Detailed Notes for TNPSC Mains Paper II Notes-
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Unit – I Hindu Religion Meaning and Definition of Religion – Origin and Development of Hinduism – General Characteristics of Hinduism.
Unit – II Hindu Scriptures Vedas – Four Vedas and their outlines – Upanishads – Identity of Atmam and Brahman – Bhagavad Gita – Gnana, Karma,Bakthi yogas – Ramayana, Mahabharata – 18 Puranas – Saiva Vaishnava Puranas (general studies)Agamas – Saiva and Vaishnava Agamas – 4000 Prabhandams, Panniruthirumurais (General studies).
Unit – III Systems of Hindu Religion Saivism – Different types of Saivism – Kashmir Saivam, Siddhantha Saivam, Veera Saivam – Vaishanavism – Bhagavatha system – Avataras – Sri Vaishanavism – Vadakalai – Thenkalai – Saktham – Development of Saktha workship,Tantras – Kaumaram – Origin and development – Ganapathyam – Six Sects – Sauram – Significance of sun worship.
Unit – IV Hindu Saints and Sages Alwars, Nayanmars, Sankara,Ramanujar, Madhva, Thayumanavar and Ramalingar – Their contribution to Hinduism.
Unit – V Saivism Meaning and Definition – Traces of Saivism in Vedas and Upanishads – Rudra Siva – Samayachariyars, Santhanachariyars, Meikanda Sastras – Thiruvarutpayan (Text) – Basic concepts of Saivism – Pati, Pasu, Pasam,Means to Mukthi – Cariya, Kriya, Yoga and Gnana. 9/ 12
Unit- VI Vaishnavism Meaning and Definition – Out line of Brahmasutra – Vedantha Sangraha (Text) – Basic concepts – Tattvam – Hitham – Purushartha – Means to Moksha – Bakthi and Prapatti.
Unit-VII Basic concepts of Indian Philosophical Systems Hetrodox : Carvaka – Perception, the only source of knowledge – Ethics of Carvaka – Jainism – Anuvrata, Mahavrata – Ethics of Jainism – Sects of Jainism – Buddhism – Four Noble truths – Eight fold paths – Nirvana – Sects of Buddhism. Orthodox : Nyaya – Theory of causation – Conception of God – Vaisesika – Padarthas – Sankya – Prakriti and Purusha – Theory of evolution – Bondage and liberation – Yoga – Eight limbs of Yoga – Mimamsa – Purva Mimamsa and Uttara Mimamsa and the concept of Dharma – Vedanta – Schools of Vedanta.
Unit – VIII Hindu Ethics Dharma, Artha, Kama and Mokhsa (Purusharthas) – Ethics of Thirukkural – Professional Ethics for Temple Administrators – Maintenance of Temples and Public Relations.
Unit-IX Hindu Culture Cultural Heritage – Temple Arts – Architecture and Sculpture, Sthala Vriksham, Sthala Puranas,Temple Ponds, Special Sannatis and Murtis – Music, Dance, Drama – Importance of inscriptions, Icons, Idols, Murals, Manuscripts, copper plates and monuments.
Unit – X Hindu Festivals Philosophical Significance of festivals – Brahmotsavam – Vinayaka Chathurthi – Navrathri – Vaikunda Ekathasi, Arudhra Dharshan – Monthly, Seasonal and yearly festivals – Poojas, Athmartha and Parartha Poojas – Nithya, Naimithka, Kamika Poojas – Customs, Traditions, Rituals, Pilgrimage – Need for Religious harmony