Chapter 2: Hinduism "The Way of Devotion"

Indologist William Halfbass

Americans

monotheistic

hallucinogenic plant, the intoxicating juice from that plant, and the god of all plants.

later philosophical speculation on the Ultimate Reality to which Vedic rituals point, often presented as dialogues between teachers and students.

Christians

prose commentary on a given Veda, explaining, often via allegorical interpretation, the meanings of Vedic sacrifice and procedures for performing it.

smriti (what is remembered), and shruti (what is heard)

second most important deity in Vedas.

Swami Vivekananda

Vaishnavas

rose around devotional Hinduism, presented an alternative to the paths of ritual action, wisdom, and devotion.

15th- century poet viewed as a sharp- tongued champion of interreligious harmony.

Hindus see rebirth, as being strapped on the hamster "wheel of redeath.

the all- pervading, impersonal Spirit of God.

most important Vedic deity, warrior god, god of war, high god.

Proto- Hinduism as a Way of Action.

yogis, renouncers, and poet- saints.

"Priestly Knowledge: "later texts, including practical prayers, charms, and incantations used to bring on success and to ward off sickness.

Depicted as ferocious bc of her willingness to fight for justice for her devotees.

Hindu was originally a geographical marker, pointing to ancient ppl who occupied the valley of the river Sindhu.

Bhakti Tradition

HoliHoli festival

Feature theatrical performances rooted in episodes of the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, or popular vernacular epics.

The vicious cycle of life, death, rebirth, and redeath which is fueled by karma (means actions)

Hindu

Refuse to self- identify, and instead think of themselves as inhabitants of particular regions, speakers of particular languages, and members of particular castes.

An umbrella term for a diverse array of religious concepts, symbols, beliefs, and behaviors.

Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism

the all-pervading, impersonal Spirit of God

overestimates the importance of Brahma, neglects Hinduisms many goddesses, and the most popular divinities in India are Shiva, Vishnu, the goddess Devi, and Ganesha

elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati

samsara, the unsatisfactory cycle of life, death, rebirth, and redeath

moksha, release from this cycle

the disciplines of karma (action), jnana (wisdom), and bhakti (devotion)

yogis, renouncers, and poet-saints

smriti (what is remembered), and shruti (what is heard)

poems or chants praising god, recited by priests during sacrifices and other rituals

prose mantras or sacred formulas, to recite during these rites

hymns

later texts, including practical prayers, charms, and incantations used to bring on success and to ward off sickness

most important Vedic deity, warrior god, god of war, high god

second most important deity in Vedas

moral god, guardian of cosmic order and social harmony

hallucinogenic plant, the intoxicating juice from that plant, and the god of all plants

Rig, Yajur, Sama, Atharva

prose commentary on a given Veda, explaining, often via allegorical interpretation, the meanings of Vedic sacrifice and procedures for performing it

most ecstatic medications on the meanings of Vedic sacrifice, rooted in secret discussions of the Vedas among forest-dwelling renouncers

later philosophical speculation on the Ultimate Reality to which Vedic rituals point, often presented as dialogues between teachers and students

15th-century poet viewed as a sharp-tongued champion of interreligious harmony

rose around devotional Hinduism, presented an alternative to the paths of ritual action, wisdom, and devotion