World Literature English 3, Fall Semester

India  Hinduism began in prehistoric India and is one of the oldest religions in the world.  Practiced long before it was finally recorded in what are now called the sacred writings.  Hinduism began in prehistoric India and is one of the oldest religions in the world.  Practiced long before it was finally recorded in what are now called the sacred writings.

The Writings  Vedas: older than the sacred texts of any of the world’s other major religions, including the Hebrew and Christian Bibles.  Puranas: long stories of Hindu gods, goddesses, and heroes.  Bhagavad-Gita: a conversation between the god Krishna and the warrior Arjuna on the meaning of life.  Manu Smriti: source of basic Hindu social and religious law  Vedas: older than the sacred texts of any of the world’s other major religions, including the Hebrew and Christian Bibles.  Puranas: long stories of Hindu gods, goddesses, and heroes.  Bhagavad-Gita: a conversation between the god Krishna and the warrior Arjuna on the meaning of life.  Manu Smriti: source of basic Hindu social and religious law

Manu-Smriti  Caste system: rigid class system  Caste, life stage and gender determined one’s standing, with women occupying the lower position in each caste  Four Main Varnas  Caste system: rigid class system  Caste, life stage and gender determined one’s standing, with women occupying the lower position in each caste  Four Main Varnas

Four Main Varnas  Brahmans: priests, scholars  Kshatriyas: rulers of the warrior class  Brahmans: priests, scholars  Kshatriyas: rulers of the warrior class  Vaisyas: merchants and professionals  Sudras: laborers and servants  Untouchables: no longer to exist, but people are still discriminated against

Beliefs in different gods  Brahma: creator of the universe  Vishnu: preserver of the universe  Shiva: is its destroyer  Brahma: creator of the universe  Vishnu: preserver of the universe  Shiva: is its destroyer  Shiva’s wife (Durga, Kali, Parvati, or Uma) can be worshipped and feared and is considered more important than even the higher male gods

Roles for women  To be virtuous, Hindu women must follow the laws based on dharma found in the Laws of Manu in order.  Laws dictate that women must allow men to control them  Modern life is helping to change these views  To be virtuous, Hindu women must follow the laws based on dharma found in the Laws of Manu in order.  Laws dictate that women must allow men to control them  Modern life is helping to change these views

The Duties of Women An excerpt from the Laws of Manu Pgs An excerpt from the Laws of Manu Pgs