Hindu Texts in Daily LIfe

 Hinduism consists of an extensive collection of ancient religious writings and oral accounts that expound upon eternal truths, some of which are thought to be divinely revealed and realised by their ancient sages.

The Vedas and other sacred writings are thought of as valid sources for knowledge about G-d, but other sources like personal experience of the Divine are regarded highly as well.

Vedic literature is broadly divided into shruti and smriti texts.

Shruti Texts

These are thought to be "revealed" or "heard" and divine in origin, containing foundational truths of Hinduism and natural law contained in the vibrations of the universe. Ancient sages (rishis) realised these truths and then transmitted them orally.

It is applied to the Vedas, including the Upanishads. They are written in Sanskrit, thought to be the word of G-d.

Smriti Texts

These are thought to be "remembered" and their purpose is to help Hindus remember the teaching of shruti. They are meant to be read and interpreted in light of changing circumstances over kala (time), desha (land), and guna (personality). They create a structure for society and are flexible in response to changing history.

They are not divine or the word of G-d, and only concern Saguna Brahman (G-d with attributes)

It is applied to the Itihasas (epics: Ramayana and Mahabharata), the Bhagavad Gita (philosophy), the Puranas (stories and histories), and the Dharma Shastra (law books).

Vedas

The word of G-d, transcribed around 1500-1000BCE.

Rig Veda

Generally considered to be the oldest and most important, contributing to other Vedas. 10 books of 1028 hymns to the gods, called Riks, for yajna. Contains the Gayatri Mantra and the Purusha Shukta (story of the primal man). 

Mostly deals with the worship of deities and asking them for worldly benefits like wealth, health, long life, and protection, but also subjects like procedure of marriage.

Sama Veda - Veda of melodies

Chants and melodies sung during worship and yajna with high musical and lyrical quality. Liturgical and practical. Styles of chanting and melodies of chanting are fixed. Referred to as a book of hymns for religious rights.

Yajur Veda - Veda of rituals

Handbook for priests in worship and yajnas. Sometimes called the book of formulas. Divided into earlier "black" and more recent "white".

Atharva Veda - Veda of incarnations

Most recent. 20 books of hymns, mantras, and magical incantations for everyday life, not yajna. Cast charms and spells to protect against death and disease and attract lovers. Magic and ritual formulas associated with marriage and funeral practices.

The Ramayana

Summary

The Ramayana is one of two great Indian epics offering models of dharma and demonstrating Indian life around 1000 BCE. Rama lives his whole life by dharma, causing him to be regarded as a hero and for young people to be told to "be as Rama" or "be as Sita".

Rama was a virtuous prince of Ayodhya, married to Sita. As the eldest sibling, he was the heir to the throne but his father was forced to exile him to the forest for 14 years due to a promise he made to Rama's stepmother, Kaikeyi. 

Rama is accompanied by Sita and his brother Lakshmana. Ravana, an evil demon, hears of Sita's beauty, kidnaps her, and fails to seduce her. 

In an attempt to win her back, Rama allies with the monkey kings Sugriva and Hanuman. They defeat Ravana with an army of monkeys. Siva undergoes trial by fire to prove her faithfulness They return in triumph to Ayodhya.

Ethical Teaching

Frawley: "No ancient story, not even Homer's Iliad or Odyssey, has remained as popular through the course of time. The story of Rama appears as old as civilisation and has a fresh appeal for every generation."

It teaches moral values like the ideal relationship between brothers, with Lakshmana giving up all his status as a prince to live in the forest with Rama. 

The importance of honouring a promise - his father urges Rama to stay initially, but Rama says he could not and would not dishonour his father by forcing him to break his word. He shows deep love and devotion to his parents, making him the 'ideal' son.

Rama and Sita are role models in developing divine qualities. 

Rama is closely associated with dharma in all his thoughts, words, and actions.
Sita is the role model of purity, patience, devotion, and forgiveness - the 'ideal' daughter, wife, and mother.
Hanuman is a role model of courage, strength, and selfless service.
Lakshmana is an example of selfless caring.

The Mahabharata

The Mahabharata is the longest epic in world literature, made up of 18 books and 100,000 stanzas. It was written in Sanskrit between 400 BCE - 400 CE, reflecting a cultural and historyical era in 10th century BCE India.

W.J Johnson: the Mahabharata is "as important in the context of world civilisation as the Bible, the works of Shakespeare, the works of Homer, Greek drama, or the Qur'an."

Summary

It was composed by Vysa, telling the story of the Great War between the Pandavas and the Kauravas after the Pandavas were banished for 12 years. The Karuavas were the hundred sons of the blind king Dhiritarashtra. The Pandavas were the five sons of Pandu, including Arjuna, who married and shared a wife, Draupadi.

The Pandavas were obedient, dutifuland loved throughout the kingdom, and therefoer hated by the Kauravas. The Kauravas challenged the Pandavas to a game of dice, which the Pandavas lost, leading to their 12 year exile. Upon returning, the battle of Kurukshetra takes place.

Krishna takes place as Arjuna's charioteer. The Bhagavad Gita, contained in the Mahabharata, features the words spoken by Krishna to Arjuna, urging him to fight. A detailed summary is found here.

The Pandavas win and rule over Hastinapura for a number of years. The battle's violence permenantly changed all of those who witnessed it.

Ethical Teachings

The epics teaches that dharma holds the cosmos together, with Krishna telling Arjuna, "do your duty and do not think about its rewards", and to detach from greed and desire. It is a reminder of the social as well as moral impact of our actions and how their impact on other people should be considered.

Proper conduct of kings and warriors is discussed. Arjuna expresses support for family values and defends tradition.

The epic stresses the importance of justice and fairness; Krishna emphasises the triumph of good over evil whatever the cost. Perhaps this is a utilitarian approach - promoting the common good. 

The Pandavas wife raises issues of legitimate uses of violence, honesty, and the abuse of women. Blind pride and wrong actions have serious consequences. The power of envy is a running theme.

The Mahabharata contains all that a person should know to achieve the goals of dharma, artha, kama, and moksha. 

Two of the chapters - the Santi and Anushasana Parvas (book of peace, book of instructions) - deal with code of conduct, values, morals, and philosophy.

Interpreting and implementing wisdom from Hindu texts

The principles of shruti and smriti have pretty much been a constant standard withn Hinduism. However, with later developments, particularly in the light of varied schools and traditions, the smriti literature has taken on more significance beyond ritualistic aspects of puja.

The Upanishads have driven yogic theory/practice and the epics have had a major influence in maintaining and promoting Hindu ethics and culture, extending to national media through film in Bollywood. 

The texts undoubtedly remain relevant to today.

Gandhi: "The Mahabharata is the story of a bloody war. But I have maintained in the teeth of orthodox Hindu opposition that it is a book written to establish the futility of war and violence."

QUOTE BANK!!

Ambedkar: "The difference in their authority and binding force was the result of the natural difference between the trustworthiness of what is heard as compared to what is only remembered. There was also another reason for this differentiation in the two sorts of Dharma Shastra literature. This was based upon the status of their authors. The authors of the Vedas were Rishis. The authors of the smritis were only learned men. The Rishis were superior in status and sanctity than those who were merely learned. Consequently the Vedas were treated as more authoritative than the smritis. "

Olivelle: the Upanishads "document the transition from the archaic ritualism of the Veda into new religious ideas and institutions"

Rig Veda 3:72:10: Gayatri Mantra "Let us meditate on the brilliant light of that one who is worthy of worship and who has created all worlds. may he direct our minds to the truth."

Hindu teaching to children: "be as Rama" "be as Sita"

Frawley: "No ancient story, not even Homer's Iliad or Odyssey, has remained as popular through the course of time. The story of Rama appears as old as civilisation and has a fresh appeal for every generation."

Explaining the Hindu dharma: "The Ramayana has been from time immemorial a source of guidance, instruction, and solace to many Hindus in India and throughout the world. For countless centuries this epic has influenced Hindu religion and society, and has inspired family and social life."

W.J Johnson: the Mahabharata is "as important in the context of world civilisation as the Bible, the works of Shakespeare, the works of Homer, Greek drama, or the Qur'an."

Gandhi: "The Mahabharata is the story of a bloody war. But I have maintained in the teeth of orthodox Hindu opposition that it is a book written to establish the futility of war and violence."

Tejpal: "The greatest book in the world, the Mahabharata, tells us we all have to live and die by our karmic cycle. Thus works the perfect reward-and-punishment, cause-and-effect, code of the universe. We live out in our present life what w wrote out in our last. But the great moral thriller also orders us to rage against karma and its despotic dictates. It teaches us to subvert it. To change it. It tells us we also wite out our next lives as we live out our present. The Mahabharata is not a work of religious instruction. It is much greater. it is a work of art."