Theme 1 (Religious Figures & Sacred Texts)

Question 1

What are features of Shurti texts?

(examples of Shurti texts?)

Answer 1

+ oldest & most sacred
+ means ‘heard’
+ contain universal laws (words of the Gods)
+ used in ritual ceremonies
+ handed down orally
+ eventually written down

Question 2

What are the features of Smriti texts?

(examples of Smriti texts?)

Answer 2

• not as sacred but still important
• means ‘to remember’
• contain myths, symbolism, morals & stories
• popular w Hindus today
• easier to understand

(Bhagavad Gita, Itihasas, Puranas & Dharma Shastra)

Question 3

Importance of Shurti and Smriti texts and examples of each

Answer 3

Sh:(Vedas & Upanishads)
teaches puja
word of Brahman
contains laws

Sm:(Bhagavad Gita, Itihasas, Puranas & Dharma Shastra)
teaches behaviour
more likely to use

Question 4

Key facts about the Vedas

Answer 4

-oldest Hindu text
- Veda=’to know’
- “eternal and contains all knowledge
- contains ancient hymns of Aryans
- first revealed by God at the beginning of creation for the benefit on mankind

Question 5

How is the Vedas used?

Answer 5

+ in ritual ceremonies (RV)
+ source of wisdom & truth
+ sung at special sacrifices (SV)
+ guides priests (YV)
+ contains a wealth of knowledge

Question 6

What are the 4 books within the Vedas?

Answer 6

Rig Veda
- 1028 hymns
- most important source of knowledge about vedic religion & society

Sama Veda
- melodies & chants to be sung at special sacrifices

Yajur Veda
- handbook for priests to guide performance of rituals & sacrifices

Arthar Veda
- verses of magical formulae & early scientific knowledge
- regarded as inferior

Question 7

Why is the Vedas important to Hindus?

Answer 7

+ “The Vedas are the breath of God”
+ “symbol of unchallenged authority and tradition”
+ contain a wealth of knowledge about art, medicine, science & philosophy
+ lay down concept of almighty god, nature & deities

Question 8

What type of text is the Ramayana story?

+ features/facts about Rama

Answer 8

Smriti

+ Blue skin
+ Prince/warrior
+ Holds a bow and arrow
+ Vishnu’s 7th avatar
+ ‘perfect-husband’
+ Tilak symbol on forehead

Question 9

What happened in the Ramayana story?

Answer 9

1) Rama exiled by his step mother as his father named him heir instead of his brother
2) His brother Laksmana & wife Sita accompanied him to the forest retreat
3) His brother Bharata followed him and begged Rama to come back and take this place but Rama refused
4) One day a princess (Surpanakha) falls in love with Rama and tries to seduce him but he refuses. She flees to her brother Ravana & tells him about Sita’s beauty
5) Rama and Laksmana put a protective circle around Sita & tell her not to step out for her safety
6) Ravana (demon king) disguises as a wondering holy man asking for alms. Sita steps out and he abducts her
7) Rama enlists Hanuman’s help and Hanuman flies to Sita and tells her that Rama is coming
8) Rama, Laksmana, Hanuman & monkey army kill Ravana
9) Sita has to prove her loyalty to Rama by remaining unscathed in a fire
10) The couple return to Ayodha

Question 10

What is the importance of the Ramayana story?

Answer 10

• Diwali (light coming home & good over evil)
• Perfect ‘dharma’ (husband and wife and protection of Shakti)
• Hanuman (help, friendship & community)
• Respect parents
• Loyalty to partner
• Appeals to the everyday Hindu