Final Exam Review Guide - Unit 3 Notes

Final Exam Details

• The final exam is worth 25 points out of the total 100 points for the semester grade.

• The exam consists of 75 objective questions.

• The questions are distributed across the major units studied throughout the semester.

  • 15 questions from the Islam material (Part 1).
  • 25 questions from the Judaism unit.
  • 10 questions from each of the first four units (Units 1-4).

Key Terminology (Hindu Context)

• Dharma: Understand its contextual application within Hinduism.
• Karma: Understand its contextual application within Hinduism.
• Samsara: The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.
• Moksha: Liberation from the cycle of samsara.
• Atman: The individual soul or self.
• Brahman: The ultimate reality or cosmic principle.
• Aryan Invasion Theory (Debunked): Historical theory now largely discredited.
• Hindu Synthesis: The amalgamation of various traditions and philosophies into Hinduism.
• Maya: Illusion or the perceived reality that obscures the true nature of Brahman.
• Om: A sacred syllable representing Brahman.
• Vedas: Ancient scriptures of Hinduism.
• Upanishads: Philosophical texts that elaborate on the Vedas.
• Shruti vs. Smriti:
  • Shruti: Divinely revealed texts (e.g., Vedas).
  • Smriti: Traditionally authored texts (e.g., epics, law codes).
• Bhakti: Devotion or love for a personal deity.
• Yoga: Spiritual practices for union with the divine.
• Darshana: A system of philosophy or perspective.
• Advaita Vedanta: Non-dualistic school of philosophy.
• Vishishtadvaita Vedanta: Qualified non-dualistic school of philosophy.
• Dvaita Vedanta: Dualistic school of philosophy.
• Ramayana: An epic narrative.
• Mahābhārata: An epic narrative (longer than the Ramayana).
• Bhagavad Gītā: A scripture within the Mahābhārata.
• Krishna: An avatar of Vishnu.
• Sita: A central character in the Ramayana.
• Rama: A central character in the Ramayana and an avatar of Vishnu.
• Hanuman: A devotee of Rama.
• Draupadī: A central character in the Mahabharata.
• Swastika (Dharmic usage): An ancient symbol of well-being and auspiciousness.
• Right-facing vs. Left-facing Swastika (Dharmic usage): Different orientations with varied symbolic meanings.
• Swastika (Misappropriation): The misuse of the swastika by the Nazi regime.
• Suparshvanatha: A Jain Tirthankara associated with the swastika.
• Tat Tvam Asi: "That Thou Art" - A philosophical statement of unity.
• Panchayatana Puja: The worship of five deities.
• Sannyasin: A renunciate or ascetic.
• Smriti Texts: Texts based on tradition.
• Mandala: A geometric design representing the cosmos.

Major Periods in the Development of Hinduism

1. Indus Valley Civilization (ca. 3300–1300 BCE)

   • Highly urbanized culture with sophisticated city planning.
   • Religious elements include:
     • Proto-Shiva figures.
     • Ritual bathing.
     • Early swastika usage.
   • Possible precursors to yogic practice and concepts of cosmic order.

2. Vedic Age (ca. 1500–500 BCE)

   • Emphasis on ritual sacrifice conducted by Brahmins.
   • Four Vedas composed; oral tradition is key.
   • Caste system and cosmic order rooted in dharma.

3. Upanishadic Revolution / Śramaṇa Movements (ca. 800–300 BCE)

   • Philosophical shift toward interior realization (Atman = Brahman).
   • Karma and samsara more clearly articulated.
   • Birth of renouncer traditions (e.g., Jainism, Buddhism).

4. Epic Era (ca. 400 BCE – 400 CE)

   • Ramayana and Mahābhārata dramatize moral conflict and dharma.
   • Bhakti, karma, and moksha embedded in narrative form.
   • Emergence of iconic characters: Rama, Sita, Hanuman, Arjuna, Krishna, Draupadi, Bhishma, and Duryodhana.

5. Classical Hinduism / Smriti Canon (post-300 CE)

   • Veda becomes a unifying symbol, even if not read directly.
   • Smriti texts (Epics, Puranas, Dharma Shastras) become the practical canon.
   • Rituals, law codes, and mythology guide public and private life.

Philosophical Schools of Vedanta

• Advaita Vedanta: Non-dualism; Atman and Brahman are one (Shankara).
• Vishishtadvaita: Qualified non-dualism; souls are part of Brahman but distinct (Ramanuja).
• Dvaita Vedanta: Dualism; Atman and Brahman are eternally distinct (Madhva).

The Epics

1. The Ramayana

   • Overview

     • Attributed to Valmiki; over 24,000 verses.
     • Told across temples, festivals, and many Asian cultures.
     • Explores dharma, sacrifice, and the consequences of duty.

   • Key Characters

     • Rama – Avatar of Vishnu; upholds dharma at great personal cost.
     • Sita – Embodiment of devotion and dignity; undergoes fiery trials and exile.
     • Lakshmana – Rama’s loyal brother, protector, and moral counterpoint.
     • Hanuman – The ultimate devotee; strength, humility, and fearless Bhakti.
     • Ravana – The tragic villain; brilliant and powerful but undone by ego.

   • Saga in Five Acts

     1. Exile of Rama – Accepts banishment over comfort to uphold dharma.
     2. Sita’s Capture – Ravana kidnaps Sita, believing himself worthy.
     3. Hanuman’s Journey – Leap of faith to find Sita; destroys Lanka.
     4. Battle of Lanka – Rama defeats Ravana; cosmic justice prevails.
     5. Trial by Fire & Second Exile – Sita proves purity, but Rama exiles her to preserve royal legitimacy.

   • Key Lessons

     • Dharma is not always clear-cut – even heroes must make painful choices.
     • Sita’s story raises questions – Is patience a strength? Is dharma always just?
     • Devotion may not lead to reward – but it reveals one’s true character.

2. The Mahābhārata

   • Overview

     • Over 100,000 verses – the longest epic poem in world literature.
     • Story of family betrayal, moral collapse, and the fight for dharma in a corrupt world.
     • At its heart: What does it mean to do what is right in a broken age?

   • Key Characters

     • Pandavas – Sons of gods; fight for justice but suffer deeply.
     • Kauravas – Ambitious cousins driven by pride and manipulation.
     • Draupadī – Humiliated queen whose dignity demands vengeance.
     • Krishna – Avatar of Vishnu; divine strategist and teacher of the Gītā.
     • Bhīṣma, Drona, Karna – Noble warriors caught between dharma and loyalty.

   • Key Episodes

     • The Dice Game & Draupadī’s Humiliation – A kingdom lost, a woman shamed, a vow made.
     • The Bhagavad Gītā – Arjuna falters; Krishna reveals divine truth.
     • Fall of Heroes – Bhīṣma, Drona, and Karna all fall tragically.
     • Final War & Restoration – Victory comes at great moral and spiritual cost.

   • Key Lessons

     • Even dharma becomes unclear when institutions are corrupted.
     • Vows and oaths can both protect and destroy.
     • Righteousness may not prevail without suffering.
     • Compassion without action leads to paralysis.

3. The Bhagavad Gītā (within the Mahābhārata)

   • Overview

     • Set on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, just before war begins.
     • Dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna, unfolding in 700 verses.
     • A concise spiritual map of Hindu theology—widely revered and recited today.
     • Considered by many Hindus the most important sacred text.

   • Major Teachings

     • Dharma – One must fulfill their sacred duty, even when painful.
     • Karma Yoga – Act without attachment to the results; the action itself is sacred.
     • Bhakti Yoga – Surrender to God in love and devotion; let divine grace carry you.
     • Jñāna Yoga – Seek liberation through wisdom and insight.
     • Krishna’s Theophany – Reveals himself as Vishvarupa (the Universal Form), containing all creation and destruction within himself.

   • Key Lessons

     • You are not the body or the ego – the Atman is eternal and unchanging.
     • The soul cannot kill or be killed – it simply is.
     • One’s station in life (svadharma) must be lived out fully, even if tragic.
     • The divine dwells within and beyond all things – every action, when done with love and detachment, is a form of worship.
     • True surrender leads to liberation – Krishna promises: “Abandon all dharmas and take refuge in Me alone; I will deliver you.”

The Swastika in the Dharmic Tradition

• Indus Valley Origins – Cosmic order, divine favor
• Dharmic Usage:
  • Hinduism:
    • Right-facing: Vishnu, Surya, prosperity
    • Left-facing: Kali, destruction, return to source
  • Buddhism:
    • Used to mark temples, texts, Buddha’s body
    • Represents Dharma Wheel, eternal truth
  • Jainism:
    • Map of rebirth realms and path to moksha
    • Associated with Suparshvanatha (7th Tirthankara)
• Global Usage: Appears in Troy, Greece, Indigenous North America, Ethiopia, and beyond
• Modern Misappropriation: 20th-century Nazi misuse distorts original sacred meanings

Bhakti Traditions – Loving Devotion to the Ultimate

• Vaishnavism

  • Worship of Vishnu and his avatars (Krishna, Rama)
  • Major traditions: Sri Vaishnavism, Gaudiya Vaishnavism, Ramanandi
  • Emphasizes personal devotion and divine grace

• Shaivism

  • Worship of Shiva as cosmic lord
  • Traditions include householders, ascetics (Aghori), and Tantric practitioners
  • Lingam – Symbol of formless creative power

• Shaktism

  • Worship of Shakti, the divine feminine
  • Durga, Kali, Lakshmi central figures
  • Celebrated through festivals (e.g., Navaratri) and rituals

• Smartism

  • Philosophy of unity-in-diversity
  • Panchayatana Puja – Worship of five deities (Shiva, Vishnu, Devi, Surya, Ganesha)

Hindu Rituals and Festivals – Symbolic Meaning and Ritual Actions

• Diwali – Festival of lights; Lakshmi worship and victory of light over darkness

• Holi – Spring festival of color; myth of Prahlad and divine joy

• Durga Puja – Worship of goddess Durga’s triumph over evil

• Kumbh Mela – Pilgrimage gathering at sacred rivers; cyclical time and renewal

• Ratha Yatra – Festival of chariots; community devotion to Krishna

• Janmashtami – Birth of Krishna; devotional reenactments

• Ganesh Chaturthi – Celebrates the remover of obstacles

• Kali Puja – Nighttime ritual invoking transformative power

• Key Themes in Ritual Life:

  • Embodiment – Using the body in acts of devotion
  • Community – Ritual as a shared, social experience
  • Cyclicality – Festivals connect time to cosmic rhythm
  • Mythic Dramatization – Rituals reenact sacred stories in lived time