4 texts (1200 BC) earlierst source of scripture transmitted orally initially

few know Sanscrit language

hymns of phrase to deities (few of which are revered today)

rituals preformed in later texts

Upanishads

all knowledge all that can be seen/known (not just referring to the vedas) uncreated, eternal

Vedas partial truth of universe in language of Gods

last stratum of vedas, internal rituals philisophically oriented-nature of the self

'duty' in all aspect of our lives, especially religous lives (manifest form of Veda)

most Hindu tradition have repsect for Vedas that manifest in Dharma

'action' (original: action of ritual sacrifice)

Dharma is standard from which Karma is judged

doing tasks (fullfilling dharma) connects you with sacred

objects become sacred

linkage (why link from Vedic)

Brahman (Macrocosim) Universe

Sacrifice Mosocosim (surroundings, sacrifice) all bound/linked

Atman (Microcosim) person

Householder tradition - do the sacrifice *do your duties*

Renouncer- reject outward sacrifice, but do inward sacrifice

Temple - devote oneself to deity of sacrifice- sacrifice still important

1. embodiment and personification especially, anthropomorphic

2. multiplicity of forms

3. narratives/stories

4. continuity of humans and divine

Kingship

avataras or avatars

orthodoxy, order, dharma

promotion of goodness and harmony

seperation of deity and worshipper (contrary to general characteristic 4)

Vaisnava instruction/section division

1. Visnu as extensions of the vedic god

2. Visnu incooporation of attributes/traits/personality of other Vedic deities

3. Visnu as composite figure from a variety of local deities esp. Krsna and Rama (sampradayas)

Vaisnava sects developed out of lineagers of religious teachers, students and folowers

Vaisnava sects generally more "orthodox" than other theisitic traditions in India in their advance to brahminical reverance for the Bedas, dharma, and smarta worship

The devotional attitudes of worshippers in these sects varies considerably

reinterpreting old/not creating new sects

club or maa

discus

conch shell

lotus

Krsna : local hero warrior of the mathura region of N India

considered supreme duty by devotees

Krsna worship focuses on a devotees particiaption in fhte love between Krsna and his consort Radha

Rama -another hero whose story is in Ramayana epic, rama is the king and the embodiment of dharma, his triumphs over eviolfoce in the world are a model of spiritual warfare to his devotees. (Hanuman and Sita)

later form of the vedic deity Rudra

fuller mythology developed in the texts called Puranas

1. trident

2. drum

3. tiger skin

4. snake

5. ganges

6. rosary

label for loose conglomeration of rituals and theologies associated with figures of siva and his mythological partners -Parvati and Ganesh

In tradition "orthodox" and alterodox

*see class notes for more on this*

sight/vision (puja)

Why is an image so important? Way to discover Sakti see and be see by ones with power

Sakti -power should exist in everything

Laksmi, Parvati, Sarsavati

mother

symbol of fertility

protector

support of order and dharma

wife/consort of a mal edeity

"Goddess of the tooth"

durga, kali, Camundi

ferocious

symbols of sexual energy

slayer of demons and vanquisher of evil

breaks dharmic norms and social conventions

independent deity-no man

collective force of gods powers

independent, all powerful goddess

breaks brahminical conventions of "ideal women"

kali is the creative energy (sakti) of the universe emitted by Durga in battle

subdues Siva and absorbs his creative, sexual energy through inercourse

in a way, kali si both a desztructive and reconstructive deity

Devotee (radha, Sita)

Mediator (Laksmi, Parvati)

Ideal wife (sita and laksmi)

Domesticator (parvati)

warrior/demon slayer (durga, kali)

1. either consort of independent role

2. power of complementarity and union

3. accessibility and mediation

two major representations of the goddess: ferocious, angry and motherly, nuturing

goddesses appear as both consorts and independent deities

sakti, divine power, is associated with goddesses exclusively and male deities rely on this power

Naravana: ancient name of deity that pervades the cosmic waters

Anantasavana: "he who sleeps on the endless snakes"

Varadaraia: "giver of boons"

Vasudeva/Govinda: another name for Krsna

Hari: generic name of Visnu

Sivalinga: erotic form

Yogesvara: lord of Yoga, renouncer, covered in ash

"Family man": pictured with family

Nataraja: lord of dance

Hara:

Bahagadvavita

shows the practical dilemmas that arise around dharma and how reconciliation of dharma should take place