Social Structure and Institutions
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Branches of Hinduism
Branches of Hinduism are usually formed on the basis of which god or goddess is the object of devotion and the approach to worship. There is considerable diversity of beliefs and practices within the various branches. Additionally, each stream has developed its own literature and organisational structure. Although it is possible to identify branches and sects within Hinduism, such categories are not rigidly defined. Moreover, people may not necessarily identify with terms such as ‘Shaiva’ or ‘Hindu’. Some of the major streams include:
- Vaishnavism: Followers of Vaishnavism may be referred to as Vaishnavite and Vaishnava. Vaishnavites are devotees of Vishnu, one of his various incarnations (mainly Rāma and Krishna) and his female consort Lakshmi. Subsects of Vaishnavism include streams of Krishna worship (e.g. Vallabhas, Swaminarayans and Hare Krishnas).
- Shaivism: Followers of Shaivism may be referred to as ShaiviteǰShaiva. Shaivites are devotees of Shiva, his various forms (such as Rudra) and his consort Parvatī.
- Shaktism: Followers of Shaktism are devotees of the divine female creative energy of Śakti, which is known by many different names and manifestations. Some include Devī, Umā, Parvatī, Lakṣmī, Sarasvatī, Kālī, Durgā and Śītalā.
- Smartism: The Smartism tradition is based on the remembered (ṛt) texts. As such, Smartas are usually devotees of a variety of gods and goddesses, such as Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesh, and Devī.
Social Structure (Caste System)
The social structure most commonly associated with Hindu traditions is referred to in English as the ‘’. The term ‘caste’ comes from the word ‘casta’, which was used by Portuguese observers to describe the of India’s Hindu society during the colonial period. The is incredibly complex and contains overlapping systems of . In countries where the exists, members of society from other religions (such as Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and Islam) may be incorporated into the system or may have their own variation of the .
ղṇa
Hindu texts, such as the Ṛg Veda, the ٳśٰ and the Bhagavad Gītā, present a four-fold normative social structure known as ‘varṇa’. The four categories are described as the Բ (priestly caste), ṣaٰⲹ (warrior, royalty or nobility caste), śⲹ (commoner or merchant caste) and śū (artisan or labourer caste). Traditionally, these four categories are thought to cover the basis of societal functions such as providing the society’s spiritual and intellectual interests, protecting the lands from invaders, conducting commerce and trade, and performing manual labour. Each division of society is fundamentally interdependent and equally important.
It is thought that each caste has a specific duty (dharma) they are expected to uphold as part of their social function. For instance, a member of the brahmin caste may be expected to tend to religious affairs such as learning religious texts and performing rituals while avoiding duties outside of their caste such as cleaning. The also holds that an individual’s caste is a matter of birth, which is determined by the individual’s actions (karma) in previous lives. It is commonly thought that an individual is bound to their caste during their current life. Mobility in the can only be achieved through a more favourable rebirth (ṃs) by accruing positive karma.
The lowest caste, known as the dalits (‘untouchables’), was a modern addition by political activists such as Mahatma Gandhi and B. R. Ambedkar. Their main aim was to empower those suffering from prejudice and poverty due to ideas of purity (śܻ) and impurity (aśܻ).
پ
The term ‘’ may also be used to refer to the small-scale social structure known as the ‘پ’ system. This system comprises over 2,000 ‘پ’ (‘birth’) categories that determine one’s occupation or vocation based on their family of birth. These occupations or پ categories are ranked, with some considered to be caste-neutral (such as agriculture or non-traditional civil service). The پ system is particularly noticeable in the daily social organisation of people. Though not necessarily an exclusively Hindu idea, the پ system is interconnected with the varṇa system.
Organisational Structure
In Hinduism, there are many different kinds of religious leaders and practitioners who are not necessarily hierarchically ranked. Rather, each performs different roles and has different spiritual goals. These roles are typically held by men.
- Purohit: A purohit (also known as a ūᲹ) is a priest who conducts worship regularly at temples, sometimes assisting devotees in their practice. Purohits may also visit families to help them perform special rites or ceremonies. They are usually part of the brāhmin caste, learning their trade through their father. Hindu priests do not give sermons, but rather their expertise is in ritual practice. In Hinduism, priests are actively encouraged to be married.
- ʲṇḍ:paṇḍit is a learned Hindu scholar, usually in Sanskrit and any field in Hinduism (such as Vedic scriptures or Hindu philosophy). ʲṇḍs may also be practising priests.
- Sage: A sage (also known as a ṛṣǰrishi) is an extraordinary spiritual person, totally devoted to achieving a deep understanding of reality and practising austerities. They often reside in very remote locations (such as caves and forests). There exists a long list of sages, some of which are cited during rituals as part of one's spiritual lineage.
- Guru: The word ‘guru’ in Sanskrit means ‘teacher’. In a religious context, a guru is a highly learned person who guides and passes knowledge to his or her students. Such students usually revere their guru as embodiments of the knowledge they impart. It is common for Hindu families to have a teacher which they revere, often the founder of the sect they follow.
- Swami:swami(峾ǰṃn) is an ascetic religious leader who belongs to an order. When the leader is ordained, their name is changed to a spiritual name and is prefixed with the title ‘Swami’. They typically take vows of poverty and celibacy and usually reside in a monastery (ś). Their dress usually differs according to their sectarian allegiance.
- : A is an ascetic (one who commits to strict austerities) who renounces society and social norms in favour of pursuing a life solely dedicated to spiritual attainment. s may live together, or they may wander alone in isolation. They typically take vows of poverty and celibacy.