2 Community And Tradition Flashcards
(12 cards)
What is Brahmin
The highest of the four Varnas from which priests are drawn.
What is a guru
A spiritual teacher and guide to the Hindu way of life.
What is manusmriti
The laws of Manu which are a selection of Hindu personal and social laws.
What is Sanskrit
An ancient Indo-European language of India in which the Hindu scriptures and classical Indian epic poems are written and from which many northern Indian languages are derived.
What is shruti
The Vedas and Upanishads. The most sacred Hindu books which were “revealed” and are the most ancient.
What is smriti
“Remembered” teachings which weren’t directly revealed by Brahman; they were written by humans for humans. They contain, for example, the Mahabharata.
What is a swami
A religious leader honoured because they can control their senses. A spiritual teacher and religious role model.
What is Upanishads
Hindu shruti literature which explains/comments on the Vedas.
What is Varna
Literally means “colour” and refers to the four main social groupings forming the basic structure of Hindu societies. Your caste is hereditary.
What is Vedas
The most ancient Hindu scriptures. Revealed truths consisting of Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Antharva Veda.
What is vaishnavism
The religion of Hinduism devoted to worshipping Vishnu/Rama/Krishna. (The belief of people who worship Vishnu).
What is Bhagavad Gita
The song of the Lord which is one of the most important Hindu scriptures containing teachings of Krishna.
