CAS RN 213 Study Guide - Final Guide: Upanayana, Sannyasa, Samaveda
Document Summary
Puranas (mythological texts, known by contemporary hindus. Trimurti: brahma, vishnu and shiva: brahma: creator of the universe, vishnu: preserver of the universe, shiva: destroyer/transformer of the universe. Sarasvati: goddess of speech, language, arts (replaces brahma) Wife = lakshmi (goddess of wealth and auspiciousness, seated on a lotus) Appears narratively and iconographically in both cosmic and incarnated forms. Vishnu appeared as: rama, krishna, buddha, etc. Wide strider (crosses the 3 worlds in 3 steps) Tiger skin wrapped around, snake across chest. 108 names -- 108 beads in a mala . Said to be more powerful than all of the male gods combined. Class of people who receive a revelation (shruti) 3 margas: karma marga: the way of sacrificial action (polytheistic, jhana marga: the way of knowledge (monistic = god is same as self) Upanishads (dialogues between teachers and students: bhakti marga: the way of devotion (monotheistic) To reach liberation: breaking the shackles of rebirth.
