"Caste"ing Call
This caste is numerically the largest, and is comprised of those who perform menial tasks such as working in the fields, as manual laborers, and as servants. They form the lowest "caste" and their name literally translates to mean "those who believe the Maya."
Who are the Shudras?
The ancient scriptures of Hinduism, composed between 1500 and 500 B.C.E. and made up of four collections. They were originally passed down by oral tradition for generations before finally being written down in ancient Sanskrit around 1500 BCE. The common term for these collections translates to mean "Knowledge."
What are the Vedas?
Originally the god of fire as one of the primal elements, he manifested as "fire" on the earth, as "lightning" in the atmosphere, and as the "sun" in the sky.
Who was Agni?
Among the gods, he is the "Preserver" and guardian of humanity. He protects the universal order of things (dharma) and appears on earth in various forms (avatars) to fight evil and maintain cosmic harmony.
Who is Vishnu?
Observed between late October and mid-November, this holy day and festival commemorates the return of Prince Rama from exile, and is celebrated with gifts, bonfires and fireworks.
What is Diwali?
This "caste" is composed of the small independent farmers, artisans, merchants and shop-keepers in Hindu society. Technically, they are considered the "middle class."
Who are the Vaishyas?
This is the oldest of the four sacred texts of the Hindu tradition, some of the earliest writings are unknown because the script cannot be deciphered. Those texts that are known include 10 books or madalas containing 1,028 hymns of 10,600 verses regarding proper religious observance and practices.
What is the Rig Veda?
The most often mentioned deity in the Rig Veda, he is the “king of the gods” and is god of the primal elements found in storms, thunder, rain and flowing rivers.
Who was Indra?
Among the gods, he is known as the "Destroyer" who allows for the cycle of recreation of the universe every 2,160,000,000 years. He is also associated with asceticism, or “denial of the self" - abstaining from all forms of indulgence and earthly pleasures - concentrating instead on meditation as a means to find perfect happiness.
Who is Shiva?
This festival is observed in March and signifies the return of spring and the Hindu New Year. Observants celebrate by throwing brightly colored powder on one another.
What is Holi?
This "caste" refers to the Hindu nobles, princes and warriors. Also sometimes referred to as "Rajputs," while they are not considered part of the highest "priest" class, they are among the upper class and may inter-marry with the "priest class."
Who are the Kshatriyas?
Written as dialogues or narrative texts, they are the most often read of the ancient sacred Hindu scriptures, and the first to be translated into other languages. They are often referred to "the end of the Vedas" or Vedanta.
What are the Upanishads?
The god of the moon, and of plants and vegetation - he was considered the "healer of diseases" and his name was also given to an intoxicating drink consumed as part of a ritual by early Hindu priests.
Who was Soma?
The followers and devotees of Vishnu, this Hindu sect is known as this.
What is Vaishnavism?
This concept may be literally translated to mean "appropriateness" and is viewed as one's duty or purpose as determined by one's social / "caste" status.
What is Dharma?
The smallest "caste" numerically, its members are of the highest order and are considered the ruling "priest" class who are able to interpret the sacred scriptures of Hinduism for everyone else.
Who are the Brahmins?
This story is contained in the larger epic poem Mahabharata (at more than 200,000 verses - the longest epic in any language), it recounts the dialogue between Prince Arjuna who is conflicted over the impending battle against his kinsmen, and the advice of his charioteer Lord Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu.
What is the Bhagavad Gita?
The creator and origin of all that has been created. He has four heads and four hands which symbolize the four Vedas.
Who is Brahma?
The devotees and followers of Shiva belong to the Hindu sect known as this.
What is Shaivism?
This is the "energy" that results from one's actions and may be either "positive" or "negative." (But contrary to what John Lennon sings about, is seldom "instant.")
What is Karma?
This group was not considered to be part of the Hindu "caste system" because they are viewed as "sub-human" and performed the tasks that no other group would do - such as collecting garbage and removing the carcasses of dead animals. They are considered "ritually unclean," and as such, they are required to live outside the walls / confines of the towns and cities inhabited by other castes.
Who are the Dalits or "Untouchables"?
The epic story of Prince Rama and his efforts to rescue his wife Sita, who is abducted by the demon Ravana and taken to the island of Ceylon (Sri Lanka).
What is the Ramayana?
Collectively, Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma are known as this.
What is the Trimurti?
Collectively, the three goddesses / consorts Paravati, Lakshmi, and Saraswati are referred to as this.
What is the Tridevi?
This is defined as "release" of freedom from the cycle of reincarnation, and reunion with the universal spirit known as Brahman.
What is Moksha?