Terms to Know (Hinduism)- Varnashramadharma: Brahmacarya, Grhasta, Vanaprastha, Sannyasao Varnashramadharma is your duty based on where your born and your stage of life (age).1. Varna – “Born”a. 4 Varnas:i. Brahminii. Kshatriyaiii. Vaishyaiv. Shundra2. Ashrama – “Stage of Life”3. Dharma – “Duty”a. Morality specific to the individualb. Dharma (order)c. Dharma (duty)o Ashrama Stages of Life:1. Brahmacarya (12-25)a. Student Stageb. Celibatec. Devotion to teacher2. Grhasta (26-49)a. House-holder3. Vanaprastha (50-75)a. Retired4. Sannyasa (76-up)a. Not engaged in worldly activitiesb. Attempt Liberation- Purusharthas: Kama, Artha, Dharma, Mokshaa) Kamaa. Poetry of desireb)Arthaa. Political or Monetary Successc) Dharmaa. Religious dutyd)Mokshaa. Release from the cycle of birth and deathb. Samsara: born again into any bodyc. Break the cycle of life and deathd. Liberation from samsarae. Never to be reborn or die- Brahmao Brahma is the first god in the Hindu triumvirate, or trimurti. The triumvirate consists of three gods who are responsible for the creation, upkeep and destruction of the world.o Brahma's job was creation of the world and all creatures. His name should not be confused with Brahman, who is the supreme God force present within all things.o Brahma has four heads and it is believed that from these heads came the four Vedas (the most ancientreligious texts for Hindus). Some also believe that the caste system, or four varnas, came from different part of Brahma's body.o He has four arms to show power.- Vishnuo The preserver of the universeo Vishnu is the second god in the Hindu triumvirate (orTrimurti).o His role is to return to the earth in troubled times and restore the balance of good and evil. So far, he has been incarnated nine times, but Hindus believe that he will be reincarnated one last time close to the end of this world.oo Shesha – snake on which Vishnu layso Vishnu does not come down to earth in regular form, instead comes down as avatars. Popular avatars:- Varaha (pig/boar)o In this avatar, Vishnu recovered the stolen Vedas- Narasimha (half lion, half man)o Vishnu managed to vanquish a demon who had gained immunity from attacks from man, beast or god- Rama (greatest warrior/ideal man)o As Rama, he kills the demon King Ravana, who abducted his wife Sita- Krishna (mentally advanced man)o Krishna is the hero of the Mahabharata, an epic poem. He also delivered hisfamous message, known as the Baghavad Gita.- Buddha (the all knowing one)o who appeared in the 5th century BCE. Insome traditions, Balarama replaces Buddha as an incarnation of Vishnu.o Vishnu is represented with a human body, often with blue coloured skin and with four arms. His hands alwayscarry four objects in them, representing the things he isresponsible for. The objects symbolise many more meanings than are presented here: The conch: the sound this produces 'Om', represents the primeval sound of creation The chakra, or discus: symbolises the mind The lotus flower: an example of glorious existence and liberation The mace: represents mental and physical strength- Avatar(a)o the incarnation of a deity in human or animal form to counteract some particular evil in the world- Shiv(a)o Shiva is the third god in the Hindu triumvirate.o The destroyero Swallowed the eternal nectar that was poison to all otherso Hindus believe his powers of destruction and recreationare used even now to destroy the illusions and imperfections of this world, paving the way for beneficial change. According to Hindu belief, this destruction is not arbitrary, but constructive. Shiva is therefore seen as the source of both good and evil and is regarded as the one who combines many contradictory elements.o Shiva always has a blue face and throat. Strictly speaking his body is white, but images often show him with a blue body too.o Shiva is represented with the following features: A third eye- The extra eye represents the wisdom and insight that Shiva has. A cobra necklace- This signifies Shiva's power over the most dangerous creatures in the world. The vibhuti- The vibhuti are three lines drawn horizontally across the forehead in white ash. The trident- Devao Sanskrit word for deity- Devio Female form of the word Deva-Veda: Rig, Sama, Yajur, Atharvao The Vedas are a large body of texts originating in ancient Indiao Focus on sacrificeo Religion translated to wordso Essence of the Universeo Vedas:Rig (1700-1500BC)-Brahmins-Agni = Fire-Soma = Drug-Contains all the information for sacrificeSama-Hymns for chanting-1200BCYajur-Notes for sacrifice-900BCAtharva-“Magic” spell rituals- Upanishadso 500-100BCo Vedanta, the culmination of the Vedao Sacrifice becomes internalized (body)- Aryano Nomads, horsemen from modern day Kazakhstano Dravidian From modern day India. Migrated to South India when the Aryans traveled South- Itihasao Historical accounts containing supernatural elements that are studied in the Hindu religion.o Two epics:1. Mahabharata2. Ramayana-Mahabharatha (300BC – 300AD)o The Great War (450BC)o Controversy: Some believe the Mahabharta happened millions of years ago while others believed it happened in BCo Vyasa narrates the story within the Mahabharata. Told by Vyasa and written by Ganeshao Yudhishtira (Pandava) approached by Kauravas to play a rigged dice game. Gambles away all brothers and kingdoms possession.o Yudhishtira gambles away Draupadi, the five brothers’ wife. o Begins Great War.- Kauravas (100 cousins)- Pandavas (5 cousins)-Ramayana (400BC – 600AD)o Personalized by devoteeso Ayodhya: 1600th century mosque torn down by mobo By actions of Vishnu, Rama born from Dasharatha andhis wife along with three other brotherso Janaka finds Sita in the fertile land of his farmo Vishvamitra Trains Rama and Lakshmanao Rama breaks Shiva’s Bowo Rama and Sita get marriedo Knowing Rama would become king instead of her son, Kaikeyi used one of her boons to exile Ramao Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita are exiled to the foresto They meet Shurpanakha, Ravana’s sistero They picked on Shurpanakha so she told Ravana who kidnaps Sitao Rama makes alliance with Vanarao Rama slays Ravanao Thought Sita was not virtuous so he divorces her and exiles her and their two childreno Sita tells story to Valmiki then returns to the earth- Hanumano Vanarao Mystical Vanara that grows to a great size and jumps over the ocean from India to Lanka. o Was captured but not killed o
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