HINDU LITERATURE
WHAT IS HINDU LITERATURE
KNOWN FOR?
Hindu literature ranges from abstract philosophical
texts such as the Brahmanas and the Upaniṣads,
through epic poems including the Mahābhārata and
the Rāmāyaṇa, to the popular stories known as
Purāṇas glorifying individual deities.
CHARACTERISTICS OF HINDU
LITERATURE
Religion
Based on the ancient history of India dominated by Brahmins, the upper educated ruling
priestly class, Religion (Spirituality) was the primary concern.
Attaining heaven (Mukti) and Reincarnation are the two main focus of Hinduism. Charity
(Dana) is the concept that is emphasized in Vedas to attain heaven according to the doctrine
of Karma.
Deeds
‘Deeds of the past determine the state of the present’ is the concept of reincarnation. If
noble deeds are done in the past, noble birth in the present is assured. Ramayana is the story
of Ram, the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Human Values
Human values are also a characteristic of Indian literature within the broader web of ‘Religion’. Obedience- to
the one above, to keep up the words spoken i.e not breaking promises at any cost, bravery- in war are the
important values imparted through the sacred books and epics.
Morality
Virtue rewarded and vice punished is the justice done according to the Dharma, which is a characteristic
of Indian literature. Ravana and Kauravas vices of Ramayana and Mahabharata were defeated in war and
were killed.
Indian literature reflects the caste system that existed during that period. It is according to Vedas, people
are divided into four Varna based on their profession; Brahmins (that includes priests and learned men),
Kshatriyas (that includes aristocrats, knights, soldiers and other administrators), Vaishya (that include
peasants and businessmen) and Shudras (who were employed in other menial labours. This caste system is
employed in the two epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Mahabharata
The Mahābhārata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of
ancient India in Hinduism, the other being the Rāmāyaṇa. It
narrates the struggle between two groups of cousins in the
Kurukshetra War and the fates of the Kaurava and the
Pāṇḍava princes and their successors.
The Mahabharata is an ancient Indian epic
where the main story revolves around two
branches of a family - the Pandavas and
Kauravas - who, in the Kurukshetra War,
battle for the throne of Hastinapura.
Interwoven into this narrative are several
smaller stories about people dead or living,
and philosophical discourses.
RAMAYANA
The Rāmāyana is a Sanskrit epic from ancient India, one of the two important epics
of Hinduism, known as the Itihasas, the other being the Mahābhārata. The epic,
traditionally ascribed to the Maharishi Valmiki, narrates the life of Rama, a
legendary prince of Ayodhya city in the kingdom of Kosala.
The Ramayana is an ancient Sanskrit epic which follows Prince Rama's
quest to rescue his beloved wife Sita from the clutches of Ravana with the
help of an army of monkeys.
After great battles and acts of heroism, the siege was completed and Ravana
defeated. Sita was rescued. Many versions of the Ramayana end thus with
return of Sita and Rama to their kingdom after fourteen years of exile, and the
commencement of Ram Rajya, the glorious time of the rule of Ram.
GITANJALI
Gitanjali is a collection of poems by the Bengali poet
Rabindranath Tagore. Tagore received the Nobel Prize for
Literature, for the English translation, Gitanjali:Song Offerings,
making him the first non-European to receive this honor. It is
part of the UNESCO Collection of Representative Works.
The major theme in Gitanjali is devotion to God. This paper
focuses on the Indian philosophical aspects and the theme of
devotion in Rabindranath Tagore's Gitanjali. Gitanjali focuses on
the all-pervading presence of God everywhere Gitanjali brings its
readers into direct contact with the Infinite.
