Hinduism
How Hinduism was Created
Hinduism is one of the oldest religions and the world and to this day is still largely followed by about 14 percent of people in the world. It is believed to be founded around 1500 BC based off the religion followed by the Aryans when they migrated to India. After they had migrated, they created the language of Sanskrit. The Hindus didn't keep history in any form of writing for a long time, but they kept their history through memory and passing it down through words from generation to generation.
The Vedas
The earliest form of written Hindu history are the Vedas, which were Indo-European compositions/ Hymns. The Vedas made around 1000 BCE talk about how the world was created in which it states that a primeval man was sacrificed to create the world. Because of this there were many discussions about the Aranyakas(6th century) and the Upshinads(7th century). The Vedas give instructions on how to complete certain sacrificial rituals and the hymns that must be recited along with them.
-Hymn VI of the 3rd Book of the Rig-Veda
Hinduism is one of the oldest religions and the world and to this day is still largely followed by about 14 percent of people in the world. It is believed to be founded around 1500 BC based off the religion followed by the Aryans when they migrated to India. After they had migrated, they created the language of Sanskrit. The Hindus didn't keep history in any form of writing for a long time, but they kept their history through memory and passing it down through words from generation to generation.
The Vedas
The earliest form of written Hindu history are the Vedas, which were Indo-European compositions/ Hymns. The Vedas made around 1000 BCE talk about how the world was created in which it states that a primeval man was sacrificed to create the world. Because of this there were many discussions about the Aranyakas(6th century) and the Upshinads(7th century). The Vedas give instructions on how to complete certain sacrificial rituals and the hymns that must be recited along with them.
-Hymn VI of the 3rd Book of the Rig-Veda
1. URGED on by deep devotion, O ye singers, bring, pious ones, the God-approaching ladle.
Borne onward to the right it travels eastward, and, filled with oil, to Agni bears oblation.
2 Thou at thy birth didst fill both earth and heaven, yea, Most Adorable, thou didst exceed them.
Even through the heaven's and through the earth's expanses let thy swift seventongued flames roll on, O Agni.
3 Both Heaven and Earth and Gods who should be worshipped establish thee as Priest for every dwelling,
Whenever human families, God-devoted, bringing oblations; laud thy splendid lustre.
4 Firm in the Gods’ home is the Mighty seated, between vast Heaven and Earth the well-beloved-
Those Cows who yield, unharmed, their nectar, Spouses of the Far-Strider, everyoung, united.
5 Great are the deeds of thee, the Great, O Agni: thou by thy power hast spread out earth and heaven.
As soon as thou wast born thou wast an envoy, thou, Mighty One, was Leader of the people.
6 Bind to the pole with cords of holy Order the long-maned ruddy steeds who sprinkle fatness.
Bring hithier, O thou God, all Gods together: provide them noble worship, Jātavedas.
7 Even from the sky thy brilliant lights shone hither: still hast thou beamed through many a radiant morning,
That the Gods praised their joyous Herald's labour eagerly burning, Agni, in the forests.
8 The Gods who take delight in air's wide region, or those the dwellers in heaven's realm of brightness,
Or those, the Holy, prompt to hear, our helpers, who, carborne, turn their horses hither, Agni—-
9 With these, borne on one ear, Agni, approach us, or borne on many, for thy steeds are able.
Bring, witb their Dames, the Gods, the Three and-Thirty, after thy Godlike nature, and be joyful.
10 He is the Priest at whose repeated worship even wide Heaven and Earth sing out for increase.
They fair and true and holy coming forward stand at his sacrifice who springs from Order.
11 As holy food, Agni, to thine invoker give wealth in cattle, lasting, rich in marvels.
To us be born a son and spreading offspring. Agni, be this thy gracious will to usward.
Borne onward to the right it travels eastward, and, filled with oil, to Agni bears oblation.
2 Thou at thy birth didst fill both earth and heaven, yea, Most Adorable, thou didst exceed them.
Even through the heaven's and through the earth's expanses let thy swift seventongued flames roll on, O Agni.
3 Both Heaven and Earth and Gods who should be worshipped establish thee as Priest for every dwelling,
Whenever human families, God-devoted, bringing oblations; laud thy splendid lustre.
4 Firm in the Gods’ home is the Mighty seated, between vast Heaven and Earth the well-beloved-
Those Cows who yield, unharmed, their nectar, Spouses of the Far-Strider, everyoung, united.
5 Great are the deeds of thee, the Great, O Agni: thou by thy power hast spread out earth and heaven.
As soon as thou wast born thou wast an envoy, thou, Mighty One, was Leader of the people.
6 Bind to the pole with cords of holy Order the long-maned ruddy steeds who sprinkle fatness.
Bring hithier, O thou God, all Gods together: provide them noble worship, Jātavedas.
7 Even from the sky thy brilliant lights shone hither: still hast thou beamed through many a radiant morning,
That the Gods praised their joyous Herald's labour eagerly burning, Agni, in the forests.
8 The Gods who take delight in air's wide region, or those the dwellers in heaven's realm of brightness,
Or those, the Holy, prompt to hear, our helpers, who, carborne, turn their horses hither, Agni—-
9 With these, borne on one ear, Agni, approach us, or borne on many, for thy steeds are able.
Bring, witb their Dames, the Gods, the Three and-Thirty, after thy Godlike nature, and be joyful.
10 He is the Priest at whose repeated worship even wide Heaven and Earth sing out for increase.
They fair and true and holy coming forward stand at his sacrifice who springs from Order.
11 As holy food, Agni, to thine invoker give wealth in cattle, lasting, rich in marvels.
To us be born a son and spreading offspring. Agni, be this thy gracious will to usward.
Beliefs and Traditions
Deities
Hindus believed in following their Dharma or the religious and moral law governing individual conduct and is one of the four ends of life. For a person to fulfill there Dharma they had to have these qualities: compassion towards all living beings, patience, lack of envy, purification, tranquility, having an auspicious disposition, generosity, and a lack of greed. If they have all of these qualities they will be with Brahman, or the supreme being. Hindus follow many deities which are made of stone or wood and a lot of the time associated are with some sort of animal. Every detail of a deity represents something; how many arms they have, what kind of object they're holding, even how their arms are positioned have a certain meaning. Hindus had many sacred places they would go to out of faith like the 108 places that were the power of the goddess, or shakti is said to be present or the 12 places where Shiva appears. Many Hindus will bathe themselves in the Ganges river and drink the water because it is stated that doing this will cleanse them and relieve them of their sins. Holidays Hindus have many festivals throughout the year. They celebrate most deities birthdays and other holidays. Holi is a celebration held while the season of Spring begins in honor of Krishna defeating the demon Holika, in which people will throw colored powders and waters at each other, sing, and dance. Holi is one of the most popular holidays in India and has even extended to other countries worldwide. Shivaratri is another large celebration that commemorates the marriage of Shiva and Pavarti, two of the largest gods and goddesses in Hinduism. Rules Hindus follow a dress code with rules such as, women have to cover most of all their body with a sari. Many people, mostly women, wear a tilika, or a forehead mark that has multiple meanings depending on gender and the persons marital status. Hindus also have rules to their diet, for example no one is allowed to eat any form of beat or cow beef because cows are a sacred animal. |
Growth and Spread of Hinduism
Hinduism was originally in India and eventually began to spread to southeast Asia around the 1st century CE. During the 4th century CE the Gupta dynasty encouraged the building of hindu temples and the religion itself. Hinduism continued to grow until about the 18th century CE when the British took over India and challenged Hinduism and the religion began to die decline. Dayananda Sarasvasti begins a reform that revives the religion in 1875 CE and Hinduism gained a large group of followers when many Indians were brought to Africa and the Caribbean after the abolishment of slavery. Hindu immigrants have brought their practices all over world including America. Hinduism continues to have a fairly large percentage of the world following it and it is still spreading and increasing its number of followers.
Changes in HInduism over Time.
h Hinduism began when Aryans and non-Aryans mixed and their religions combined into Hinduism. It was largely based on performing rituals and social stratification. It was a polytheistic religion based around three main gods those three being Shiva, Brahman, and Vishnu. From 750 and 550 B.C., Hindu teachers tried to interpret the hidden meaning of the Vedic hymns. As they meditated they asked: What is the nature of reality? Is there eternal life? What is the soul? The teachers’ comments were collected and written into the Upanishads. Changes in the rituals would take place around 260 B.C. such as the outlawing of animal sacrifices, which made personal worship a much larger part of a Hindus life. When the Muslims invaded India around the 11th century it brought change to Hinduism as Islam and Hinduism were mixed. Some traditions such as child marriages. Hinduism has been the reason many other religions were made such as Buddhism and Jainism, which both adopted different customs from Hinduism.
The Impact of Hinduism on Society
Hinduism has changed many customs and strengthened others in society. They created yoga and other meditational practices which are used all over the world today. When Hinduism introduced karma and reincarnation it affected the caste system in a big way. Because only the priests, warriors, and merchants could achieve moksha while women and lower class people could not, most HIndus think women are inferior and deserve less. The caste system dominated a persons life. It decided what and how much a person could eat each day and how a person can dress or if they are allowed to socialize with others. Hinduism has affected many peoples lives positively and negatively in all parts of the world.