Week 4

Question 1

What is the Purusha Sukta?

Answer 1

The Purusha Sukta hymn describes a cosmic person (purusha) who is sacrificed. Its split up body parts come to represent the four main classes of Hindu society known as varnas

Question 2

What do each hymn represent on the body?

Answer 2

Head represents the Brahmins (Intellectuals)
Arms represent the Kshatriyas (Warriors)
Thighs represent the Merchants, Traders
Feet represents the labourers

Question 3

What is the Varna system?

Answer 3

The Top Three Varnas are (Brahmins, Khatriyas, Vaishyas) are considered to be dvija or twice born.

Question 4

Who are the Dalits?

Answer 4

Dalits are known as the Untouchables because they are considered impure. This is due to the fact that their occupation is to work at Cremation grounds. Dalit also means scattered. Symbolic of embracing themselves.

Question 5

What is the Ramnami Samaj?

Answer 5

Ramnami Samaj is a Dalit group from Chhattisgarh region Madhya Pradesh. The Ramnami people trace their lineage back to Parashuram, an illiterate man born in 19th century.

Question 6

What is Manusmriti?

Answer 6

Manusmṛti (or Laws of Manu) is an influential Dharma Shastra that presents an inconsistent view of women.

Question 7

What is the meaning of Sati?

Answer 7

Sati is the act in which a wife allows herself to be immolated, while alive, atop the cremation pyre of her deceased husband; the practice has bee illegalized

Question 8

Maitreyi meaning?

Answer 8

An Upanishadic philosopher known for her Advaita thought.

Question 9

Advaita Vedanta meaning?

Answer 9

Advaita Vedanta is one of the schools of Hindu Vedantic philosophy and is based on the concept that the higher or true Self is identical to Brahman, the Absolute Reality

Question 10

Where was Napunsak heard first?

Answer 10

the Caraka Saṃhitā (dated around 1st or 2nd century CE) and the Suśruta Saṃhitā (around the 4th century BCE

Question 11

Who is Bahuchara Mata

Answer 11

Bahuchara Mata is the goddess associated to Hinjras. Her Vahana is a chicken. Very colourful

Question 12

Koovgam festival?

Answer 12

It is celebrated when Krishna took form of Mohini to marry Aravan before he sacrificed himself for pandavs and kauravs

Question 13

Koovgam festival duration and tradition?

Answer 13

It lasts 18 days. On the 17th day hijras dress as brides to reenact Mohini’s marraige to Aravan. On the 18th day, there is mourning due to sacrifice.

Question 14

Jogappas

Answer 14

Yellama is a goddess popular in South India.
The Jogappas identify primarily as Hindu.
Do not undergo ritual emasculation.
Understood to get possessed by Yellama at a young age.

Question 15

Ramayana author?

Answer 15

Valmiki

Question 16

Perspective of sita in Andhra Pradesh

Answer 16

• Focus on Sita and Rama’s sister as central characters
• Plot told through the life events of Sita
• Focus on the specific interests of women and the plights of Sita (the plights of women)