Notes and Study material for Exams
Religious and secular literature Besides the Growth of Sufism and Sikhism and their devotional literature, the region also produced literary figures in Prakrt, Sanskrit, Hindi and Urdu. The most important of the Prakrt scholars was Thakura Pheru who was born at Kannana, a village lying about 8 kms from Charkhi Dadari (in district … Read more
Hindu Sects: Hinduism as a federation of various sects – Shaiva, Vaishnava and Shakta Hinduism is a complex religion. It is an artificial collection of several traditions that originated in India in the last few millenniums. Since, the Muslim and British rulers and scholars alike were ignorant of the native traditions, they grouped everything under … Read more
Hindu Dharma: General characteristics and some common beliefs – Purusharthas– rituals and ethics – festivals and sacred days – pilgrimage and fairs. Yoga Guided by a Satguru Hindus believe that a spiritually awakened master, or satguru, is essential to know the Transcendent Absolute, as are personal discipline, good conduct, purification, pilgrimage, self-inquiry and … Read more
Philosophy of the Upanishad and the Bhagavad Gita –Yoga-philosophy/”>Yoga Philosophy of Pathanjali Philosophy of the Upanishad What are Upanishads? The Upanishads are ancient texts, which record the foundation of Hindu thought. They are the final part of the Vedas, the part that is concerned with pure knowledge. The word ‘veda’ means ‘knowledge’; and the Upanishads … Read more
Varina Vyavastha or Varina System Vedas prescribe that all human beings should leave ignorance, get educated, select a profession for himself based on his “tatva” (basic traits) and Education, take a vow to follow such a profession, and follow such a profession. Vedas classifies all profession into three viz. “Knowledge based”, … Read more
Religious Movements and religious philosophy in Ancient and Medieval India is an open ended topic and as mentioned in RAS Mains updated syllabus we have bifurcated the topic to cover the topic in entity for RAS Mains exam. Hinduism-as-a-federation-of-various-sects-shaiva-vaishnava-and-shakta/”>Hindu Sects: Hinduism as a federation of various sects – Shaiva, Vaishnava and Shakta Nature and scope … Read more
Puranas Divided into sarga, pratisarga, manvantantar, vamsa (genealogical list of kings) & vamsanucharita. 18 main puranas & 18 subsidiary puranas. Vedas Meaning “knowledge”. Rigveda (hymns), Yajurveda (sacrificial formulae), Atharvaveda (magical charms & spell), Samveda. Vedas are called aparusheya (not created by man) & nity Upanishads About 200 in number. Deal with philosophy. Oldest & … Read more
Hinduism: A Dominant Religious Influence Shaping the World Hinduism, one of the world’s oldest and most complex religions, boasts a rich history and a profound impact on the cultural landscape of India and beyond. With its diverse traditions, philosophical schools, and spiritual practices, Hinduism has shaped the lives of billions of people for millennia. This … Read more
Literary Sources of Ancient India: Unveiling the Tapestry of a Civilization Ancient India, a land steeped in history and culture, boasts a rich literary heritage that offers invaluable insights into its diverse society, beliefs, and practices. These literary sources, spanning centuries and genres, provide a vibrant tapestry of information about the lives, thoughts, and aspirations … Read more
Hinduism: A Tapestry of Beliefs, Practices, and Traditions Hinduism, one of the world’s oldest and most complex religions, is a vibrant tapestry woven from diverse beliefs, practices, and traditions. Originating in the Indian subcontinent, it has evolved over millennia, absorbing influences from various cultures and philosophies. This article delves into the multifaceted nature of Hinduism, … Read more