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Hinduism
Literature, Language, and the Search
for Spiritual Liberation
Hinduism 101
• Most Hindus live in
India and Nepal
• It is the third
largest religion in
the world
• It gave birth to
Buddhism, Jainism,
Sikhism (Heehs 12)
What makes Hinduism unique?

There is no founder of Hinduism

There is no clear date of origin

The authors of the sacred texts are largely
unknown (“History of Hinduism”)
Defining Features of Hinduism

In 1995 The Supreme Court of India
highlighted Bal Gangadhar Tilak's formulation
of Hinduism's defining features:
– Acceptance of the Vedas with reverence
– Recognition of the fact that the means or ways to
salvation are diverse
– Realization of the truth that the number of gods
to be worshipped is large (Rajaram)
Basic Beliefs: Brahman

“The underlying universal life force that
encompasses and embodies existence”
(Hancock)

It is the eternal, transcendent reality of the world
Basic Beliefs: Reincarnation

According to Hindu scriptures, one's ignorance
of the true nature of the self (atman) as one
with Brahman is what traps one in the cycle of
endless death and reincarnation. (“History of
Hinduism”)

This reincarnation cycle is called samsara
Basic Beliefs: Karma



Karma is tied to the
concept of cause and
effect
Your behavior shapes past,
present, and future
experiences in life
Some sects of Hinduism
believe gods play a role in
one’s karma; others
believe it is simply a
matter of will
Basic Belief: Moksha

Thus, the highest goal of Hinduism is
liberation (moksha) from the karmic cycle of
death and rebirth. (“History of Hinduism”)
http://images.exoticindiaart.com
Basic Beliefs: Dharma

Dharma: ethical duty based on the divine
order of reality.

It is determined by one’s age, class, gender
(“History of Hinduism”)

It was inspired by Vedic scriptures
Vedas

The Vedic period = 5th/4th Century B.C.E

Veda literally means “knowledge”

Ancient religion rooted in mythology & sacrifice
Vedas
•
Eternal truth is said to have been revealed to
great sages.

Classification of Vedas
– Rig: General knowledge
– Yajur: Knowledge of action
– Saam: Knowledge of worship
– Atharva: knowledge of science
Veda
http://images.google.com/imgres
Vedic texts are the oldest works of Sanskrit
Literature
 They serve as the foundation for many Hindu
beliefs

Upanishads

Upanishad means “equivalences”

These writings hoped to understand how the
Atman was similar to Brahmans (24)

Often considered gnostic in nature
Major Upanishads

Ishaa – Philosophy of God and God realization

Mandukya – Niraakaar(without form) aspect of god

Prashna – Questions like root cause of universe, functioning of vital force
of life

Aitareya – Atman and births of atman are described

Kaushitaki – Course for souls after death, doctrine of prana and moksha

Katha – Q&A between Yama and Nachiketa

Taittariya – Tells more about the creation of god

Brhadaranyaka – Negation of all conceptions of self

Chhandogya – Sacrifices and other forms of worship

Kena – Sacrifices and other forms of worship
The Great Epics

Unlike many cultures that enjoy literature as a
commentary on canons and theological studies,
the epic poems of Ancient India are considered
Hindu scriptures

The two Epics are
– The Ramayana
– The Mahabharata
Literature as Scripture

“Hero-worship was and is a central aspect of
Indian culture, and thus readily lent itself to a
literary tradition that abounded in epic poetry
and literature” (Heesh 25)
The Mahabharata

Approximately 20x longer than The Odyssey, the
The Mahabharata is the longest epic poem in the
world! (641)

It is said to have been written between 540 to 300
B.C.

The most famous section of the Mahabharata is
the Bhagavad-Gita (The Song of God)
The Ramayana

The Ramayana is the second Ancient Indian epic

It is believed to have been recorded in the 4th
century B.C.E. though scholars claim the story
dates back to the 7th century

The title literally means “Rama’s journey”, and it
follows a protagonist by that name
The Original Avatars ?
www.nymag.com

The word “Avatar” finds its roots in
Hinduism

Avatar literally means incarnation

According to Hindu tradition, Rama is
an Avatar of the god Vishnu (Satar
696)

The main purpose of this incarnation
is to demonstrate the righteous path
(dharma) for all living creatures on
earth.
Vishnu – The Preserver
http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/11_01/vishnu_468x672.jpg
Brahma – The Creator
http://phoolbari.com/god/vishnu%20%287%29.jpg
Siva – The Destroyer
http://www.lilitu.com.au/graphics/siva.jpg
Varnas


Varnas are castes
They are said to be based on your Karma
The Varnas are specifically addressed in the Rig – Veda
and the Bhagavad – Gita



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Brahmanas = priests
Ksatriyas = warriors
Vaisyas = tradesmen
Sudras = laborers

Sudras were not allowed to hear the Vedas (Heesh 42)
Varnas
NOTE : The Pariahs are NOT mentioned in any of the scriptures
Works Cited
Hancock, Mary Elizabeth.Womanhood in the Making: Domestic Ritual and
Public Culture in Urban South India. Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press,
1999. print.
Heehs, Peter. Indian Religions: A Historical Reader of Spiritual Expression.
New York: NYU Press ,2002. print.
“History of Hinduism”. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. n.p. web. 12 March
2010
Rajaram, N.S. “Aryan Invasion – History or Politics?”. Archeology Online n.p.
web. 13 March 2010. print.
Sattar, Arshia.The Rāmāyaṇa by Vālmīki. New York: Viking Printers, 2006.
print.