Hinduism, Lecture 1 Circling the Banyan

The Banyan Tree

“Hinduism” Prototype No Historical Founder—sanatana (“eternal”), no obvious unity Transcendent God, who can be worshipped in a variety of ways (one God/many gods). Bhakti (devotion) can help in a contingent way, but also may provide liberation (moksha) from actions (karma) and reincarnation (samsara). Veda – Revere it or Supplant it, but it’s central. Dharma – Law, Duty, Responsibility (varna- ashrama-dharma), but also renunciation (samnyasa).

“Hinduism” Prototype, Continued: The Four Fours (3+1’s) Four Castes (varna): Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra (but don’t forget Dalits) Four Stages of Life (ashrama): Student, householder, forest-dweller, renunciant Four Goals of Life: dharma, artha, kama, moksha Four Great Gods: Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Devi

Formative Period, c BCE Speculative Period, c BCE Epic & Puranic Period, c. 400 BCE – 600 CE Medieval Period, c CE Modern Period, c – Present Mughals, British, & Modern Nation-State Hinduism: Major Periods

Hindu Scriptures / ruti –Veda sa9hit1s $ g Veda (hymns and prayers) S1ma Veda (hymns set to music) Yajur Veda (sacrificial rituals) Atharva (lesser rituals, local benefits) –Br1hma7as – Speculation on sacrifice –!ra7yakas & Upani=ads – Speculation on the ritual universe Sm4ti –Epics & Pur17as, e.g. Mah1bh1rata and R1m1yana –S3tras & /1 stras, e.g. Laws of Manu –Tantras & other ritual texts

The “Integrative Vision” of the Upani=ads 1.Correlation 2.Emergence & Resolution 3.Hierarchy 4.Paradox 5.Cycles