Hinduism Study Guide with Complete Solutions.
In terms of its number of adherents how does Hinduism rank among the religions of the world?
correct answers 3rd (900 million adherents)
What is the "Aum" or "Om" of Hinduism? correct answers A popular symbol of hinduism
referring to a mantra or chant leading to a state of consciousness in which one may experience
unity with Brahman, the soul of the universe
What are two theories for the origin of Hinduism? correct answers One theory purports that
Hinduism originated about 1500 B.C.E. when Aryans ("wealthy nobles") from Persia migrated
into the Indus River Valley. Another theory maintains that Hinduism was simply a native Indian
expression.
From what did the term "Hindu" derive? correct answers those living along the banks of the
Indus River(also referred to as the Hindus or Sindhu River). The people living in the Indus River
Valley Were called"Hindus" and their religion, "Hinduism."
What does "Vedas" mean? correct answers ("body of knowledge") refers to an extensive
collection of materials, originally recorded in Sanskrit, related to the deities of early Hinduism.
How large is the collection of sacred literature in Hinduism? correct answers It is very large, so
large it could not be contained in one book
How are the Vedas regarded? correct answers as shruti, knowledge "that is heard," that is,
revealed by the gods to Hindu sages, in contrast to smriti, "that which is known remembered,"
To what does "shruti" refer? correct answers knowledge that is heard, that is revealed by the gods
Which is the most important division of the Vedas, and of what does it consist? correct answers
the Rig-Veda ("knowledge of praise verse") consisting of 1,028 hymns addressed to the various
gods and goddesses of early Hinduism.
Which god receives the most attention in the Vedas? correct answers Indra, a god of the storm
and ruler of the heavens.
According to Hindu tradition, how many deities are there in India? correct answers some 330
million deities. In other words, Hinduism admits a limitless number of gods and goddesses.
To what does "Trimurti" refer? correct answers Three of the most important or popular gods:
Brahma The Creator, Vishnu the Preserver/Restorer, and Shiva the Destroyer.
What is Brahma's standing among the Trimurti compared to Vishnu and Shiva? correct answers
He is widely respected and recognized as a god of creation, but he is the least widely worshipped
of the Trimurti.
, What great feat is attributed to Brahma? correct answers He created the world. He resided in the
egg a year,and then by his thought divided the egg into two halves. "And out of those two halves
he formed heaven and earth, between them the middle sphere, the eight points of the horizon,
and the eternal abode of the waters." Brahma proceeded to create all things.
How does Vishnu restore, or show his love and concern, for humanity? correct answers by
appearing on earth in many forms and assisting humanity in concrete ways.
What is an "avatar"; and, according to tradition, how many avatars has Vishnu had? correct
answers The incarnations of Vishnu. Tradition has it that Vishnu has had nine, including Krishna
and the Buddha. Kalkin the tenth will come to revitalize the world for a new age to come.
Who is Kalkin? correct answers a tenth avatar, he will come to revitalize the world for a new age
to come.
How did Vishnu, as a fish, save Manu, the first man? correct answers He warned him of a flood
to come and told him to build a boat, then pulled him through the flood and tied him to a
mountain
How did Rudra become Shiva? correct answers Reflection produced the realization that although
Rudra brought destruction, the rain from his storms allowed for new growth, including the
growth of medicinal herbs. Out of fear or respect, Hindus began to refer to Rudra as Shiva, "the
auspicious one."
How did Shiva, a god of destruction, become associated with new growth? correct answers The
destruction of rain from his storms also allowed growth, including the growth of medicinal herbs
What are fertility symbols associated with Shiva? correct answers the lingam and yoni,
representing male and female genitalia("phallus" and "vulva").
What does "Nataraja" mean? correct answers Lord of the Dance
Describe Shiva as Nataraja. correct answers Shiva is encircled by a ring of fire, symbolic of his
destructive capability, and dancing on a demon of delusion. He has four arms waving in the
air.One left hand holds a fire pot, indicative of Shiva's power for devastation, and one right hand
holds asmall drum for beating out the movements of the cosmos. The other left hand points to
Shiva's raised foot, perhaps symbolic of release, and the other right hand is poised in a calming
gesture, a fear-notgesture. But look behind the fear-notgesture, and one will find a cobra
wrapped around Shiva's arm.
Who is Kali, and what is "shaktism"? correct answers Shiva's mate,described as both beautiful
and bloodthirsty. The worship of Shiva's consort or spouse or shakti (active female energy) is
known as shaktism.
In terms of its number of adherents how does Hinduism rank among the religions of the world?
correct answers 3rd (900 million adherents)
What is the "Aum" or "Om" of Hinduism? correct answers A popular symbol of hinduism
referring to a mantra or chant leading to a state of consciousness in which one may experience
unity with Brahman, the soul of the universe
What are two theories for the origin of Hinduism? correct answers One theory purports that
Hinduism originated about 1500 B.C.E. when Aryans ("wealthy nobles") from Persia migrated
into the Indus River Valley. Another theory maintains that Hinduism was simply a native Indian
expression.
From what did the term "Hindu" derive? correct answers those living along the banks of the
Indus River(also referred to as the Hindus or Sindhu River). The people living in the Indus River
Valley Were called"Hindus" and their religion, "Hinduism."
What does "Vedas" mean? correct answers ("body of knowledge") refers to an extensive
collection of materials, originally recorded in Sanskrit, related to the deities of early Hinduism.
How large is the collection of sacred literature in Hinduism? correct answers It is very large, so
large it could not be contained in one book
How are the Vedas regarded? correct answers as shruti, knowledge "that is heard," that is,
revealed by the gods to Hindu sages, in contrast to smriti, "that which is known remembered,"
To what does "shruti" refer? correct answers knowledge that is heard, that is revealed by the gods
Which is the most important division of the Vedas, and of what does it consist? correct answers
the Rig-Veda ("knowledge of praise verse") consisting of 1,028 hymns addressed to the various
gods and goddesses of early Hinduism.
Which god receives the most attention in the Vedas? correct answers Indra, a god of the storm
and ruler of the heavens.
According to Hindu tradition, how many deities are there in India? correct answers some 330
million deities. In other words, Hinduism admits a limitless number of gods and goddesses.
To what does "Trimurti" refer? correct answers Three of the most important or popular gods:
Brahma The Creator, Vishnu the Preserver/Restorer, and Shiva the Destroyer.
What is Brahma's standing among the Trimurti compared to Vishnu and Shiva? correct answers
He is widely respected and recognized as a god of creation, but he is the least widely worshipped
of the Trimurti.
, What great feat is attributed to Brahma? correct answers He created the world. He resided in the
egg a year,and then by his thought divided the egg into two halves. "And out of those two halves
he formed heaven and earth, between them the middle sphere, the eight points of the horizon,
and the eternal abode of the waters." Brahma proceeded to create all things.
How does Vishnu restore, or show his love and concern, for humanity? correct answers by
appearing on earth in many forms and assisting humanity in concrete ways.
What is an "avatar"; and, according to tradition, how many avatars has Vishnu had? correct
answers The incarnations of Vishnu. Tradition has it that Vishnu has had nine, including Krishna
and the Buddha. Kalkin the tenth will come to revitalize the world for a new age to come.
Who is Kalkin? correct answers a tenth avatar, he will come to revitalize the world for a new age
to come.
How did Vishnu, as a fish, save Manu, the first man? correct answers He warned him of a flood
to come and told him to build a boat, then pulled him through the flood and tied him to a
mountain
How did Rudra become Shiva? correct answers Reflection produced the realization that although
Rudra brought destruction, the rain from his storms allowed for new growth, including the
growth of medicinal herbs. Out of fear or respect, Hindus began to refer to Rudra as Shiva, "the
auspicious one."
How did Shiva, a god of destruction, become associated with new growth? correct answers The
destruction of rain from his storms also allowed growth, including the growth of medicinal herbs
What are fertility symbols associated with Shiva? correct answers the lingam and yoni,
representing male and female genitalia("phallus" and "vulva").
What does "Nataraja" mean? correct answers Lord of the Dance
Describe Shiva as Nataraja. correct answers Shiva is encircled by a ring of fire, symbolic of his
destructive capability, and dancing on a demon of delusion. He has four arms waving in the
air.One left hand holds a fire pot, indicative of Shiva's power for devastation, and one right hand
holds asmall drum for beating out the movements of the cosmos. The other left hand points to
Shiva's raised foot, perhaps symbolic of release, and the other right hand is poised in a calming
gesture, a fear-notgesture. But look behind the fear-notgesture, and one will find a cobra
wrapped around Shiva's arm.
Who is Kali, and what is "shaktism"? correct answers Shiva's mate,described as both beautiful
and bloodthirsty. The worship of Shiva's consort or spouse or shakti (active female energy) is
known as shaktism.
