RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS IN THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT

Key vocabulary and concepts from the Religious Traditions in the Indian Subcontinent lecture notes.

Vedic Traditions

Religious, social, and economic practices rooted in the Vedas, offering insights into the beliefs, rituals, and daily life of early Indian civilization.

Rigveda

Oldest among the Vedas, providing insights into religious beliefs, rituals, social structures, and possibly political aspects of the society through hymns and poetic verses.

Brahmanas and Upanishads

Texts belonging to later Vedic literature, offering information regarding rituals, philosophical ideas, and societal norms.

Vedic Literature

Ancient sacred texts of Hinduism, believed to be among the oldest scriptures in the world, composed in Sanskrit and serving as foundational texts.

Samaveda

Collection of melodies or chants derived from the Rigveda, arranged for musical recitation during rituals, and considered the Veda of melodies.

Yajurveda

Contains prose mantras and hymns used by priests during sacrificial ceremonies, providing instructions and guidelines for performing rituals and sacrifices.

Atharvaveda

Includes hymns and incantations primarily dealing with practical concerns such as healing, magic, and daily life, reflecting a different aspect of Vedic culture.

Brahmanas

Prose texts that provide explanations and instructions related to the rituals and ceremonies described in the Samhitas.

Aranyakas

Composed for hermits and seekers who retreated to the forests for meditation and contemplation, concerned with the inner meanings of rituals and spiritual practices.

Upanishads

Philosophical treatises that explore profound spiritual concepts and metaphysical truths.

Early Vedic Period Economy

Primarily pastoral society where raising cattle was the main occupation and a measure of wealth.

Early Vedic Society

Society organized through tribal bonds, with leaders chosen from among the people and family as the basic unit.

Religious Beliefs

Emphasizes reverence for nature, action, knowledge, and the purification of the mind, with a focus on universal welfare and morality.

Later Vedic Period Economy

Expansion of agriculture, shift from pastoralism to mixed farming, and emergence of settled communities.

Later Vedic Period Society

Division into unequal groups with the varna system, patriarchal family structures, and women considered subordinate to men.

Later Vedic Period Religion

Emergence of Vedic and non-Vedic traditions, significance of sacrifices, and evolution of gods worshipped.

Veda-Vyasa

Classifying the original Veda into 4 different Samhitas.

Puranas

Encompass a total of five subjects or topics, known as pancalaksana, which distinguish them.

Puranic Traditions

Represent a formalized religion and structured belief system made up of various strands that effectively assimilated and incorporated native religious cultic practices and beliefs.

Vaishnavism

Marked by the convergence and amalgamation of 3 cults: Vishnu, Narayana, and Krishna-Vasudeva

Saivism

The Saiva cult, which did not involve the concept of avatars but integrated deities from diverse traditions into Siva’s family.

Saktisim

Originated as the veneration of the female principle, recognized as the Shakta, within Brahmanism.

Puranic Religion

Includes worshipping of idols and temples, pilgrimages, vrata (religious observances), mantra (holy chanting), ritual experts, and bhakti (devotion).

Bhakti Movement

A religious reform movement in medieval India, advocating a mystical connection between humanity and the divine.

Saguna Bhakti

Saints extol a god with attributes or form and In favor of the dominance of Brahmins, supporting the caste system.

Nirguna Bhakti

Poet-saints extol a god without and beyond all attributes or form and Rejected the supremacy of Brahmins and all caste-based conventions.

Jainism and Buddhism

Challenged the idea that a person’s birth determines their social status.

Vardhamana Mahavira

The twenty-fourth and final Tirthankara.

Jain Doctrines

Jainism taught five doctrines: (a) Do not tell a lie; (b) Observe continence (brahmacharya); (c) Do not hoard; (d) Do not steal; and (e) Do not commit violence.

Triratna

The 3 jewels of the Jain religion that includes right knowledge, right faith, and right action.

Prakrit

The language in which Mahavira imparted his teachings.

Shvetambaras

Those who wore white cloths.

Digambaras

The Digambaras, who chose not to wear clothes and remain naked.

Gautam Buddha

A pragmatic reformer, focusing on practical, worldly issues.

Ashtangikamarga

Accurate observation, proper determination, appropriate speech, correct action, suitable livelihood, diligent effort, mindfulness, and compassionate concern is known as

Sangha

A religious order open for everyone that requires its monks to obediently follow its rules and guidelines.

Vajrayana

A new branch of Buddhism, played a significant role in Buddhism’s decline in India.

Sufi

An Arabic term generally indicating an individual inclined towards seclusion, dedicating themselves to the path of devotion and commitment to God.

Tariqa

The Sufi path

Sheikh or Pir or Murshid

Spiritual leader

Murid

Disciple

Khanqah

Hospice

Agnyadheya

The daily Agnihotra ritual which requires having three fires known as the Garhapatya, Ahavaniya, and Daksinagni.

Five qualities that make a Purana unique

The five subjects or topics, known as pancalaksana, which distinguish them include (1) Sarga (original creation), (2) Pratisarga (dissolution and recreation), (3) Vamsa (genealogies), (4) Manvantara (epoch of each Manu), and (5) Vamsanucarita (histories of dynasties mentioned in the genealogies, contributing to the origin of the universe).

Indra

The deity of strength who was worshiped for his power to destroy enemies, symbolizing the forceful and uncontrollable aspects of nature.

Agni

The god of fire who was highly revered and saw himself as a mediator bridging the gap between the worlds of gods and mortals.

Yajna

The structure of a yajna involved the construction of a ritualistic fire altar, precise recitation of Vedic hymns, and the offering of various items into the sacred fire.

Chandragupta Maurya

King of Mauryan Dynasty who disseminated Jain religion in south India (Karnataka).

Prakrit

To disseminate Jainism, Mahavira established a community that encompassed both males and females, he imparted his teachings in

Sangha

A religious order open for everyone The sangha required its monks to obediently follow its rules and guidelines.

Buddhist Principles

The ethical codes for his disciples includes: a. Do not tell a lie, b. Do not commit violence, c. Do not use intoxicants, d. Do not covet the property of others, and e. Do not indulge in sexual misconduct and adultery.

Vajrayana

The term refers to the new and radical branch of Buddhism that emphasized wealth and materialism.

Shankaracharya

He was a visionary leader among the mystic Bhakti poet-saints who imparted a fresh perspective to Hinduism

Mathas

The four mathas established Shankaracharya at Dwarka, Puri, Sringeri, and Badrinath

Madhavacharya

He propagated Dvaita, advocating the dualism of Jivatma (individual soul) and Paramatma (supreme soul).

Nimbarka

Who introduced the Dvaitadvaita philosophy, emphasizing the principle of Bheda Abheda

Vallabhacharya

He propagated his doctrine of Bhakti (devotion) by venerating the deity Krishna, whom he affectionately called Shrinath Ji.

Varakaris

Vaishnava tradition in Maharashtra who were the followers of the deity Vithoba of Pandharpur known as

Basava

The founding saint of the Veerashaiva movement, promoting a devotional and egalitarian philosophy, challenging prevailing social norms.

Guru Nanak

Proclaimed the equality of all humans in the eyes of God.

The Five Pillars of Islam

The essential unifying components of Islam are encapsulated in

Vidyapati

Hailing from the Mithila region that’s well-versed in Sanskrit literature and philosophy, served as a court poet known for lyrical compositions written in Maithili celebrating complexities of human emotions and secured a lasting legacy as a master of poetic expression.

Sant Eknath

As a scholar of the Varkari sampradaya and Vaishnavism, that is well-versed in Marathi literature

Ramananda

A prominent figure in the 15th century, emerged as a trailblazing Bhakti saint in North India to make practice of devotion by welcoming individuals irrespective of gender or social stigmas

Kabir

Who skilfully shaped the social philosophy of his esteemed mentor by creating a religious and natural synthesis of conflicting creeds. In-fact, was regarded more as a teacher than a theologian or philosopher as denouncing of contemporary Hypocrisy was more important that just spiritual preaching.

Guru Nanak

As a revolutionary religious reformer, Guru sought a creed capable of expressing both Hindu and Muslim devotion for the new framework to make in a society.

Chaitanya

Arguably the most revered saint, if not the paramount leader, of the Bhakti movement as known for his teachings and philosophy about Krishna and Chaitanya Vaishnavism

Gyaneshwar

Whose translation of Vedas created a major shift as he enriched Marathi literature.

Namdeva

A Marathi Saint, initially a Tailor but was transformed to Saint due to devotion.

Indian Secularism

Is referred by historians as a blend between western and traditional, from perspective moral and liberal as a state must keep distance and also have an approach to provide equal respect between different religious beliefs

Pandit Nehru (Nehruvian Secularism)

The approach to secularism highlights the relationship between State and ethical code following its roots but not completely dependent, as for an upliftment in society, it is necessary to take guidance from moral compass irrespective of social status .

Ghandhian (Ethical and Normative Secularism)

The approach for secularism mentions tolerance for each individual and the relationship needs to be based on spiritual, with harmony to each perspective, even though can differ but have an equally righteous sense to take from.

Non-Sectarian Bhakti Movement

As the new structure with intermix of all is believed, where everyone have a possibility and the space to have one faith in itself but the new stream needs to be promoted against each kind of superstition.

Tukaram

Is believed about its relation from Vithoba of Maharashtra. and with many things about a region, he had played a crucial role due to leadership quality.

Madhava

Advocated the dualism of Jivatma (individual soul) and Paramatma (supreme soul) and emphasized the foundation for the Brahma Sampradaya or theological schools after having his own philosophy.

Vallabhacharya

Propagated his doctrine of Bhakti (devotion) by venerating the deity Krishna, whom he affectionately called Shrinath Ji.”

Shankaracharya

Emphasis on Worshipping to formless Brahma but achieving Moksha was very challenging

Vallabhacharya

A Telugu Brahmin that’s known for contributions during religious secularity with equality

Andals

Vaishnavite-Bakthi through women, Alwar’s in all communities , Puranic tradition with the emphasis for everyone

Adi Granth

It's the most common holy book to everyone who belong to the Sikh community.

Vaishnavism

Bhakti

Bhakti Movement

The term encapsulate the spirit of devotion and intense love for the divine known as Bakthi and intense with the God all this under connection with super power .

Ramananda of Puranas

A 15th-century poet-saint born in Prayag (Allahabad), disseminated his principles in Benaras whose followers are known as Ramanandis by Ramanandi ,he also rejected Monopoly of religious texts and delivered his teachings to make them accesible

Brahmanas

The ancient sacred texts of Hinduism with Mantras, Hymns, Explanations and Philisopical Interpretations , used for guidance related to the rituals and ceremonies

Vedanta

The concept of Veda known as Upanishads or knowledge or wisdom which means insights into religious world and spirituality used to form philosophy

Yajna or Sacrifice

A process with different rituals, including chanting by specialized vedic priests, that involves fire with the intent to draw the attention and blessings to the natural forces.

Idol Worshipping

Considered an alternate to the Vedic Yajnas and arose as something Tangible for those who were unable to perform Yajna due to cost and complexities.

Bhakti Cults

Devotion, is an are that anyone can enter and use it to connect and seek in deep affection to super natural power.. The path allows those with a deep affection for something that can be their chosen deity.

Skathism (From Skakti Shakti)

The term that originated from ‘Braj’, the deity of female principle, which highlights importance of power and strength associated to Goddess.The foundation highlights female figure that shows energy related to the goddess.

Krishnite Vaishnavism

The path focused on making love, affection in Vrindaban very spiritual and the path is called ism , it is a Hindu movement that puts an importance to Krishna as the most important deity over other supreme being of Vishnu.

Guru or Guide

The leader is called so that one makes a way to a path to devote themself in to reach closer to God .

Swastika

Symbolize the wish for auspiciousness and well-being.

Buddhism

A tradition with great importance, in 5th Centaury people choose the doctrines for acceptance

Reform Movement

Was most impactful to see changes to how the varna system was now to do things. It’s an era for people looking out to see how rules change at time due to status of people is about to evolve.

Vedic society

A big family, or everyone is connected through tribal bonds to protect and lead in battles. But leaders come and go or pass down what happens , they don't like have positions or leaders passed from their parents, so they are chosen by other people.

Vedic Dharma

A repository of spiritual laws discovered by numerous sages over millennia, compiled into texts like the Vedas and Upanishads.

Buddhist Doctrine

The world is characterized by suffering, and this suffering is rooted in human desires. The path to nirvana, lies in conquering these desires.

Samhitas

Ancient Sacred texts of Hinduism , and compiled into 4 main collection Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, Atharveda.

Vand

A practice in social setting to be more helpful and make community where there is more to share. (Waachakna)

kirti Ka

Was a thing done because it’s the one to thank for wealth to live by (kirti karna) to live ethical.