REL 101 Chapter Notes -Vedic Period, Historical Vedic Religion, Dvija
11 Apr 2023
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Hinduism refers to the majority religion of indian subcontinent. Similar to indigenous religion: no historical founder, no central revelation, no creed or unified system of belief, no doctrine of salvation, no centralized authority. No clear division between the sacred and profane or natural/supernatural. Earliest traces of hinduism from 2500 to 1500 bce. Indus valley civilization was replaced by the aryans, indo-european invaders, or migrants form the cacasus region. Vedas oral for thousands of years before written down: still important in south india, articulated, embodied, performed rather than read. Fourfold system of hierarchical classification: priests/ritual specialists brahmans, warriors or rulers kshatriyas, traders vaishyas, servants shudras (low status) Top 3 classes varna were known as twice born . Dvija because their male members underwent initiation that confirmed their status as full members of society. Brahmanic ideology became central to social/political life and was concerned with ritual status and duties of king: maintaining social order, regulation of behaviour, righteousness dharma.
