CHAPTER 4: Later Hinduism
Chapter Objectives
After reading this chapter, the student should be able to:
• Discuss the religious awakening that occurred in sixth century B.C.E. India and understand
the causal events that led to this evolution.
Chapter Summary
The resistance to some of the ritual and belief systems of early Brahmanism (early
Hindu) which were given such strong voice by Buddhism and Jainism also initiated a change in
the character of Hinduism.
Philosophical inquiry, though varying from Western notions of philosophical study, is
focused around doctrines of salvation and that are contained in six acceptable systems. These
reflective models are Sankhya, Yoga, and the three versions of Vedanta. A separate aspect of the
religion, arising later, and receiving its primary impetus from the need of ordinary people for a
religious experience was bhakti or a way of devotion. The epics, puranas, and deities composing
these devotional models were eventually justified by the Brahmins.
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that occurred in response to liberalism (Brahmo Sama, Arya Sama, Theosophy, Ramakrishna,
and Secularism). The chapter concludes with the issues associated with social reform which are
not insignificant and include: caste problems, child marriage and widowhood, population
problems, political change and religious liberalism and reaction.
Chapter Outline
I. Introduction
II. Changes in Brahmanism: The Four Goals and the Three Ways
A. The Unchanging Needs of Ordinary People
III. The Three Ways of Salvation
A. The Way of Works: The Ordered Society
1. The Code of Manu
2. Shraddha Rites: Pinda
3. The Duties of Women
D. The Way of Devotion: The Devotional Mode, the Bhagavad Gita
1. The Instincts of Ordinary People
2. Literary Expression in the Bhagavad Gita
E. The Devotional Models: Epics, Puranas, and Deities
1. Epics and Puranas
IV. The Devotional Life
A. Village Observances
B. Pilgrimage
C. Astrology
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V. Issues and Problems of the Present
A. Reactions to Western Religion and Science
1. The Brahmo Samaj
2. The Arya Samaj
3. Theosophy
Discussion Questions
1. Discuss some of the ways Brahmanism has changed and evolved in response to philosophical
tenets, the devotional needs of the majority of worshippers, and modern social reform.