1. Hinduism
Sacred Text

2. The Vedas
These are the most ancient religious texts which define truth for Hindus. They were formed between BCE and were introduced to India by the Aryans. Hindus believe that the texts were received by scholars direct from God and passed on to the next generations by word of mouth.

3. Contents of the Vedas
Vedic texts are sometimes called shruti, which means hearing. For hundreds, maybe even thousands of years, the texts were passed on orally. The Vedas are made up of four compositions, and each veda in turn has four parts which are arranged chronologically.
The Samhitas are the most ancient part of the Vedas, consisting of hymns of praise to God.
The Brahmanas are rituals and prayers to guide the priests in their duties.
The Aranyakas concern worship and meditation.
The Upanishads consist of the mystical and philosophical teachings of Hinduism.

4. Bhagavad-Gita
Hindu epic which is the Sixth Book of the Mahabharata (Hindu Sacred Text)

5. Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita, or "Song of the Lord" is part of the sixth book of the Mahabharata, the world's longest poem. Composed between 500 BCE and 100 CE, the Mahabharata is an account of the wars of the house of Bharata.
It is one of the most popular Hindu texts and is known as a smriti text (the remembered tradition). This is considered by some to be of less importance than shruti (the heard text, such as the Vedas). It has, nevertheless, an important place within the Hindu tradition.

6. The Bhagavad Gita takes the form of a dialogue between prince Arjuna and Krishna, his charioteer. Arjuna is a warrior, about to join his brothers in a war between two branches of a royal family which would involve killing many of his friends and relatives. He wants to withdraw from the battle but Krishna teaches him that he, Arjuna, must do his duty in accordance with his class and he argues that death does not destroy the soul. Krishna points out that knowledge, work and devotion are all paths to salvation and that the central value in life is that of loyalty to God.

7. Quick recap on the Epic
The context of the epic story is to present a sequence of debates on the pros and cons of war
Mahabharata is the world’s longest poem and it is said that all existential (human existence) truths are contained in its pages
The Gita is set in a narrative framework of a dialogue between Pandava prince Arjuna and his guide Lord Krishna. Facing the duty to kill his relatives, Arjuna is "exhorted by his charioteer, Krishna among others, to stop hesitating and fulfil his Kṣatriya (warrior) duty as a warrior and kill."

8. The battle is initially fought according to the standards of Kshatriya etiquette:
Battle takes place only in daylight
In the evening all warriors mix in friendship
One-on-one combat takes place only among equals
Horsemen do not attack soldiers who are only on foot
Warriors in chariots only fight with others in chariots
Those retreating for any reason are not attacked
Those sitting in a yoga position are not attached
If someone drops their weapon they are left alone
Musicians, conch blowers and civilians are immune to the surrounding warfare
Animals are never killed deliberately though if, in the course of battle, they happen to fall, it is overlooked

9. However…
These rules fall to the wayside as passions mount and during the last days of the battle they become altogether compromised

10. Rosen (2006) Essential Hinduism
How does this work then?
Critics have wondered how the ideals of dharma, of proper duty, could be so abused on the battle field when Krishna himself was personally present.
The abuse of dharma was part of Krishna’s plan
The battle has 3 phrases:
The emergence of duty/dharma
The compromise of duty through the disintegration of Kshatriya ethics
The reestablishment of dharma in the end, when Krishna, as the story goes, saves the Pandava clan (Ajuna) from extinction, establishing cosmic order yet again
Rosen (2006) Essential Hinduism

11. The epic engages the adherent into the religion’s teachings on dharma through the principles of ethics.
Begin at for a few minutes
Then:
Where he does as Krishan orders

12. Student Activity- Finding the evidence
TASK:
Complete the activity in your textbook, Investigating Religion, on page 55 Activity 3.4
You have been given a copy of Chapter 9 in class.
This activity can alternatively be done following the next slides on Dharma.

13. The hindu trinity - Trimurti
Brahma
Vishnu
Shiva
The hindu trinity - Trimurti

14. The Hindu Trimurti VISHNU THE PRESERVER
The Hindu god VISHNU is one of the three main Hindu gods (called the Trimurti or Hindu trinity).
He is known as the Preserver and is the main god worshipped in Vaishnavism (one of the four main Hindu sects).
He has four arms, a blueish complexion, and rests on a snake.
His vehicle (vahana) is a garuda (a type of bird) and his female consort is LAKSHMI.
Vishnu is well known for having been incarnated (born as an animal or human) nine times, with one more incarnation still to come.
Two of his incarnations are Rama and Krishna.

15. What happens when the Cosmos is not balanced or in a state of decline?
Avatar – The earthly manifestation of a god or goddess taken with the specific intention of restoring dharma when the world is in a state of decline
The Avatar will give advise as to how to restore the cosmic balance by reminding them of their dharma eg. Lord Krishna to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita

16. Other popular gods and goddesses
KRISHNA
AVATAR OF VISHNU
Krishna is the eighth avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu.
He is one of the most popular avatars of Lord Vishnu.
Devotion to Krishna is a way to moksha
He is believed to have the power to overcome evil and bring harmony to the world
His teachings are contained in the Bhagavad Gita
He is usually portrayed as a child and a prankster and is often shown playing the flute
Blueish skin

17. Importance of Avatars They are an expression of BRAHMAN’s power
They allow humans to relate to the transcendental BRAHMAN.
They allow Hindus to witness God’s beneficence towards the world
Their variety of form allows individual worshippers to relate to BRAHMAN in a way which suits their situation and their personality

18. Taittririya Aranyaka 10:79
Dharma
The law(s) of the cosmos and also the moral and religious duties, laws and customs that are in harmony with the natural law.
Sadharana dharma is the general code of Hindu ethics
Dharma reflects how the world is and how it ought to be, as well as how religious practice fits in with the whole cosmos.
Dharma is the foundation of the whole universe. In this world people go to a person who is best versed in dharma for guidance. By means of dharma one drives away evil. Upon dharma everything is founded. Therefore, dharma is called the highest good.
Taittririya Aranyaka 10:79

19. Dharma – different types – How many?
Varna Dharma – class
Personal Dharma – Social, universal and human
Ashrama Dharma – stage of life

20. Four Pillars of Dharma 1: Personal Dharma 2: Universal Dharma
1) Personal Dharma- is made up of the following three elements:
1: Personal Dharma
2) Universal Dharma - is a Hindu’s duty to the planet, and universe. It is their responsibility to the UNIVERSE as a trustee of the planet or land but not the owner. You have to look after it, use it but never abuse it.
2: Universal Dharma
3) Social Dharma – is a Hindu’s duty to their society & community. This includes their duty to their jobs. Therefore Varnas ( Caste System – Jobs) are all included in the social dharma. By doing their job, Hindus are fulfilling their social dharma and helping society.
3: Social Dharma
4) Human Dharma- this is your ASHRAM. Your ashram is dictated by your qualities, your status, your abilities and characteristics. If you are good at a particular job you should take up your talents in that particular field, and in doing so you are fulfilling your Human Dharma.
4: Human Dharma

21. The Varna System
Depending on your stage of life (see Ashrama system), you have a particular duty towards society.
If you are in the Grihasth Ashrama stage of life (workers), your duty is to generate wealth for the other three sections of society (children, elderly & those seeking moksha) as well as for your community, your nation and civilization.
It is during this stage of life, people indulge in various "Dharma" professions to fulfill their Artha (wealth) and Karma achievements.
While every individual has to pursue all the achievements in their capacity, not all human beings have uniform drive towards a particular achievement.
The four sources of achievement for specific individuals are divided into different areas and different individuals have specific duty (dharma) to follow one:
A. Intellectual
B. Military and Physical
C. Financial and Commercial
D. Technological Knowledge and Land-possession.

22. Kshatriya (Rulers & Military) Varna
Professional  kings, warriors, soldiers, sportsmen and rulers.
They were the section of productive society which possessed military, physical and official strength.
However, they were not allowed to possess land, indulge in trade, and frame policies of nation without consultation and approval of the Brahman Varna.

23. Read Chapter 2 What is the literary genre of this sacred text?
What Hindu beliefs about life and death are revealed in this text? Give a quote/excerpt as evidence.

24. Task:
Using your knowledge of Hinduism (and research if necessary), apply linguistic criticism to Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita, and give an overview of which Hindu beliefs are explained (giving evidence)