Hindu Canonical Texts
You have two classic South Asian readings and a few questions to tackle today. The responses you write will become part of your L13 lesson notes. You should write the responses using an online application like Google Docs/ MS Office Web Apps. Then, save the document as a PDF and deposit into the Box.net folder that you share with Mr.V for evaluation. Use the writing template found in Mr.V’s “Mobile Docs” folder.
You have two classic South Asian readings and a few questions to tackle today. The responses you write will become part of your L13 lesson notes. You should write the responses using an online application like Google Docs/ MS Office Web Apps. Then, save the document as a PDF and deposit into the Box.net folder that you share with Mr.V for evaluation. Use the writing template found in Mr.V’s “Mobile Docs” folder.
A copy of your responses should be printed at home and placed with L13- Hinduism Origins. If the assignment isn’t completed by the end of the period, please complete it at home. Mr.V will retrieve the assignment from your Box.net folder by (NOT ‘on’) 12 Nov.
Reminder: All assignments deposited in the Box.net folder you share with Mr.V should remain there for safe-keeping and future reference. DO NOT REMOVE THEM.
1. Read the brief (3 paragraph) description of the Ramayana, one of the great epic poems to come from South Asia, or any other place.
- What do you suppose is an epic poem?
- What is the Ramayana about?
- Aside from being entertaining, could there be another purpose for such a literary work?
2. Read Dharma: The Imperative of Caste Law on pages 71 – 73. Respond to questions 1 – 4, which are re-written for you below.
- Why should Arjuna not grieve for those whom he might kill
- Why should one perform one’s caste-duty in a totally disinterested fashion?
- According to Krishna what constitutes sins? What is evil?
- What hope, if any, does this theological message hold out to the lowest elements of Hindu society?
Reading Source: The Human Record. Volume 1, Fourth Edition.
Additional Content
A. Mahabharata: One of the longest epic poems in human history. Literally, it means “Great Tale of the Bharata Dynasty”.
B. Bhagavad-Gita: A segment of the Mahabharata, it is a popular epic poem all by itself. In this tale, a Kshatriya (Arjuna) and his charioteer (lord Krishna in disguise) enter into a debate before a major battle. Arjuna is troubled because he is about to fight an enemy that includes members of his family. The charioteer attempts to explain to him where his duties lie.
Basic teaching argues that the enlightened person is disciplined (knows himself) and can see all things in himself, and himself in all things (unity of life universe). He can look beyond illusions (that which we perceive to be real and impactful that is neither and hence it creates separateness) to what is real/ true => creates unity.
These canonical texts offer a way for the faithful to reach this ‘enlightened’ ideal. As in the Mahabharata, the use of myths to ‘teach’ is in keeping with ancient traditions prevalent throughout the world.
Vocabulary
- Incarnation: Embodiment (representation in the ‘flesh’) of a divinity on Earth.
- Avatar: An incarnation, appearance, or manifestation on Earth of a divinity.
*Click on the link to read a a brief description of the Ramayana.
**Avatar Derived from the Sanskrit word for ‘incarnation’. In the Hindu faith, it refers to an embodiment (human form) of a divinity.
