Scriptures and Sacred Text
Vedas
- Vedas: “Ancient scriptures of India” - 2000 to 500bce - Preserved only in oral form which was eventually written down. - Means “knowledge” or “sacred lore” - The “Rishis” – “holy men of the distant past” did not create the vedas but heard them and transmitted them to the later generations. - Consists of four basic sacred text: - Rig veda “hymn knowledge”: collection of more than a thousand chants to the Aryan gods - Yajur Veda: “ceremonial knowledge”: contain matter for recitation during sacrifice - Sama Veda “chant knowledge” handbook for musical elaborations of Vedic chants - Atharva veda “knowledge from Atharva” practice prayers and charms meant to protect. Molly, Michael. (2010). Experiencing the World’s Religions (5th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. pg.81 |
Upanishads
- Hundreds of written works that record “insight into external and internal reality.” - Primarily in dialogue form (prose and poetry). - Produced over many hundred years. - Dates are unknown. - The Upanishad’s most important concepts consist of: Brahman, atman, karma, samsara, moksha. Molly, Michael. (2010). Experiencing the World’s Religions (5th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. pg. 82-84 |
Bhagavad Gita
- “Divine song” or “song of the Divine one” - Part of a very long epic poem called the Mahabharata. - It was shaped by the priestly class - Created between 200 B.C.E and 200 C.E - The story tells how the Pandavas conquered their cousins Kauravas with the help of the god Krishna. Molly, Michael. (2010). Experiencing the World’s Religions (5th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. pg. 89 |