Study Note For Hindu Goddesses Exam 1

Darsan

The sacred sight of seeing and being seen by gods.

Polytheistic Imaginary

The belief in multiple gods, each with their own significance and power.

Ethnography

A research method used to study and document the culture, behavior, and social interactions of a particular group or community.

Iconic Images

Representational images that have a recognizable likeness to their mythic subject.

Aniconic Images

Symbolic forms that do not attempt to represent any anthropomorphic likeness.

Everyday Religion

The lived, practical aspects of religious practices in the daily lives of individuals. Emphasis on the importance of understanding Hinduism not only through its textual and ritual dimensions but also by examining how religious beliefs and practices permeate various aspects of daily life. This approach involves studying how people engage with their religious traditions in quotidian activities, such as household rituals, festivals, and community events

Tapas

The building of spiritual power in the body through acts of austerity or self-denial.

Auspicious

Fertility, creativity, abundance, and overflow.

Inauspicious

Death, impurity, lack of fertility, and lack of abundance.

Prakriti/Purusha

• Grammatical and ritual use of “prakriti”-–” base,” ”model,” etc.

• Prakriti (f.)—matter, active, unmanifest

• Purusha (m.)—consciousness, inactive

• Prakriti and Purusha’s fusion sparks a process of evolutes that culminate in “jiva,” a living being

Purity/Pollution

• At the foundation of the Hindu worldview

• Determines one’s caste group, authority, and access

• Scale determined by bodily fluids

• Polluting: death, menstruation, birth, dealing with carcasses of animals, working in cremation ground

• Purifying: water, fire

Maya

The concepts of magic, illusion, deceit, artifice, enchantment, and the unreal. POwers of the gods and asuras.

Cosmology

The study of the origin, structure, and evolution of the universe.

Shakti

refers to the divine feminine energy or power that is considered the primordial cosmic energy. It is believed to be the creative force behind the universe and is often personified as the goddess Devi or Durga. Shakti is worshipped as the embodiment of strength, fertility, and transformation.

Varna

The four main social classes or castes: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras.

Shakti Pitha

Sacred sites where the body parts of the goddess Sati fell after her self-immolation.

Creation Myths (The Nasadiya Sukta)

A hymn from the Rigveda, an ancient Indian scripture. It is also known as the "Hymn of Creation" or "Creation Hymn." The Sukta explores the concept of the origin of the universe and the nature of existence. It presents various philosophical and cosmological ideas, including the idea that the universe emerged from a state of non-being. The hymn raises questions about the nature of creation and the ultimate reality, leaving the answers open-ended. It is considered a profound and thought-provoking piece of ancient literature

Devi Mahatmya

The scripture narrates the story of the battle between the goddess Durga and the buffalo demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. Devi Mahatmya is highly revered and recited during Navaratri, a nine-night festival dedicated to the worship of the goddess. It emphasizes the significance of feminine energy and the worship of the divine mother.

The Descent of Ganga

The descent of Ganga, also known as the Ganga Avataran, is a significant event in Hindu mythology. According to the legend, King Bhagiratha performed intense penance to bring the sacred river Ganga down from the heavens to Earth. Lord Shiva, pleased with his devotion, released the mighty river from his matted locks, allowing it to flow down to cleanse the sins of humanity.

Ramayana

Tells the story of Prince Rama and his journey to rescue his wife, Sita, from the demon king Ravana. The epic follows Rama's exile, his alliance with the monkey king Hanuman, and the epic battle between Rama's army and Ravana's forces. It explores themes of duty, honour, loyalty, and the triumph of good over evil. The Ramayana is considered one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient Indian literature, along with the Mahabharata.

Sati's Immolation (Shiva Purana)

Sati, daughter of Daksha, loved Shiva her whole life and married him. Shiva is not invited to sacrifice, and sage Dadhichi is outraged. Sati discovers her husband (and by extension, her) were not invited and goes there anyway, despite Shiva’s discouragement. Sati confronts her father and turns Daksha’s insults of Shiva into praises. Sati creates a fire from her ascetic heat and immolates herself. Shiva is enraged and sends Virabhadra and Mahakali to destroy the sacrifice. Gods beg Shiva for mercy and ask him to undo the destruction. Sacrifice resumed with praise of Shiva

Yamuna

Yamuna (a.k.a., Yami, or Kalindi) and Yama, are twins born to the Surya, the sun god. Yama-–god of death. Yamuna—river goddess. Close to Delhi, the center of political power over the ages. Meets Ganga at Allahabad, a.k.a. Prayag

Parvati Woos Shiva

Śiva fell into a meditative state following the death of Satī. The demon Tāraka taking advantage of Śiva’s absence, secures a boon from Brahma. Pārvatī, a reincarnation of Satī, is born to Himavan, the god of the Himalayas. Pārvatī undergoes severe ascetic trials to win over Śiva. The Gods, desperate to ensure the birth of Śiva’s son, sent Kāma, the god of love to wake Śiva from his meditative state. Śiva awakes but in his fury, he burns Kāma. Before agreeing to marry Pārvatī, Śiva tests her devotion by approaching her as an old ascetic and speaking ill of Śiva. Pārvatī’s ascetic trials and her devotion to Śiva impressed the god and he agreed to marry her. They have a son, Skanda (Kartikeya), who slays Tāraka.

Shiva Nataraja

Shiva Nataraja is a depiction of Lord Shiva in his cosmic dance form. It symbolizes the cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction. In this form, Shiva is shown with multiple arms and legs, dancing within a circle of flames, representing the eternal rhythm of the universe. The dance also signifies the triumph of good over evil and the liberation of the soul. Shiva Nataraja is a significant icon in Hindu mythology and is often associated with the concept of cosmic energy and divine consciousness.