Hinduism:

Gods in
Sacred
literature
10 Religion
Shruti: Divine revelation Sacred Literature
• Vedas (Four sections- Rig Veda, Sama
Veda, Yajur Veda, Atharva Veda)
• Upanishads (later philosophical
scholarship ~7th BCE)

Smriti: that which is

remembered
• Ramayana Hinduism
• Mahabharata (including the Bhagavad
Gita)
A large volume of
texts that are
considered divine
Other important religious works: revealed or
inspired.
• Laws of Manu (200BCE- 200 CE)
 What is Shruti (shruu-tee) literature?

Largely used liturgically or ritually

It’s the sound or the sung rhythm
The term literally means that is important:
However, the revealed
“that which is heard” – from the Shruti divinely revealed
knowledge is restricted to a
above, from the heavens: rhythm; music seen to maintain
specific audience: only adult
these are divine, not the cosmos
males from the upper three classes
human words. It is a heard tradition; originating
are considered worthy as they are
twice-born from the oral tradition
 Vedas (Shruti)

Considered the oldest sacred texts that are a

complied collection of oral traditions:
Sung or rhythmic
Distinct characteristics and purposes:

Sama Veda; Yajur Veda; Atharva Veda;

Rig Veda;
hymns or sacrificial spells and
wisdom and
poems set to formulas- ritual incantations
poetry
music based
Vedas and Upanishads (Shruti)
Each Vedas also has appendixes known as
Upanishads (Sitting at the Feet).

• Collection that record insights into

reality
• Writing in a dialogue form;
including prose and poetry,
recounting the beliefs of the early
Aryan peoples as they spread
through Indian territories
• Many of the important central
beliefs that became core concepts
in Hindu spirituality developed
within the Upanishads.
• Important ideas developed:
Brahman, Atman, karma and
moksha
 Upanishads
The Upanishads contain philosophical musings
exploring classical themes such as:

The meaning of The relationship

human existence between the self
and the absolute
(God)

The identity of the Post-death

self existence and
reincarnation
 Smriti literature are Hindu texts
What is Smriti (smrih-tee) that are considered “that which is
literature? remembered” and hold less
authority than shruti literature.

Ramayana Mahabharata
Epic poetry (Mah / haa /bhaa/ ruh/ taa) The
A story of
Epic poetry Brahmanas
A story of the clash between princes
Prince Rama of the northern kingdom. The Puranas
and Princess A story of good versus evil. Laws of Manu
Sita. The Bhagavad Gita is - a
24,000 verses conversation between Krishna and
Arjuna (great warrior) on the eve of
a great battle. Krishna’s words of
wisdom on duty, caste, death and
rebirth, humanity and devotion to
god.
100,000 verses
 Stories of the Gods?

Smriti: Authored epics and stories

Ramayana and Mahabharata
Ramayana:
Ancient epic, composed some time in the 5th century BCE, about the exile and then return of Rama, prince
of Ayodhya.
It was composed in Sanskrit by the sage Valmiki. While the basic story is about palace politics and battles
with demon tribes, the narrative is interspersed with philosophy, ethics, and notes on duty.
Mahabharata:
Ancient epic where the main story revolves around two branches of a family who, in the Kurukshetra War,
battle for the throne of Hastinapura.
At 100,000 verses, it is the longest epic poem ever written, generally thought to have been composed in
the 4th century BCE or earlier.
Originally contained the Bhagavad Gita (“Song of God” or “Song of the Lord”): dialogue between the
warrior-prince Arjuna and the god Krishna who is serving as his charioteer at the Battle of Kurukshetra
 Some important things to note
Hinduism has:

 No founder
 No universally accepted notion of the divine
 No universally accepted ‘scripture’ (though there
are many important scriptures)
 Key teachings and
messages from the
sacred canon are still
relevant and meaningful
in the spiritual lives of
the adherents
Review of Key Terms

Glossary
 Key words to not get confused

Brahman
The supreme, eternal and
immanent spirit

Brahma
Creator God

Brahmin
Highest priestly caste of
Hinduism
 Nirvana

• Nirvana is the state free from suffering and individual existence. I.e. they
have reached their Moksha

• It’s the ultimate religious goal of all Hindus.

• The attainment of nirvana breaks the otherwise endless rebirth cycle of
transmigration.
• Hindus call this nirvana "eternal bliss“ - no one can describe in words
what nirvana is. It can only be experienced directly.
 Glossary-
Make sure that you can spell and understand each of these terms
in their correct context
● Atman
● Dharma
● Caste or Varna
● Ashrama or stage in life
● Karma
● Samsara
● Reincarnation
● Transmigration
● Moksha
● Nirvana