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M04_ROBS4430_02_SE_C04.indd 38 7/17/12 10:50 AM 39 7/17/12 10:50 AM - 04 Chapter And so the woman steps gingerly into the into the And so the woman steps gingerly WITH THE SACRED? WITH THE COMMUNITY? DO HUMANS INTERACT INTERACT HOW DO HUMANS BECOME THE SACRED HOW DOES lands, and other offerings afloat on its surface; afloat on its surface; lands, and other offerings of the river; and to take away vials to drink from the The river is also the place where the water. after of the dead come to rest remains cremated on the river’s being consumed in funeral pyres by Mother banks, to be returned to heaven Ganga. she afloat, Sari past. flows slowly it as water of Mother immerses herself both in the water Ganga and in her devotions. With the Ganges, The water is a sense of paradox and unity. there It nourishes is full of both pollution and the divine. countless of bodies the accepts and soil Indian a watery burial in it. Then it who desire flows to the sea, mixing with the ocean. here in February. The waters of the river cleanse The waters of the river cleanse in February. here con- the believer of the pollution and impurities through or actions improper through tracted certain foods interactions with other people or the bathing (Michaels 2004, 184–186). Beyond come to the rituals, every day at dawn, pilgrims flower gar river to pray; to set votive lights,

- Q : Law and Life First, consider the Ganges, an Indian river river First, consider the Ganges, an Indian us of the Bathing in the Ganges reminds lions of times every year. But, like many other many other lions of times every year. But, like actions layer , her Sanatana aspects of the rich- meaning upon meaning, embodying and ness and complexity of Hindu traditions symbols. source its from miles 1,500 than flows more that Mother in the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal. it, Hindus call as Ganga, Great the Ganga, or of India and problems contains all the promise human waste, indus- More between its shores. burnt and urban sewage trial runoff, remains, other dumped into the Ganges than any are drinking river in the world. And yet it provides land. It water and irrigation to feed a hungry yet cleanses teems with every kind of pollutant The Ganges the souls of those who wash in her. struggling embodies the goddess Ganga, while the its traditional sweet water to to provide life and millions of pilgrims who seek her during (Jacobs find solace in her waves after death 2010, 37–39). importance of purity and ritual in Hindu belief. An annual ritual bathing festival takes place bathes in the Ganges River. What could be River. What could be bathes in the Ganges Hindus repeat this act mil ­simpler? After all, A woman A woman What role might bathing play in the play in bathing might role What sacred life of Hindus? sacred <<< <<< M04_ROBS4430_02_SE_C04.indd 39 M04_ROBS4430_02_SE_C04.indd 40

CHAPTER 4 40 Hinduism: Law and Life >>> Here isarecentreportfromtheNewYorkTimes: Recreation Area, withitssurfandtide,taketheplaceofMotherGanga. miles fromthegreatGanga?FormanyHindus,GatewayNational blessed, toseeitablessing. geography, oftendepictedasthelocksofShiva’s hair. To diethere is in Hindusociety. Flowingthrough India,theriverisequallygoddessand As wesawontheprevious page,theGangesRiverplaysasacred role Mahotsava. for itsdedications,calledthe to yourownritualsofcelebration? A PLACEINTHEWORLD river, toshowrespectandensureblessingsinthislifethenext. the shoreandleaveofferingstoMotherGanga,goddessof learned thattheitemswerereligiousofferings.Hindusmustgo to flags, bamboosticks,sarisandcoins. est coconuttreeswereprobably1,200milesaway.Thenhefound washing upinJamaicaBayadecadeago,eventhoughthenear - very harmful.” the supervisoryparkranger.“Thebreakdownoftheseitemsisvery, performs servicesbythebay.“Weareatadeadendrightnow.” thriving OzoneParktemple,ShriTrimurtiBhavan,whosometimes and makeofferings,’”saidPanditChunelallNarine,thepriestata Strenuous diplomacyonbothsideshashelped,butonlytoapoint. quiet tugofwarbetweenancienttraditionsandmodernregulations. as sacrosanctforverydifferentreasons,andhavespentyearsina does notsweeptherefuseaway. men andkayakers.UnliketheGanges,theysay,enclosedbay are afederalpreservethatmustbekeptcleanforpicnickers,fisher- are afragilehabitat,theofferingstrashandlitteredshores your suffering.” he finishedhisprayers.“Shetakesawayyoursickness,pain, National RecreationArea. even cremationashes—liningthebanksofbayinGateway decade, sotoohastheamountofritualdebris—clothing,statues, and everythinginbetween. from previousHinduceremoniestomarkfestivals,births,deaths limes andwaterloggedragsthathadwashedbackashore,flotsam waters, otherwiseknownasJamaicaBay. incense ontheshoreanddroppedtwococonutsintosacred It wasjustafterdawnlastSundaywhenapairofpilgrimslighted But whathappenswhenyouliveinNewYorkCity,thousandsof A temple entrance A templeentrance After askingaroundandwitnessingafewHindurituals,he John Zuzworsky,aformerranger,noticeddozensofthem It startedwiththecoconuts. “It’s beenamountingproblemforyears,”saidKathyKrause, “I can’tstopthepeopleandsay,’Youcometowater The resultisastandoffbetweentwocampsthatregardthesite But to the park rangers who patrol the beach, the holy waters “We callittheGanges,”onepilgrim,MadanPadarat,saidas As theHindupopulationhasgrowninQueensoverlast The shellsbobbedinthesurf,notfarfromclaybowls,rotting How does this ceremony compare How doesthisceremony compare is specially decorated is speciallydecorated Prana Pratishtha Pratishtha Prana are verystubborn.”(Dolnick2011,1) should followthecountry’srulesandregulations.Butsomepeople group, USAPandits’Parishad.“Ourscripturedoesmentionthatwe said PanditB.RishiMisir,aBrooklynpriestwholeadsHindu temple tohelpcleanup,andhebeganworkingwithparkofficials. Hinduism, has contributed to.”Herallied several members ofhis Mandir.“Iwasdeeplyashamedofwhatmyculture, Ramgarib, a retired electrician and a leader at a Queens temple, than 1,000HindusatanoutdoorreadingoftheRamayana. a localtelevisionchannel.Ms.Krausediscussedlitterbeforemore more creative in spreading the word, joining a panel of priests on left the park in 2008, rangers have become even Mr. Zuzworsky could choke the birds, and fruit could disrupt the food chain. Since fragile ecosystem—howsariscouldstrangletheseagrass,flowers there wasarealconnection.” gist butvolunteeredhisservicesasaliaisontoHindus.“Ithought national park,”saidtheformerranger,whotrainedasawildlifebiolo- Hindu traditions are based in respecting the earth, and we were a explained. Mr. Narine “The offeringisnotcompleteunlessit’sfinallyputinthewater,”

“They shouldunderstandweareinadifferentcountrynow,” The beachwas“reallydisgustinglyfilthy,”saidNagassar He visiteddozensofHindutemplestodiscussthearea’s Mr. Zuzworskysawanopeningfordiscussion.“Alotofthe <<<

7/17/12 10:50 AM <<< Hinduism: Law and Life 41 CHAPTER 4 7/17/12 10:50 AM ? acred S ity r the

is a means by which one can arrive at an by which one can arrive is a means of knowledge But back to the sacrifice: As you move up the karmic ladder from ladder karmic the up move you As sacrifice: the to back But than ghee and soma, Goats and horses carried even more power The Vedic tradition of sacrifice offers a fascinating paradox with Path belief. of all things in Hindu understanding used in but it is often to any religious practice, generally refers discipline of physical and spiritual with the development connection that lead to enlightenment. use to connect to deities. is the sacrifice that Hindus with For ritual sacrifice to work, all participants—including the object to be sacrificed—must have ritual purity. You may remember that Hindu temples often include outside bathing areas, so people can walk into the sacred place cleansed of both dirt and impurity. When you visit a temple, you’ll undoubtedly be asked to take off your shoes before entering. As outside from temple clean the keeps small gesture this can imagine, you dirt and retains its ritual purity, too. Ritual Pu could make a powerful sacrifice. If he did not recite words correctly, sacrifice. If he did not recite words correctly, could make a powerful the dei- might not have been acceptable to for example, the sacrifice with the tremendous power and responsibility ties. This placed both through they controlled the world around them priests. On the one hand, a fatal error in make easily could priest hand, a the other sacrifice. On The the recitation of long, intricate texts by heart. a ritual that included place rituals helped ensure the ’ leading high stakes for these in Indian caste society. sacrifices become ever more plants through animals and human beings, goats, especially animals, other and birds Hinduism, early In powerful. often also used clarified but- were the most common sacrifices. Priests called soma ter (called ghee), cakes of grain, and an intoxicating drink as offerings. In fact, soma has been lost to history, although scientists have been derived. continue to guess from what plant it might than animals. Until the but there was a final sacrifice, even more powerful human beings. The most 19th century, Hindus occasionally sacrificed of suicide, when a widow famous of these were supposed to be a form pyre. (We’ll discuss this would sacrifice herself on her husband’s funeral , that wild torrent in more detail later in the chapter.) The goddess Even in present-day India of power, also demanded human sacrifices. a ritual murder allegedly and abroad, newspapers occasionally report Guard Kills, Drinks Blood performed to appease the goddess (“Home leaders condone human to Appease Kali” 2005). Although no Hindu has grown in the past few sacrifice, the pace of other Vedic sacrifices most ancient form of wor- decades. Ironically, the revival of Hinduism’s Indians who can afford to ship has been underwritten by newly wealthy pay for the elaborate sacrificial rituals. the Hindu tradition of , which promotes nonviolence and avoids killing. You saw a glimpse of this in Chapter 3, when you read about the place of cows in Indian society. Ahimsa developed ever-more deeply in Hinduism as it incorporated elements from Buddhism and Jainism, where the concept plays a central role. Thus, one Hindu might save money to pay for a sacrifice, but another one—more attuned to ahimsa—would ask, “How can a human being kill another living thing when we too might have been—or might yet be—reincarnated in nonhuman form?” nteract I umans H ifice o r D refers to any kind of religious practice, not specifically practice, not religious of kind any to refers yoga ow , which many meanings of the term dharma, which Also think back to the of one’s This form of yoga emphasizes the dharma Yoga: and rituals. sacrifices, purity, caste, Vedic love. This form of yoga focuses on devotion and Yoga: Many millions of followers take this route. education, contem- This form of yoga stresses Jnana-: into two separate plation, and meditation. Sometimes separated in means “royal,” paths (jnana means “knowledge,” while raja this is the most intense course. The path of to meditation), regard of the world in renunciation knowledge can lead a Hindu toward with the divine (Mitchell the quest for spiritual knowledge and unity 2002, 19–20). Vedic scriptures point out that sacrifice has been essential since the It is crucial to understand that, in the ancient Vedic world, all beings • • • Hindus interact with the divine at nearly every level of human existence: nearly every level of with the divine at Hindus interact rela- Such social. and mystical, historical, physical, emotional, mental, and rituals. These variety of practices give rise to a huge tions in turn we discussed in like the sand art another, as if in layers overlie one to grasp, recall that a little difficult If this concept seems Chapter 3. of and rather than or. Hinduism is a religion inves- way of life, and virtuous action. We will embodies religion, law, paths, interaction through three different dharma tigate human–divine 2008b, taken by a Hindu believer (Klostermaier any of which might be the not to think this is the only way to describe 155–239). Be careful 4, talk about 3 paths, while others mention yoga paths: some scholars - look to the to learn about the vari 5, or 18! Many Hindus elements of action, devotion, and knowledge. ous yoga paths, including the following three: We will concentrate on yoga. In the Sometimes you’ll see the word path as a translation for with postures that help us West, we tend to equate the term yoga limber. In Hinduism, stretch, concentrate, and grow more physically however, Dog. Think of it as spiritual physical postures such as Downward Facing ultimate consciousness. and physical stretching on the long road toward Vedic Sac an in seen can be however, gods, the with connect to way Another extremely ancient practice of sacrifice, called yajna. It is the original basis of Hinduism, developed thousands of years ago, during the Vedic period. beginning of time, forming the essence of Vedic Hinduism. The teach that the gods found pleasure by receiving offerings from their devotees. The gods then produced harmony and order in the cosmos. Good weather, bountiful crops, good health and long life, and success and prosperity of all sorts—including offspring—could result from proper sacrifice. priest trained precisely a only However, gods. the to sacrifice for existed : Actions in a temple or in a home. You read in Chapter 3 that pujas can take place In Bangalore, Queens, and thousands of other places every day, Hindu priests perform pujas to wake up deities, dress them, feed them, or put them to bed. Pujas are a form of sacrifice to the gods, a gift of time and attention. ▸ H M04_ROBS4430_02_SE_C04.indd 41 M04_ROBS4430_02_SE_C04.indd 42

CHAPTER 4 42 Hinduism: Law and Life time, andscripture. Origins ofsuchpracticesvarywidelybyreligion,tradition, animals, places,oractionsthatmightthreatentomakethemunclean. ritual purity teach believersto avoid contact with particular human beings, relate atalltopersonalhygieneortidyhousekeeping.Instead,rulesof some tiestohygiene(asinthetemplebaths),ritualcleannessmaynot with thesacredworld,whichbynatureispure.Althoughitmighthave ness”) appearsinmanytraditionalreligions,offeringawaytocommunicate spectrum ofHinduinteraction withthegods.Aswediscussedin As repeated actions with sacred meanings, rituals occur across the Ritual of humanlife,suchaspoliticsoreconomics? what degreedosacredactivitiesalsoaffectotherparts this one,whichwillreappearindifferentchapters:To contemplate differentquestionsaboutreligions,consider tionally viewedoutcastesascompletelyunclean.Asyou of ritualcleannessbecausealluppercasteshavetradi- Caste differentiationinIndiaillustratesthesocialpower gods, ritualpuritycanserveanumberofotherfunctions. but grounds andtraditions.Afterall,citieschangerapidly, city-dwellers havetointeractwithpeopleofmanyback- of purityandpollutiontodeclineinimportancesince tries. OnemightarguethaturbanHindusfindissues residing incitiesoroutsidetraditionallyHinducoun- emphasize ritualpurityfarmore than their co-religionists (Michaels 2004,184–186). If Brahmanispermanence,changeshouldbeavoided from theexperienceofchangeinoneformoranother. very generalruletoremember isthatallimpuritystems and they’re oftenexceedinglycomplex.However, a perceptions andpracticesofritualpurityvarywidely, creating good karma. As in any other area of Hinduism, help harmonizepeoplewiththeircosmicworld,inturn or peoplewhohavebeenpolluted.Theseprocesses ents ritually pure and restoring ritual purity to objects preventing bloodshed.Gandhisuccess- with nonviolentactions,sparinglivesand that hisfollowersrespond toBritishviolence resistance—in partfrom ahimsa.Heinsisted oped histheoryofsatyagraha—nonviolent from Great Britain,MohandasGandhidevel- leading astruggleforIndianindependence around theworldforpastcentury. In enced politicalandsocialmovements The practiceofahimsahasstrongly influ- Movements Ahimsa andSocial INTERNAL CONFLICT ­villages resistalteringtheirtraditionalcourse. Hinduism hasdevelopedrulesforkeepingadher The ideaofritual“cleanness”(sometimesopposedtohealthy“cleanli- In additiontoitsreligiouspowerlinkpeoplewith Today, Hinduswholiveinruralvillagestendto s and F e s ti v al s against injustice.Inthe1950sand1960s, of ahimsaandsatyagrahaintheirstruggles leaders aroundtheworldtoadopthisviews tant nationalistassassinatedGandhi. after Indiagaineditsindependence,amili- non-Hindu religions. In1948,justmonths ing ofMuslimsinIndiaandtoofriendlywith Hindus, whosawhimasoverlywelcom- In theprocess, however, heenragedother in Indiagainingitsindependence1947. fully ledapeacefulcampaignthatresulted -

Gandhi’s successhasinspiredsocial brightly huedpowders. themselves covered in spring? of winter andthestart oftheend celebration might thisrelatetothe of , >>> colorful During thejoyousand  Hindus mayfind celebration celebration spiritual orreligiousreasons.Hindus fromacrosstheUnitedStates, world (Michaels2004,310–313). special foodorbuildingthefire—help themcommunicatewiththedivine family members.Theseactions—from throwingcoloredpowdertoeating their deities.Unlikepujas,whichcanbeperformedprivately,festivals great festivalsthatrepresentritualcommunicationbetweenHindusand points in a person’s life. For now, let’s turn our attention to some of the , thinkaboutwhereritualpuritymighthaveaplace. purification. Inreadingaboutthemanystepsofsacredactioninatemple pujasareubiquitous,andtheycancontainelementsofritual Chapter 3, Festivals canalignwithpersonal pilgrimages—journeystakenfor Later in this chapter, we’ll examine rituals that relate to important How sit-ins, andmarches—againstracialsegre ­protests—such asbusboycotts,restaurant in SouthAfrica,whereGandhioncelived. test againstracialsegregationandapartheid Nelson Mandelaledasimilarnonviolentpro- gation intheUnitedStates.In1990s, Martin LutherKing,Jr.,lednonviolent social changebutothertimesfail? nonviolent protestssometimesinitiateradical ing acrossfromher.Whydoyouthinkthat a nonviolentprotestorandsoldierstand- and solidifyrelationshipsbetweenfriends celebrate anewseason,disgracedemon, Hindus simultaneouslytakepartinritualsthat and resumepropersocialconduct.InHoli, people bathe,changeintocleanclothes, exuberance. Then,attheendoffestival, dance inthestreet,andrevelcolorful,crazy bolize thedestructionofdemonHolika, another. Theylightahugebonfiretosym- clothing, and throwcolored powders at one activities atschoolorwork,dressupinbright of spring.Hindusmayabandontheirusual , his ,andthe arrival Occurring inFebruaryorMarch,itcelebrates minutes ofpujainthemorningorevening. of liferatherthanbeingconstrainedtoafew ers thatSanatanaDharmaencompassesall gious lifeofHinduism.ItremindsHindubeliev- a feeling—anexperience—crucialtothereli- of manyfolksinoneplaceattimecreates behind animportantday.Yettheparticipation celebrate without knowing the “real” meaning history, andmyth.Nodoubt,someHindus ments—food, sacrifice,time, place, people, part ofIndia. being celebratednearlyallthetimeinsome diversity ofHinduism,youcanfindaholiday include wholecommunities.Giventhegreat Imagine yourselfintheshoesofboth Let’s usetheHolifestivalasanexample. A festivalbringstogethermanyele-

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7/17/12 10:50 AM <<< Hinduism: Law and Life 43 CHAPTER 4 - - 7/17/12 10:50 AM in which we which in a more “subtle” more a consciousness, where Traditionally, the yogic path Dreamlessness, blissfully open ourselves to the universal soul. Pure we traveled past cognition, bliss.and knowledge, dream, It is the unity of all, the atman (Klostermaier 2008b, 104–105). Dreaming, when we begin to understand reality than when awake. Wakefulness, in which we per ceive the “gross” material world. 3. 4. ing, though, your goal must be to push past and to experience unifying consciousness, atman. describes four potential states of human consciousness, as described in a story from the : 1. 2. tion. No matter what you’re learn- - physical yoga and martial arts), and medita al study, languages, physical activity (including al study, languages, physical activity (including philosophy, theology, psychology, physics, textu- philosophy, theology, psychology, physics, How outsider, the many yogic pathways of knowledge outsider, the many yogic pathways of knowledge ­ through vast amounts of arcane study, including study, arcane of amounts vast through tual development. He (less often she) can guide you tual development. He (less often she) can can have an immense influence on a person’s spiri- can have an a guide: a guru. More than just a teacher, a guru The goal of yoga is to achieve kaivalya, the experience of ultimate timelessness. Travel on this path requires of ultimate timelessness. Travel on this fusing for an also intersect with one another, creating a rich map of philoso also intersect with one another, creating a with traditions of sacrifice, ritual, and devotion. Even more con- with traditions of sacrifice, ritual, and devotion. phy, mysticism, and experience on the road to enlightenment. phy, mysticism, and experience on the road nication with the divine, the path of knowledge regularly overlaps nication with the divine, the path of knowledge path toward can be taken by any person Jnana-Raja path toward moksha can be taken by cosmic understanding of all things. Like other Hindu forms of commu- of Like other Hindu forms things. all understanding of cosmic Yoga is a form of devotion by Hindu individuals and groups and by Hindu individuals devotion is a form of Yoga Bhakti god. a specific toward from all the sound emanating of the universe and is the sound . includes movement, path of knowledge that Yoga is the Jnana-Raja and meditation. contemplation, in or detachment of ultimate timelessness Kaivalya is the experience Hinduism. through education of mind and body. No matter your caste or personal through education of mind and body. No matter to this course, even excluding situation, you can dedicate yourself wholly of knowledge, seeking a all other responsibilities. It is the ultimate path (Jacobs 2010, 28). She may also offer a verbal prayer, read the story of the story of read a verbal prayer, may also offer (Jacobs 2010, 28). She a mantra—a word part in chant, or repeat life aloud, take ’s - meaning but hold important mystical connota that may have no literal from mantra is “om,” the sound emanating tions. (The most important Rama of these actions shows her devotion for all the cosmos.) Each 2004, 257). in return (Michaels affection Rama’s and implicitly asks for Knowledge Jnana-Raja Yoga: The is one of the focal efforts is one of the focal in

. Bhakti hearkens . Bhakti hearkens ce so that one can reach kaivalya. How long

(pranayama) The control of one’s breathing The control of one’s >>> do you think that ultimate freedom varies think that ultimate freedom varies do you from person to person? do you think one waits to achieve kaivalya? yoga, yoga, emotional connections (Michaels 2004, ­ Daily activities at a temple temple a at activities Daily - for the Maha Maha , argu Hindus travel to the Ganges - 253–254). In this way, believers often anthropomor and phize the gods, attributing human characteristics themselves purposes to them. People tend to devote to gods who represent traits that the practitioner might would like to develop, too. A young couple in their look to Vishnu and for guidance solace seek an injured son might marriage, or Shiva father whose head his from , cut off in a rage. may mix sacrificial, ritual, and example, For elements. bhakti while a priest cleans and awakens a of Rama as the sun rises, another person may stand at the back of the temple, singing a song of praise, wearing a special piece of clothing or perhaps a bit to Rama. In fact, of jewelry related followers of the bhakti path desire to see a deity and to be seen in of a murti, return. In the presence gazing quietly, sit may person a gaining strength and statue the at both seeing its presence, from the and being seen by the deity, comes “auspicious sight” that being in the same room from back to the older Vedic sacrificial rituals. Yet bhakti doesn’t grow out Yet bhakti doesn’t grow out back to the older Vedic sacrificial rituals. then promotes ritual of fear of cosmic disharmony, which often of the bhakti sacrifices or purifying baths. Instead, followers between themselves path seek to find a consensual relationship perceives one deity and their gods. In bhakti, a person often that god for aid and as supreme and trusts in the grace of in the Vedic sense but comfort. Bhakti does not involve sacrifice instead cultivates : Devotion Bhakti Yoga: fruit before a murti, the Instead of involving killing animals or leaving group’s devotion to a bhakti path of devotion focuses on a person or Bhakti strength. and help for grace deity’s the on relying god, specific in (from the bhaj, meaning “to share” or “to love”) developed and 900 Southern India in two periods around 600 for example, set off on a pilgrimage in May 2009 to the watch the the watch 2009 to the in May pilgrimage off on a set for example, - In a tradition Pennsylvania. in Chalfont, a new temple of consecration crisscross thousands of pilgrims land like India, though, ally Hindu automobile, or on crowded railways, day, traveling by the land every sacred places. events, or natural related to gods, foot to destinations In Chapter thou- temples that attract mentioned the animal-god 3, we famous pilgrimage Perhaps the most every month. sands of believers of the “City called Varanasi, ancient city of however, is the destination, Cole 2003, and (Kanitkar its spiritual significance Temples” because of Chapter 9). some- pilgrimage date in all of Hinduism and ably the most important a recent gathering of people in the world. During times called the largest 15-day 70 million Hindus participated in the celebration, more than all equivalent of 25 percent of the U.S. population, pilgrimage—that’s the 44 days of communion with the divine. traveling at one time over M04_ROBS4430_02_SE_C04.indd 43 M04_ROBS4430_02_SE_C04.indd 44

CHAPTER 4 44 Hinduism: Law and Life

ings, wealth,andevenfamilies. generally taughttoconcentrate on thingsthathavebeencreated:build- prakriti seemsmorerealtoushere onEarththanpurusha,sincewe’re able andchangeableinlife.Connected toouroldfriendmaya(illusion), on theotherhand,oftenrefers tocreation,includingeverythingvari- usually relatestoforcesofspirit,oneness,andconsciousness. Prakriti, together they createthe universe. In the most general sense, purusha about purushaandprakriti.TheydenotetwoaspectsofBrahman, and don’t besurprisedifyouneedsometimetounderstandevena littlebit (Klostermaier 2008b,116–122).Thisissubtlephilosophicalwork, so your self(purusha)breaksfreefromtherepressionofmatter prakriti) described above.Asyougainpower,alsofindspiritualrelease as physical andmentalpower,whichyouderivefromthekinds of yoga >>> Based onKlostermeier2008a,166–22. To achievethestateofpureconsciousness,youneedboth The stepstoward enlightenmentbegin necessary toproceedthroughthesubsequentsteps? begin yoga postures) begin (done before yo Remote preparation Steps 1–2: your senses of andwithdrawal control, Yoga breath postures, Steps 3–5: contemplation, andtrance Concentra Steps 6–8: beginning The Kaival of Real Yogaof ya Category of Yoga of Category tion, u The Yoga LaddertoEnlightenment with leading unchanging unityoftheuniverse. Youwillhaveachievedmoksha. done. You will haveunmasked the illusion of change and experienced the you don’tletitimpedeyourunderstanding ofpurusha,yourjobwillbe illusion—created byprakriti.When youfullyrealizethatprakritiexists,but and prakriti,atravelerontheyogic pathhopestomovepastthemaya— aligns withthemindandbody.Giventhathumanbeingshaveboth purusha trance statesthatopenthedoorstotrueknowledgeandexperience. that point,youcanbegintopreparefortheintenseconcentration and to control your breathing, thefirststep towardawakening your atman. At and body.IntheWest,youmostlylearnasanas—postures—that help you ence ofpureconsciousness.Thistakesyearstrainingbothyour mind about theever-changinglifeofthisworldandtotranscendafinal experi- your senses, leavingyouopentosteps6–8. lif body orientitselfawayfromthecaresofthis howeve in the W The postures()havebecomewell-known “Real Yoga.” lead youtowardahighlyenlightenedstatecalled These stepsarecollectively called nal goal. fo ability tostopbreathingfor longperiods. These powers,This includesextraordinary suchasthe universal Self. about the “here andno intotimelessness.entry Hereyounolongercare Complete isolationfromthechangingworld—the living a virtuous lif living avirtuous You mustbeginyourjourneyto have preparedyourself education, andsurrendertothedivine should strivefor purit non-violenc We can roughly equate purusha to the human soul, whereas prakriti We canroughlyequatepurushatothehumansoul,whereasprakriti If youchoosethepathofknowledge,yourgoalwillbetostopcaring e. rms ofadvancedmeditationleadtoyour Y ou willcontrolyourbreathandwithdraw r, a virtuous life. avirtuous estern world.Inthepathto thesearejustexercises tohelpyour e, truthfulness Description e. T y, his meanspracticing , youcangoontosteps3–5. w” contentment,discipline butarelinkedtothe , andcontinenc kn “e owledge by Why doyouthinkitis o kn owledge, . Onceyo rt ” and e.

Yo u , u 7/17/12 10:50 AM Hinduism: Law and Life 45 CHAPTER 4 - 7/17/12 10:50 AM ? That being said, most marriages That being said, most marriages ever, more and more couples find each ever, more and more couples find each other and get married, sometimes to the chagrin of their elders. still do follow many aspects of tradition. They usually occur within the same caste, approval. and the couple seeks parental Couples who hope to marry someone out- side their caste may encounter opposition Given the potential for economic and karmic Given the potential for economic and karmic Weddings include several different cer different several include Weddings household. Once lit, the sacred fire will help household. Once lit, the sacred fire will help cially honors the bride, the new head of a cially honors the bride, the new head of a produce “happiness, fidelity, and progeny” the god of fire. By tradition, the ritual espe- Dating back to Vedic times, this ancient ritual ritual Dating back to Vedic times, this ancient invokes one of the few gods left from the Vedic and tradition, , a word denoting both fire in their home. lights a sacred domestic fire in their home. (Klostermaier 2008b, 45). emonies that take place over an extended emonies that take place over an extended period and include family members and friends, friends, and members family include and period gain, Hinduism celebrates marriage above most gain, Hinduism celebrates marriage above most dancing and eating. One of the most serious dancing and eating. One of the most serious other rituals. Yet today, village and urban Hindus other rituals. Yet today, village and urban Hindus moments, however, comes as the new couple couple moments, however, comes as the new often differ. Rural Hindus still tend to associate often differ. Rural Hindus still tend to associate between jatis and castes.) marriage with strengthening the system of kinship marriage with strengthening the system of kinship that permeates local society. In urban areas, how- malleable system, families can even slowly migrate malleable system, families can even slowly be defined either genetically or ritually. (Through this (Through be defined either genetically or ritually. ommunity Brides become part of the groom’s clan, which can which clan, groom’s the of part become Brides C , is a coming-of-age , is a coming-of-age the thread ceremony birth, also called - has largely died out in India. For centu For example, child marriage wedding; and arranged marriages last longer than “love marriages.” marriages last longer than “love marriages.” wedding; and arranged ­ complicates Hindu marriage far more than you might see on screen see on you might more than far complicates Hindu marriage are performed at important stages of a person’s life, at important stages are performed Life cycle rituals marriage, and death. such as birth, Second Hinduism. ceremony in and teaches . Pandit is a person who studies To be sure, there are kernels of truth in each of those statements, but real of truth in each of those statements, To be sure, there are kernels life or in a novel. By law children. sometimes arranged mates for their young ries, parents to 12 in married at age 10. This later increased in 1860, girls could be her groom a bride must be at least 18, and 1891 and 14 in 1929. Today, the most traditional parts of must be 21 (Michaels 2004, 113–120). In still arrange the marriage of a couple may parents the Indian society, young, with the understanding are when both the bride and the groom case, love plays no role In this older. that the two will wed when they are care to grow will couple the hope parties all although decision, the in joins two clans, forming an for one another over time. Instead, marriage finances and to bolster both families’ genealogies. alliance to strengthen the In this context, how ecome B

A wedding couple A wedding performs the fire-lighting >>> life cycle ritu- cycle life might fire suggest the virtues of humility and selflessness? ceremony. ceremony. acred th S r the

oes D iage ow ­ marriage: You must marry only in your caste; th and Second Bi th and Second rr All of this easy life stops for a young boy when heAll of this easy life stops for a young boy As you can imagine, the thread ceremony traditionally r If you have Hindu friends or have watched a a watched have or friends Hindu have you If Bollywood movie, you’ll already know stories about Hindu parents pick your mate, whom you might not see until Ma Bi and horoscopes.receive their names Shortly after birth, Hindu children the back of the newspaper,Far removed from popular magazines or noting auspicious days.such a horoscope orients a child in the universe, take care of the child, oftenThe family remembers these days as they age. Traditional families stilldoting on youngsters until they come of on boys, since theytend to concentrate their energy and wealth rituals and sacrifice.will someday take responsibility for family that modernOther families coddle all their children, knowing if no men aregirls often assume religious responsibilities young childrenpresent. In either case, custom dictates that by their olderhave few responsibilities and get spoiled siblings, parents, and extended family. Hindu familiesreaches about eight years old. At that point, will begin preparing for his second birth, a coming-of-age . The pas- ritual also known as the thread ceremony begins with asageway from childhood to responsibility with only aceremonial head-shaving, leaving the youth him.sees who anyone to obvious is that hair of topknot Heeducation. his begin must he onward, point this From repetition,for Vedas, memorize passages the study may and learn about appropriate rituals and sacrifices for local gods. Given Hinduism’s great complexity, boys used to take a 12-year sojourn away from home for their educa- tion. Today, however, a boy may attend a school and study with a pandit, or scholar of Hindu law. applied only to upper-caste boys. Modern Hinduism, howev- er, has expanded the ritual to youths in the top three castes and has broadened the range from 8 through 12 years of age. Even some girls now celebrate a second birth cer- emony. Members of the sudra caste and untouchables still do not receive the sacred thread, an illustration of the power of caste even today. Religion and the Family Religion and performing by life of stages different mark families Hindu ▸ H how discussed We 3. Chapter from example our sand art to return Let’s to create layers with one another grains of sand interact the individual ourselves on communication between Hinduism relies and pictures. to create cosmic (the bands of sand) and our communities (the grains) the family and the Hinduism relies on whole jar). Similarly, harmony (the Dharma into society. caste to integrate Sanatana such as birth, marriage, and death. Although als at important events many as 16 ofone might celebrate as these practices, very few people a select one. Instead, most Hindus take part in actually experience each and death. at birth, second birth, marriage, renunciation, look We’ll few. M04_ROBS4430_02_SE_C04.indd 45 M04_ROBS4430_02_SE_C04.indd 46

CHAPTER 4 46 Hinduism: Law and Life at asacredplaceonpropitious day. ­gathers theashesleftafter cremation, savingthemtobescattered fire, Agni,totakethebody placeofthefathers.Thefamilythen the deceasedhasnoson.)The priestandfamilymayaskthegodof pyre. (Today,theeldestdaughter maytakeontheseresponsibilitiesif deceased, performsthefuneralrites,andsonoftenlights funeral in asacredriver.Adeathpriest,oftenassistedbytheeldestson ofthe they are usually cremated, and family members scatter the ashes, often purify themselvesattheendoffuneralprocess. impure throughcontactwiththebody.Theywillhavetoceremonially do this,thefamilymembersacknowledgethattheyhavebecome ritually mourners lightanoillampandkeepitburningforthreedays. Asthey nails, andwrappingashroudaroundthecorpse.Soonafter death, Family membersthenpreparethebodybybathingit,trimming hair and the floorwithheadpointing south, theritualdirection of thedead. these steps:Afteranylovedone’sdeath,mournersplacethecorpseon has developedmanydifferentfuneralrites,butmostpeoplewillfollow An importantritualoccursatdeath.Overthousandsofyears,Hinduism Hindu ViewsofDeath have lefteverythingbehindforanintensivesearchthedivine. play apartinHindusocietythatmostofuscanbarelyimagine,forthey ties, or practice meditative exercises to overcome maya. These people may follow a charismatic guru, develop extraordinary physical abili- duties butalsofromtheshelterofcasteidentityandfamilialrelations.A their traditionalplacesinsociety,sadhusfreethemselvesfromprescribed place, oratempleevenstandingaloneinthewilderness.Bygivingup you’re boundtoseesuchaholywanderer—asadhu—nearsacred called communal rolestofollowthepathtowardmoksha,andtheyareoften his or her jati or caste. Such people have renounced the world and their land withoutfollowingtheguidelinesof friends, homeandjobtowanderthe times awoman—willleavefamilyand The person—usuallyamanbutsome- a wholenewplaceinthecommunity. spouse hasdied,aHindumayassume family, clan,jati,andcaste. sense ofHinduidentitythatincludes and contributetoahighlydeveloped They do,however,tendtolastlonger successful thanmarriagesmadeforlove. claim thatarrangedmarriagesaremore breaking apart.It’sthereforeveryhardto tion stronglydiscouragescouplesfrom tries whereHinduslive),Hindutradi- Indian law(not to mention in other coun- that theywouldmarryintheirnextlife. one ofthestudentssighedandhoped Hindu culture. Describingthesituation, sion ofU.S.collegiatelifeandtraditional marriage. NotaHindumyself,Ihadneverpreviously witnessedthiscolli- off theirengagementwhenoneparent wouldnotagree toamixed-caste interest inscience.Theymetandfellloveduringcollege,onlytobreak from thesameregion ofIndia.Theyshared aheritage,language,and or anger. never I will Only veryfewHindusreceiveaburialintheWesternsense.Instead, Outside marriage,orafterhisher Although civildivorceexistsin , or sometimes “forest dwellers.” If you travel to India, renunciants, orsometimes“forestdwellers.”IfyoutraveltoIndia, forget twoverygoodstudentsofmine,bothHindus ­

Hinduism? Why? >>> secular ritualceremonies? Might theseritualshave inotherreligionsor parallels

Rituals of theLifeCy Rituals of society. interact withdeaththattheyareregardedasuntouchablebymuchof become low-statusBrahmins.“Deathpriests,”however,soregularly doxes ofthecastesystem:Cremators,although impure, caneventually never lose the taint of ritual impurity. This leads to one of the para- the pathtowardenlightenment. one has found a new place in a better body, born again a bit further along rejoins society.Atthispoint,thefamilymembershopethattheirloved arising fromdeath.Onthe11thday,afteronemoreritual,family often won’teatsaltorwearleathertohelpridtheirspiritsoftheimpurity the family ritually bathes as a step toward ritual cleanness. Survivors seeks furtherspiritualexperiences. with thedivineonlywhenitbecomes boredwithworldlygratificationand Put anotherway,thesoulwillcease thecycleofrebirthandattainunity higher leveluponrebirthbutalso adiminishingdesireforworldlydelight. be bornagaintoenjoythepleasures ofEarth.Goodkarmawillleadtoa nation ofalivingthingdependsbothonthesoul’skarmaandits desire to through theprocessofbeingborn,dying,andreborn.The reincar- concept of reincarnation explains that a person’s soul continually goes place ofVedicteachingsregardinglifeafterdeath.Aswe’velearned, the rituals tokeepthedeceasedappeased. ence whathappensonEarth,sothelivingoughttocontinueperforming The Rig-vedaexplainsthatthosewhohaveenteredtheafterlifecan influ- then bespent(poetically)onthecoolmoon(Klostermaier2008a, 46–47). tors, but only ifproperlastriteshadbeenperformed. His afterlifewould gender, caste,andfuneralritual.Ahigh-castemanwouldjoinhis ances- In the ancient Vedic tradition, life afterdeath depended ona person’s T he Unlike thefamilyofdeceased,peoplewhoworkarounddeath The cremationsignalsthebeginningofmourningperiod,and Starting around500B A fte Which, ifany,seemparticularto Sacrament/Ritual (nearing) Deat Second-Birth & Cremation r Marriage life Birt h CE , however,reincarnationbegantotakethe h cl e the world (rarely donebymarried R couples in contemporary society) couples incontemporary often coddled Child—has noresponsibilities, is to beHindu laws, itmeans understandingwhat theHindulifeand Student—learning home andcareer Householder—de enouncer—complete renuncia socio-religious role Corr esponding ve loping a tion of 7/17/12 10:50 AM Hinduism: Law and Life 47 CHAPTER 4 7/17/12 10:50 AM For the most part, Hindus are born into a specific and jati. As As are born into a specific varna and jati. For the most part, Hindus higher caste generally confers intensified As you might suspect, soci- or her place in that his Caste constantly reminds every person toward way your speeds karma good 3, Chapter in learned you As As India has developed modern forms of education, economy, As India has developed moderneconomy, forms of education, was a funeral practice in which a widowed woman would, woman a widowed in which funeral practice was a her body of pyre with the on a be burned or by force, voluntarily husband. in Indian society. and refers to caste Varna means “color” jati in theory, however, than to define them in real life. Especially if youif Especially life. real in them define to than however, theory, in jati nearly Hindu village, the caste system includes have grown up in a rural thatcustoms and teachings, traditions, beliefs, overlapping endless jati, anddifferentiate completely among family, clan, make it impossible to often use the terms varna and jati interchangeably. caste. In fact, Hindus children learn how their varna and jati determine they grow up, Hindu and How you greet others, speak, eat, give gifts, appropriate behavior. your to your jati. Your place in the family and pay for services all relate how you interact with the world around you. age will further affect higher social pres- ritual purity, more prescribed rituals to be performed, lower castes may not have to tige, and proximity to moksha. Members of cleanness or food prepara- follow so many explicit rules regarding ritual in society and can expect to tion, but they also experience less prestige have longer paths toward enlightenment. lives. Therefore, it makes ety results from actions taken during previous (tradition) to create good good sense to follow sruti (scripture) and smrti developing bad effect, opposite the has and smrti sruti Violating karma. through religious rituals, karma that the person will have to wash away pilgrimage, or perhaps gifts to the temple. Although it may moksha, while bad karma keeps you unenlightened. cosmic game of Chutes and sound silly, I often think about this as a Sanatana Dharma, accumu- Ladders. You spend life living according to path toward moksha. Break lating good karma as you move along the a lower chute to the may slide down and you rules, though, dharma the the troubles of the world social caste. On the other hand, if you leave find a ladder that leads you behind and become a sadhu, perhaps you’ll quickly toward enlightenment. became a powerful force in her own right. Don’t forget Kali’s terrible terrible forget Kali’s in her own right. Don’t became a powerful force Closer to Earth, some women power. erotic influence or ’s have become important gurus and spiritual advisers called Mas spiritual among devotees for their (or “Mothers”). renowned They are power and insight. in society. larger roles and politics, women have taken increasingly an icon of female political power, The late Indira Gandhi remains and the exploding technology sector looks for women to fill its huge employment needs. Still, women in the countryside tend to and economically disadvantaged. Traditionalist be undereducated Hindus have been slow to accept changes that would give women modern instead to uphold more political or social rights, preferring caste, and older traditions. Coupled with issues of the economy, of women in India continues education, the particularly Hindu role to evolve (Klostermaier 2008b, 361–376). - ER ND E G induism H World Religions World Hindu traditions sometimes also describe the need to play to need the describe also sometimes traditions Hindu As the Vedic tradition spread and began to develop its many and began to develop its many tradition spread As the Vedic t’s against Indian law and nearly never followed today, but ritual never followed today, Indian law and nearly against t’s burning—knownwife Hindu over shadow long a as sati—casts As you know, you can follow dharma by living appropriately to yourAs you know, you can follow dharma by living Sati: Ritual Widow Burning Sati: Ritual I culture. Either voluntarily or by force, a widow would be burned a widow would or by force, Either voluntarily culture. husband. Sati emphasized the lasting mar along with her dead in wedding with the widow dressed riage between the couple, result a As funeral pyre. the incinerated on being before clothes from respect woman gained tremendous of her ritual suicide, the might mark the spot of her death with the living. Family members shrines to her as a local deity. stones and even build Did this encourage 18-year-old Roop loud music during a funeral. on the pyre of her late husband in 1989, Kanwar to throw herself screams after she was pushed by members or did music cover her scholars, feminists, and modernists of her family? Traditionalists, Although the Indian may all have different answers to this question. found was one prohibit sati, no to steps had taken government guilty in Kanwar’s death, the last known sati in India (Jacobs 2010, 70). Women in Women Primarily male gods. Widow burning. These things make you wonder: do women play in Hinduism? Some scholars argue that, What roles place had a prominent times, women actually during the ancient Vedic some partici- allowed to study the Vedas, were Women in the religion. pated in sacrifice, and others traveled to war with male caste mem- women and goddesses. hymns sing the praises of bers. Many Vedic moved Women of society. ritual levels, men began to take control domestic they tended the sacred where into the domestic sphere, duties in the home were Women’s and looked after children. fire taught not to go out in public. Yet that they were often so great of pictures Hindu traditions and texts, including the , offer Not powerful women who live outside traditional restrictions. free, just a consort to a male god or his feminine aspect, the goddess INK TH Religion + Religion Sanatana Dharma and Sanatana Dharma the Caste System of Hinduism to sand art. Think back to Chapter 3 and our comparison Each the final picture. create helps the jar in and every grain layer Every the image and avoid falling layer depends on the others to help make layers are like Dharma Sanatana The principles of place. the wrong into and the picture won’t be of sand in the jar: Take away even one layer, person fitting see caste in a similar way, with each finished. Many Hindus into the picture at a particular place. andcaste (also called a varna) and jati. It’s a lot easier to describe caste M04_ROBS4430_02_SE_C04.indd 47 M04_ROBS4430_02_SE_C04.indd 48

CHAPTER 4 48 Hinduism: Law and Life personal whim,ambition,orexpediency. rather thanintroducingconfusion andchangebyactingaccordingto Similarly, manyHindusseegreater goodinsustainingtheirposition significantly, butyoualsomightupsetthebalanceoftotalstructure. positions ormovetoanotherlocation?Youmightnotalter anything a grainofsandinthejar,whatwillhappenifyoudecideto change other words,youwon’tberockingthedharmaboat. desireless actionswillhelptopreservesocialanddharmaharmony—in change, piercingthroughmayatoseetheatmanjustbehindit. Finally, enlightenment. Second,theyaidinthefocusonpermanenceinstead of drain badkarmafromyoursoul,ultimatelyhelpingyoualongthe pathto ambition, though,hewillaccumulatebadkarma. that’s appropriate to his place in society. If he acts with greed or personal system. Forexample,abusinessmanshoulddevelophisfirmbecause ny intheworldbykeepingelementofunpredictabledesireout you wantto act acertainway.“Desirelessaction” helps tocreateharmo- appropriately becauseSanatanaDharmatellsyouit’sright,not alists. Heidentifiedandspokeoutabout countless enemiesamongHindutradition- aspects ofHinduism,whichmadehim been dormantinIndia. erful senseofnationalismthathadlong of theBhagavadGita.Heinspired apow- lent protests basedonthecommandments passive resistance. Heencouragednonvio- Indian nationalismandtotrainothersin British measures, Gandhibegantosupport as acolony. In1919,inreaction toharsh 1915, Great Britainruledthesubcontinent unjust law. better togoprisonthanfollowan sive resistance. Hebelievedthatitwas began hislifeofsocialactivismandpas- be registered andfingerprinted,Gandhi therethe government forced allIndiansto lawyer andmovedtoSouthAfrica.When allow thisprofession, sohebecamea place inHindusociety, however, didnot wanted tobecomeamedicaldoctor. His “Mahatma,” theGreat Soul)originally Mohandas Gandhi(latercalled and Politics Gandhi, Hinduism, CONTEMPORARY RELIGIOUSISSUES Think backtothesandartexample.Ifyouimagineyourself as Desireless actions have three important effects. First, they help Creating goodkarmaisn’tassimpleitsounds.Youshouldact Gandhi alsohopedtoreform some When GandhireturnedtoIndiain Traditional Hindushave,forexample, ists, andtheybattleforpoliticalpower. rated themselvesfromsecularnational- or region. based oncaste,jati,language,religion, identity forIndiaratherthanmultipleones This helpedtofosterasinglenational not justtheuppermiddleclassofhisjati. He reached outtoalllevelsofsociety, Christian writerLeoTolstoy forinspiration. all religions, lookingeventotheRussian Gandhi toleratedandacceptedpeopleof beings. AlthoughhewasdevoutlyHindu, extended totheactivecare andloveofall society. toIndian senseoffairness ing amodern much oftraditionalHinduismwhilebring- In thisway, Gandhisoughttopreserve he renamed Harijan,or“peopleofgod.” the outcastes—theuntouchables—whom Likewise, Gandhifoughtfortherightsof for president oftheIndianCongress. husbands. Heevennominatedawoman fight forindependencealongsidetheir rights. Gandhiencouragedwomento could beimproved, includingwomen’s areas ofHindubeliefthathethought Today, Hindunationalistshavesepa- Gandhi’s beliefinnonviolence puja, theysimultaneouslycement spiritualandsocialbonds. munal responsibilities. When Hindus help build a new temple or attend a comes throughlongkarmicstruggle, rootedinfamilyritualsandcom- Hindu mayattainhigherlevelsofconsciousness.Yetenlightenment often midst ofmaya.Bywayrituals,sacrifices,devotions,and study, a Humans alsoliveaparadoxicalexistence,strivingformoksha inthe of changeandpermanence.Itacceptsone,three,orcountless gods. and glass. change thepatterns.Evenso,youwon’talterbasicunity ofsand ored sandontopofeachother;movethewithaspoon,and you’ll practices andrituals,relationshipsstructureslaylikebands ofcol- Our jarofsandremindsusthatHinduism’sideasandphilosophies, Conclusion outcastes oftheHinducastesystem. Harijan means“peopleofGod,”atermGandhiusedforthe Like sandart,Hinduismembracestheparadoxesofoneandmany, (Varshney 1993). traditions intheirquestforpoliticalinfluence the distinctionsbetweenHinduismandother world, hissuccessorssometimesfocuson for harmonyinIndiaandthroughoutthe hoped touseHinduismasaspringboard traditions intheregion.Thus,whileGandhi the powerofHinduismandotherreligious largest democracy—continuestoillustrate social powerinmodernIndia—theworld’s the competitionforpolitical,economic,and “Islamism,” thepoliticizationofIslam.Yet which Muslimssometimescounterwith ideas into“,”politicalHinduism, Hindu nationalistshavetransformedhis all wouldshare. crafted “Indian”identitythatGandhihoped these movementsunderminethecarefully with SikhandKashmiriseparatists.All India, HinduandMuslimgroupsalsofight threatened. Atthegeographicaledgesof sites sacredtobothtraditionsseembe larly flareintoviolence,especiallywhen Muslims’ andHindus’disagreementsregu- and Christianseatbeef.Farworse, they control,eventhoughIndianMuslims ­prohibited theslaughterofcattleinareas  In thecontemporarypoliticalworld,

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7/17/12 10:50 AM <<< Hinduism: Law and Life 49 CHAPTER 4 Visual Summary

7/17/12 10:50 AM <<<

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funeral in Hinduism rites AN A priest dispenses blessings in a temple. might public worship both individuals and the community? affect ? M ENTIAL ITH ­ primary deities—, ashes on a sacred river say a sacred ashes on of Hindu view about the humanity? cremation of the deceased on a pyre, a pyre, on deceased of the cremation be ashes will where the a river often by scattered. The The ED SS HU

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is a manifestation of Brahman. of Brahman. manifestation is a <<< Like the Hindu deities Brahma and Shiva, Shiva, and Brahma deities the Hindu Like Vishnu forms of their different do the How to them Hindus to relate gods allow M04_ROBS4430_02_SE_C04.indd 49 M04_ROBS4430_02_SE_C04.indd 50

Visual Summary CHAPTER 4 50 Hinduism: Law and Life • • edas teachthatthegodsproduced harmonyandorder inthe • SACRED? HOW DOHUMANSINTERACTWITHTHE Key Terms Summary 04

C Kaivalya sacrifice andpuja. Karma Y timelessness ordetachmentinHinduism. meditation. that includesmovement,contemplation,and Jnana-Raja Y system. used fortheoutcastesofHinducaste Harijan god. individuals andgroups toward aspecific Bhakti Yoga isapathofdevotionbyHindu them toever-higher levelsofyogicwisdom. Finally tionship withoneormore godsthrough devotioncalledBhakti. In additiontosacrifice,Hindusalsor even humanswere sacrificed. offered assacrificestotheHindugods,andinpast,sometimes cosmos afterreceiving offerings from theirdevotees.Animalsmaybe The V HAPTER

43 means“peopleofGod,”atermGandhi

, peoplemaysetoutonapathofknowledgethatleads istheexperienceofultimate oga isthepathofactionsthatinclude 48

43

oga isthepathofknowledge p.

Review 41 41

ely ondevelopingarela- 43 emanating from allBrahman. on apyre withthebodyofherhusband. woman would,voluntarilyorbyforce, beburned Sati Hindu belief. can arriveatanunderstandingofallthingsin Path ofknowledge Hindu law. Pandit and death. stages ofaperson’s life, such asbirth,marriage, Om Life cyclerituals isthesoundofuniverseand wasafuneralpracticeinwhichwidowed isapersonwhostudiesandteaches

45 45 41 are performedatimportant isameansbywhichone • • • COMMUNITY? HOW DOESTHESACREDBECOME

castes, whichdiffer intheircleanness. us thatHinduismhaslongstructured communitiesaccording to spirits oftheimpuritydeath.Thisritualpurityandremind strict rules,suchasnoteatingsaltorwearingleather, toridtheir cremation, andscatteringoftheashes.Survivorsmayadhere to Hindus and children. lit inthecouple’s newhome.Oncelit,thesacred fire— During aHinduwedding,forexample,sacr ­ education. From thispointonward, aHinduchildmustbeginhisorher Second birthmarksthepassagefrom childhoodto Rituals andholidaysoftenhelptocementbondsofcommunity with theancientgodAgni—willhelppr 43 often follow strict rituals following death, including

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p. that leadstoenlightenment. development ofphysicalandspiritualdiscipline but itisoftenusedinconnectionwiththe to deities. society. Y is acoming-of-ageceremony inHinduism. V Y Second birth oga generallyrefers toanyreligious practice, ajna isthesacrificethatHindususetoconnect means“color”andrefersarna tocasteinIndian 45

47 41 , alsocalledthethreadceremony oduce happiness,fidelity, ed “domesticfire” is

41 r ­ esponsibility. associated ­ ­cleansing,

. 45

7/17/12 10:50 AM Hinduism: Law and Life 51 CHAPTER 4 Visual Summary 7/17/12 10:50 AM elationship between karma and . These sayings describe a view that is describe a view . These sayings bce : s can be used for many religious practices. yoga can be used for many religious fects reincarnation. A Hindu’s actions in one life can fects reincarnation. A Hindu’s ite s

b make pilgrimages to holy places connected to a particular god.make pilgrimages to holy places connected bhakti. of practices also are temple or home the in sacrifices Daily What is the practice of yoga? The term though, yoga connotes a form of education. People Specifically, begin by living a virtuous life, then learn to discipline their bodies insight leading to greater yoga postures, through and breathing kaivalya—timeless existence. and, finally, For Hindus, what is the r reincarnation? Karma af influence his or her social and religious position in the next. influence his or her social and religious

3. 4. We www.hinduismtoday.com Hinduism Today. ReligionFacts: Hinduism. www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/index.htm Hinduism. www.sacred-texts.com/hin/index.htm Sacred Texts: www.srirangam.org/index.html Srirangam Temple. during the second century during the philosophically closer to dualism than to Sankara’s monism, dualism than to Sankara’s closer to Samkhya philosophically Jain and possible influence of have also noted the and scholars the cultivation the author describes In this passage, Buddhist ideas. practice, calming “thought waves” Yogic of nonattachment through “obstacles to Realization.” and removing Him in Silence by Lalla Worship the around whose devotional life centered Lalla was a Kashmiri mystic a Brahmin and hence a privileged from god Siva. Although descended to give up her belongings Lalla chose member of Hindu society, her husband. Siva clearly was and birth family, (including clothing), her her only true love. . elated to both Connections: Sources Online Online Sources Connections: w ie v ough the unavoidable changes experienced every day, every day, ough the unavoidable changes experienced : elates to both sacrifice and ritual. Bhakti includes manyelates to both sacrifice and ritual. Bhakti s are a collection of 196 aphorisms a collection of are Yoga Sussex Academic Press, 1997. McGraw-Hill, 2003. Oneworld, 2008a. of New York Press, 2008b. University Press, 2000. Present. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2004. ocuments sacrifice and ritual? Give two examples. such as waking, moving from place to place, and eating. A such as waking, moving from things, such impure Hindu can also achieve purity by avoiding members of different as the killing of animals and interacting with or social castes. age groups bhakti, r How is the movement of devotion, or Bhakti r of the god orritualistic activities, such as saying the name in and dressing goddess, singing songs in honor of the deity, a follower of Bhakti may or bearing Hindu symbols. Additionally, Describe two ways in which a Hindu can achieve purity Describe two ways in which a Hindu can him- or herself after A Hindu can achieve purity by cleansing going thr Chapter Quiz Essay Quiz D of Patanjali by Patanjali Sutras Yoga The to a philosopher named Patanjali, who lived traditionally ascribed Read and Re Read and related study aids and these chapter by using the Review this available on MySearchLab. documents Study Plan

Book Fowler, Jeaneane. Hinduism: Beliefs and Practices. Eastbourne, UK: Kanitkar, Hermant, and Owen Cole. Teach Yourself Hinduism. Chicago: Klostermaier, Klaus K. Hinduism: A Beginner’s Guide. Oxford, UK: Klostermaier, Klaus K. A Survey of Hinduism. Albany: State University Knott, Kim. Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction. New York: Oxford Michaels, Axel, and Barbara Harshav, trans. Hinduism: Past and For Further Study 2. 1. Questions for Study and Review Questions for Study and M04_ROBS4430_02_SE_C04.indd 51