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Origins of Hinduism |
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On its own account, "Hinduism" has no origin: it is the eternal way that follows the basic rules and
demands of cosmic order as it passes through unending cycles. So Hindus call their own faith and
practice sanatana dharma, the everlasting dharma. Historically, it is seen as passing
through successive stages, the pre-Vedic, the Vedic, the Puranic, the Upanishadic, the medieval, and
the modern. But this is misleading because practices and beliefs from all periods still persist, and
elements of other religions in India, such as Tamil beliefs from the south, have been absorbed. Pre-Vedic
religion is mostly known from the Indus valley civilization where symbols of fertility and the Earth
Mother have been found. Natural symbols, such as water, lotuses, and animals were important; trees and
pillars were seen as the center of the earth's strength. In Vedic religion, the Divine was manifest and
approachable in many aspects of life, to be worshiped as gods and goddesses.
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The Vedic Religion: Vedic religion was based on sacrifice, reenacting that of Purusha, the perfect
man, which brought the world into being. Sacrifices, which maintain the order of the cosmos, were performed
by trained functionaries, or Brahmins, who drank Soma, the "medicine or immortality" during the rituals. Agni
(Fire), still important in home rituals today, carried the offerings to heaven. The sacred chants laid the
basis of mantras, also a way of linking heaven and earth.
Indra, God of Storms: Indra is the Vedic god of storms. Once the king of all the gods, he became
less important int he post-Vedic period. Legend tells of his anger when his followers gave up his cult
and began to worship Krishna instead. When he sent a storm to punish them, they prayed to Krishna, who
lifted a mountain to protect them from the storm's force.
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Brahma The Creator: Brahma is not worshiped in the same way as other gods, because he has done his
task and will not come into his own again until the next creation of the world. In his eight hands he holds
the four Vedas, a scepter, spoon, string of beads, bowl of holy water, which is a symbol of fertility,
and a lotus flower, a symbol of creation.
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Shiva, Lord of Time: Shiva holds a skull that represents samsara, the cycle of life, death and
rebirth. Samsara is a central belief in Hinduism. Shiva himself also represents this complete cycle because
he is Mahakala the Lord of Time, destroying and creating all things. He carries a string of beads, a symbol
of his teachings.
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