LESSON 3: THE HUMAN PERSON AS AN Devotion to the Trimutri

EMBODIED SPIRIT (Part 1 – Hinduism)

Central to Hinduism is the Brahman who is the
Hindu – originated from the Persian word hindu ultimate reality; one and undivided. The
which means “river”. It also refers to the people Brahman is often seen in their form or functions
of the Indus valley – the Indians. called the Trimutri

Sacred Scriptures: Shruti and Shmriti Brahma - Creator

Shruti – literally means “that which is heard”. Vishnu – Protector / Preserver

They are regarded as eternal truths that were
Shiva – The Destroyer
passed orally until the beginning of the present
age wherein there came the need to write them
God and Goddesses Personification or
down. Attributes
Vedas – are the earliest known Sanskrit Indra Leader of the
literature from the Brahmani period and oldest Devas or gods;
the lord of
scripture of Hinduism.
heaven in
 Rig Veda – is the most important and Hinduism; God of
oldest book that dates back to around rain and
1500 B.C.E. to 1200 B.C.E. The book is a thunderstorm
collection of over a thousand hymns Agni God of fire;
and more than ten thousand verses messenger of
gods
dedicated to the Aryan pantheon of
Adityas Sun-gods
gods.
Mitra Deity for
 Yajur Veda – of rites is the second
honesty,
book. It is composed of materials friendship,
recited during rituals and sacrifices to contracts and
deities. meetings
 Sama Veda – Knowledge of chants is the Varuna God of the
third book. This book is a collection of water; god of law
verses from the basic hymns recited by of the
priest during sacrifices. underwater
 Atharva Veda – Knowledge given by the world
sage Atharva, it contains numerous Ushas Deity of dawns
spells and incantations for medicinal Savitr Solar Deity
purposes and magical aids to victory in Rudra Deity of wind or
storm
battle among others.
Pushan Solar deity; god
Shmriti – mean “that which has been of meeting
remembered”. These writings serve to reinforce Brishapati Deity and
shruti and are interpreted by sages and scholars Religion
alike. It contains stories and legends, code of Dyaus Pita Sky God; Father
conduct for the society, and guidebook for Sky
worship. The great epics Ramayana (which Prithvi Mother Earth
contains 24,000 verses in seven books) and Surya Chief solar; Deity
of sun
Mahabharata, which contains the philosophical
Vayu Lord of the winds
poem Bhagavad Gita (Lord’s Song), are part of
Apas Water
shmriti. These are national epics of India and
Parjanya Thunder and
considered to be the sacred texts of the masses
Rain
where they draw their value and ideals.
Trivia: There are overs 330 million gods or devas
Beliefs and Doctrines from Hinduism

Routes to Moksha
Samsara – every soul dies and is reborn anew in Krishna and Rama. Adherents have multitudes
new form. of saints, temples and sacred texts.

Karma – one’s deeds have an effect in this or
future life.
Moksha – one may escape the weary round of
death and life. Moksha can be attained through
the four yogas (yuj which translates as “to
yoke” or “to join”)
Smartism – For the Smartas, devotes are left to
choose the own deity in one of six
manifestations namely, Ganesha, Siva, Shakti,
Vishnu, Surya and Skanda. Smartas are known
as liberals as they embrace al major Hindu
Gods.

The four yogas.

Jnana Yoga (The Way of Knowledge) – The path

of knowledge, wisdom, introspection, and
contemplation.

Bhakti Yoga (The Way of Love) – The path of

devotion, emotion, love, compassion and
service to God and others.

Karma Yoga (The Way of Work) – The path of

action, service, mindfulness and remembering
the levels of our being while fulfilling our
actions or karma in the world.

Raja Yoga (The Way of Meditation) – The path

of meditation that directly deals with the
encountering and transcending thought of the
mind.

Purushartha (Four desirable goals in life)

1. Dharma (The Pursuit for appropriate

behavior)
2. Artha (Pursuit of legitimate worldly
success)
3. Kama (The pursuit of legitimate
pleasure)
4. Moksha (Release from rebirth)

Subdivision of Hinduism
Shaivism – Lord Shiva, the Compassionate One,
is God for the Saivites. Followers of Shaivism
value self-discipline and philosophy. They
worship in temples and practices yoga.

Shaktism – The Goddess Shakti is supreme for

Shaktas. She is the divine mother and assumes
many forms, be it a gentle one or a fierce deity.
Believers use chants, magic and yoga to
summon cosmic forces.

Vaishnavism – Lord Vishu is God for the

Vaishnavites, especially in his incarnations