Hindu Scriptures, Schemes and Mind Maps of Law

Download Hindu Scriptures and more Schemes and Mind Maps Law in PDF only on Docsity! Hindu Scriptures Hinduism consists of an extensive collection of ancient religious writings and oral accounts that expound upon eternal truths, some of which Hindus believe to have been divinely revealed and realized by their ancient sages and enlightened individuals. Hindu scriptures (such as the ​Vedas​, Upanishads, Agamas, ​and Puranas​), epics (the ​Bhagavad Gita and ​Ramayana​), lawbooks, and other philosophical and denominational texts, have been passed on for generations through an oral and written tradition. Since spiritual seekers have different levels of understanding, scriptural teachings are presented in a variety of ways to provide guidance to all seekers. Scripture in Hinduism, however, does not have the same place as it does in many other religious traditions. ​While the Vedas and other sacred writings are considered valid sources for knowledge about God, other means of knowledge, such as personal experience of the Divine, are regarded highly as well. Some Hindu philosophers have taught that these other means of knowledge should be seen as secondary to scripture. But other Hindu philosophers have taught that religious experience can be considered equal or even superior to scriptural teachings. Hindu scriptures are classified broadly into two categories: ​Shruti and Smriti​. The word ​Shruti literally means “heard”, and consists of what Hindus believe to be eternal truths akin to natural law. Hindus believe these truths are contained in the vibrations of the universe. It was the ancient sages, Hindus say, who realized these eternal truths through their meditation, and then transmitted them orally. The term ​Shruti is generally applied to the ​Vedas and includes the Upanishads​, which constitute the fourth and final part of the ​Vedas​. These texts are revered as “revealed” or divine in origin and are believed to contain the foundational truths of Hinduism. Eternal truths are said to be realized by those with open and spiritual minds. The second category of scripture is ​Smriti​, which literally means “memory,” and is distinguished from Shruti in terms of its origin. These texts are designed to help Hindus “remember” the teachings of Shruti. For many Hindus, all other scriptural texts are loosely classified as ​Smriti​. Teachings in Smriti texts are meant to be read and interpreted in light of changing circumstances over ​kala (time), ​desha (land), and ​guna (personality). These texts are intended to create structure for society, and must be flexible in response to changing history, geography, and communities.   Although there is variation across Hindu denominations in regard to what is classified ​Shruti or ​Smriti​, a discussion of the major Hindu scriptures follows. Shruti Vedas​: The word ​Veda means “knowledge”. There are four Vedas​: ​Rig​, ​Sama​, ​Yajur and ​Atharva​, of which the ​Rig Veda is the oldest. It has over 10,000 mantras that deal with a wide range of topics. Some Hindus see the Vedas as texts expounding on rituals and Gods, whereas others see them as teaching metaphysical and spiritual truths about God and the soul. While there is general agreement that the ​Vedas are at least over three thousand years old, there is little agreement on just how old they are. Evidence is scarce and estimates of their age vary widely, from 1200 BCE to thousands of years earlier than that. Upanishads: These texts contain an extensive exploration of the methods of understanding the self, God, and the nature of the world. There are more than a hundred ​Upanishads​. The ​Upanishads​, along with the ​Bhagavad Gita and ​Brahma Sutras​, constitute the primary basis for the practice of ​Jnana Yoga​, the path of knowledge. Smriti Upavedas: ​The Upavedas consist of four main texts. ​The first text deals with ayurveda, the science of health and life, and outlines how to cure disease and prevent it. Dhanurveda is about the science of warfare. Gandharvaveda is the study of aesthetics, and delineates art forms such as singing, dancing, writing poetry, creating sculptures, etc. The Arthashastra deals with public administration, governance, economy, and politics. Vedangas​: There are a number of auxiliary texts known collectively as Vedanga- some of them are considered ​Shruti​, but they fall under ​Smriti for the most part. They cover a range of topics: oral chanting of scripture (​shiksha​), grammar (​vyakarana​), prosody (​chhandas​), etymology (​nirukta​), astronomy (​jyotisha​), and obligatory rituals (​kalpa​). Puranas​: Stories in the Puranas translate the meanings of the ancient ​Shruti ​scriptures and teach them to the masses by explaining the teachings of the Vedas and Upanishads through stories and parables. There are eighteen major ​Puranas (​Mahapuranas) ​and many minor ones (​upapuranas) ​that have compiled stories and narratives over many centuries, Each ​Purana tells stories around a principal character- either about a specific form of the Divine (or God) or a sage. They cover a wide range of sacred and secular topics such as the manifestations of God; teachings on dharma, karma, death, and rebirth; the use of mantras and other religious observances; the significance of sacred sites for pilgrimages; the importance of service; genealogies of kings and sages; cosmology; ayurveda; and astrology. Ancient, modern, and contemporary Hindu beliefs and religious practices are derived in large part from the ​Puranas​. Ramayana: This popular epic tells the life story the noble prince named Rama, whom Hindus believe to be an incarnation of the Divine. Prince Rama suffers year of exile and many hardships while destroying powerful demons before returning to rule his kingdom. This epic portrays several characters who embody ideal qualities and conduct. Among them are Rama himself as the ideal man; Sita as the ideal woman and emblem of strength; Hanuman as the ideal devotee of Rama; and