Hinduism for Beginners By Subhamoy Das, About.com Guide If you're new to this faith, here's where to begin.

In this simple introduction to a complex religion, get your basic questions on Hinduism answered and explained in brief. What is Hinduism?: Hinduism is the world's oldest extant religion, with a billion followers, which makes it the world's third largest religion. Hinduism is a conglomeration of religious, philosophical, and cultural ideas and practices that originated in India, characterized by the belief in reincarnation, one absolute being of multiple manifestations, the law of cause and effect, following the path of righteousness, and the desire for liberation from the cycle of births and deaths. Read More: How do you define Hinduism? How is Hinduism unique from other religions?: Hinduism cannot be neatly slotted into any particular belief system. Unlike other religions, Hinduism is a way of life, a Dharma, that is, the law that governs all action. It has its own beliefs, traditions, advanced system of ethics, meaningful rituals, philosophy and theology. The religious tradition of Hinduism is solely responsible for the creation of such original concepts and practices as Yoga, Ayurveda, Vastu, Jyotish, Yajna, Puja, Tantra, Vedanta, Karma, etc. Read More: The Uniqueness of Hinduism How and when did Hinduism originate?: Hinduism has its origins in such remote past that it cannot be traced to any one individual. Some scholars believe that Hinduism must have existed even in circa 10000 B.C. and that the earliest of the Hindu scriptures The Rig Veda was composed well before 6500 B.C. The word "Hinduism" is not to be found anywhere in the scriptures, and the term "Hindu" was introduced by foreigners who referred to people living across the River Indus or Sindhu, in the north of India, around which the Vedic religion is believed to have originated. Read More: Theories About the Origin of Hinduism What are the basic tenets of Hinduism?: There is no one Hinduism, and so it lacks any unified system of beliefs and ideas. Hinduism is a conglomerate of diverse beliefs and traditions, in which the prominent themes include:

Dharma (ethics and duties) Samsara (rebirth) Karma (right action) Moksha (liberation from the cycle of Samsara)

It also believes in truth, honesty, non-violence, celibacy, cleanliness, contentment, prayers, austerity, perseverance, penance, and pious company. Read More: The Main Tenets of Hinduism What are the key Hindu scriptures?: The basic scriptures of Hinduism, which is collectively referred to as "Shastras", are essentially a collection of spiritual laws discovered by different saints and sages at different points in its long history. The Two types of sacred writings comprise the Hindu scriptures: "Shruti" (heard) and "Smriti" (memorized). They were passed on from generation to generation orally for centuries before they were written down mostly in the Sanskrit language. The major and most popular Hindu texts include the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads, and the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Read More: The Sacred Texts of the Hindus What are the major Hindu deities?: Hinduism believes that there is only one supreme Absolute called "Brahman". However, it does not advocate the worship of any one particular deity. The gods and goddesses of Hinduism amount to thousands or even millions, all representing the many aspects of Brahman. Therefore, this faith is characterized by the multiplicity of deities. The most fundamental of Hindu deities is the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva - creator, preserver and destroyer respectively. Hindus also worship spirits, trees, animals and even planets. Read More: Gods & Goddesses in Hinduism Who is a Hindu and how to become one?: A Hindu is an individual who accepts and lives by the religious guidance of the Vedic scriptures. While the teachings of the Hindu tradition do not require that you have a religious affiliation to Hinduism in order to receive its inner teachings, it can be very helpful to formally become a Hindu because it provides one a formal connection to the world's oldest continually existing enlightenment tradition." Gods & Goddesses in Hinduism The Basics of Hinduism

By Subhamoy Das, About.com Guide Hinduism is generally associated with a multiplicity of Gods, and does not advocate the worship of one particular deity. The gods and goddesses of Hinduism amount to thousands or even millions, all representing the many aspects of only one supreme Absolute called Brahman. Therefore, to believe that the multiplicity of deities in Hinduism makes it polytheistic is erroneous. The Rig Veda says: "Ekam sath, Vipraah bahudhaa vadanti" (The Truth is one). However, to equate Brahman with God is imprecise. It is neither the old man in the sky concept, nor the idea of something capable of being vengeful or fearful. The doctrine of Spiritual Competence (Adhikaara) and that of the Chosen Deity (Ishhta Devata) in Hinduism recommend that the spiritual practices prescribed to a person should correspond to his or her spiritual competence and that a person should have the freedom to choose (or invent) a form of Brahman that satisfies his spiritual cravings and to make it the object of his worship. Thus, Hindus have a multitude of gods and goddesses. Deities are represented by a complexity of images and idols symbolizing divine powers. Many of these idols are housed within ornate temples of unparalleled beauty and grandeur. Hindus also worship spirits, trees, animals and even planets. The most fundamental of Hindu deities, is the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva creator, preserver and destroyer respectively. Other popular deities include Ganesha, Krishna, Hanuman and a number of Goddesses. How Do You Define Hinduism? The Basics of Hinduism By Subhamoy Das, About.com Guide Hinduism is essentially an Indian phenomenon. It is the dominant faith of India, practised by over 80% of the population. Since religion is a way of life in India, Hinduism forms an integral part of the entire Indian tradition. It is not easy to define Hinduism, for it is much more than a religion in the Western sense. According to some scholars, Hinduism is not exactly a religion. Also known to practitioners as Sanatana Dharma, which means everlasting or eternal religion / truth / rule, Hinduism can best be defined as a way of life based on the teachings of ancient sages and scriptures like the Vedas and Upanishads. The word 'dharma' connotes "that which supports the universe" and effectively means any path of spiritual discipline which leads to God.

Hindu Dharma, as one scholar analogizes, can be compared to a fruit tree, with its roots (1) representing the Vedas and Vedantas, the thick trunk (2) symbolizing the spiritual experiences of numerous sages, gurus and saints, its branches (3) representing various theological traditions, and the fruit itself, in different shapes and sizes (4), symbolizing various sects and subsects. However, the concept of Hinduism defies a definite definition because of its uniqueness. The Uniqueness of Hinduism The Basics of Hinduism By Subhamoy Das, About.com Guide Filed In: 1. The Basics 2. > Hinduism 101 Hinduism does not have any one founder, and any one core doctrine to which controversies can be referred to for resolution. There is also no point in time when it could be said to have begun. It does not require its adherents to accept any one idea, and thus is cultural, not creedal. The unique concept of the Absolute Brahman that cannot be equated with God is also exclusive to Hinduism. Hinduism is also marked by an attitude which seems to accommodate religious and cultural perspectives other than one's own, and so is characterized by a rich variety of ideas and practices resulting in what appears as a multiplicity of religions under one term 'Hinduism'. Hinduism is perhaps the only religious tradition that is so diverse in its theoretical premises and practical expressions that it is like a compilation of religions with a history contemporaneous with the peoples with which it is associated. According to philosopher Jeaneane Fowler, Hinduism can never be neatly slotted into any particular belief system monism, theism, monotheism, polytheism, pantheism, panentheism for all these systems are reflected in its many facets. Theories About the Origin of Hinduism The Basics of Hinduism By Subhamoy Das, About.com Guide According to historians, the origin of Hinduism dates back to 5,000 or more years. The word "Hindu" is derived from the name of River Indus, which flows through northern India. In ancient times the river was called the 'Sindhu', but the Persians who migrated to India called the river 'Hindu', the land 'Hindustan' and its

inhabitants 'Hindus'. Thus the religion followed by the Hindus came to be known as 'Hinduism'. It was earlier believed that the basic tenets of Hinduism were brought to India by the Aryans who invaded the Indus Valley Civilization and settled along the banks of the Indus river about 2000 BC. However, this theory has now been proved to be a flawed one and is considered nothing more than a myth. According to scholars, the evolution of Hinduism may be divided into three periods: the ancient (6500 BCE-1000 AD), the medieval (1000-1800 AD), and the modern (1800 AD to present). Hinduism is commonly thought to be the oldest religion in the history of human civilization.

The Main Tenets of Hinduism The Basics of Hinduism By Subhamoy Das, About.com Guide Hinduism lacks any unified system of beliefs and ideas. It is a phenomenon and represents a broad spectrum of beliefs and practices which on one hand are akin to paganism, pantheism and the like, and on the other very profound, abstract, metaphysical ideas. Since religion and culture are nearly interchangeable terms in Hinduism, emotive expressions like 'bhakti' (devotion) or 'dharma' (what is right) and 'yoga' (discipline) are used to depict essential aspects of the religion. Hinduism believes in idol worship, reincarnation, karma, dharma and moksha. Some moral ideals in Hinduism include non-violence, truthfulness, friendship, compassion, fortitude, self-control, purity and generosity. Human life is divided into four stages, and there are defined rites and rituals for each stage from birth till death. Traditional Hinduism has two life-long dharmas that one can follow: Grihastha Dharma (Domestic Religion) and Sannyasin Dharma (Ascetic Religion). The Grihastha Dharma has four goals: kma (sensual pleasure), artha (wealth and prosperity), dharma (the laws of life), and moksha (liberation from the cycle of births). The Sannyasin Dharma recognizes moksha as its ultimate goal. The Sacred Texts of the Hindus

The Basics of Hinduism By Subhamoy Das, About.com Guide Filed In: 1. Scriptures & Epics According to Swami Vivekananda, "the accumulated treasury of spiritual laws discovered by different persons in different times" constitutes the sacred Hindu texts. Collectively referred to as the Shastras, there are two types of sacred writings in the Hindu scriptures: Shruti (heard) and Smriti (memorized). Sruti literature refers to the habit of ancient Hindu saints who led a solitary life in the woods, where they developed a consciousness that enabled them to 'hear' or cognize the truths of the universe. Sruti literatures are of two parts: the Vedas and the Upanishads. There are four Vedas:

The Rig Veda -"Royal Knowledge" The Sama Veda - "Knowledge of Chants" The Yajur Veda - "Knowledge of Sacrificial Rituals" The Atharva Veda - "Knowledge of Incarnations"

There are 108 extant Upanishads, of which 10 are most important: Isa, Kena, Katha, Prashna, Mundaka, Mandukya, Taitiriya, Aitareya, Chandogya, Brihadaranyaka. Smriti Literature refers to 'memorized' or 'remembered' poetry and epics. They are more popular with Hindus, because they are easy to understand, explains universal truths through symbolism and mythology, and contain some of the most beautiful and exciting stories in the history of religion world literature. The three most important of Smriti literature are:

The Bhagavad Gita - The most well known of the Hindu scriptures, called the "Song of the Adorable One", written about the 2nd century BC and forms the sixth part of Mahabharata. It contains some of the most brilliant theological lessons about the nature of God and of life ever written. The Mahabharata - The world's longest epic poem written about 9th century BC, and deals with the power struggle between the Pandava and the Kaurava families, with an intertwining of numerous episodes that make up life. The Ramayana - The most popular of Hindu epics, composed by Valmiki around 4th or 2nd centuries BC with later additions up to about 300 CE. It

depicts the story of the royal couple of Ayodha - Ram and Sita and a host of other characters and their exploits.

Hinduism by James Mannion

Hinduism is the main religion of India. The word Hindu is from the ancient Sanskrit language and means Indus, as in the Indus River. Approximately 700 million Hindus practice today, making it one of the major world religions. Hinduism is an action religion. It is not so much what you think as what you do. The religion is replete with rituals, and the people may look like they are part of a religious monolith, but Hinduism is a diverse creed that is practiced in different ways by different sects. Universal Themes Hinduism, of course, has its universal themes: belief in reincarnation, vegetarianism, and the reverence for cows. Americans and Europeans are often shocked when visiting India to find people starving in the streets while cattle wander freely and unmolested. Hindus observe a rigid caste system, wherein there is no such thing as upward mobility. You are born into a socioeconomic class, and there you shall remain. Intermarriage between castes is forbidden, and the lowest caste is called untouchable. You will not find any yuppies in the Hindi tradition. The Hindu Gods Hinduism is a polytheistic religion. Polytheism means the worship of many gods, as opposed to Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, which are the three main monotheistic religions. Shiva and Vishnu are the main gods, and Devi is the main goddess, though hundreds of minor gods and goddesses are in the Hindu cavalcade of deities. Shiva is a contradictory god. He is the god of those who renounce the material world and the pleasures therein, but he is also the deity of the phallus. This is made prominently clear in the statues of Shiva. Shiva killed his father Brahma, an unsavory sort who apparently had it coming, but was forced to carry his skull around with him at all times thereafter. This is very similar to the Greek myth of Zeus, who castrated his own father Cronus. Beware of single goddesses! The Hindu tradition has a pantheon of gods and goddesses, some benign and others quite nasty. Among the goddesses, single ones are to be feared, because unlike the married goddesses, they are given to mood swings and hormonal rages. As goddesses go, they make the characters on Sex and The City seem like Girl Scouts. Vishnu is the main god in the Hindu belief system. A lotus sprang from his navel and from that emerged Brahma, the hapless father of Shiva. Vishnu has gone through many incarnations since his initial appearance. These incarnations are called avatars. The main goddess, Devi, is worshipped under that name and sometimes in the form of other goddesses who are believed to be incarnations of Devi. By another name, she is called Kali, an unsavory deity who kills and eats her victims and then performs a frenetic dance while wearing the skulls and the hands of her dinner. Under still another name, Devi is known as Druga the Unapproachable, a Xena-type warrior princess. Fortunately, there are more pleasant goddesses in the Hindu pantheon: Lakshmi, the fertility goddess; Ganga, the river goddess (the Ganges river is named for her); Parvati, the goddess of the Himalayas; and many more.

Hindu Texts The four main texts of Hinduism are called the Vedas. Rig-Veda is the oldest and has been committed to memory by devout Hindus for thousands of years. The other three are called the Yajur-Veda, the Sama-Veda, and the Atharva-Veda. Two other important Hindu texts include the Brahmanas, which is a Sanskrit document detailing the rituals to be practiced by Hindu priests. And perhaps the most famous Hindu text to Westerners is called the Upanishads. This is the most popular text to Westerners because of its very New Age sounding mystical meditations on the meaning of life. The spiritual literature of Hinduism also contains a unique view of the universe. They believe that the universe is an enclosed shell with concentric universes going round and round with India at the center. It is not surprising that almost every society and culture has regarded themselves as the chosen people and their neck of the woods as the center of the universe. Hinduism also teaches that things have been going downhill since a golden age, called the Krita Yuga, in prehistory. Things fall apart, and the center cannot hold until that universe is destroyed and another golden age begins. What is meant by the transmigration of souls? This is another name for reincarnation. Hindus and Buddhists believe that we are reborn into another body after death, learning and growing (hopefully) in each subsequent lifetime. The goal is to become enlightened to the degree that you transcend your humanity and become one with all. Reincarnation When Sinatra sang, Life keeps goin' in cycles, he could have been discussing Hinduism. Everything in the universe is cyclical, including human life. Hindus believe in the transmigration of souls, which is another name for reincarnation. Whether you return as a supermodel or a giant tree sloth depends on your karma. Karma is the principle that maintains there is an inherent balance to the cosmos. In the Bible, it says, What you sow, so shall ye reap. In Hindu terms, this means that what you do in your life, good or bad, will come back and bite you in the next, either in the form of rewards or punishments. A murderer will be a victim; an insensitive super-stud will be a monk in the next life. You acquire karma through your multiple incarnations over the millennia. The goal is to become more and more enlightened until finally you do not have to return to the physical realm. Then you can enjoy eternity as fully awakened spiritual being. You had better be good for goodness sake, because if the Buddhists are right, your actions in this life will affect your karma. Karma is the force of cosmic justice in the universe. If you are an evil person in this life, you can expect payback in the next. Hindus typically take one of two paths in life. Many work, have families, and live normal lives within the framework of the real world; others take their ancient scriptures more to heart and live lives of ascetic self-denial, seeking to jumpstart the process of karma and reincarnation and grow closer to enlightenment in this lifetime.

Beliefs & Practices

By Subhamoy Das, About.com Guide In this section, you will find a collection of hand-picked resources to guide you through the basics of Hinduism, its beliefs and practices, and other distinctive features.

1. Hinduism 101 2. The Hindu Deities

3. The Gurus & Saints 4. The Sacred Texts 5. Tenets & Concepts

Hinduism 101
Before you explore the various characteristics of this religion, get the answers to some of your basic questions.

What is Hinduism? Who is a Hindu? How is Hinduism Unique? When and Where did Hinduism Originate? What are the Basic Beliefs of Hinduism? What are the Main Hindu Scriptures? What are the Major Hindu Gods and Goddesses? How To Be an Ideal Hindu

The Hindu Deities

Hinduism is known for a multitude of gods and goddesses. Here's an introduction to the prominent figures of the Hindu pantheon.

Brahma Vishnu Shiva Ganesha Krishna Hanuman The Goddesses Top 10 Hindu Deities

The Gurus & Saints

The word 'guru' is of Hindu origin. Here're the profiles of some well-known Hindu sages and saints of the past and contemporary gurus.

Who's A Guru? Adi Shankaracharya Sri Ramakrishna Swami Vivekananda Ramana Maharishi Sai Baba of Shirdi Sri Aurobindo The Gurus of Sergeant Pepper Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Amma: The Hugging Saint Mother

The Sacred Texts

The beliefs that form the foundation of Hinduism are based on some of the oldest texts known to humankind. Read about the major Hindu scriptures.

The Vedas: Worlds Oldest Spiritual Teachings All About the Upanishads (Vedanta) The Itihasas or Histories: Ancient Hindu Scriptures Bhagavad-Gita Online Bhagavad Gita For Busy People Learn a Verse from the Bhagavad Gita The Mahabharata: Summary The Ramayana: Summary

Tenets & Concepts

Here we discuss some of the basic tenets and concepts of Hinduism.

What is Dharma? What is Karma? What is Om? What is Namaste? The 5 Principles & 10 Commandments Common Myths About Hinduism Reincarnation, Heaven and Hell Brahman: The Concept of God The Hindu Concept of Time The Four Ages of Man

5 Principles & 10 Disciplines The Basics of Hinduism By Subhamoy Das, About.com Guide What are the main principles of the Hindu way of life? And what are the 10 commandments of Sanatana Dharma? Read these 15 easy-to-remember basic tenets of Hinduism as summarized by Dr. Gangadhar Choudhury: 5 PRINCIPLES 1. God Exists: One Absolute OM. One Trinity: Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwara (Shiva) Several divine forms 2. All human beings are divine 3. Unity of existence through love 4. Religious harmony 5. Knowledge of 3 Gs: Ganga (sacred river), Gita (sacred script), Gayatri (sacred mantra) 10 DISCIPLINES 1. Satya (Truth) 2. Ahimsa (Non-violence)

3. Brahmacharya (Celibacy, non-adultery) 4. Asteya (No desire to possess or steal) 5. Aparighara (Non-corrupt) 6. Shaucha (Cleanliness) 7. Santosh (Contentment) 8. Swadhyaya (Reading of scriptures) 9. Tapas (Austerity, perseverance, penance) 10. Ishwarpranidhan (Regular prayers)

Theories About the Origin of Hinduism The Basics of Hinduism By Subhamoy Das, About.com Guide According to historians, the origin of Hinduism dates back to 5,000 or more years. The word "Hindu" is derived from the name of River Indus, which flows through northern India. In ancient times the river was called the 'Sindhu', but the Persians who migrated to India called the river 'Hindu', the land 'Hindustan' and its inhabitants 'Hindus'. Thus the religion followed by the Hindus came to be known as 'Hinduism'. It was earlier believed that the basic tenets of Hinduism were brought to India by the Aryans who invaded the Indus Valley Civilization and settled along the banks of the Indus river about 2000 BC. However, this theory has now been proved to be a flawed one and is considered nothing more than a myth. According to scholars, the evolution of Hinduism may be divided into three periods: the ancient (6500 BCE-1000 AD), the medieval (1000-1800 AD), and the modern (1800 AD to present). Hinduism is commonly thought to be the oldest religion in the history of human civilization.

Revealing facts about Hinduism

Today's date: Wednesday Jul 13 2011

Hinduism Facts| Facts about Hinduism Religion

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Home | Hinduism Facts In the history of mankind, many cultures have come and gone but Hinduism has withstood many challenges posed by the time and has spread all over the world. The secret of this success of Hindu religion lies in the fact in its practical approach towards human life, belief in eternal truths, and modifications made without changing the basic beliefs. Despite being the worlds third largest and the oldest religion, lots of people are unaware of the facts about Hinduism. There are also a number of misconceptions about Hinduism, which need to be explained. Therefore, in this article, we would try to put forth all the Hinduism facts in brief before the world, so that everybody would have an idea about what Hinduism is. Facts about Hinduism Religion: Existence Since: Hinduism is the worlds oldest known religion. History of Hinduism can be traced back to 5000-10,000 B.C. Facts about size and Rank: It is the third largest religion of the world with more than 1 billion followers. Location: Most of the Hindus live in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka with considerable presence in all other parts of the world also. About 85% of Hindus live in India. That is why India is also called as Hindustan. Known as: People who follow Hinduism are called as Hindus. Hinduism is also known as Hindu Dharma (Hindu Religion), Sanatan Dharma (Eternal Religion), Vedic Religion, or Vedic Dharma. Founder: Hinduism has no single founder. It has been evolving over the thousands of years and will continue to. Origin: Hinduism originated in India. Hinduism is largely based on the teachings from Vedas. Meaning of the word: The word Hinduism actually has no real meaning because Hinduism was not founded as a religion. The name Hindu is given by the people outside of the India, especially Greeks and Arabs, to those living in the vicinity of Sindhu river. So, the way of life those people were following is called Hinduism. What do they worship: Hindus believe in one God named as Brahman but view other Gods and Goddesses as manifestations of Him. Therefore, in practice, they worship more than one God. Most Hindus worship God in the form of an idol.

Rivers, mountains, trees, animals, and natural things which are useful for a human being are revered in Hinduism. Cow is the most revered animal for Hindus. Main Deities: Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva are the creator, protector, and destroyer respectively. These are the three main deities in Hinduism. Besides them, Lord Ganesha, Lord Krishna, Lord Hanuman, Lord Rama, and Goddess Parvati are the most popular deities in Hinduism. Facts about sects in Hinduism: Hinduism consists of different sects like Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Shaktism. The common people follow all the three sects collectively worshiping Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Devi. Aims of life: Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (desire), and Moksha (salvation) are the four objectives of a Hindus life. Goal: Salvation is the ultimate goal of a Hindus life. Stages of life: According to Hinduism, four stages of life are Brahmcharyashram (Student phase), Grihastahshram (Living with wife and children), Vanprasthashram (leaving the home and pray to God, may keep contact with family), and Sanyasashram (discard everything in life including wife, children, and material things). Contribution: Yoga, Pranayama, meditation, Ayurveda, vegetarianism, and meditation are the best gifts of Hinduism to the world. Tantric sex, Palmistry, acupressure, acupuncture, Jyotish Shastra, martial art, and many other ancient wonders originated in India and are parts of Hinduism Religion. Hinduism is the source of inspiration for three other major religions of the world viz. Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism. Symbols: AUM and Swastika are the main symbols of Hinduism. Besides those, Trishul, Tilak, Lingam, Shri, and Yantra are other popular Hindu symbols. Sacred Books or Scriptures: Four Vedas, Upanishadas, Bhagvadgita, 18 Puranas, Ramayana, and Mahabharata are the sacred books of Hindus. Language: Most of the Hindu scriptures are written in Sanskrit. Sanskrit is considered to be the mother of all the languages. Eating Habits: Most of the Hindus do not eat beef and/or pork. They also do not eat non-vegetarian food on auspicious days. Hinduism strongly advocates vegetarianism. Food is highly revered and wasting the food is considered as a very bad habit. Important Hindu Festivals:

1. Diwali The festival of lights 2. Vijayadashami Celebrating the victory of good over evil 3. Gudhipadawa Hindu New Year 4. Mahashivratri The day on which the universe was created. Vedic restraints for Hindus are: 1. Ahimsa (not to harm others) 2. Satya (truthfullness) 3. Asteya (Nonstealing) 4. Brahmacharya (Avoiding promiscuity in thoughts, word, and deed) 5. Kshama (Forgiveness) 6. Dhriti (Steadfastness) 7. Daya (Compassion) 8. Arjaya (Honesty) 16 Samskaras in a Hindus life: Samskaras are the rituals which are at different stages of a human life. 1. Garbhadhana. 2. Pumsavana. 3. Simanatonnayana. 4. Jatakarman. 5. Namakarana 6. Nishkramana. 7. Annaprashana. 8. Chudakarana. 9. Karnavedana. 10. Upanayana. 11. Vidyarambha. 12. Samavartana 13. Vivaha. 14. Vanprastha 15. Sanyasa 16. Antyeshti. Caste System: The Hindu society is broadly divided in four main castes: 1. Brahmin (priests). 2. Kshatriya (warriors) 3. Vaishya (Businessmen) 4. Shudra (labor) Basic concept of Hinduism: It will be easier to understand the basic concept of Hinduism if you know Law of Conservation of Energy. For those who have a science background or have some interest in science know the Law of Conservation of Energy very well. It is like this:

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed. Only one form of energy can be transformed into other. The sum of all the energies in the universe remains the same. According to Hinduism, human body is perishable but the soul is immortal and is subjected to the continuous cycle of birth and rebirth. The soul changes bodies as a living person changes his/her clothes. So, the thing which we call death is actually just a transformation of soul from one body to another as the energy changes from one form to the other. This cycle continues births after births and the soul is subjected to sufferings endlessly. So, the ultimate goal of a Hindus life is to attend salvation (also called as Moksha or Nirvana) i.e. freedom from the cycle of birth and rebirth. One can attend salvation when the soul of a person fully becomes one with the supreme spirit called Brahman (or God) who is eternal, genderless, omnipotent, and omniscient. Interesting facts about Hinduism: So far, we have seen some common Hinduism facts, but now we will have a look at some interesting Hinduism facts. 1. The institution of marriage was founded and put forth in practice by Hindus. 2. The first law maker, Manu, was a Hindu and Manu Smriti was the first book on law in the world. 3. Rigveda is the oldest literature known to mankind. 4. Hindus believe that Vedas are written by Gods. 5. According to Vedas, lending money on interest is a bad Karma. 6. Acupuncture and acupressure are vital parts of Hindu customs. 7. Do you know the fact that Vedas were preserved for more than 5000 years without the help of printing technology? This was done by reciting and memorizing all the hymns and through Teacher-Disciple tradition (Guru-Shishya Parampara). 8. India is the home of four great religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. 9. Sanskrit is the oldest language known to mankind. 10. The concepts of decimal system, zero, point, pi and many others were used first by Hindus. 11. According to Vedas, Om is the sound which was present at the time of creation of universe and it is the only symbol, which represents the God (Brahman). 12. Parents, teachers, and food are considered next to God.

13. Wasting food is considered as a very bad habit in Hinduism. 14. There is no officially-declared Hindu country in the world as there are Islamic and Christian countries. Nepal was the only Hindu country, but it has now become a republic country. 15. Hindu community is the second most tortured community in the world after Jews. 16. Hindus do not wear footwear inside the temples or homes. 17. Because of the usefulness of rivers, they are highly revered in Hinduism. People call them as mother. Ganges is the highest revered river for Hindus. 18. Kashi Vishwanath Temple is the holiest temple for Hindus. It is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. 19. Kashi is situated along the banks of the river Ganges. It is the holiest place for Hindus. Some Hindus believe that if you die in Kashi, you would attend salvation. Some people prefer to spend the last days of their lives in Kashi. Om: Symbol of the Absolute All About the Hindu Icon By Subhamoy Das, About.com Guide

"The goal which all the Vedas declare, which all austerities aim at, and which men desire when they lead the life of continence is Om. This syllable Om is indeed Brahman. Whosoever knows this syllable obtains all that he desires. This is the best support; this is the highest support. Whosoever knows this support is adored in the world of Brahma." ~ Katha Upanishad I Om or Aum is of paramount importance in Hinduism. This symbol (as seen in the image on the right) is a sacred syllable representing Brahman, the impersonal Absolute of Hinduism omnipotent, omnipresent, and the source of all manifest existence. Brahman, in itself, is incomprehensible; so a symbol becomes mandatory to help us realize the Unknowable. Om, therefore, represents both the unmanifest

(nirguna) and manifest (saguna) aspects of God. That is why it is called pranava, to mean that it pervades life and runs through our prana or breath. Om in Daily Life Although Om symbolizes the most profound concepts of Hindu belief, it is in use daily. The Hindus begin their day or any work or a journey by uttering Om. The sacred symbol is often found at the head of letters, at the beginning of examination papers and so on. Many Hindus, as an expression of spiritual perfection, wear the sign of Om as a pendant. This symbol is enshrined in every Hindu temple premise or in some form or another on family shrines. It is interesting to note that a newly born child is ushered into the world with this holy sign. After birth, the child is ritually cleansed and the sacred syllable Om is written on its tongue with honey. Thus right at the time of birth the syllable Om is initiated into the life of a Hindu and ever remains with him as the symbol of piety. Om is also a popular symbol used in contemporary body art and tattoos. The Eternal Syllable According to the Mandukya Upanishad, "Om is the one eternal syllable of which all that exists is but the development. The past, the present, and the future are all included in this one sound, and all that exists beyond the three forms of time is also implied in it". The Music of Om Om is not a word but rather an intonation, which, like music, transcends the barriers of age, race, culture and even species. It is made up of three Sanskrit letters, aa, au and ma which, when combined together, make the sound Aum or Om. It is believed to be the basic sound of the world and to contain all other sounds. It is a mantra or prayer in itself. If repeated with the correct intonation, it can resonate throughout the body so that the sound penetrates to the centre of one's being, the atman or soul. There is harmony, peace and bliss in this simple but deeply philosophical sound. By vibrating the sacred syllable Om, the supreme combination of letters, if one thinks of the Ultimate Personality of Godhead and quits his body, he will certainly reach the highest state of "stateless" eternity, states the Bhagavad Gita.

The Vision of Om Om provides a dualistic viewpoint. On one hand, it projects the mind beyond the immediate to what is abstract and inexpressible. On the other hand, it makes the

absolute more tangible and comprehensive. It encompasses all potentialities and possibilities; it is everything that was, is, or can yet be. It is omnipotent and likewise remains undefined. The Power of Om During meditation, when we chant Om, we create within ourselves a vibration that attunes sympathy with the cosmic vibration and we start thinking universally. The momentary silence between each chant becomes palpable. Mind moves between the opposites of sound and silence until, at last, it ceases the sound. In the silence, the single thoughtOmis quenched; there is no thought. This is the state of trance, where the mind and the intellect are transcended as the individual self merges with the Infinite Self in the pious moment of realization. It is a moment when the petty worldly affairs are lost in the desire for the universal. Such is the immeasurable power of Om. How to Type it on your Computer Try this! To get the Om symbol on your computer screen, open MS Word and key in backslash ( \ ) in Wingdings font. You will type in Om! Major Hindu Symbols What Are The Most Important Symbols of Hinduism? By Subhamoy Das, About.com Guide Hinduism employs the art of symbolism with amazing effect. No religion is so replete with symbols as this ancient religion. And all Hindus are touched by this allpervasive symbolism all through the life in some way or the other. Basic Hindu symbolism is enunciated in the Dharmashastras, but much of it developed with the evolution of his unique 'way of life'. On the surface, many Hindu symbols may seem to be absurd or even dumb, but discovering the deeper meaning of the such symbolism is sheer joy!

Om or Aum As the cross is to Christians, the Om is to Hindus. It is made up of three Sanskrit letters, aa, au and ma which, when combined, make the sound Aum or Om. The most important symbol in Hinduism, it occurs in every prayer and invocation to most deities begins with it. As the symbol of piety, Om is often found at the head of letters, pendants, enshrined in every Hindu temple and family shrines. This symbol is actually a sacred syllable representing the Brahman or the Absolute the source of all existence. Brahman, in itself, is incomprehensible so a symbol becomes mandatory to help us realize the Unknowable. The syllable Om occurs even in English words having a similar meaning, for instance, 'omniscience', 'omnipotent', 'omnipresent'. Thus Om is also used to signify divinity and authority. Its similarity with the Latin 'M' as also to the Greek letter 'Omega' is discernable. Even the word 'Amen' used by Christians to conclude a prayer seems to be akin to Om.

Swastika Second in importance only to the Om, the Swastika, a symbol which look like the Nazi emblem, holds a great religious significance for the Hindus. Swastika is not a syllable or a letter, but a pictorial character in the shape of a cross with branches bent at right angles and facing in a clockwise direction. A must for all religious celebrations and festivals, Swastika symbolizes the eternal nature of the Brahman, for it points in all directions, thus representing the omnipresence of the Absolute. The term 'Swastika' is believed to be a fusion of the two Sanskrit words 'Su' (good) and 'Asati' (to exist), which when combined means 'May Good Prevail'. Historians say Swastika could have represented a real structure and that in ancient times forts were built for defense reasons in a shape closely resembling the Swastika. For its protective power this shape began to be sanctified.

The Saffron Color If there is any color that can symbolize all aspects of Hinduism, it's saffron - the color of Agni or fire, which reflects the Supreme Being. As such, the fire altar is regarded as a distinct symbol of ancient Vedic rites. The saffron color, also auspicious to the Sikhs, the Buddhists and the Jains, seems to have obtained religious significance much before these religious came into being. Fire worship had its origin in the Vedic age. The foremost hymn in the Rig Veda glorifies fire: "Agnimile purohitam yagnasya devam rtvijam, hotaram ratna dhatamam." When sages moved from one ashram to another, it was customary to carry fire along. The inconvenience to carry a burning substance over long distances may have given rise to the symbol of a saffron flag. Triangular and often forked saffron flags are seen fluttering atop most Sikh and Hindu temples. While Sikhs regard it as a militant color, Buddhist monks and Hindu saints wear robes of this color as a mark of renunciation of material life.