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Ethics
RELIGIOUS  HOLY  DAYS  AND  FESTIVALS - 14229_121

Religious Program Specialist 3 & 2, Module 01-Personnel Support
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earlier or lower forms. Older and newer types have continued to exist side by side, and the writings of each period are still considered to be sacred. Most Hindu sacred works are written in Sanskrit. The  Four  Vedas  (written  from  1000  B.C.  to  800  B.  C.)  represent the  period  of  early  nature  worship.  The  Rig-Veda,  the  first  one  written and  considered  to  be  the  most  important,  is  a  large  collection  of  lyrical prayers  and  praises  addressed  to  the  powers  of  nature.  These  four  works are: Rigveda Samveda Yajurveda A  tharaveda These texts comprise the most sacred literature of Hinduism known as the “Shruti.” The Brohamahas  (about  800  to  600  B.C.)  represent  priestly  Hinduism. They develop the idea that a person can force the powers he fears to help him by  performing  the  proper  rituals  of  sacrifice  and  prayer. The  Upanishads  (about   600   to   300   B.   C.)   represent   philosophic Hinduism.  They  speculate  on  the  underlying  unity  of  the  universe  and conclude that only the unchanging and permanent Brahman is real. The Laws of Manu (about 250 B. C.) represent legalistic Hinduism. They make up the most important legal code of Hinduism. The code treats religion as  a  compulsory  social  institution.  It  gives  detailed  commandments  and prohibitions  for  daily  living. The Bhagavad-Gita   (about  A.D.  1)  represents  devotional  Hinduism.  It interprets  religion  primarily  in  terms  of  devotion  and  faith.  It  is  the  most esteemed  book  produced  by  Hinduism. The Epics  and  Puranas  (about  200  B.C.  to  A.D.  250)  represent  popular Hinduism.  They  present  the  many  aspects  of  the  religion  in  popular  form. The Mahabharata and the Ramayana are the two great epics. The Puranas are  a  collection  of  stories. THE  HINDU  CALENDAR The Hindu calendar is influenced by both lunar and solar cycles. An extra month is inserted after each month in which two new moons occur (once in 3  years).  The  intercalary  month  or  the  additional  month  takes  the  name  of the month which precedes it. The month of Baisakh is sometimes considered the  first  month  of  the  Hindu  year. 2-92







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