Lecture 2

Question 1

what are the different approaches/definitions to hinduism

Answer 1

Towards a polytheistic classification; monotheistic classification and polytheistic classification
-Metaphorical approaches

Question 2

define monotheistic classification

Answer 2

characteristics both necessary and sufficient

Question 3

define polytheistic classification

Answer 3

broad set of criteria that are neither necessary of sufficient; animal number of characteristics shared

Question 4

define Metaphorical approaches

Answer 4

e.g. banyan tree (areal roots, become separate trunks)

Question 5

explain the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC); aka pre vedic/vedic history

Answer 5

• Sites in modern Pakistan found by brit. archeological surveys of india led by Sir John Marshal and conducted by D. R. Sahni and R. D. Banjerjee in the 1920’s
• IVC as its peak circa 2200-1900 BCE, declined after this
• multiple cities notably mohenjo - Daro and Harappa
• Characteristics across a large area; uniform material culture including streets and buildings (made of common things), domesticated animals, month metals (no iron), grain storage, wheeled transportation

Question 6

what is the possible answers to the active question “what is the relationship between the IVC and Vedic as well as non-medic cultures

Answer 6

• continuity suggests cultural continuuity (IVC brat? and modern hindu brat?)
• IVC seals interpreted as religious
  
  • Yugi seal (some think it shows some sort of yoga)
    
    • Proto-shiva

overall– no direct evidence for relationship but there are theories

Question 7

what re the theories about the IVC and Hinduism relationship

Answer 7

• what Q about origins does the IVC raise and what is at stake in how they are answered (dates)
• what evidence do we have of religion in the IVC? How do we know something is a sacred symbol or not?
• Was yoga invented 4000 years ago?

Question 8

explain Wendy Doinger (author of the Hindus) theory

Answer 8

IVC as a ‘rorschach’ test

aka ink blot test

Question 9

give a brief overview of the vedic tradition

Answer 9

• People; aryan, ‘noble’ refer to themselves, hindu-europeans sometime, migrated from europe to many places, romantic people, herders
• Texts; veda (literally ‘sacred knowledge’, rg veda (oldest vedic text; probably composed orally around 1500-1200 BCE, compiled into collection around 1200-1000 BCE, consists of hymns proposed at annual nomadic festivals
• Rituals; notably no temples or permanent structures, only portable and temporary spaces (often fires)
• Gods

Question 10

what are the 4 vedas

Answer 10

(3 +1)
Rg Veda
Yajuneda
Samaueda
Artharvedas

Question 11

explain Rg Veda

Answer 11

earliest hymns, ritual descriptions

Question 12

explain Yajuneda

Answer 12

most ritual texts

Question 13

explain Samaueda

Answer 13

compendium of song hymns

Question 14

explain Artharvedas

Answer 14

mixed content; magic, medicine and ritual (this was added later)

Question 15

what are the 4 levels of each veda

Answer 15

a priest would become specialist in ONE

• samhitas; collection of mantras and hymns
• brahmanas; theological/ritual commentaries added later and practiced/learned away from society
• Aranyakus; ‘wilderness tests’, idea of converted teaching that are done in different contexts
• Upanisads; secret philosophical texts learned sitting at the feet of a teacher, away from society, kind of a secret, later layers of tests, depth knowledge

Question 16

what is Dharmasutras

Answer 16

secondary vedic texts giving instruction on dharma for example, the law books of Yagnaualkya (supporting texts)

Question 17

Explain the specifics in vedic rituals

Answer 17

• yajna/homa; fire sacrifice; offerings made into a sacred fire by priests (ritual specialists)
• agni; ritual fire conveys offerings (ghee, grains, meat) to the gods, the smoke from the fire reaches towards the gods
• soma; sacred drink, intoxicating, have reference to it early on but evolved later into different ingredients
• principle of reciprocal exchange; way of connecting and it will be returned to us
• vedic dharma; ritual propriety that ‘upholds’ cosmic order (rat), maintains social and cosmic order

Question 18

explain the main Vedic Gods

Answer 18

• indra- leader of the vedic godsl associated with rain/battle/sky
• Agni; defined ritual fire, receives and transports offerings to the gods
• soma; the defined drink, intoxicant derived from the soma plant
• cas; speech embodied goddess, precursor to sarasvati
• vishnu; minor deity associated with the sky and space famously took 3 steps that covered the whole universe
• Rudmi; minor, fierce deity who later became identified with the past vedic society