The Bhagavad Gita Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is one of the most influential ideas in Hinduism?

Reincarnation

Moksha

Karma

The universe (correct)

In the Vedic hymns, what is godhead renamed/called?

Purusa

In the Upanishads, what is godhead renamed/called?

Brahman

What are the main Hindu scriptures?

The Vedas & Upanisads Signup and view all the answers

What were the Vedas?

They were FOUR books of hymns Signup and view all the answers

What is Atman?

The soul or self Signup and view all the answers

How does one reunite with godhead? What is it called?

By exhausting karma; Moksa Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the Sanskrit is the Bhagavad-Gita a part of?

The Mahabharata Signup and view all the answers

What is karma & dharma?

Karma has to do with actions, cause & effect; dharma has to do with duty, law, morality, & obligation Signup and view all the answers

It is possible to be liberated from the cycle of karma by ending delusion and reaching Enlightenment. Is this a principle of Hinduism, Buddhism, or Gita?

Buddhism Signup and view all the answers

Which integrates the older Hindu theory of dharma with the new Buddhist teaching of salvation? Gita, Hinduism or Buddhism?

Gita Signup and view all the answers

Suffering must be endured and one must exhaust karma to achieve moksha. Is this a principle of Hinduism, Buddhism, or Gita?

Hinduism Signup and view all the answers

What did the Brahmi writing system feature?

Diacritical marks; writing proceeds from left to right Signup and view all the answers

What is the status of the early Indus-Harrappan writing system?

Undeciphered Signup and view all the answers

Hinduism, the primary religion in ancient India, is characterized by what?

Polytheism; belief in many gods Signup and view all the answers

What is the Bhagavad-Gita a part of?

The Mahabharata; it tackles the dilemmas of karma in the most difficult situations Signup and view all the answers

How did Mahatma Gandhi characterize India in the mid-twentieth century?

A land of villages Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary language used to produce Indian literature into the nineteenth century?

Sanskrit Signup and view all the answers

The earliest works composed in South Asia were hymns organized into four groups called?

Vedas Signup and view all the answers

Who established the first Indian empire?

The Maurya dynasty Signup and view all the answers

Indo-Aryan culture, which displaced Indus-Harappan culture starting about 2000 BCE, focused primarily on what?

Family farming Signup and view all the answers

Alternative religious beliefs to Hinduism found expression in which traditions?

Jainism & Buddhism Signup and view all the answers

South Asia, despite its diverse religious & political practices, remains a relatively cohesive what?

Cultural zone Signup and view all the answers

Ancient texts were transmitted orally. What did specially trained 'reciters' depend on?

Memorization Signup and view all the answers

What is on Arjuna's war banner?

A monkey Signup and view all the answers

According to Krishna, violence is only acceptable when?

Defending a righteous cause Signup and view all the answers

What from the humans nourishes the gods?

Sacrifice Signup and view all the answers

Where is Arjuna when he suddenly collapses?

In his chariot Signup and view all the answers

What terrible outcome results from corrupted women during times of war?

The intermingling of classes Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects the way of Yoga?

Balance is maintained in thought & movement Signup and view all the answers

What is Arjuna & his people preparing for at the start of chapter one?

War; 'in battle for Dhritarashtra's evil son' Signup and view all the answers

The Blessed One advises Arjuna that his enemies are?

Passion & impulsivity Signup and view all the answers

Krishna suggests men can be free from pain by?

Dissolving worldly attachment Signup and view all the answers

What does Krishna say is a fate worse than death?

An honorable man falling into shame Signup and view all the answers

When was the Bhagavad Gita written?

During the fourth century BCE Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Hinduism and the Bhagavad Gita

One influential idea in Hinduism is that the universe is a vast process of self-generation.
In Vedic hymns, the godhead is referred to as Purusa, meaning spirit.
The Upanishads rename the godhead as Brahman, representing the anthropomorphic God of Creation.
Main Hindu scriptures include the Vedas and Upanishads, with the Vedas consisting of four books of hymns.
Atman refers to the soul or self seeking to unite with godhead, while moksha is the reunion with the godhead achieved by exhausting karma.
The Bhagavad-Gita is part of the Mahabharata, addressing dilemmas of karma in challenging situations.

Karma relates to actions, cause and effect; dharma pertains to duty, law, morality, and obligation.
Buddhism teaches liberation from karma through enlightenment, while the Gita integrates Hindu dharma with Buddhist salvation teachings.
Suffering must be endured in Hinduism to achieve moksha, contrasting slightly with Buddhist perspectives.

Historical and Cultural Context

The Brahmi writing system, which became stable around 250 BCE, included diacritical marks and was written from left to right.
The early Indus-Harappan writing system remains undeciphered.
Hinduism, the primary religion in ancient India, is characterized by polytheism, the belief in many gods.
The earliest compositions in South Asia were hymns organized into the Vedas, with the Maurya dynasty establishing the first Indian empire.

Societal Practices and Values

Indo-Aryan culture, emerging around 2000 BCE, emphasized family farming and displaced the earlier Indus-Harappan civilization.
Jainism and Buddhism represent alternative religious beliefs to Hinduism.
Despite diverse religious and political practices, South Asia is regarded as a cohesive cultural zone.

Oral Traditions and Literature

Ancient texts were largely transmitted orally, relying on memorization by specially trained reciters.
Sanskrit was the primary language of Indian literature, influenced by the Indo-Europeans.

The Bhagavad Gita Narrative

Arjuna’s war banner features a monkey, symbolizing loyalty and vigilance.
Violence is only deemed acceptable by Krishna when it involves defending a righteous cause.
Human sacrifices nourish the gods, highlighting the importance of offerings in Hindu practices.
Arjuna collapses in his chariot, filled with doubt and moral conflict as he prepares for battle against Dhritarashtra’s forces.
The consequences of corrupting women during wars lead to the mingling of classes and societal disorder.

Philosophical Insights

The way of Yoga promotes balance in thought and action, encouraging harmony.
Arjuna and his people prepare for battle at the start of Chapter One, embodying the struggle against evil.
Krishna identifies Arjuna's enemies as passion and impulsivity, emphasizing the internal struggle against distraction.
To be free from pain, Krishna advises dissolving worldly attachments, which can provide spiritual liberation.
Falling into shame is presented as a fate worse than death, stressing the importance of honor.

Historical Context of the Text

The Bhagavad Gita was written during the fourth century BCE, encapsulating profound philosophical and spiritual ideas within its narrative.

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Explore key concepts and terms from The Bhagavad Gita with these flashcards. Each card presents an important idea or name from Hindu philosophy, enhancing your understanding of this influential scripture. Perfect for students and enthusiasts of Hinduism.