Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism

smaraæa (‘remembering’)

The second stage in the process of

MEDITATION.

smärta (‘pertaining to smøti’)

A designation of ultra-orthodox tradi-

tional brahmins in South India.

smasäna

Burning place, crematorium.

smøti (‘what has been remembered’)

Tradition, as opposed to ŸRUTI(revela-

tion). In a generic sense, all authoritative

writings pertaining to Hindu tradition

that are not ÿruti, i.e. all works com-

posed after the Veda, such as epics and

Puräæas. In a specific sense, works deal-

ing mainly with law ascribed to inspired

lawgivers, such as the Manusmøti,

Yäjñavalkyasmøti.

snake

SeeNÄGA.

social order

The Hindu social order is circumscribed

by CATUR–VARŒA–ÄŸRAMA-DHARMA, i.e.

the division into four ‘classes’ (VARŒA)

and four ‘stages of life’ (ÄŸRAMA(2)).

Theoretically all rights and duties are

defined according to this schema. In

practice each varæais subdivided into a

very large number of jätïs(‘sub-castes’),

each with its own rules, and most peo-

ple no longer follow the progression of

the stages of life. CASTEis still a power-

ful factor in social life in India, and for

many the ideal of SAMNYÄSAis still alive.

Besides the caste society, which is large-

ly identical with Hindu society, there

are a large number of ‘outcastes’ or

‘untouchables’ (nih•priya), who began

organizing under the name of DALIT

(‘oppressed’) and are actively fighting

for their rights. Modernization of soci-

ety, the exigencies of industrialization,

demands for equality by women, and

abandonment of many old caste regula-

tions have seriously challenged the

Hindu social order. Hindu political

parties are concerned with re-establish-

ing a Hindu social order. (See also ÄRYA

SAMÄJ; BHÄRATÏYA JÄNATÄ PARTY;

HINDUMAHÄSABHÄ; RÄÆTØÏYASVAYAM-

SEVAKSANGH; VIŸVAHINDÜPARIÆAD.)

social reforms

Like Ram Mohan ROY, who succeeded

in 1828 in having SATÏbanned, many

Hindus have felt the need for reforming

aspects of Hindu society, such as

untouchability (Mahatma GANDHI),

widow remarriage (RANADE, R. D.),

FEMALE INFANTICIDE, education for

women and others. There have been

demands to abolish caste and to estab-

lish gender equality. (See also EQUALITY

OF WOMEN.)

Soma

A name of the MOON.

soma

The fermented juice of a not yet satis-

factorily identified plant, which was one

of the main ingredients of Vedic SACRIFICE.

A whole section of the Øgvedacontains

hymns that were used in soma libations.

Indra is described as lover of soma, and

the intoxication caused by somacon-

sumption is frequently referred to.

Som(a)näth(a),

also Someÿvara

(‘Lord of the moon’)

A celebrated Ÿiva sanctuary in Gujarat.

It was destroyed and plundered by

Mahmud of Ghazni in 1025, rebuilt by

Kings Bhima and Bhoja, several times

thereafter destroyed and rebuilt. Its

final restoration took place through the

initiative of K. M. Munshi, governor of

Bombay Presidency, and the original

Ÿivaliöga(seeLI¢GA(3)) was installed

smaraæa 174

Encyclo - Letter S 10/2/03 9:59 am Page 174