Lecture 1-3

Question 1

Vedic worldview

Answer 1

Worldly prosperity

Heaven = highest goal

Householder ideal

Question 2

Post Vedic worldview

Answer 2

Avoidance of worldly entrapment (desires, enjoyments)

Moksa (liberation) = highest goal

Renunciate ideal

Question 3

Vedas

Answer 3

Ancient texts

Later called upanisads
Reflects the culture of the renunciates

Question 4

Asrama

Answer 4

Modes of life

Question 5

Tension between world views

Answer 5

Or everyone can pursue renunciate so others have to try and achieve something else

Co-exist

Asrama system = attempt to reconcile the two ideals

Question 6

Original formulation

Answer 6

Brahmanas
Ksatriyas
Vaisyas
Audra’s

Question 7

Brahamanas

Answer 7

Priests, teachers

Question 8

Ksatriyas

Answer 8

Warriors, political class

Question 9

Vaisyas

Answer 9

Agricultural class, merchants, trades

Question 10

Sudras

Answer 10

Servants
Serve the other 3 classes
Not twice born
Not available to study

Question 11

Preliminary student ship

Answer 11

Vedas
Duties and responsibilities

Need to do these things in order to be a part of the vedas

Know which area is best suited for them

Question 12

Types of asramas

Answer 12

Permanent student
Householder
Forest dweller
Renunciate

Question 13

Permanent student

Answer 13

Lives with guru entire life
May be one teacher
Remains unmarried and celibate
Doesn’t bit continue to study other asramas

Question 14

Householder

Answer 14

Get married/children
Provides for them
Perform for them
Perform rituals sake of personal prosperity
Sees children wedded and grand children grow up

Question 15

Forest dwellers (renunciate light)

Answer 15

Hermit
Give up possessions to pursue moksa
Might maintain ties with friends and identity
Continue to perform rituals

Question 16

Renunciate

Answer 16

Hermit
Abandons social identity all together /name/ required to move

Gives up possessions to pursue moksa

Question 17

Gautama baushayana

Answer 17

Says the original formulation is the wrong view

Claims the house holder is only legitimate

Question 18

Apastamba vasistha

Answer 18

Agree with original formulation

Careful to argue that renunciate is the best one

Question 19

Similarities for the two different views

Answer 19

Defend the householder stage

Defending Vedic worldview

Question 20

Classical formulation

Answer 20

Student
Householder
Forest dweller
Renunciate

Progression to each stage
Must pass all / mandatory

Don’t need preliminary and permanent student because you have to go through all stages

Question 21

Negative aspects of renunciation

Answer 21

1. Recitation of the “the call”
   - ceremonial environment, gathering of close family members
2. Vow of ahimsa (non-harm)
   - avoid harm to any living beings including plants
3. Removes all clothing
   - as he was at birth
   - symbolizes another birth

Question 22

Positive aspects of renunciation

Answer 22

1. Adoption of 5 possessions
   - staff (something to walk with, pierce enemies)
   - water pot (deliver basic sustenance)
   - loin cloth (cover genitals)
   - waistband (hold up the loin cloth)
   - larger garment (protect him from bigger elements)
2. Assumes a teacher
   - live, travels with

Question 23

Wandering

Answer 23

Avoid family
Don’t want to be recognized
Never 1 night in a village
Never more than 5 nights on the city 
Rainy season they must stay in one place - avoid harm 
Avoids being attached to a particular place 
No regular routes 
Asking directions is not permitted

Question 24

Mendicancy

Answer 24

Begged
No hoarding - only enough for one meal
 I damage to flowers or houses
Avoid houses for their generosity 
Tongueless (no concern for taste)

Question 25

Acting mad or like animals

Answer 25

Act like a worm to remain unnoticed
Avoid honour
Fools, drunk , outcast, like children