Notes and Study material for Exams
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
Swami Vivekananda: The Lion of Bengal and His Enduring Legacy Introduction: Swami Vivekananda, born Narendra Nath Datta, was a towering figure in the history of modern India. He was a renowned spiritual leader, philosopher, and social reformer who played a pivotal role in introducing Hinduism to the West and inspiring a wave of nationalistic fervor … Read more
Nastika Shools of Indian System of Philosophy Charvaka Believes only in materialism. No life beyond death, no soul no god. Jaina The names of two tirthankaras, Rishabhanath & Aristhanemia finds mention in Rig Veda. 540 BC Twenty third was Parsva, son of Ishvaku king Asvasena. … Read more
The Vedanta School: A Journey Through the Essence of Hinduism The Vedanta school, a prominent philosophical and spiritual tradition within Hinduism, stands as a testament to the enduring quest for knowledge and liberation. Rooted in the ancient Vedic texts, Vedanta offers a profound exploration of the nature of reality, the human condition, and the path … 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
Hindu sects: Yoga, are based largely on the Upanishads, and associated with the Vedas and Puranic texts such as the Bhagavad Gita, and the Padma, Vishnu and Bhagavata Puranas. Awareness, recognition, and Growth of the belief have significantly increased outside of India in recent years. The Gaudiya Vaishnava branch of the tradition has … Read more
Swami vivekanand Swami Vivekananda is one of the greatest thinkers of Indian Renaissance. Vivekananda was moved with pity on seeing the impoverished state of the masses. He says: “Material civilization, may even luxuries necessary to create work for the poor. Bread, I do not believe in a God who cannot give me bread here, giving … Read more
Ramanuja: The Architect of Vishishtadvaita Vedanta Introduction: Ramanuja, a towering figure in the history of Hindu philosophy, stands as one of the most influential proponents of Vedanta, the philosophical system derived from the Upanishads. His unique interpretation of Vedanta, known as Vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism), has profoundly shaped the religious and philosophical landscape of Hinduism, particularly … Read more