Hinduism or Santana Dharma (Everlasting Religion) Textbook pg. 68

Historical Background 4500 BCE – Introduction of irrigation techniques in Indus Valley region 2500 BCE – Earliest known woven cotton cloth used 1500 BCE – Indo-Aryan nomadic invaders arrive and settle northwestern India. 1400 BCE – Composition of the Sanskrit hymns of the Rig-Veda begins 1030 BCE – Aryans in India expand down the Ganges Valley, and establish small regional states throughout India

Historical cont. 600 BCE – Emergence of what we know as Hinduism 500 BCE – Religions law codes are composed 326 BCE – Alexander the Great crosses the Indus River into India; farthest advance of his empire. 262 BCE – Ashoka converts to Buddhism; renounces violence; Buddhism becomes state religion.

How do we know what we know? Religious class of India very literate As a result they documented their beliefs in rituals in great detail. The oldest sacred Sanskrit (no longer a spoken language) writings are the Vedas. The Vedas are considered to be the oldest sacred writing of any major existing religion being composed as early as 1400 BCE. There are four Vedas (Rig-Veda, Sama-Vada, Yajur-Veda, and Atharva- Veda) with the Rig-Veda being the most famous. The word Veda literally means “knowledge.” Oddly though there is no equivalent word for “myth” in Sanskrit.

Rig-Veda The Rig-Veda contains more than 1,000 hymns totaling more than 10,000 verses (there are only 150 Psalms) Within the hymns the Rig-Veda dictate the caste system, social life, proper worship, and righteous living. Priesthood class (Brahmins) were a hereditary class that occupied the highest place in society. At the core of the Rig-Veda is the notion that Brahman, the divine universal power that lives in all creation, including the human soul, is eternal.

Polytheistic or Monotheistic? There is a common misconception that Hinduism is a polytheistic religion. However, they actually believe in only one god, Brahma. Brahma has infinite manifestations around within the world and within the soul and as such it is impossible to visualize his infiniteness. To help comprehend this, Hinduism presents use with Brahma’s many forms which are often confused as other gods themselves. However, primate Veidic (regional religions) did have a more polytheistic view which accounts for the creation story not mentioning Brahma by name.

Creation Story Before there was anything there were the primeval waters. These seas were vast and deep and dark; all that existed was Non Being. Over time, these waters produced a single golden egg, which floated over the waters for nine months. After nine months, the egg burst open, and there was Prajapati standing in its shell. Prajapati was neither male nor female, but an all-powerful combination of both. He rested there on the golden shell for almost a year without speaking or moving.

Creation Cont. The first word he spoke - the Word - became the earth. The next Word he uttered became the sky, which he divided into seasons. Prajapati could see forever; from the beginning of all life and even to his own death, which would be 1,000 years later. Prajapati was lonely and he desired a mate in this vast emptiness. He divided himself into two beings, a husband and a wife, and together they created the first gods, the elements and mankind. By these acts of creation, time was created; Prajapati became the embodiment of time itself.

Creation Cont. The first to be born was Agni, the God of Fire. Once there was fire, there was also light, which Prajapati separated into day and night. Other gods were born, including the evil creatures called the Ashuras and beautiful Dawn. Prajapati was sure to separate good from evil, and hid his evil offspring deep into the earth. Prajapati desired his lovely daughter Dawn, and as she was on earth in the form of a doe, he came to her disguised as a stag.

Another case of Incest Dawn tried to flee but Prajapati was too fast and powerful. Prajapati spills his seed upon the earth as well as impregnating Dawn, this spilt seed resulted in the creation of mankind. Dawn later gave birth to all the cattle of the world. In anger the other gods created the monstrous Rudra, who hunted Prajapati down all over the earth. When he found him, he shot him with an arrow and flung him into the dark sky. Thus Prajapati became the ‘Deer’s Head’ (Capricorn) constellation in the night sky. Dawn returned to the sky but never got too close to the night.

Karma Hinduism believes in the transmigration of the soul, this results in reincarnation. All life is part of a cycle of births and rebirths. The cycle has no beginning and no end. Good actions cause good effects, bad actions cause negative effects (moving forward or backwards in the cycle). Once achieving the highest level a soul enters Nirvana becoming one with Brahma and the universe.

Trimurti

Brahman Absolute and abstract form of god. The Soul of the Universe. The essence of life. The Divine force that sustains the cosmos. Manifested in a trinity of gods, Trimurti: Bramha, Vishnu, and Shiva.

Brahma; the Creator One of the three manifestations of Brahman Regarded as the first god. Born with five faces but one is destroyed, so he may gaze upon the beauty of the earth. Brahma supposedly creates the world through mediation and creates all life upon the earth.

Vishnu; the Preserver Creates, preserves and destroys the world over and over in a pattern of yugas, which are ages of time. Believed to have avatars, or physical incarnations, although only ten are considered of principal importance.

Avatars of Vishnu 1.) Matsya – Fish avatar warns the people of the flooding of the world. 2.) Kurma – Tortoise avatar who supports a sacred mountain on his back during a battle with demons. 3.) Varaha – Boar avatar who uses his tusks to lift the earth. 4.) Narasimha – Half-man-half-lion avatar; kills the invulnerable demon who brings terror to the world. 5.) Vamana – Dwarf-priest avatar; wins earth back from a demon in a game of chance. 6.) Parashurama – Brave human of the priest class who carried a great battle-axe to punish all those in the warrior caste that have become arrogant. 7.) Rama – A king usually depicted carrying a bow and arrow. 8.) Krishna – Central character in Mahabharata, an epic poem of India 9.) Buddha – Only avatar connected to an actual historical person. Thought this was added to bring worshipers back to Hinduism from Buddhism. 10.) Kalki – Avatar who will end the current age of evil.

Shiva; the Destroyer All-knowing punisher of the wicked. Four-armed god of great power. Periodically destroys the world so it can be recreated. Posses a “third eye” from which comes the fire that will destroy creation. Haunts graveyards and lives with demons. Associated with the cobra.

Other Gods and Goddesses

Devi Great Mother goddess Creative force, but also demands sacrifice Thought to be representation of the Earth.

Ganesh God of wisdom, literature, and good fortune. Invoked at the beginning of every Hindu ritual. Lord of all existing beings.

Ganga Representation of the Ganges river. Goddess of purification

Kali Known as “the black one” Most horrific of all gods Goddess of destruction. Portrayed with a necklace of skulls and a belt of severed arms or snakes. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

Lakshmi Wife of Vishnu Goddess of good fortune and bestower of wealth Goddess of perfect beauty, born fully formed from the froth of the ocean. Symbolized by the lotus flower.

Surya God of the sun Portrayed as a dark red man with three eyes and four arms. Rides his chariot of fire across the sky.

Yuma God of the dead. Judge of the underworld. Represents judgment, bringing happiness to the virtuous and righteous but bestowing suffering on sinners.

Heroes and Epics

Epics There are two major epics that permeate Indian literature. The first Mahabharata, is about four times the length of the Bible. Related the epic feud of between two related families Basic premise and idea of Mahabharata is the idea that people can achieve freedom “by following their prescribed duty without attachment to the results of their actions.” The second epic is the Ramayana, which is only a quarter of the length of Mahabharata. Ramayana focuses on Rama, the Indian Epic Hero, who must overcome family with the aid of his monkey troops to regain the throne of India.