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Hindu
Scriptures
Sruti – that which
is revealed
Smriti- that
which is
remembered
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Sruti
 Sanskrit
 First
in authority
 Revealed by God, considered to not have
human authors
 Includes the Vedas as well as texts of
interpretations of the Vedas and the
Upanishads
 Transmitted only by the Brahmin priests
 Contains mantras, hymns in praise of gods,
descriptions and formulas for rituals
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Smriti





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Sanskrit or vernacular languages
Second in authority to sruti texts
Compilations of wisdom and stories
Purpose is to explain dharma
Constantly evolving – translations, interpretations
Includes the Bhagavad-Gita, Puranas (mythology and
histories), Ramayana and Mahabharata (epics),
Dharma Shastra (law books – includes Laws of Manu)
Ramayana for kids:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HogVmTkhgcI
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Practices related to Scripture
 Sacred
texts are treated with respect
 never placed directly on the floor
 Not touched with feet or dirty hands.
 Prayers are often recited before using them.
 Books are used for:
 recitation
 study
 pravachan (lectures based on scripture)
 consultation on matters of spiritual and secular
law.
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Description of God from the “Upanishads”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTfEXfA7OAs
Activity
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In your small group:
 Re-read the excerpt from the Upanishads.
 Create a large drawing of God as described in this
reading OR create a large drawing comparing the way
God is described to the “God that people worship”.
 Use this quotation as a place to start your discussion:
Spirituality is the transformation of life, not the satisfaction
of intellectual curiosity.
 Individually (in your notes)
 TI-How does the selection relate to the worldview,
beliefs, practices, rituals and moral code of the
religion? Identify and explain two concepts studied in
this class that are found in the selection. Use at least
two quotations in your response as evidence.
 A/MC-What does the message say to a modern day
believer?
