University:
MacEwan University
Course:
HIST 476 | Topics in the History of Religion
Academic year:

2024
Views:

247

Pages:

3
Author:

Arthur M.

2/8 - Hinduism: God, Gods, Goddesses The Bhagavad Gita small text in a HUGE collection Arjuna & Lord Krishna Lots of moral grey Context: war over succession of crown many friends on other sides of war Arjuna saying he can't fight his friends Krishna says FIGHT a lot of discussion about dharma, yoga Review Henotheism -> one divinity that is MANY forms Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism Vishnu/Vaishnavism Discus & Mace = weapon -> Symbol for Vaishnavism Conch shell = temple ritual & battle many arms Crowns & jewelry = royalty / regal 2D images are from 19th C, before & in temples are STATUES Eagle = symbolic animal Spouse / consort = Goddess of Wealth Famous for incarnations "descent" "avatar" = when a diely descends to Earth, taking an animal or human form, not the forms of Brahman, just when a God descends earliest avatars = ANIMALS each avatar has a purpose -> to dissipate evil -> good & evil are cyclic Vishnu/Vaishnavism boon = a gift from Gods (can ask for anything) dangerous, some can ask for very powerful wishes uncontrollable evil on earth, so Vishnu comes down to Earth as avatar Rama embodiment of self-righteousness & dharma gave up his kingship for a boon cuz & DUTY On Earth Avatar & Vishnu the 2 are so diff Krishna Avatar & Vishnu Lies a lot, very mischievous Lived in a beautiful, rural land would play his flute at night & attract girls to dance w/ him #Hinduism lets people express divinity in many ways Lover to love Mother to son King to people } reason why there's so many deities it's all BRAHMAN & ultimate reality Shiva Portrayed as a renunciate Sitting in a cave, meditating Shiva cont. Cobra = animal snakes are guarders of treasure Drum Trident Animal skin = clothes He is an example of how we should renounce Associated w/ a dance il eventually destroys the world Paradox: depicted as a renunciate BUT has a family? consort, son (Ganesh), & other son Worshipped as not a human... Shiva-linga = has Shiva's symbol Devi Shaktism (the Goddess) Shaktists worship ALL goddesses because they're a manifestation of one true goddess believe one true reality is FEMALE Brahman is She Takes many forms (Devi, Shakti (power), etc) Sarasvati = Goddess of Learning Den = The Goddess (Durga) portrayed as merciful AND fierce many goddesses are like that Another "Den" = Kali Very fierce from outsiders, it's like they're worshipping demons slayer of demons -> bringer of good devotees look at her w/ love whom protects them