Indian Literature Test
does sibi keep his promise to protect the dove?
yes
trickster
-character who uses wit to overcome the greater strength of others (The Rabbit)
what does the Rig Veda contain?
-collection of 1,028 hymns of different authors at different times in Sanskrit
Panchatantra
-"a treatise in 5 chapters" -collection of Indian animal fables intended to teach Indian princes how to govern a kingdom and conduct their lives -a "how- to book"
Jainism
-an offshoot of Hinduism that arose in the 7th century BC -its teachings encourage renouncing earhty pleasures and devoting oneself to protecting all forms of life
Sikism
-ancient indian religion that promotes belief in a single god
why does it make sense that creation hymn is more abstract?
-because it talks about something we dont have answers to
Aryans
-Early people who migrated into the north and west of India and who expressed their religious beliefs in the hymns of the Rig Veda
why does the hymn say what was NOT rather than what was
-because know one actually know what happened -it is easier to say what it is not
why cant the gods answer questions the poet has?
-because they didnt exist yet -if they gods dont know, theres no way humans can
fable
-brief, simple tale that teaches a lesson about conduct in indian literature -contain animal characters with human atttributes and end with a memorable *moral*
what does sibi offer to the hawk first. why is it not good enough for the hawk?
-all the food left over from the feast -he wanted flesh w/ blood
"creation hymn"
-confronts the unknown on an abstract level -speaks of concepts such as existence and immortality and leaves many questions unanswered -*embraces nature*
concrete language
-describes something you can see, touch, taste, hear, or smell -"water"
what were the two birds in the story of Sibi
-dove -hawk
in the end, what do the birds turn into?
-dove--> god of fire -hawk--> Indra
What is the Rig Veda?
-earliest surviving record of Indian religious thought -basis of Hinduism
what happens when sibi stands on the scales
-equalized the two pans (him and the dove) -this symbolizes all life is equal
how does "Night" reflect he Vedic sense of awe and respect for the forces of nature
-even though they are scared of the night, they are praising it and asking it questions
hawk's duty
-feed himself and his family
what are authors of the Rig Veda awed by?
-forces of nature -they often portray natural phenomena as godlike beings
how does the lion respond to the animals plea?
-he will agree, if they bring him 1 animal a day -is disappointing when small rabbit comes
eternal question throughout creation hymn?
-how was everything created? by who?
what do *vedic hymns* emphasize?
-importance of Gods and nature in Indian life -ponder timeless questions (like origin of the universe)
vedic peoms are
-in awe of nature -also attempt to control and understand it
Draudians
-inhabitants of southern india during the first millennium BC
why does the King go through with sacrificing himself?
-it was his duty to protect the dove
how do sibi and the hawks duties conflict?
-king wants to protect dove and save its life -hawk wants to kill dove to feed to his family
sanskrit
-language of ancient indea
moral
-lesson in life
how was the world described in the first 2 lines of creation hymn
-no existence/non-existence -*double negative*
hymns
-poem or song of praise -recited at sacrificial offerings intended to win favor of the gods and ward off natural disturbances/ disasters
sibi's duty
-protect his country/people -serve as role model
abstract language
-refers to something you cannot readily perceive through any of your 5 senses -"nonexistence" "immortality"
how does sibi protect the dove in the end
-sacrifices his flesh
dharma
-sanskrit term referring to the duties and obligations unique to each person -in tradition Indian setting, the King was the ultimate protector
how does the rabbit trick Numskull?
-says that the animals had sent 5 other rabbits but big lion ate them on the way -this was a threat to Numskull- there is competition -he wants to be greatest lion in the forest -Rabbit takes Numskull to fight other lion -leads him to well where Numskull sees his reflection but blinded by his pride, jumps in and drowns
how does sibi first attempt to resolve his conflict with the hawk?
-sibi tries to change the conversation to distract the hawk
"putting on all of her glories"
-stars decorating the sky like a goddess -makes night seem less threatening
hindusim
-the dominant religion of India which promotes belief in a final reality known as Brahman
to what instinct are the animals trying to appeal to
-the lions desire to have a good future
Indus Valley
-the site of a sophisiticated civilization portion of the Indian subcontinent before 1500 BC
what were vedic hymns originally written for
-to be chanted and passed down by word of mouth before they were written down
what does the speaker ask night to do?
-to protect the people -they are scared of the night bc of she wolves, thieves, etc.
who are the authors of the Rig Veda?
-unidentified Indo- Europeans
"Night"
-uses concrete language and familiar terms to make the unknown easier to comprehend -ex: uses personification to make the night seem more human -ex: addresses the night directly -*tries to remove natures mystery*
how does the Rig Veda describe the world?
-world where forces are both benevolent and threatening -ex: rain is good for plants but can cause flooding
what is the Mahabharata? when was it composed?
-worlds longest epic -200 BC- 1200 AD
who is Numskull and the Rabbit attributed to?
Vishnusharman
what was happening before dove landed in SIbi's lap?
he had a great feast and all his guests were now laying about outside
what reasons do the animals give Numskull for stopping slaughter?
moral--> Karma, he'll have bad reincarnation political--> you need subjects to be a king and he wont have any if he eats them all