HIST 135 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Devi Mahatmya, Lingam, Gupta Empire
Document Summary
Lecture 11: the rise of theism (300-700 ce) Theistic movements: minor vedic gods shiva and vishnu elevated to supreme status, emergence of vaishnava (vishnu) and shaiva (shiva) religions, monotheistic, but multiple avatars (incarnations) Puranas: compiled by gupta period, hugh (cid:374)u(cid:373)(cid:271)er (cid:894)(cid:1005)8, 8(cid:1006), (cid:1005)(cid:1004)(cid:1004)"s(cid:895, originally oral, performed by bards, some focus on single god, others on multiple gods, legitimization of new dynasties. Bhakti: devotion: total surrender to, and devoted participation in, the sovereignty of a lord, mutual devotion: god dispensed grace to devotees, political undertones (proper attitude of subordinates, bhagavad gita. Highly influential on philosophers, hinduism, and non-violent figures such as gandhi. Teachings of the bhagavad-gita: 3 paths to enlightenment: The discipline of jnana or knowledge (renunciation) Karma and jnana are acceptable if done with detachment and according to dharma. Bhakti: disciplined, mutual devotion, (cid:862)nested lordship(cid:863) - devoted participation in the sovereignty of a superior being, political ramifications: subordinate derives authority to act autonomously in the political sphere.
