Hinduism Study Guide || with Complete Solutions.
4 Vedas correct answers not to be passed to anyone other than priests
Rig Veda: oldest/most sacred, over 1000 poems to various gods (hymns of creation, praise, etc.)
Soma Veda: hymns chanted at soma sacrifices (hallucinogenic beverages use as an offering to
the Gods)
Yajur Veda: instructing priests in fire and soma services
Atharva Veda: collections of charms, spells and incarnations used for healings and curses, hymns
for domestic use
Ahimsa correct answers the desire not to harm any form of life (basis of nonviolence), promoted
by Mohandas Ghandi
Arjuna correct answers story in Smriti scriptures about Arjuna who was caught between his duty
as a warrior and his dedication to nonviolence
Atman correct answers the soul, the individual's essential nature, the real self of each person
Avatar correct answers incarnations of a god/goddess who came to rid the world of evil
Banyan tree correct answers symbol of Hinduism
Bhakti correct answers bahminical sacrificial rituals
Bhakti Yoga/Magra correct answers part of the Path of Devotion
Brahma correct answers Creator god
Brahman correct answers all gods and goddesses are images of him, the Ultimate
Reality/Absolute Reality, has no attributes, 3 forms (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva)
Dharma correct answers pursuit of harmony with the dharma is a primary concern, social order
affects it
Diwali correct answers festival of lights
No universal date > celebrated in the fall
Length depends on where you live > North 5 days, south 1 day
Some consider this the start of the new year
, Celebrates the return of Rama to his kingdom after a 14 year exile
* People lit lamps to guide him and his friends on their journey
* Today people decorate with colorful lights and candles
* Begins at darkness so the lights really shine
Also celebrated by Sikhs and Jains
Gandhi correct answers Mohandas Gandhi advocated the equality of all religions, worked hard to
alleviate tensions between religious traditions
Ganges correct answers premier place for spiritual healing, symbol of life without end, ritual
bathing (power to wash away the karma), at death ashes are put in the river
Gurdwara correct answers their service that consists of singing and reading scriptures
Guru Nanak correct answers founded Sikhism, student of the Hindu poet Kabir who was heavily
influenced by Islamic mysticism
Hindu correct answers roots in the Sanskrit "sindhu" meaning "river"
Holi correct answers celebration of love
Celebrated in the spring
Time where the divisions between castes is suspended
Fun-loving pranks are performed as a reminder of the fun Krishna had as a boy
Commemoration of the love between Krishna and Radha
Squirt each other with red liquor or throw red powder during the festival
* Holika tried to poison Krishna, but he exposed her for the demon she was
Jainism correct answers Founded by Mahavira
Mix of elements from Buddhism and Hinduism
Reacting against some sacrificial elements
Because Jainism is big on non-violence, they will only eat things that will not kill plants or
animals
Also big on non-injury
Vegetarians- Diet mostly fruit, milk, and nuts
Jnana Yoga/Magra correct answers involves looking at oneself in the 3rd person
4 Vedas correct answers not to be passed to anyone other than priests
Rig Veda: oldest/most sacred, over 1000 poems to various gods (hymns of creation, praise, etc.)
Soma Veda: hymns chanted at soma sacrifices (hallucinogenic beverages use as an offering to
the Gods)
Yajur Veda: instructing priests in fire and soma services
Atharva Veda: collections of charms, spells and incarnations used for healings and curses, hymns
for domestic use
Ahimsa correct answers the desire not to harm any form of life (basis of nonviolence), promoted
by Mohandas Ghandi
Arjuna correct answers story in Smriti scriptures about Arjuna who was caught between his duty
as a warrior and his dedication to nonviolence
Atman correct answers the soul, the individual's essential nature, the real self of each person
Avatar correct answers incarnations of a god/goddess who came to rid the world of evil
Banyan tree correct answers symbol of Hinduism
Bhakti correct answers bahminical sacrificial rituals
Bhakti Yoga/Magra correct answers part of the Path of Devotion
Brahma correct answers Creator god
Brahman correct answers all gods and goddesses are images of him, the Ultimate
Reality/Absolute Reality, has no attributes, 3 forms (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva)
Dharma correct answers pursuit of harmony with the dharma is a primary concern, social order
affects it
Diwali correct answers festival of lights
No universal date > celebrated in the fall
Length depends on where you live > North 5 days, south 1 day
Some consider this the start of the new year
, Celebrates the return of Rama to his kingdom after a 14 year exile
* People lit lamps to guide him and his friends on their journey
* Today people decorate with colorful lights and candles
* Begins at darkness so the lights really shine
Also celebrated by Sikhs and Jains
Gandhi correct answers Mohandas Gandhi advocated the equality of all religions, worked hard to
alleviate tensions between religious traditions
Ganges correct answers premier place for spiritual healing, symbol of life without end, ritual
bathing (power to wash away the karma), at death ashes are put in the river
Gurdwara correct answers their service that consists of singing and reading scriptures
Guru Nanak correct answers founded Sikhism, student of the Hindu poet Kabir who was heavily
influenced by Islamic mysticism
Hindu correct answers roots in the Sanskrit "sindhu" meaning "river"
Holi correct answers celebration of love
Celebrated in the spring
Time where the divisions between castes is suspended
Fun-loving pranks are performed as a reminder of the fun Krishna had as a boy
Commemoration of the love between Krishna and Radha
Squirt each other with red liquor or throw red powder during the festival
* Holika tried to poison Krishna, but he exposed her for the demon she was
Jainism correct answers Founded by Mahavira
Mix of elements from Buddhism and Hinduism
Reacting against some sacrificial elements
Because Jainism is big on non-violence, they will only eat things that will not kill plants or
animals
Also big on non-injury
Vegetarians- Diet mostly fruit, milk, and nuts
Jnana Yoga/Magra correct answers involves looking at oneself in the 3rd person
