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Discover the origins, beliefs, and sacred symbols of Hinduism, a diverse and ancient religion with over 1 billion followers worldwide. Learn about the holy texts, major gods, caste system, and the significance of the sacred river Ganges and the city of Varanasi. Explore the symbolism behind Hindu symbols like Aum (Om), Sri Yantra, Swastika, Lotus, and Cow. Visit Hindu temples (mandirs) and experience the spiritual connection to the divine.
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Hinduism • Hinduism is the name given in the 1800s to describe a broad range of religious in India. • It comes from the Persian word hindu, in Sanskrit sindhu, which means “river” and refers to the people of the Indus valley. • There are more than 1 billion followers of Hinduism in the world today. • There are many common threads running through the religion, but no one expression of “Hinduism” is likely to express them all.
Origins of Hinduism • Hinduism started from the traditions of the people of the Indus valley (2500 BCE-1500 BCE), in the more developed Dravidian culture and from the Vedic religion of the Aryans. • The Aryans invaded northwest India from about 1500 BCE on and brought a religion based on oral texts known as Vedas, which are, for Hindus, eternal truths.
Holy Texts • The Vedas • The Vedas consist of four collections of texts, and with the later Samhitas, Brahmanas, Upanishads, and a few Sutras, are known as Shruti, which means “that which is heard.” • They are considered eternal truth and were transmitted orally until the beginning of the present age – the age of degeneration – when they had to be written down. • Other texts, known as Shmriti, or “that which is remembered,” reinforce Shruti and include the great epics such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, which contains the epic poem the Bhagavad Gita.
Major Beliefs • Atman – the eternal soul • Karma – moral law • Dharma – appropriate behavior • Samsara – reincarnation • Moksha – release
The Hindu Trinity • The Rig-Veda introduced the foremost of the Hindu gods: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. • These three gods, the trimurti, are believed to be three properties of one god.
Brahma – the Creator • Brahma is considered the mystical creator, the supreme presence, of God. • Many Hindus believe that all other gods originate from Brahma. • His four faces stand for the four corners of the universe.
Vishnu – the Preserver • Followers of Vishnu worship him as the preserver, the greatest of the gods. • His role is to maintain a balance between the good and evil powers in the universe. • In order to do this, Vishnu returns to earth in different forms, both animal and human. • Tradition holds that there are ten avatars, or incarnations, linked to Vishnu.
Shiva – the Destroyer • Shiva is worshipped as the destroyer, or purifier. • Like Vishnu, Shiva appears in many different forms throughout Hindu legends. • Shiva dances in a halo of fire, representing the cycle of birth and death.
The Hindu Caste System • The Hindu caste system, varna, is rooted in the traditions of the Aryan people. • Using the human body as a metaphor, the Brahmins, or high priests, divided society into four distinct classes, or castes, based on occupations. • Brahmins – priests • Kshatriyas – warriors and rulers • Vaisyas – skilled workers and farmers • Sudras – servants • Dalits– untouchables • The caste system is linked to dharma, and by performing duties honestly, a Hindu strives to be born into a higher caste in his or her next incarnation.
Review Questions • Where did Hinduism originate? • What are the holy texts of Hinduism? • What are the three main Hindu gods and what do they represent? • Describe the relationship between the following concepts: • Samsara and moksha • Dharma and karma • Karma and moksha • Describe the origin of the Hindu caste system, varna.
The Sacred River Ganges • The river Ganges, born in the Himalayas and nourishing the holy city of Varanasi, is the most venerated river in all of India. • Countless people visit its banks every year, washing themselves or committing the ashes of a love one into its waters. • In either care, there is a belief that contact with sacred rivers helps balance a person’s karma.
Varanasi • The holiest city in Hinduism is Varanasi. • According to legend, the city was founded by Shiva. • Some Hindus believe that death in Varanasi positively impacts karma and is one of the seven sights where you can achieve moksha. • Varanasi is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities on earth and the oldest in India.
Hindu Symbols Aum (Om) – the visual and an oral representation of Brahmin, or God. Sri Yantra – represents spiritual evolution and is a focal point for meditation.
Hindu Symbols Swastika– symbolizes auspiciousness, good fortune, and protection. Lotus– symbolizes the birth of the universe; the sun
Hindu Symbols Cow – the offspring of the celestial cow, which was created by Lord Krishna from his own body. Bindi– means “drop”; believed to bring concentration, good luck, and retain energy.
Hindu Temples • A mandir is a temple for followers of Hinduism. • Although mandirs vary in in grandeur, they all share some specific features: • Each is dedicated to a specific god. • At the heart of the temple rests a shrine to the chosen deity. • The outside of the shrine often depicts scenes of nature and images of the gods.
Hindu Holidays • Divali – Means “a row of lights” and is a celebration of the Hindu New Year. People decorate their streets and doorways with small clay lamps called divas. This is done in anticipation of the coming of Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and good fortune. • Holi – the Hindu spring festival and the celebration of the equinox.
Review Questions • Why is the Ganges River sacred to Hindus? • What is the importance of the city of Varanasi to Hinduism? • Draw the Aum symbol. What does the symbol represent? • Why are cows sacred animals to Hindus? • What is a mandir? • What is celebrated on the Hindu holiday of Divali?
