upanisads?
To sit near (because it starts as oral tradition)
How does the Upanisads change Hinduism?
They shift the perspective of Hinduism to focus on individual action (Karma).
Describe the Upanisads
Philosophical, metaphysical, and individualistic.
What is one of the most important teachings in the Upanisads?
Brahman = Atman
“Tat Tvam Asi”
You are that.
What is Brahman?
a cosmic substance that makes up the deities and also us.
What is Karma and why is it important?
Karma is individual action which helps determine our next life via reincarnation
What are the Four Goals to move up the castes via Karma?
- Dharma
- Artha
- Kama
- Moksha
What is Dharma?
Duties. The things you are supposed to do in your caste and as a family member.
What is Artha?
Wealth. Occurring enough wealth to do your Dharma. (example: taking care of your kids)
What is Kama?
Pleasure. Encourages Hindus to find things they enjoy and do them.
What is the Kama Sutra?
It is about sex.
What is Samsara?
It is the wheel of reincarnation.
What is the pedal stool that the linga sits in called?
The yoni (vagina)
Who is Ganesha?
Shiva’s son. The Deity of Luck and Remover of Obstacles
How did Puja get an elephant head?
Shiva his actual head off and then replaced it with an elephants
What is Ganesha’s vehicle?
A mouse
What is Shiva’s vehicle?
A bull named Nandi
What is Puja?
a prayer ritual
What are the three primary Bhakti families?
- Shakti
- Shaivites
- Vaisnavites
Who do Shakti worship?
feminine energy/the goddesses. shiva is sometimes considered a part of this.
Who do Shaivites worship?
Shiva and his family.
Who do Vaisnavites worship?
Vishnu and family.
