Hinduism Rough Notes

Hinduism Rough Notes
ToC
Stuff to Learn
- Shastras, Tantras, Upavedas, Stotras, Srutis
- Sutras, Shlokas, Anuvakhya, Vakhya
Shruti
Smriti
Sutras
- Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Glossary
Words

Stuff to Learn

Scriptures
- Vedas (Tier 1)
- Dharma Shastras (Tier 2)
- Puranas (Tier 3)
  - Maha Puranas
  - Upa Puranas
Agamas (Related to Samhithas)
Smritis
- Bhakti Shastras
  - Ithihasas
  - Supplimentary
- Poetic Works (Kalidasa, etc.)
- Social Sciences

Bhasyas (Commentaries)
Nibandhas (Digests)

Shastras, Sutras, Tantras, Upavedas, Stotras, Stutis

Shastras, Tantras, Upavedas, Stotras, Srutis

Sutras, Shlokas, Anuvakhya, Vakhya

A Sutra is a condensed rule which succinctly states the message
A Shloka is a verse that conveys the complete message and is structured to certain rules of musical meter
An Anuvakhya is an explanation of the reviewed text
A Vyakhya is a comment by the reviewer.

Vedas have their respective Vedic Shakhas.
Brahmanas are Vedic Sruti works attached to Samhitas

Vedangas (Disciplines)
- 6 Vedangas
Parisista (Supplements / Appendix)
- Samhitas
- Brahmanas
- Aranyakas
- Sutras
Upavedas (Applied Knowledge)
- Archery (Dhanurveda), associated with the Yajurveda
- Architecture (Sthapatyaveda), associated with the Rigveda.
- Music and sacred dance (Gāndharvaveda), associated with the Samaveda
- Medicine (Āyurveda), associated with the Atharvaveda.
Tantras
- Tantra (/ˈtæntrə/; Sanskrit: तन्त्र, lit. 'expansion-device, salvation-spreader; loom, weave, warp') is an esoteric yogic tradition that developed on the Indian subcontinent from the middle of the 1st millennium CE onwards in both Hinduism and Buddhism.
- The term tantra, in the Indian traditions, also means any systematic broadly applicable "text, theory, system, method, instrument, technique or practice". A key feature of these traditions is the use of mantras, and thus they are commonly referred to as Mantramārga ("Path of Mantra") in Hinduism or Mantrayāna ("Mantra Vehicle") and Guhyamantra ("Secret Mantra") in Buddhism.

The Tantric texts can be divided into three classes:
(1) Shaiva Agamas (traditions of the followers of Shiva)
(2) Vaishnava Samhitas (“Collections of the Vaishnavas,” a name borrowed from the Vedic Samhitas)
(3) Shakta Tantras (“Looms of the followers of the Goddess Shakti”).
However, they all have the common bond of venerating the Goddess

Hindu scriptures, also known as Shastras, are a vast and diverse collection of texts sacred to Hindus. They are generally divided into two categories: Shruti (heard) and Smriti (remembered).

Shruti

Shruti scriptures are considered revealed and include the four Vedas:

Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda.

Each Veda has four parts: Samhitas (mantras and hymns), Brahmanas (rituals and sacrifices), Aranyakas (contemplations for forest dwellers), and Upanishads (philosophical and spiritual teachings).

Smriti

Smriti scriptures are based on human memory and include epic texts like the Mahabharata (which contains the Bhagavad Gita) and Ramayana, as well as law codes (Dharma Shastras), Puranas (mythological and historical accounts), and Tantras (esoteric rituals and meditation techniques).

These scriptures cover a wide range of topics, including rituals, morals, law, mythology, cosmology, and spirituality. They reflect the diverse nature of Hinduism and offer rich insights into the religion's history, philosophy, and culture.

So basically,

Hindu Shastras
- Srutis (Revealed)
  - 4 Vedas
    - Samhitas
    - Brahmanas
    - Aranyakas
    - Upanishads
- Smriti (Remembered)
  - Ithihasas
    - Mahabharata
      - Bhagavad Gita
    - Ramayana
  - Dharma Shastras (Law Codes)
  - Puranas (Mythological and Historical Accounts)
  - Tantras (Rituals and Meditation Techniques)
Darshanas: the six major philosophies of Hinduism, including Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa, and Vedanta
Agamas: a collection of Hindu scriptures that discuss temple worship, rituals, and yoga
Bhakti Marga: the path of devotion in Hinduism, which involves the worship of a personal god or goddess
Karma and Rebirth: the Hindu beliefs in the law of cause and effect and the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth

Sutras

Sutras are a type of ancient Indian text that are written in a concise and aphoristic styleword "sutra" comes from the Sanskrit word "sutra," which means "thread." Sutras are similar to aphorisms or maxims, and are meant to be brief and easy to remember.

Sutras were traditionally used as a mnemonic device to help students remember and understand complex concepts. In ancient India, sutras were often used as a teaching tool, and were memorized and recited by students as a way of learning and preserving the teachings of their guru (teacher).

Sutras are typically written in a highly condensed and elliptical style, and often use technical terminology and abbreviations. This makes them difficult for the uninitiated to understand, and requires a deep knowledge of the subject matter and the language in which they are written.

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are a collection of 196 Sanskrit sutras (aphorisms) on the practice of yoga, written by the Indian sage Patanjali around 400 CE. Yoga Sutras are considered to be one of the most important texts on the philosophy and practice of yoga, and are considered to be a foundational text of the Yoga Darshana, or Yoga Philosophy.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are divided into four chapters, or padas, which cover the following topics:
1. Samadhi Pada: This chapter discusses the nature of the mind, the causes of suffering, and the means of achieving liberation through the practice of yoga.
2. Sadhana Pada: This chapter discusses the practical aspects of yoga, including the eight limbs of yoga, which are: yama (ethical restraints), niyama (observances), asana (physical postures), pranayama (breath control), pratyahara (sense withdrawal), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi (absorption).
3. Vibhuti Pada: This chapter discusses the supernatural powers that can be attained through the practice of yoga, and the dangers of becoming attached to these powers.
4. Kaivalya Pada: This chapter discusses the ultimate goal of yoga, which is the attainment of kaivalya, or liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Glossary

Aphorism: General Truths we understand, proverbs, etc.
Maxims: Belief Systems (Personal Rules included)

Words

Ashtanga
Anushtanam