PL 301: Hnduism

History of Hinduism

Hinduism is a very complex religion. In the beginning Aryans brought Hinduism with them when they came into the Indus Valley region. The Hindu religion is different from many of the other world religions because it is polytheistic, which means that they worship multiple deities. The founding time of Hinduism is indiscernible because it developed over such a long period. Over the years, Hindu culture and religion have adopted multiple religious books and epics that teach important lessons. Currently there are approximately one billion Hindus practicing worldwide.



Deities



Primary gods and goddesses of Hinduism are the Vehicles and/or vahana

Vehicles and/or vahana- The vehicles of the gods and goddesses in Hinduism are animal mounts that the gods/goddesses ride.

Gods

Agni- Agni is the Hindu god of fire and is present in every fire that is lit. The Rig Veda signified that Agni was one of the main gods. Agni’s vahana is the ram.

Avatar gods- An avatar is an incarnation of a god on earth. The word Avatar means descent. The most widely known avatars in the Hindu religion are the avatars of Vishnu. The ten avatars of Vishnu are The Fish (Matsya), The Tortoise (Kurma), The Boar (Varaha), The Man-Lion (Narasimha), The Dwarf (Vamana), Rama with the Axe( Parashurama), Rama, the Prince of Ayodhya, Krishna, Buddha, and Kalkin.

Brahma- The god of creation is called Brahma. Brahma is often seen on temple walls or in wall hangings in a Hindu household. Brahma is usually seen carrying the Vedas, a scepter, a string of prayer beads, a water pot a spoon used in making offerings in the fire sacrifice, or a bow. Brahma is usually portrayed with four heads and four arms. Brahma’s vahana can be a goose or a swan.

Brahman- The highest god that exists in Hinduism is Brahman. Brahman is called the World Spirit of World Soul. Some consider all gods and goddesses to be parts of Brahman.

Ganesh, Ganesha, Ganesa, or Ganeśa- This god is the son of Shiva and Parvati and the brother of Karttikeya. Ganesh has the head of an elephant and is usually shown with four arms. The main responsibilities of Ganesh are being the god of time and memory. Ganesh is the god in control of karma and dharmic destiny. Ganesh is known as the Lord of Obstacles because Ganesh helps removes obstacles in an individual’s path. Ganesh’s vahana is a rat.

Hanuman- The monkey god Hanuman is one of the most widely worshipped gods in all of India. The reason for Hanuman’s popularity is because he helped command an army of monkeys that helped the god Rama defeat the demon king Ravana. Due to Hanuman’s popularity and stature because of his devoted loyalty to Rama monkeys are rarely harmed in India. Hanuman has no stated vahana.

Indra- Indra is a Vedic storm god that carries thunderbolts as his weapons and is also a bringer of rains. Indra was an important god with the Aryan warriors. Indra’s vahana is a great white elephant called Airavata. Airavata is often depicted with four tusks.

Kartikeya, Karttikeya, Kārtikkeya, or Skanda-The second son of Shiva and Parvati is called Karttikeya. Karttikeya is an immortal warrior and the defender of the gods and often associated with Agni and Indra. No vahana given.

Krishna- Krishna is one of the most worshipped gods in Hinduism. Krishna is one of the ten avatars of Vishnu. Krishna was born a prince and his wicked uncle tried to kill him. Krishna is the eighth avatar of Vishnu. Krishna is usually shown with blue skin. The name of Krishna means “the dark one.” No vahana given.

Rama with the Axe and Rama, Prince of Ayodhya-Rama with the Axe was sent an avatar that was sent to balance out a power shift between the Brahmins (priestly caste) and the Kshatriyas (warrior caste). There is no vahana given. Rama, Prince of Ayodhya is another one of the avatars of Vishnu. Rama, Prince of Ayodhya went in exile and his wife Sita and brother Lakshman went into exile with him. Rama, Prince of Ayodhya is attributed to destroying the demon Ravana after his wife Sita was captured by Ravana. Hanuman is attributed with helping Rama. Rama, Prince of Ayodhya is often depicted riding a white horse.

Shiva, Śiva, or Siva-One of the most recognized gods in all of Hinduism is Shiva. Shiva is often called Shiva the Destroyer or The Lord of the Dance. Shiva is attributed with great yogic powers and physical prowess. Shiva is depicted with four arms. When Shiva is Lord of the Dance he is known as Shiva Nataraja.

Vishnu- Vishnu is often called Vishnu the Preserver. Vishnu has multiple arms and is known as a beneficent god that is easy to worship. Vishnu’s vahana is an eagle-like creature called Garuda. Vishnu is often depicted sleeping on a snake with one hundred heads which can either be called Ananta or Shesha.



Goddesses

Durga- Durga is one of the names of the goddess that is the wife of Shiva. Durga has the role of a warrior goddess who destroys demons. She is usually depicted with ten arms that hold the weapons of the various gods. Durga’s vahana is a lion.

Kali- Kali is the most fearsome form of the goddess that is the wife of Shiva. Kali’s name means “the black one” and her skin coloring in pitch black. She carries the severed head of a giant and has a fondness for blood. Kali is said to represent time and death.

Lakshmi- Lakshmi is the goddess of fortune and wealth. Lakshmi is worshipped on the largest scale during the time of Divali or Diwali. She is the wife of Vishnu.

Parvati-The goddess that is Shiva’s wife in her most gentle form is called Parvati. Parvati is depicted as a beautiful woman. Her vahana is a lion.

Sarasvati or Saraswati-Sarasvati is the goddess of art, music and learning. She is pictured holding a book and a stringed instrument called a veena. Sarasvati’s vahana is a peacock or a swan.

Sita-Sita is the wife of the god Rama. She is thought by many Hindus to be the ideal wife who is a lady that is beautiful, devoted, pure and tender. Sita is mentioned in the Ramayana.



Religious Texts of Hinduism



I. The Four Vedas-The Vedas are written in the language Sanskrit

II. Bhakti hymns-The Bhakti hymns are songs that were created in both southern and northern India. The Bhakti hymns are used by people on a daily basis and show devotion to the gods and goddesses.

III. Upanishads-The Upanishads are collection of writings that originated around 700-500 BC. The Upanishads are an integral part of the belief system of Hinduism

IV. Mahabharata-The Mahabharata is an epic style poem which contains over 90,000 lines. The Bhagavad Gita is considered to be the most sacred part of the Mahabharata. The Mahabharata tells of a royal family that was feuding between itself

V. Ramayana-The Ramayana is an epic which tell about Rama, Prince of Ayodhya. It tells of Rama who is considered to be a great prince but is actually one of Vishnu’s avatars.

VI. Puranas-A compilation of stories about the gods and goddesses in Hinduism. The Sanskrit word purana literally means something very old.