Honors History - India

Vishnu

Preserver

Shakti

Female divine and ruthless against evil

Brahman

Spiritual force that makes up everything in the universe

Shiva

Transformer

Atman

Essential self

Maksha

- Ultimate goal of Hinduism
- Union with Brahman
- Cannot achieve in one lifetime

Reincarnation

Rebirth of the soul into another bodily form

Karma

Action and results

Dharma

- Religious and moral duties of an individual
- Depends on one's role in society and characteristics

Caste System

- Social groups which people are born into and can rarely change
- Divided society into ranked groups based on occupation

Caste System Order (top to bottom)

- Brahmins
- Kshatriyas
- Vaisyas
- Sundras
- Dalits/Untouchables

Brahmins

Priests

Kshatriyas

Warriors

Vaisyas

- Herders
- Farmers
- Artisans
- Merchants

Sundras

- Farmworkers
- Servents
- Laborers

Dalits/Untouchables

- Outside the caste system
- Work others wouldn't do

Casts Determined...

- Where they lived
- How they earned a living
- Who they can marry

Casts Were...

Strictly seperated