A Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism Klaus K Klostermaie

177 sukha-dụhkha
be considered ÿruti by the followers of
these saƒpradäyas (sects) as well. Ÿruti
is the ultimate authority in matters of
faith and practice: it can be interpreted,
but not superseded or bypassed.
stotra (‘[Sanskrit] hymn’)
A large genre of religious composition,
usually in verse form, that is used in
public and private worship. Many
stotras were composed by famous
people such as Ÿaökara, Rämänuja and
Vivekänanda, or are part of Puräæas
and other scriptures. Collections of such
hymns (Stotramäläs) are quite popular.
strï-dharma (‘women’s law’)
That part of the Hindu lawbooks that
deals specifically with the duties of
WOMEN.
study
Daily study of scriptures (svädhyäya) is
a duty for all brahmins. Study is called
the ‘hightest austerity’ in the Upani•ads
and has always been considered a religious
necessity by Hindus. The support
of students and teachers was one of the
sacred duties of Hindu kings. Many
temples maintain schools and the ‘gift
of knowledge’ is considered the highest
charity.
Subrahmaæia
Äryan name for the Tamil god
MURUGAN, introduced in the SA¢GAM
(2) period.
Sudäs
A Vedic king, famous for his SACRIFICES.
The ØÆIS (sages) VIŸVAMITRA and
VASIÆfiHA lived at his court.
ÿuddha (‘pure’)
Especially in a ritual sense. (See also
PURITY.)
ÿuddhi (‘purification’)
A ceremony introduced by the ÄRYA
SAMÄJ to readmit (Indian) Muslims and
Christians into the Hindu fold. (See also
PURITY.)
Ÿüdra(s)
The fourth and lowest VARŒA (class),
whose members do not receive
UPANAYANA or wear the sacred thread,
are not entitled to recite or listen to the
Veda, and whose duty it is to serve the
three higher varæas, the ‘twice-born’.
(See also CASTE; SOCIAL ORDER.)
suffering
This is unavoidably associated with a
bodily existence. Birth in SAßSÄRA is
indicative of a karmic necessity to atone
(through suffering) for past misdeeds.
Self-imposed suffering (TAPAS) is more
effective than that imposed by others.
All Hindu systems of thought have been
devised to bring an end to suffering by
providing LIBERATION from the cycle of
rebirth.
suicide
While suicide is normally condemned
by Hindus as a heinous crime, whose
punishment consists in remaining a
ghost (PRETA) and not finding rest after
death, under certain circumstances and
in certain places, for example at the
SA¢GAM in Präyäga, ‘religious suicide’
was permitted or even commended.
Ÿuka-deva (1760–1838)
The author of several works on YOGA
and founder of the Cäraæadäsis, a
branch of YOGIS.
sukha–duåkha
(‘enjoyment and pain’)
A necessary conjunction of states for
everyone living in SAßSÄRA.