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.