Studying for midterms and trying to absorb all this. Does anyone know:
Is the Upanishads the philosophical portion of the Rig-Veda?
The duties (dharma) of each class. Where they found in the Mahabharata?
Thanks
I remember being very confused about all this when I was in a World Religion class -- very confused! Here are some sites that should help you.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upanishads
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigveda
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharma
In addition to being a decent encyclopedia (but online instead of in print), Wikipedia almost always has a terrific collection of External links and Further references at the bottom of each article. Be sure to check them all out and read carefully.
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism :
"A large body of texts is classified as Hindu, divided into Śruti ("revealed") and Smriti ("remembered") texts. These texts discuss theology, philosophy and mythology, and provide information on the practice of dharma (religious living). Among these texts, the Vedas are the foremost in authority, importance and antiquity. Other major scriptures include the Upanishads, Purāṇas and the epics Mahābhārata and Rāmāyaṇa. The Bhagavad Gītā, a treatise from the Mahābhārata, spoken by Krishna, is of special importance.[10]"