Smriti Flashcards
What does smriti mean
that which is remembered
What is in the mahabarata (4)
- encyclopaedic work, completed in 4th century CE
- contains mythological, ritual and philosophical material.
- shows religious and social changes occurring during periods of the composition.
- Believed to be composed by Vyasa, a Brahma Seer, incarnation of the deity Vishnu Narayana.
What is the Ramayana (4)
- story about banishment of prince Rama into the forest.
- message about the correct behaviour and duty (dharma). Sita is the ideal wife, Rama and Sita are the ideal couple.
- Demonstrates Hindu ideals for society.
- Social duty and obligation are more important than personal desires.
what does Bhagavadgita express, through which story?
- expresses two central concerns in Hinduism,
the need to perform one’s duty (dharma)
the need to attain liberation from cycle of samsara through love and devotion (bhakti) - includes story about Arjuna and Krishna, tries to persuade Arjuna to fight his family because he is a Vashatrya and its his dharma.
What does the Bhagavadgita teach
- teachings of detachment and devotion
- brings dharma and moksha together
where is the bhagavadgita
- located in the Mahabarata.
- treated as though it was sriti, high authority
what are the dharma sustras (3)
- texts which deal with law and dharma
- detailed instructions on how to live the orthodox Hindu life
- Klostermaier –> the texts that detail duties and right of hindus according to their status.
What do the dharma sustras teach (4)
- rituals
- rites according to varnas
- Hinduism as a way of living
- rules for varnaasramadharma
What is in the many - sriti in the dharma sustras (5)
- Klostermaier –> deals with rules applying to each caste, duties of individuals, and explains bliss to come.
- creation myth
- rules for varna
- civil and criminal law
- vows and pilgrimages
how are the tantras and agamas written
- as a dialogue between Siva and Sakti.
WHat does the Tantas and Agamas talk about (3)
- rituals
- the divine nature of the body
- the female energy of God
What are the four sections of the tantras (4)
- knowledge (jnana)
- yoga
- ritual (kriya)
- behaviour (crya)
What are those who follow the tantras called?
the tantrikas
How to become and tantrika? (2)
- undergo initiation by a guru, they regard the tantras as a more powerful revelation than the Vedas
- they perform tantrica rights in addition to Vedic rites.
what are the vedangas (3)
- additional sciences related to the vedas
- study of the vedas, compulsory for the Brahmins at a time when Sanskrit was harder to understand
- explain the archaic Sanskrit content
what are the 6 parts of the vedangas
1- Vedic pronunciation 2- grammar 3- metre 4- meaning of terms 5 - astrology 6 - explanation of ritual action
what de the Upavedas contain
- lesser learning
- medicine
- music and dance
- archery
- architecture
what do the Upavedas show
need education, or profession.
what does sutra mean
a thread
what are the Sustras
- a compressed version of the Vedas, compressed and systemised
- help to have easy access to smriti literature
Katha Upanishad: The chariot metaphor (5)
- ascribes parts of chariot to parts of the body
- atman = charioteer
- body = chariot
- horse = the senses
- the road = desires
Katha Upanishad: What are the main metaphors (5)
- blind following the blind: ignorant people go round in circles, in the cycle of samsara.
- Chariot metaphor: describes body as a chariot
- manines and oneness: water of river flow into sea and become part of sea. Idea of many and one together.
- Necklace of karma: Image of karma, samsara and dharma, liken to image of ‘lovelies’, things which give pleasure but do not last.
- Gold nugget: idea of maniness and oneness, all things are made of God.
Katha Upanishad: The tree of eternity (4)
- idea of upsidown tree
- root represent brahman/ reality
- leaves represent the phsycial world which we can see. Universe/ prakriti/ nature/ cosmos
- brahman is source of everything
Why are they athoritiative according to Klostermaeir?
on account of their authorship by revered and important figures.
