Hinduism Literature, Language, and the Search for Spiritual Liberation

1. Hinduism Literature, Language, and the Search for Spiritual Liberation

2. 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)

3. 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”)

4. Defining Features of Hinduism • In 1995 The Supreme Court of India highlighted Bal GangadharTilak'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)

5. Basic Beliefs: Brahman • “The underlying universal life force that encompasses and embodies existence” (Hancock) • It is the eternal, transcendent reality of the world

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. Vedas • The Vedic period = 5th/4th Century B.C.E • Veda literally means “knowledge” • Ancient religion rooted in mythology & sacrifice

11. 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

12. Veda • Vedic texts are the oldest works of Sanskrit Literature • They serve as the foundation for many Hindu beliefs http://images.google.com/imgres

13. Upanishads • Upanishad means “equivalences” • These writings hoped to understand how the Atman was similar to Brahmans (24) • Often considered gnostic in nature

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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)

17. 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)

18. 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

19. The Original Avatars ? • 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. www.nymag.com

20. Vishnu – The Preserver http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/11_01/vishnu_468x672.jpg

21. Brahma – The Creator http://phoolbari.com/god/vishnu%20%287%29.jpg

22. Siva – The Destroyer http://www.lilitu.com.au/graphics/siva.jpg

23. 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 • Brahmanas = priests • Ksatriyas = warriors • Vaisyas = tradesmen • Sudras = laborers • Sudras were not allowed to hear the Vedas (Heesh 42)

24. Varnas NOTE : The Pariahs are NOT mentioned in any of the scriptures

25. 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.TheRāmāyaṇa by Vālmīki. New York: Viking Printers, 2006. print.