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Hinduism: Philosophy of Religion

Hindu attitudes to miracles

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 3

Overview

The milk miracles of 1995 and the scientific explanation, the Puranic story of Ganesha's elephant head and his return to life, why the accounts differ, atheist arguments, and what miracles show about God.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Numbers

What were the milk miracles of 1995, and how have Hindus responded to them?

Key term

What is a miracle, and why are miracles important to some Hindus?

Numbers

What were the milk miracles of 1995?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is a miracle, and why are miracles important to some Hindus?

    Model answer

    A miracle is an event that seems to break the laws of nature and is thought to have a divine cause. Miracles can strengthen faith and show God's care.

  2. 2

    What were the milk miracles of 1995?

    Model answer

    Murtis of Ganesha in temples around the world appeared to drink milk offered on spoons on 21 September 1995. The event was reported in British temples too.

  3. 3

    How did scientists explain the milk miracles?

    Model answer

    Scientists said capillary action drew the milk into the stone, and the milk then ran down the murti's surface.

  4. 4

    How do Hindus respond to the scientific explanation of the milk miracles?

    Model answer

    Some Hindus accept the explanation but still see the event as a call to faith. Others believe God used the event to strengthen devotion.

  5. 5

    How does the Puranic story of Ganesha's elephant head begin?

    Model answer

    Parvati formed a boy from the paste on her body and set him to guard her door. Shiva, not knowing the boy, struck off his head when refused entry.

  6. 6

    How was Ganesha brought back to life?

    Model answer

    Shiva gave the boy the head of an elephant and restored him to life. Shiva made Ganesha leader of his followers, the ganas.

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