Understanding Hinduism

Understanding Hinduism

Sanjay Sampath, M.S, M.B.A, B.S. (Chem. Engg)
Location: Woodlands Hindu Temple
January 24, 2010
Contact Information: krishnasown@yahoo.com
Website: www.urbanhindu.com

This presentation is for free distribution

Prayer
oṃ saha nāvavatu
saha nau bhunaktu
saha vīryaṃ karavāvahai
tejasvināvadhītamastu mā vidviṣāvahai
oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ

OM Let both of us protect each other together
May both of us enjoy together
May both of us work together
Let our study become radiant, let there be no hatred between us
OM Peace, Peace, Peace.

Learning/Discussion Goals
 Who is a Hindu? What are the Vedas?
 When were the Vedas written?
 What is their relevance in today’s day and age?
 Why are Vedas are relevant and important?
 How are Hindu scriptures classified?
 Understanding major Sampradayas in Hinduism

And if time permits which it usually doesn’t…..
 Importance of Hindu festivals
 Importance of Hinduism and India to the world

Note: A side effect may be additional clarity to better understand the Katopanishad

Vedic thoughts are becoming more
popular worldwide!!
 Yoga and Meditation

 “The Biology of Belief” - Dr. Bruce Lipton

 “Avatar”

 “Messages from water” by Masuru Emoto

 Oprah’s series with Eckhard Tolle

Vedas - Breakdown
Each of the 4 Vedas is divided into these parts

Part 1: Samhita

 Collection of mantras or hymns and prayers in praise of Deities for
attaining prosperity and happiness.
 Mainly meant for Brahmacharis, those who are in the first stage of
their lives.

Part 2: Brahmana

 Guides people in the performance of Vedic Karmas or rituals;
 Brahmana is suitable for the householders, those belonging to the
second stage in life.

Vedas - Breakdown
Part 3: Aranyaka

 Methods of meditation based upon symbolical interpretations of
sacrificial rites
 The Aranyakas are intended for the Vanaprasthas or people who
prepare themselves for the last stage.

Part 4: Upanishads

 Concluding portions which discuss philosophical issues.
 They are the essence of the Vedas containing their knowledge
aspects.

Roughly speaking, the Samhitas and Brahmanas constitute Karma Kanda, the
Aranyakas the Upasana Kanda and the Upanishads the Jnana Kanda

Classification
 Rig Veda - Hymns whose function was to invoke the deities.

 Yajur Veda - Defines actions to be performed during Yagnas or
sacrificial rites.

 Sama Veda - Collection of all the musical chants.

 Atharva Veda - Contains mantras to ward off evil/hardship.

Shaka

Shaka is a branch of Samhita, Brahmana, Aranyaka and Upanishad

Some Vedic Terms

Sookta
 Number of Riks or mantras constitute a Sookta
 Examples: Purusha Sooktam, Narayana Sooktam, Sri Sooktam etc.

Sootra
 Sootras are aphorisms or declarations.
 Using minimum words to project a maximum dimension of thought.
 Examples: Brahma Sootra, Patanjali Yoga Sootra, Narada Bhakti Sootra,
Ashtadhyayi of Panini etc.

Bhashyas
Because of their cryptic nature, Bhashyas or commentaries are necessary
to understand Sootras. SriBhashya by Ramanuja on the Bramhasutras

Rig Veda: Interesting facts
 “Rik” means hymns in praise

 This Samhita contains masterpieces of poetic compositions like the
famous Purusha Sooktam and the morning prayers to Ushas, the
goddess of dawn.

 It was said to have 21 Shakhas but now only five of them are
known to exist

 10,552 mantras

 ‘ekam sat viprah bahudha vadanti’ meaning ‘Truth is one, sage’s call
it by various names’

Yajur Veda: Interesting facts
 Yajur Veda Samhita is in two parts viz. Krishna Yajurveda and
Shukia Yaiurveda.

 Krishna Yajurveda - Vaishampayana.

 Shukla Yajurveda Samhita - Yajnavalkya from Vaajasani which
means the Sun God.

 Only 2/17 Shakhas of this Samhita exist. ( Kanva and Madhyandina
Shakhas).

 Sri Rudram is from the Yajur Veda. Also has its own version of
Purusha Sooktha.

Sama Veda: Interesting facts
 The word Saama also means that which brings peace to the mind.

 Of 1000 shakas, only 3 are available now.

 The mantras of Samaveda are known as Saman. Have seven svaras
or musical scales. Basis of the seven svaras

 Sri Krishna says in the Gita (Ch.10 Verse 22) ‘vedaanaam
saamavedosmi’ meaning ‘among the Vedas I am the Sama Veda’

 Lalita Sahasranama, one of the epithets used to describe the Divine
Mother is ‘Saama Gaana Priye’ meaning one who is pleased with
the recital of Saman.

Atharva Veda: Interesting facts
 It deals more with things here and now. This Veda contains many
types of mantras designed to ward off evils and hardship as also to
destroy enemies.

 Also deals with diseases and their cure, rites for prolonging life, for
fulfilling one’s desires, construction activities, trade and commerce,
statecraft, defense systems of the country etc.

 Only 2 of the 9 Shakhas are available now. They are Pippalada and
Saunaka. Only one Brahmana called Gopatha Brahmana has been
discovered.

 The three well known Upanishads viz. Prasna, Mundaka and
Mandukya as also the Kaivalya Upanishad belong to this Veda.

Auxiliaries to Vedas
VEDANGA – Limbs of Vedas
Title Subject Dealt With

1. Siksha Science of phonetics or pronunciation and intonation.

2. Vyakarana Science of the grammar of language

Etymology or the science of origin, meaning and explanation of
3. Nirukta
the Vedic words.
Prosody or science of composition of the hymns like meter,
4. Chandas
rhyme, paada etc. of the mantras
Astronomy and astrology mainly directed towards fixing up of
5. Jyotisha auspicious moments for the performance of the Vedic
sacrifices
Science or manual of sacrificial rituals, both Vedic and
6. Kalpa
domestic.

Veda Upaanga

Meemaamsa Deeper Analysis of Vedas
Nyaya Science of logic and expediency

Remaining Puranas Vedas magnifying glasses
Vidyas
Dharma Shastras Road to realize Puranic goal

Saankya* Description of 24 Tattwas

Yoga* Yoga for union with ishwara

* Not considered Upaanga in Some Classifications

UPA VEDA Or Subsidiary Vedas

Title Subject Dealt with Veda to which attached

Science of life, of sound
health including the art of
Ayurveda Rig Veda
preventing and curing
diseases

Science of fine arts like
Gandharva Veda Sama Veda.
music and dance

Known as Artha-sastra
Artha Veda science of economics, Atharva Veda
politics and statecraft
Science of archery and
Dhanurveda Yajurveda.
warfare

Major Hindu Sampradayas

Very simplistically put –

Advaita – Atma and Paramatma become one and the same

Vishistadvaita – Surrender to Lord Narayana (Many Sesis (Atmas) who
carry out service of the Sesa (Paramatma))

Dvaita – Ultimate realization is Atma and Paramatma are different.

Adi Sankara (788 AD - 820 AD)

 Adi Sankara was one of the
foremost Acharyas of the
Hinduism.

 He is considered by devotees to
be an avatar of Lord Shiva.

 He only lived to be 32 years but
till date his influence in Hinduism
is unmistakable.

 Belonged to the Advaita tradition

Sri Ramanujacharya (1017 AD -
1137 AD)
 Ramanuja was a devotee of
Vishnu par excellence.
 Granting entry into temples for
the Harijans (Dalits) a thousand
years back when caste still ruled
the roost in India.
 He initiated the distribution of
holy food (Prasadam) to all
devotees without discrimination.

 He introduced worship in local
languages at the temples
(Previously done only in
Sanskrit).
 He advocated total surrender
(Prapatti) as the easiest way to
god.

Madhvacharya (1238 AD - 1317
AD)
 The most well known guru in the
Dvaita tradition.
 The main icon (vigraha) in
Udupi of Lord Krishna was
established by Madhvacharya.
 The 8 monasteries (ashta
mathas) of Udupi have been
following his philosophy since
then.
 Sunil is the most well known
follower of this tradition in our
group.

Understanding Hinduism

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