$JES 911 Essence of World Religions Reference Book

Author(s): Pravin K Shah
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

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Essence of World Religions
Kshatriyas or warriors and rulers: To protect the state from aggression and to establish internal order Vaisyas or merchants: To aid in the production of national wealth
Shudras or farmers and laborers: To do the labor work Some of the Shudras are classified as Untouchables, which includes those occupations that require them to handle unclean objects. Besides the duties that are derived from an individual's caste, general duties are also incumbent on all moral beings. These include honesty, courage, service, faith, self-control, purity, and non-violence. These ideal castes and stages encompass males only. The position of women in Hinduism has always been ambiguous. On one hand they are venerated as a symbol of the divine; on the other, they are treated as inferior beings. Women were traditionally expected to serve their husbands and they should not have any independent interests. Recent movements within Hinduism, such as the Brahma Samaj, have succeeded in altering this situation.
Symbols The Sanskrit OM symbolizes God in Hinduism. God is one. However sages call Him by various names. Though these names differ from one another, all of them have sprung up from the same basic source of all sounds called OM. Hence, OM represents all names of God. OM comprises of three independent letters a, u, and m. Each letter has its own meaning and significance. The letter "a" represents beginning (ädimatva), "u" represents progress (utkarsha), and “m" represents limit or dissolution (miti). The word OM represents the power responsible for creation, development, and dissolution of this universe, which is God Himself.
Holidays The 2000 years old Hindu calendar is lunar, adjusted to the solar seasons. The new and full-moon days and the eleventh day of each month are believed to be auspicious. There are at least as many Hindu holidays as there are deities - at least one for every day of the year! They are observed by pujä, prayer, feasts, fasts, dance, chants, and readings of sacred texts.
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