Hinduism

Global Village III:Religion and Thought

Thursday June 12, 2008Chai Reddy

“Truth is One; the sages call it by different names” (Rig Veda 1:164).

Harappan Civilization 3100-1900 B.C.E.

Mohenjo-Daro

Lower Town and Citadel

Great Bath and Granary

Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro• 12 x 7 x 2.4 m• Two staircases• Floor and Walls

are water tight• No inlet drains• Largest Public

Ancient bath• Purpose?

1

2

3

Pottery

Dancing Girl or Mother Goddess?

(2500? BCE)

(2500-2000? BCE)Priest-King

Religious Seals

Worship Seal• Mother Goddess of

Indus Valley

Bull Seal

Vedic Period (1500-500 BCE)1. Aryan Invasion Assumption*Arya, Ariya (Proto-Indo-Iranian)*War-like people2. Vedas ("knowledge" from the Sanskrit root vid-, to

know)

*Shruthi texts*Four Vedas; Three Parts (samhita, brahmana,

aranyaka)3. Socio-Economics*Rajas *Cattle *Social Order

Rg Veda (1500-1000 BCE)• Oldest; 1028 sacred hymns to accompany sacrifices

to the many gods• Indra: Lord of Heavens; God of War• Agni: God of Fire, Destroyer of Darkness, Divine

Priest• Soma: Drink, God, what made gods deities• Varuna: Sustainer of Universe, Upholder of Moral

Law; Lord of Rain and Ocean • Deified other natural elements• Hymns to Indra and Purusha

Hymn to Indra• Book 4 Hymn 17• Emphasis on nature• Vrtra= demon (asura)• Liberates rivers• Father Dyaus: Proto-

Indo-European Sky God

2nd C. CESculptural Fragment

Hymn to Purusha

• Book 10, Hymn 90:1-16• Elements• Gods• Castes

Other Creation Stories

• Rg Veda 10:129• Chandogya Upanishad 3:19:1-4 • Brhadaranyaka Upanishad

Other Vedas

Yajur 1400-1000 BCE (how to perform yagnas)

Sama 1000 BCE (hymns recited for ritual purposes)

Atharva (magical spells)

Upanishads• “Up” (near); “Ni” (down); “Shad” (to sit) • Summary of the philosophy of the Vedas• Basis of Hinduism• Samkara• Sayings of the gurus: Yajnavalkya• Neti-Neti• Vedas = true foundation of the faith • Upanishads = vehicle for Samadhi• Mahavakyas1. Prajnanam Brahma2. Ayam Atma Brahma3. Tat Tvam Asi4. Aham BrahmasmiSo’ham

Chandogya Upanishad• Sama Veda• Intro: Om ! Let my limbs and speech, Prana, eyes, ears, vitality. And all the

senses grow in strength. All existence is the Brahman of the Upanishads. May I never deny Brahman, nor Brahman deny me. Let there be no denial at all: Let there be no denial at least from me. May the virtues that are proclaimed in the Upanishads be in me, Who am devoted to the Atman; may they reside in me. Om ! Peace ! Peace ! Peace !--Translated by Swami Swahananda

• 3:14: Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma "The Universe is Brahman"

• 3:19: Creation Story