SSE Group 3 Blog

“ Listen to the primeval Pranava AUM resounding in your heart as well in the

heart of the Universe. ” - BABA -

INTRODUCTION TO HINDUISM

A highly developed civilisation flourished in the Indus Valley, around the sites of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, about 2000 B.C. . In 1500 B.C., India was invaded by the Indo-Aryan tribe who settled in Punjab, bringing with them their religion. By 900 B.C. the use of iron allowed the Indo-Aryans to move down to the lush Ganges Valleys, where they developed a far more elaborate civilisation and system where Hinduism could grow and develop. During the Gupta Period about 320-480 B.C., Hinduism became more consistent. The sacred Hindu laws were coded; the great Hindu temples were being built and the rituals of prayer were written and recorded in sacred texts.

Hinduism is the religion that originated in India and is still practised by most of its inhabitants. It is a major world religion which began in 1500 B.C. . The word Hindu is derived from the Sanskrit word Sindhu meaning river, more specifically, the Indus River. The Hindus are those who follow Dharma, or the way of the four classes; which are known as Varnas, and the four stages of life, which are Ashramas.

The myths of Hinduism survive not only in the Temples of India but reside in the Hindu ancient scriptures. Hinduism continues to serve a vital function, by giving passionate meaning and supportive form to the lives of Hindus today.

THE SCRIPTURES OF HINDUISM

The Hindus believe that the various God’s words, and stories depicting their lives are recorded in scriptures such as the Vedas. These are the oldest scriptures in India's history. The Puranas are another collection of sacred scriptures, which discuss the Hindu philosophy. The Mahabharata and the Ramayana are epics which tell of Lord Krishna and Lord Rama's lives respectively. The Mahabharata tells of the war between the Pandava brothers led by Lord Krishna, and their cousins the Kauravas. The Ramayana depicts the story of Lord Rama and his journey to recapture his wife Sita, after she was taken by the demon Ravana. These stories are filled with other small tales and discourses on the topics of law, geography, political science, and astronomy, all from the Hindu perspective.

THE MANY GODS OF HINDUISM

Most Hindus are believers of the Gods : Lord Brahma known as The Creator, Lord Vishnu known as The Preserver, and Lord Shiva known as The Destroyer, who are together known as the Hindu Triad. But there were other Avatars, or Gods come to earth in human form. Among them are : The dwarf Vamana, who thought that he could trick the demon Bali out of the Universe. The man-lion Narasimha, who destroyed the demon Hiranyakashipu. The Avatar known in the scriptures as Kalki, has yet to come. This Avatar is known as the one who will come to destroy the universe at the end of this Age of Kali. Of all the Avatars in Hinduism, Lord Rama and Lord Krishna, both the incarnation of the Lord Vishnu, are perhaps the most popularly followed among the Hindus.

TEACHINGS OF HINDUISM

PERIODS IN TIME - Yugas

The Hindus believe that time is ever changing, going from the first Yuga; the Golden Age, referred to as the Kritha Yuga, to the last and present age, which is the Age of Distruction, referred to as the Kali Yuga. It is said that after each Yuga, the earth is destroyed by fire and flood, and a new Yuga evolves.

REINCARNATION - Samsara

The Hindus believe that after death the soul leaves the body and is reborn in a body of another person, an animal, a vegetable, or a mineral. This process of reincarnation is called Samsara. Reincarnation is said to be determined by all the good and bad actions which were committed in the previous life by an individual. These actions are defined by the Hindus as Karma.

FOUR STAGES OF LIFE - Ashramas

According to Hinduism life has four stages. The three original stages are the student or Brahmachari, the householder or Grihastha, and the forest-dweller or Vanaprastha. During the sixth century another stage was added : The renouncer or Sannyasi, whose aim is, to get rid of goals and debts from the other stages, and then release themselves to God.

THE ETERNAL DUTY - Sanatana Dharma

The most important doctrine of Sanatana Dharma for all Hindus, is Ahimsa or Non-Violence, which is used to justify the common Hindu practice of vegetarianism. The other four doctrines are Sathya or Truth, Dharma or Righteousness, Shanti or Peace, and the final doctrine, Prema or Love. These are also the doctrines which Sri Sathya Sai Baba the present Avatar, expects his devotees to abide by.

FESTIVALS OF HINDUISM

Hindu festivals are colourful and happy occasions. They encourage the continuance of religious traditions and enable Hindu children to learn about the various Gods to whom the festivals are dedicated. Dewali, is the Festival of Lights, which takes place in the early winter, and Holi is the spring carnival, when members of all castes mingle and sprinkle one another with bright colours of red and orange powder. Janama - Ashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna. This takes place at midnight on the eighteenth day of the fifth month according to the Hindu calendar. Another important Hindu festival is Shivarathri. Worship is offered to Lord Shiva between midnight and sunrise (a twenty-four hour period), by repeating the many names of Lord Shiva and placing flowers and milk on the Lingam, which is a form representing Lord Shiva.

PRAYER & HINDUISM

In daily ritual, a Hindu gives offerings of fruits and flowers when doing Puja, a form of prayer. A Hindu will have a small altar in the house with statues of the various forms of God. Many villages and towns in India have Temples, which are the places of worship for Hindus, where Priests perform ceremonies throughout the day. When the sun arises certain prayers are read to awaken the Gods. The statues in the Temples are bathed, clothed and fanned and then offered food. The distribution of this food called Prasad takes place afterwards. The Temple is also a cultural centre where songs are sung, holy texts are read aloud, and sunset and sunrise rituals are performed.

THE CEREMONIES OF LIFE IN HINDUISM

There are general ceremonies that a Hindu would follow in life. First a child is born, and when it starts eating solid food a ceremony is performed. Two important gender related ceremonies are next. The first hair-cut given to a baby boy, and the purification of the first menstruation for a girl. For Hindu women the marriage ceremony along with the blessings upon a pregnancy are both very important as well. The last ceremony for any Hindu, is the funeral ceremony. This ceremony involves cremation of the body and, if possible, the sprinkling of ashes in a holy river in India such as the Ganges, and the yearly offerings to dead ancestors by the remaining family members of the deceased.