Hinduism

Second Bhakti Movement

1. Mostly In the North - 11-12th C. CE 2. Vernacular Fervor - Holy Women 3. Divine power portrayed as both "physical" and "formless" 4. Mirabai's 'Mystical Marriage to Krishna' (61-2) 5. Mahadevyakka "Cheating on Her Husband" (62-3)

creation of the universe (hymn of the cosmic being. From the rig veda)

1. Purusha (matter) is the first consciousness to arise. he sacrifices himself though himself to create the material universe 2. raw materials of the Purusha body becomes vedas, moons, suns, wind, sky and earth. 3. other parts of Purusha become different social categories of people

what are the two great epics of Hinduism?

1. Ramayana 2. Mahabharata

Hinduvta

1. V.D. Savarkar 2. "Hindu-ness" 3. Common sacred history, land, culture, allegiance 4. Challenged British colonialism, secularism 5. Dharmic unity against "foreign" religions 6. Vedas and Epics are historical and authoritative

according to Patanjail's yoga system, why do beings whose spirits are associated with matter necessarily experience suffering?

1. because matter is transitory and prone to decay 2. because matter's tendency is to procreate and acquire

the ___________ tells the story of a conflict between related clans for supremacy in northern india

Mahabharata

Vaisya

Merchants and tradespeople

according to the Puranas, Brahma and Visnu realize that there is a greater power than them when they see a huge flaming lingam that stretches out of sight. this greater power turns out to be

Siva

according to the hymn "to the fire altar", what does the sacrificer meditate on prior to the performance of the sacrifice?

1. the cosmic repercussions of the sacrifice 2. the greater ramifications of the sacrificial ritual 3. the transformative effect of the sacrifice on the person who performs it

what aspects of the goddess's nature does the ancient text of the goddess (Devi Purana) describe?

1. the goddess's manifestations and her essential nature 2. the goddess's activities in the world on behalf of devotees 3. the goddess's relation with Siva

Mahadevi

1."Great Goddess" 2. Often worshiped in one of several forms Shakti of Vishnu, Shiva, Rama

What is a shikara tower? What are the two main styles of shikara towers? What other features are common to modern Hindu temples

A shikara tower is a model of Mount Meru and its either built in a very literal stepped style or in a much more abstract streamlined style. Other features that are common to modern Hindu temples are om symbols, an assembly hall and the gods.

Purusha Sakta - ("Hymn to Purusha")

All beings are a fourth of him, three-fourths---his immortality--lie in heaven. Three-fourths of Purusha ascended, the fourth part was here again and again, And diversified in form, it moved to the animate and inanimate world. From him was Viraj (female creative principle) born, and fron Viraj was born Purusha;

the Upanisadic sages identified the self with the cosmic ultimate, something supremely mysterious, hidden from ordinary perception but all pervasive, supremely subtle, the essence of all that is. This ultimate is referred to as

Brahman

Prasad

Food offerings to Deity reciprocally charged with the deitys power and grace. Consumed afterwards be devotee to take in these qualities

Śiva

God who exemplifies yogic practice, who will destroy the world at the end of the present cosmic cycle

Viṣṇu

God whose traditional role is to protect dharma.

devotional literature declares that all the male deities of hinduism have their origin in the

Goddess

Did Hindus name their religion "Hinduism"? Is there a central authority in Hinduism?

Hindus did not name their religion Hinduism. There is not a central authority in Hinduism. The most central idea about a Hindu temple is that it is built to be a model of the Hindu universe itself. 

INDRA, THE PARADIGMATIC WARRIOR (VEDAS)

This hymn recounts the greatest of his mighty deeds, the slaying of the demon Vṛtra ("Obstructor"), a powerful serpent-like creature that was wreaking havoc throughout the universe, holding back the rainwaters that are essential to the prosperity of living things and obstructing the establishment of cosmic order

CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE (VEDAS)

the creation of the universe as beginning with the sacrifice of Puruṣa ("Man"), a giant god whose body formed the raw material for the formation of the stars, the planets, and living things. According to the story, the four social classes (varṇa) of Hinduism were also created through this sacrifice, thus providing a scriptural justification for the stratification of Indian society

samsara

the cycle of existence

Deva

the gods of hinduism

Prasad on Banana Leaves

the prayers are said to benefit the deity, who then engages the practitioners in a return flow of blessings for their prayers.

Samsara

the universal system of birth and rebirth. all entities within it are subject to karma

according to the Upanisads, those who understand dharma perform

their prescribed duties

brahmins, kyatriyas and vaisyas are said to be twice born because

they undergo a ceremony (the upanayana) that initiates them into adulthood and is considered a second birth

ragupati raghava

this hymn promotes one universal god (Vishnu) and it combines epic literature with devotion

the course of discipline action advised by Krsna in the Bhagavad-gita is

to act without involving the false sense of ego

Other scriptures reference

tradition

Naciketa's second wish from Yama is significant because it shows that in this text

traditional values and practices of brahmins are not being questioned

Contemporary Hindus commonly refer to their religion as

universal truth

contemporary hindus commonly refer to their religion as

universal truth (sanatana-dharma)

Ksatriya

warriors and rulers

the hymn depicting the struggle between Agastya and Lopamudra in the Vedas captures the common theme of

women as temptress

Devi Purana in Kali form

worshiped by blod sacrifices

Bhakti

loving devotion

Yoga is ____________ and it is a characteristic of the mind pervading all its states

meditative concentration (samâdhi)

Patanjali's system of yoga focuses on developing progressively greater control over the __________ to arrive at a state of perfect equanimity

mind and body

bhajan

normally lyrical and based on melodic ragas.[2] It belongs to a genre of music and arts that developed with the Bhakti movement.[1] It is found in the various traditions of Hinduism but particularly in Vaishnavism

caste

one can shift economic class but generally one cannot shift caste within a lifetime

bhakti-yoga (yoga of devotion)

one finds salvation through completely identifying ones self with god. This requires that one focus ones attention so completely on god that all thoughts of ego are transcended in a pure experience of union

yoga

ones thoughts and body aare gradually brought under control and ones attention is turned away from sense objects and directed within

in the Puranas, Visnu tells a human sage about the

origin of Siva's lingam

Mahadevi puranas

seek to connect the worship of the Goddess with the cultural legacy of the pre-Vedic Dravidians.

Sudra

servants

in her poetry, Mahadevyakka often expressed her devotion for Siva in __________ terms

sexual

according to the Vedic literature, those who drank soma experienced a feeling of

exaltation and expansion of consciousness

Vishnu and Lakshmi embracing (material artifact)

example of hierogamy

The Rg Veda mentions that the sacrifice of Purusa (man) created the

four social classes (varna)

contemporary Hinduism is still delimited more by _______ than by belief

geography

Agni

god of fire, who transmutes sacrificial offerings into food for the gods. intermediary between the divine and human realms

Vedic system

gods require sacrificial offerings and humans need the gods to use their supernatural powers to maintain cosmic order

agamas

guides originating in the ancient oral tradition that describe how aspects of worship are to be performed. Techincally they differ from the Puranas but are geared in much the same way towards a popular, revential audience

Aarti

incensed fire between deity and devotee, mediates transfer of power, grace and knowledge

"How to Conduct Puja to Durgadevi"

small booklets designed to help American Hindus undertake orthopraxic puja in their own homes or group spaces

Bhagauad-gita

song of god the emphasized the importance of selfless, devout adherence to the duties of one's social class

The Ramayana

tells the story of Rama who was considered by tradition to be the incarnation of Visnu

Brahman

the "ultimate" (god)

Karma

the actions of the present result in opposite and equal reactions in the future

a passage in the Rg Veda suggests that the creation of gods was similar to

the birth of a human

ORIGIN OF THE GODS (VEDAS)

originally existence arose from nonexistence. It also suggests an anthropomorphic element in the image of existence and the earth being born from "one whose feet were spread apart," which may be a parallel to the way humans and animals deliver infants. The image is ambiguous, however, and it could also be linking creation is with the practice of yoga, which is believed to produce energy that may be used in the generation of life.

What is a popular mandir (temple) trend in the United States

paint them white to signify high socioreligious status and religious purity

what is a common polemic trope in Puranic literature?

portraying other gods as subordinate to one's own

brahmins

priests who's sacred task is to memorize and recite the vedas

the ________ recount mythologies of popular gods such as siva, visnu and devi

puranas

The Vedas reference

revelation

Puja

ritual reverence to the god/goddesses and spirits. Draws deity and devotee towards each other (practicing devotion)

in a special ritual for the aspiring world renouncer, one discards the _________ that one has worn since the initiation ceremony

sacred thread

Dharma

"Duty" or "Law," the occupational, social, and religious roles required of individuals as a result of their place in society.

Avidyā

"Ignorance," the primary factor that enmeshes living beings in the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

"Ambay Charana Kamala Hai Tayray"

"Mother, Your feet are like the lotus flower"

Shankara

"Self-Effort and Liberation"

The five states of the mind for yoga are

(1) wandering; (2) deluded; (3) distracted; (4) one-pointed; and (5) cut off

Shiva

1. ("The Auspicious One") - Shiva expresses simultaneous complementary powers in tension 2. Full range of infinite manifestation Benevolence and Destruction Promiscuity and Celibacy The Originator of Yoga "To Yoke, Control or Harness" 3. Represented by Lingam set in a Yoni. (Aniconic)

What are the 4 Vedas?

1. Atharva Veda 2. Yajur Veda 3. Sama Veda 4. Rg Veda

Ayurvedic Medicine

1. Dosha imbalance produces disease 2. Treatment aims to restore underlying balance through exercise, herbs and other plants. 3. Minerals and elements are sometimes prescribed in small doses.

Vishnu

1. Enters human world to save it from danger. Grants merit and salvation to followers. 2. Followers are "Vaishnavas" They follow the Vishnu Puranas 3. Playful. Erotic. Agricultural. Musical. Has female consorts or shaktis

The First Bhakti Movement

1. Holy Men went temple to temple in praise of deities (like Vishnu and Shiva). 2. These praises were in the everyday language of Tamil, not Sanskrit (The Vedas). 3. Vernacular praises = Elite literature 4.Devotional love poems, rather than war motifs predominate.

What are the 3 social classes ?

1. Ksatriya 2. Vaisya 3. Sudra

What are the primary types of literature in the Vedas

1. chants or hymns directed towards the gods (samhita) 2. ritual texts which detail the sacrifices performed by brahmins (brahmana) 3. mystical texts concerned with the quest for ultimate truth

3 qualities of atman

1. consciousness and bliss (it is pure) 2. pure consciousness that takes no notice of the vicissitudes of our lives 3. remains unaffected by our joys, sorrows, hope or pain thus it is a continuous state of equanimity

three functions of the mind

1. perception 2. movement 3. rest

3 qualities of the mind

1. purity 2. activity 3. darkness

what are the two similarities between Patanjali's system and that of the Upanisads?

1. the aim of liberation from the cycle of existence 2. the recognition of yoga as the primary practice for attaining the final goal

in the Mahabharata, Siva describes _____________ in answer to a series of questions about his role in the universe

how sages should live

How do Hindus use their sacred icons (called murtis) to connect with Brahman? What controls the size and shape of a temple?

Hindus use their sacred icons to connect with Brahman by looking deep into the eyes of the gods in the temples and focusing their thoughts towards Brahman. The size and shape of a temple is controlled by a sacred geometric grid called a mandala. 

in the Bhagavad-gita, __________ lectures Arjuna on the necessity of correctly performing dharma and indicates that Arjuna will receive more negative karma by dereliction of duty

Krsna

THE BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF DRINKING SOMA (VEDAS)

Soma is an intoxicating drink that plays a major role in Vedic literature. It was made from a creeping plant that was crushed and strained to make a whitish beverage that apparently produced visions and ecstatic states of mind. The plant used is a matter of current debate, and a number of theories have been proposed, none of which is considered definitive by contemporary scholars. As this passage indicates, those who drank it experienced a feeling of exaltation and expansion of consciousness. The writer of this hymn claims that drinking it has also made him immortal.

How did Southern-style temples continue to evolve from the ancient style?

Southern style temples continued to evolve from the ancient style by culminating in an astonishing series of temple cities. (like Madurai, which is made completely of gates).

Devī

The Goddess, who manifests in various female forms

What are Hindu temples (mandir) traditionally designed to be? What is the Hindu eternal spirit of the Universe called ?

The Hindu temples were traditionally designed to be a house for a god. The Hindu eternal spirit of the universe is called Brahman.

What shape is the Hindu universe? What creates its borders and valley? What is in the center of the cosmic valley? What is total union with the universal spirit called?

The Hindu universe is square in shape, mountains create its borders and valley, and in the center of the cosmic valley is Mount Meru (the home of the Hindu gods). Total union with the universal spirit is called Moksha.

What is the biggest difference in the placement of god/desses between ancientHindu temples and modern mandir outside of India?

The biggest difference in the placement of god/desses between ancient Hindu temples and modern mandir outside of India is that modern assembly halls may house several different gods on the same stage at the same end of the hall, where ancient temples only housed one god (straight line journey).

When comparing ancient Hindu temples and modern mandir outside of India, what are the biggest differences in space usage and size

The biggest differences in space usage and size of ancient Hindu temples compared to modern mandir outside of India are that in Ancient temples there was not much interior space because people went in smaller groups or alone. The modern temple can now hold many Hindus at the same time with its assembly halls. 

What are the characteristics of a classic Southern-style temple? Where do temples place the shikara tower relative to the sacred icon?

The characteristics of a classic Southern style temple are a pair of walled precincts (the mandala grid dictates that the inner precinct is two perfect squares), a small shrine is in the middle of one square and the temples god in the middle of the other square, the shikara tower is placed directly on top of the temple god. There is a ritual space in front of the god and two gates provide monumental access into the sacred precincts.

What are the characteristics of a classic Northern-style temple? How is the Northern shikara tower style different than the Southern style? What replaces the outer walls and gates of the Southern style?

The characteristics of a classic northern style temple are compact and abstract (there a no little houses for the gods).  The northern style shikara tower is different from the southern style by the fact that it is a tapering streamlined tower. The outer walls and gates of the souther style are replaced with a podium and a monumental staircase

THE HORSE SACRIFICE

The horse sacrifice (aśva-medha) served to establish the dominion of a king by demonstrating how large an area he controlled. For a year prior to the sacrifice, a horse would be set free to wander wherever it wished, indicating the hegemony of the king. To the Page 23extent that other rulers were unable to turn the horse away, it served notice of the areas a particular ruler effectively controlled. At the end of the year the horse was offered as a sacrifice to the gods, but although it was killed it is stated in the ritual that it would enjoy a future in heaven

Āryan

The people who composed the Vedas and whose religion became predominant on the subcontinent.

SEX AND THE YOGI (VEDAS)

This hymn depicts a struggle between a husband and wife named Agastya and Lopāmudrā. Lopāmudrā has just successfully seduced Agastya, who was trying to avoid sexual intercourse in order to store up the vital energy he acquired as a product of yogic exertions. It captures a common theme in classical Indian literature: woman as temptress, whose unrestrained sexual desire and physical charms distract male yogis from their ascetic practice and cause them to dissipate the power they have painstakingly gained through meditation and self-restraint

BURNING DEAD BODIES (VEDAS)

This hymn invokes Agni in his role as transporter of the dead. He is asked to burn the corpse of a dead man and to ensure that he is brought to the land of the dead. The concept of afterlife is rather vague in the early Vedas. There are references to a world of the dead, ruled by Yama, who was the first human to die. He found the way to the land of the dead, and now he brings others there. At the end of the ritual the pyre is soaked so thoroughly with water that a small pool is formed, and plants, frogs, and other living things will grow there, symbolizing the renewal of life from the ashes of death.

in vedic mythology, __________ is the king of the gods and he embodies the warrior virtues valued by the indo-aryans

indra

moksa

liberation from the cycle of existence. achieved in various ways such as bhakti, study of sacred texts and different kinds of yoga.

Sarawati Puja @ Hindu Temple of Minnesota

This is a puja directed toward Saraswati at the Hindu Temple of Minnesota, which is just northwest of the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Notice that in this case the temple deities ( murtis) are each housed in their own mini-houses with their own shikara towers (as in the early wooden and later stone huts from the film). Here the accompanying sacred hymns are led by women, while the temple priest performs the aarti with the lamp. Unlike household puja, the priest here performs the aarti on the same level as the murti--he has undertaken purification rituals beforehand to prepare him to stand directly before the channel to the Goddess. You can also see temple worshippers holding out collections of food to turn into prasad, which will be eaten afterwards. Saraswati is being greeted and praised in a more Southern Indian style of Puranic devotion, rather than the three-tone method of Vedic chanting.

Ganesha Abhishekam Video @ Jackson Mississippi mandir

This is a short video of an abhishekam performed for Lord Ganesha at the Hindu mandir in Jackson, Mississippi. Different substances such as milk, sandalwood paste, and other substances will be poured over the consecrated murti (icon). Each anointing will be alternated with water to rinse off the previous offering. Notice that the abhishekam is performed with Vedic-style chanting rather than a bhajan. This is quite common, especially in more Northern parts of India and in worldwide temple practices informed by that regional worship style.

Kadavul Temple Sivalingam Abhishekam

This is an abhishekam performed on a Shiva lingam (inset into a yoni). The materials used are detailed in the Shiva Agamas. Shiva, Vishnu, and Mahadevi (under the name Shakti) each have agamas, guides originating in the ancient oral tradition that describe how aspects of worship are to be performed. Techincally they differ from the Puranas but are geared in much the same way towards a popular, revential audience. The pouring of each item, which becomes charged with power, is mediated by water (cleansing) in between. Different items that have touched the lingam/yoni may then be worn, eaten, or otherwise used by the devotees. Notice that the pouring begins from the top and must touch the top of the lingam. This is also true of other abhishekams, such as the Ganesha one farther up this webpage. Notice that fire and sound (themes important throughout Hinduism) are always present. The chanting you hear comes from the Shiva Agamas, and are sacred names of the Lord. The fire exists to help open a channel between the material and spiritual realms as discussed in class. This particular form of the abhishekam is South Indian in style. It comes from a Hindu temple in Hawaii, but the form is common at mandir in Kansas City and Houston, and other places around the world.

Gayatri Mantra (ancient Vedic hymn)

This mantra, taken from the Rig Veda, is quite possibly the most signficant Vedic hymn. it calls attention to the three sacred worlds of Vedic culture (Earth, Sky, Heaven) and moves from the physical appreciation of the Sun to its mental illumination and stimulation. Used in virtually all important ceremonies, the worlds mentioned are also associated with the modalities of the doshas in Ayurvedic medicine and other principles as well. ('Om! Earth, Sky, Heaven We meditate on the brilliant light of the Sun May it illuminate our minds.')

Vedānta

Tradition of commentary on the Upaniṣads.

the earliest stratum of indian sacred literature accessible today is found in the

Vedas

according to the Vedas, the land of the dead is ruled by ___________, who was the first human to die

Yama

Atharva Veda

a collection of ritual texts named after the sage Atharvan

hindu devotionalism

a feeling of an intensely personal relationship between a human and a god

rajagopura

a large pyramidal tower erected to designate the temple as a 'royal palace' for the murtis within

Devi Purana in Durga form

a mighty warrior who rides a tiger and slays demons

yoga (upanisads)

a monistic system in which the sole reality is said to be Brahman and everything else is based on mistaken perceptions

a passage from the Upanisads calls sacrifices unsteady boats that should not be relied on by

a person wishing to leave cyclic existence

Traditions of Manu

a system in which people eventually should renounce the world and pursue final liberation, but only after first fulfilling the duties assigned to their social class

atman

an eternal, unchanging essence, an immortal soul referred to as the "self"

Hari

another name for Vishnu

in the later Vedic period, texts referred to as _____________ began to appear on speculative philosophy and mysticism

aranyakas and upanisads

the concerns of vedic literature

are primarily practical and this worldly

the lingam of Shiva

both Brahma and Vishnu were born from chiva, therefore shiva is the superior god

yoga (patanjali)

both matter and spirit are real entities and the goal of his system is separation of spirit from matter

in the Katha Upanisad, Naciketa's choice for the knowledge of atman leads to Yama praising him for

choosing the good (sreyas) over the pleasant (preyas)

an important path to liberation lies in bhakti-yoga, in which one finds salvation through

completely identifying oneself with god

Sama Veda

composed mostly of Hymns taken from the Rg Veda and set to various melodies or "saman"

Rg Veda

composed of stanzas

Yajur Veda

composed of yajus , selected ritual prayers mostly taken from the Rg Veda

according to the Vedas, Agni serves as the Intermediary between the

divine and human realms

in Hinduism the ritual of horse sacrifice served to establish the

dominion of a king

the two epics of hinduism are monumental stories that weave ______ into complex multifaceted tales

history, myth and religion