| A quick start on Hinduism, its basic scriptures and | | | | Ravana, who kidnapped His consort Sita. The entire |
| Gods are included. | | | | story is written in Ramayana. |
| A Quick Start on Hinduism: What is Sanatana | | | | 8) The eighth is Krishna. |
| Dharma? | | | | 9) The ninth is Buddha, but some say that it could be |
| Rig Veda says: "Ekam Sat, Viprah Bahudha Vadanti", | | | | Jesus as well. |
| which means that there is only One God (Truth) and | | | | 10) And the last one is Kalki, the coming of whom is |
| people see Him (It) differently. | | | | yet expected at the end of Kali Yuga; Kalki will |
| A lot of Western books with information on Hinduism | | | | destroy darkness on earth and will establish justice. |
| lack a quick start introduction, which appears very | | | | The most known Bhagavad-Gita is a book taken out |
| useful in situations like when you want to assemble a | | | | of Mahabharata (there are also other Gitas), as it has |
| computer. If you start reading comprehensive | | | | an exceptional value, because Lord Krishna appears to |
| information like what is DDR-RAM or AGP, you may | | | | Arjuna and reveals Himself to him. It is a book about |
| keep “assembling” your PC even for months. | | | | struggles between two royal family clans - the Pandus |
| But if you a have quick information guide with info like | | | | and the Kurus. The Kurus used trickery to deprave the |
| which slot/socket serves which component, you have | | | | Pandus of any participation in the shared kingdom - |
| good prospects to assemble your PC even within 10 | | | | they had always planned to reap the whole empire |
| minutes. The goal of this quick start intro is to use a | | | | from the Pandus. They had lured them to play dice |
| similar approach for Hinduism. What is the spine of | | | | and depraved them of their possessions and status, |
| Sanatana Dharma – one of the oldest religions of | | | | and finally expelled them to the woods. Later, the |
| the world? | | | | Pandus came back, as their coming was legal – |
| A simple question, isn’t it? Let's answer it simply | | | | that is, the number of years determined for their exile |
| too. First of all, it is living with the principles of this | | | | expired. Krishna gets involved and patiently explains to |
| beautiful Universe (and nature, of course); many | | | | the Kurus that the war should be avoided. He has no |
| outwardly complicated things are simple from within | | | | success. Finally, Krishna and Arjuna have a deep |
| and are only made "complicated" by people who want | | | | philosophical discussion in which Krishna reveals |
| to mask their purpose to manipulate others. Many | | | | Himself to Arjuna; He even shows him His four hands. |
| "Coca Cola Gurus" appear around with this goal. | | | | Arjuna, a member of the Pandu family clan, is doubtful |
| Hinduism is very old. It is a hybrid corpus within the | | | | of what the war might bring and Krishna explains to |
| body of which many different opinions, even the | | | | him that the soul is actually immortal. The war starts |
| contradictory ones, can coexist peacefully with one | | | | and ends with the Kurus being totally defeated. |
| another. If someone tries to define this nonmonolithic | | | | Vishnu’s vehicle is Garuda (a large mythical bird). |
| hybrid with "Western thinking", he or she will usually | | | | Shiva |
| write a definite nonsense. Thus, it is not an easy thing | | | | Shiva is the best yogi, tantric and meditator. For |
| to try to define Hinduism. But a good thing is to draw it | | | | Shaivists, Shiva is the Supreme Deity. |
| near to the eyes of novices or those who prefer few | | | | The worship of Shiva in the pan-Hindu tradition is |
| minutes to several hundred hours of unorganized talks. | | | | supposed to have been the oldest one. He has |
| ”Sanatana” means eternal, never ending and | | | | several attributes, of which few are here. |
| never starting... The word “Dharma” means a | | | | Attributes of Lord Shiva |
| Way to Liberation; it is also the God of Justice. | | | | 1) Rudraksha beads: These beads, as legends say, |
| Sanatana Dharma is eternal community. | | | | have their origin in Shiva tears, from which rudraksha |
| Sanatana Dharma or Dharma is a religion revealed by | | | | trees emerged. Rudraksha beads - natural products of |
| Gods in the ancient history of our earth, several | | | | these trees, are used to form a sacred Shaiva rosary |
| thousand years before Christ. For followers of | | | | with 108 beads. |
| Dharma the Vedas and the epics like Ramayana or | | | | 2) Third eye: Shiva is often depicted with a third eye. |
| Mahabharata are the same what Holy Bible to | | | | 3) Serpents: Shiva is often shown garlanded with |
| Christians and Holy Qur'an to Muslims. Hinduism differs | | | | snakes. |
| from Western (and European) style of thinking, which - | | | | 5) Trident: Shiva's weapon is the trident. |
| on a philosophical premise - does not solve existential | | | | 6) Ashes: Shiva smears His body with ashes. |
| problems for most of the time (except for Christianity) | | | | 7) Nandi: the Bull (as Shiva’s vehicle). |
| but rather makes huge knots of interpretations even of | | | | 8) Holy Mountain Kailash in Tibet: Shiva’s abode. |
| the simplest things and nurtures various "conceptions", | | | | Shiva is the God of paradoxes. |
| whose purpose is to put their coarse "interlocking | | | | The fundamentals of Hindu literature |
| approach" with its tangled definitions almost | | | | Some Slavic and Sanskrit words are almost identical. In |
| everywhere. Have you ever read a book about who | | | | Slovak, "veda" is science (wisdom, knowledge), which |
| is faster - a turtle or Achilles? Don't smile… Such | | | | is the same (in writing, meaning, and pronunciation) as |
| books do really exist (not only with the verbatim title of | | | | the Sanskrit word "Veda". “Swarog”, a |
| the above example)! | | | | pan-Slavic Sun God, sounds similar to “Swarga” |
| Sanatana does not have one founder; it does not | | | | (Sanskrit word related to heaven, bliss, etc.). In Slavic |
| have one theological system; it consists of a variety of | | | | languages, the word for God is “Boh” or |
| religious groups that had come into being many | | | | “Bog” (Russian, Polish…) – similar to the |
| thousand years ago, and which gradually evolved and | | | | Sanskrit word “Bhaga” (lord). |
| are evolving even today. Like every religion, it has false | | | | The spine of the Dharma scriptures consists of the |
| and enlightened teachers. As it is difficult to judge | | | | following vertebras: |
| many aspects of ancient wisdoms, a "guru" is often | | | | There is a lot of information in English Wikipedia, but its |
| chosen to help followers grasp the astuteness of | | | | organization is not so tight. Source: |
| Gods. Dharma is a theistic religion. Some teachers | | | | The absolute scriptures |
| became generally accepted, for example, a famous | | | | I. Shruti (Sruti), the God's word (a cosmic sound of |
| Indian philosopher Adi Shankar, as well as many others. | | | | Truth that was once heard). Here are the four Vedas: |
| The difference between Hinduism and other religions | | | | 1. Rig Veda; 2. Yajur Veda; 3. Sama Veda; 4. Atharva |
| like Christianity and Islam. | | | | Veda. |
| Hinduism is a diverse, nonmonolithic theistic religion and | | | | The Vedas are poetical hymns about Gods; they have |
| a body of various views. | | | | their subgroups: Aranyakas, Brahmanas, and |
| Christianity (only Christ is in the focus) and Islam are | | | | Upanishads. |
| monolithic with exception of Buddhism, which is less | | | | Aranyakas discuss philosophy and sacrifice. |
| monolithic and for which gods are not so important. | | | | Brahmanas are commentaries to the Vedas. Every |
| Moksha | | | | Veda has its Brahmana. |
| The goal of Dharma is moksha - it is the final state of | | | | Upanishads discuss philosophy and nature of God; |
| a soul that liberates itself from the circle of | | | | they bring the secret meanings of the Vedas to light. |
| reincarnations and unites with the Devas - Higher | | | | The source from Wikipedia says that the following 11 |
| Beings. A path to this liberation is contoured in Hindu | | | | belong to the class of the "key Upanishads": |
| scriptures and brought closer via instructions of gurus, | | | | 1. Aitareya, 2. Brhadaranyaka, 3. Isa, 4. Taittiriya, 5. |
| who often do not share the same views among | | | | Katha, 6. Chandogya, 7. Kena, 8. Mundaka, 9. |
| themselves. Moksha results in Absolute Peace (Shanti), | | | | Mandukya, 10. Prashna, 11. Svetasvatara. |
| Absolute Knowledge (Videh), Absolute Enlightenment | | | | The following section differs from the above one in |
| (Kaivalya) and Absolute Bliss (Swarga). | | | | varied assortment approaches depending on religious |
| Within the concept of Sanatana Dharma, there are | | | | groups that follow particular ideas or paths. |
| Absolute Gods - Trimurti or the Holy Trinity in simple | | | | II. Smriti - the God's word that was remembered. Four |
| words: Brahma - Creator, Vishnu - Preserver, Shiva | | | | Upavedas belong here: |
| – Destroyer (though this label can be deceptive, as | | | | A) |
| Shiva and Vishnu appear in many roles and any of | | | | 1) Ayurveda - about "science and health"; it belongs to |
| them can be seen as the Supreme God). However, | | | | Rig Veda; 2) Dhanurveda - about "military skills"; it |
| there are also groups that emphasize Parvati, Skanda, | | | | belongs to Yajur Veda; 3) Gandharva Veda - about |
| Ganesh, or even Surya as Absolute Gods. People | | | | "art and science", it belongs to Sama Veda; 4) |
| may also choose their own gods, or their forms (like | | | | Arthashastra - "science about politics and economics" |
| Kali, for example). | | | | (Atharvaveda). |
| Four Yugas | | | | B) |
| Dharma’s view on the development of our macro | | | | Six Vedangas - organs of the Vedas: |
| age is based upon the conception of four ages; every | | | | 1. Siksha - phonetics, 2. Vyakarana - grammar, 3. |
| age is called "Yuga". | | | | Chhandas - prosody (melodies of speech, etc.); 4. |
| These are (solar years): | | | | Nirukta - etymology; 5. Jyotisha - astronomy and |
| 1) Satya Yuga (1,728,000 years) | | | | astrology; 6. Kalpa - methods for various rituals. |
| 2) Treta Yuga (1,296,000 years) | | | | III. Sacred epics (Itihasas) |
| 3) Dwapar Yuga (864,000 years) | | | | Ramayana and Mahabharata. |
| 4) Kali Yuga (432,000 years) | | | | IV. Puranas (sacred legends and history) |
| What is Trimurti? | | | | A) 18 main Puranas or Mahapuranas |
| It is the Holy Trinity of Gods: Brahma, Vishnu, and | | | | 1. Bhagavata Purana (written some 1300 years before |
| Shiva. Followers of Vishnu are Vaishnavists and | | | | Christ). It is about the life of Krishna (18,000 verses), 2. |
| followers of Shiva are Shaivists. These Gods also | | | | Vishnu Purana (23,000 verses), 3. Naradiya Purana |
| have their sectarian followers (not mentioned here). | | | | (25,000 verses), 4. Garuda (Suparna) Purana (19,000 |
| Other important Gods | | | | verses), 5. Padma Purana (55,000 verses), 6. Varaha |
| Shiva has two sons, who are worshipped separately | | | | Purana (10,000 verses), 7. Brahma Purana (24,000 |
| by some groups as Absolute Gods. One is Ganesh | | | | verses), 8. Brahmanda Purana (12,000 verses), 9. |
| and another one is Murugan. There are also sectarian | | | | Brahma Vaivarta Purana (18,000 verses), 10. |
| followers of Ganesh (Ganapatyas) and followers of | | | | Markandeya Purana (9,000 verses), 11. Bhavishya |
| Murugan (Kaumaram). But I should not forget to | | | | Purana (14,500 verses), 12. Vamana Purana (10,000 |
| mention followers of Durga – Devi Mata (female | | | | verses), 13. Matsya Purana (14,000 verses), 14. Kurma |
| principle). The concept of Durga comes from Shaivism | | | | Purana (17,000 verses), 15. Linga Purana (11,000 |
| and ancient tribal prehistoric forms of devotion that | | | | verses), 16. Shiva Purana (24,000 verses), 17. Skanda |
| developed many thousands years before Christ, | | | | Purana (81,100 verses), 18. Agni Purana (15,400 verses). |
| whose rationale was to worship female attributes of | | | | These are also divided into categories that fall under |
| nature. People in India also worship several other gods | | | | one of the Trimurti Gods: Brahma, Vishnu, or Shiva. |
| like Hanuman, a monkey god (a representation of Lord | | | | Shakta denomination has its own category. Some of |
| Shiva), or Surya - the sun God, who had His | | | | the above Puranas may be classified differently, for |
| worshippers in ancient Iran as well. Some gods | | | | example, Markandeya Purana as glorification of the |
| disappeared from the mainstream denominations. | | | | Great Goddess. |
| Brahma | | | | B) 18 Upapuranas (standing near Mahapuranas, "upa" - |
| The Hindu Trimurti starts with Brahma, who was (is) | | | | near) |
| the Creator. Certain denominations have different | | | | These are: |
| opinions (Shaivists may understand Brahma to be the | | | | 1. Sanat Kumara, 2. Narasimha, 3. Brihannaradiya, 4. |
| energy of Lord Shiva who created the universe). In | | | | Sivarahasya, 5. Durvasa, 6. Kapila, 7. Vamana, 8. |
| order to produce a human race (legends say), Brahma | | | | Bhargava, 9. Varuna, 10. Kalika, 11. Samba, 12. Nandi, 13. |
| created a goddess from Himself, who was a half-man | | | | Surya, 14. Parashara, 15. Vasishtha, 16. Devi-Bhagavata, |
| and a half-woman - Gayatri, also known to many as | | | | 17. Ganesha, 18. Hamsa. |
| Saraswati. Today, she is acknowledged as the | | | | C) Specific Puranas, for example, Tamil Puranas like |
| goddess of wisdom, arts, knowledge, and music (she is | | | | Shiva Purana or Periya Purana (this part may be |
| often pictured with veena, a kind of Indian lyre). | | | | extended to a much larger number). |
| Saraswati is a Brahma's consort similarly like Lakshmi | | | | V. Agamas (manuals for sacred worship) |
| is a Vishnu's and Parvati a Shiva's consort. | | | | VI. "Six philosophies” or "Upa Vedangas" |
| In India, there are only few well-known temples | | | | Yoga belongs here, for example. |
| dedicated to this God in contradiction to thousands of | | | | VII. Other texts |
| temples dedicated to Lord Shiva or Lord Ganesh. | | | | In addition to the above texts, there are many other |
| Brahma was cursed, legends say. In one such a | | | | scriptures, for example, various Gitas like: Brahma Gita |
| legend, the great priest Bhrigus cursed Brahma. Bhrigus | | | | (from Skanda Purana), Shiva Gita (from Padma |
| prepared for a very big sacrifice and decided to invite | | | | Purana), or even Surya Gita, etc. |
| the Highest Gods too. When he came to Brahma, He | | | | VIII. Secular texts of spiritual touch |
| was so immersed to music He heard from Saraswati | | | | 1) Stories of wise recommendations, or opinions written |
| playing her veena that He did not hear him. Angry | | | | by various authors in various periods of the Indian |
| Bhrigus cursed Brahma - "no one shall ever worship | | | | history, or even recently; 2) Poetry; 3) Dramas; 4) |
| You", he said. It appears that this really happened. | | | | Speeches, 5) Tales, 6) Philosophy, 7) Psychology. |
| Vishnu | | | | Conclusion |
| Vishnu is the Supreme God for the Vaishnava | | | | Many Hindu websites write that Ganesh is the God of |
| denomination. | | | | all people. If you ask: who may be a follower of |
| 1) The first incarnation of Vishnu was "Matsya" or Fish. | | | | Dharma? The answer is: just anybody who follows, |
| There is also Matsya Purana. | | | | with pure heart, the principles of the above bequests. |
| 2) The second was Kurma or Turtle. | | | | Dharma is in harmony with nature. Nature’s rules |
| 3) The third is Varaha or a Boar; Vishnu killed a bad | | | | are such that flowers do not run after bees, but bees |
| demon in this form, saved the Vedas from the bottom | | | | come flying to flowers. If you see Coca Cola gurus |
| of the ocean, which He brought back here. | | | | running after you with thousands of billboards |
| 4) The fourth is Narasingha (often the word Narasimha | | | | everywhere inviting you to “meditate”, be |
| is also used) - a half-man and half-lion (a parallel to | | | | skeptical! It is enough for you to start reading some of |
| Egyptian sphinx?). | | | | the above holy books and pray a few moments |
| 5) The fifth is Vamana, or a "dwarf incarnation". | | | | every day. The point of Dharma is that you become a |
| 6) The sixth is Parasurama. | | | | bee, not an insect. Only then can you take advantage |
| 7) The seventh is Rama, who killed a bad demon | | | | of the scent and beauty of the flora. |