This article should be merged into Hinduism. If you disagree with this request, please discuss it on the article's talk page. Small icon for merging articles File links The following pages link to this file: Friction Jacobin Private branch exchange Pro-feminist Rotary piston engine Tagalog language Saint Veronica Spoiler effect Parser Password length equation Sudovian language Wikipedia:Why arent these pages copy-edited Static scoping Maximum power theorem General... This article is about the Hindu religion; for other meanings of the word, see Hindu (disambiguation). ...

Hinduism II is continuation of the previous article, Hinduism. This article is about the Hindu religion; for other meanings of the word, see Hindu (disambiguation). ...

Forms of worship: murtis and mantras

Murtis of Lord Rama, avatar of Vishnu, whose story is told in the Ramayana adorn many Hindu homes and temples.

Contrary to popular belief, practiced Hinduism is neither polytheistic nor strictly monotheistic. The various gods and avatars that are worshipped by Hindus are understood as different forms of One truth, sometimes seen as beyond a mere God and as a formless Divine Ground (Brahman), akin but not limited to monism, or as one monotheistic principle like Vishnu or Shiva. Ivory Lord Rama Murti This image is not licensed under the GFDL. It is under a non-commercial-use only licence. ... Ivory Lord Rama Murti This image is not licensed under the GFDL. It is under a non-commercial-use only licence. ... Murti Worship Different sects of Hinduism, especially devotional/bhakti and tantric ones, have their own particular monotheistic conception of supreme Godhead from whom all other deities and principles emanate (such as Vishnu or Shiva, Krishna or Devi). ... This article is about a Hindu incarnation of God (i. ... In Hinduism, an avatar is the incarnation (bodily manifestation) of an Immortal Being, or of the Ultimate Supreme Being. ... For other uses of the name Vishnu, see Vishnu (disambiguation). ... Lord Ram, Laxman, Sita and Hanuman(crouching) The Ramayana (Sanskrit: march (ayana) of Rama) is part of the Hindu smriti, written by Valmiki (c. ... Polytheism is belief in, or worship of, multiple gods or divinities. ... Monotheism (in Greek monon = single and Theos = God) is the belief in a single, universal, all-encompassing deity. ... In the Vedantic (and subsequently Yogic) schools of Hinduism, Brahman is the signifying name given to the concept of the unchanging, infinite, immanent and transcendent reality that is the Divine Ground of all being. ... Monism is the metaphysical position that all is of one essential essence, substance or energy. ... For other uses of the name Vishnu, see Vishnu (disambiguation). ... For the Jewish ritual of mourning, see Shivah. ...

Whether believing in the One source as formless (nirguna brahman, without attributes) or as a personal God (saguna Brahman, with attributes), Hindus understand that the one truth may be seen as different to different people. Hinduism encourages devotees to describe and develop a personal relationship with their chosen deity (ishta devata) in the form of a God or Goddess.

While some censuses hold worshippers of one form or another of Vishnu (known as Vaishnavites) to be at 80% and those of Shiva (called Shaivaites) and Shakti at the remaining 20%, such figures are perhaps misleading. The vast majority of Hindus worship many gods as varicolored forms of the same prism of Truth. Among the most popular are Vishnu (as Krishna or Rama), Shiva, Devi (the Mother as many female deities, such as Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kali and Durga), Ganesha, Skanda and Hanuman. For other uses of the name Vishnu, see Vishnu (disambiguation). ... Vaishnavites are followers of Vaishnavism in which Vishnu or His avatars are worshipped as the supreme God. ... For the Jewish ritual of mourning, see Shivah. ... 1: In Hinduism, Devi (goddess) is the personification of the supreme God as the Divine Mother of Hinduism. ... For other uses of the name Vishnu, see Vishnu (disambiguation). ... Lord Krishna Krishna (कृष्ण, Sanskrit for black), is, according to common Hindu tradition, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. ... This article is about a Hindu incarnation of God (i. ... For the Jewish ritual of mourning, see Shivah. ... 1: In Hinduism, Devi (goddess) is the personification of the supreme God as the Divine Mother of Hinduism. ... Lakshmi is also an actress in South Indian films. ... This article is about Saraswati, the Hindu goddess. ... This article is about the Hindu goddess. ... A priest worshipping a contemporary idol of Durga, shown riding her lion and attacking the demon Mahisasur. ... Popular image of Ganesh In Hinduism, Ganesha (Gaṇeśa, lord of the hosts, also spelled Ganesa and sometimes referred to as Ganesh in Hindi, Bengali and other Indian vernaculars). ... In Hinduism, Kartikeya (also Murugan, Subrahmanya, Skanda, Kumaran, Swaminanda) is a deity born out of a magical spark created by Shiva. ... Lord Hanuman There is also a character in Larry Nivens Known Space universe called Hanuman. ...

Worship of said deities is often done through the aid of pictures or icons (murti) which are said not to be God themselves but conduits for the devotee's consciousness, markers for the human soul that signify the ineffable and illimitable nature of the love and grandeur of God. They are symbols of the greater principle, representing and are never presumed to be the concept or entity itself. Thus, Hindu image worship is a form of iconolatry, in which the symbols are venerated as putative sigils of divinity, as opposed to idolatry, a charge often levied (erroneously) at Hindus. For more details on this form of worship, see murti. The term God is used to designate a Supreme Being, however, there are countless definitions of God. ... The Savior Not Made By Hands (1410s, by Andrei Rublev) An icon (from Greek εικων, eikon, image) is an artistic visual representation or symbol of anything considered holy and divine, such as God, saints or deities. ... Idolatry is a term used by many religions to describe the worship of a false deity, which is an affront to their understanding of divinity. ... Murti Worship Different sects of Hinduism, especially devotional/bhakti and tantric ones, have their own particular monotheistic conception of supreme Godhead from whom all other deities and principles emanate (such as Vishnu or Shiva, Krishna or Devi). ...

Mantra

Reciting mantras is a fundamental practice that both originated and now continues in Hinduism. Much of mantra yoga, as it is called, is done through japa (repetition). Mantras are said, through their meaning, sound, and chanting style, to help meditational focus for the sadhaka (practitioner). They can also be used to aid in expression of love for the deity, another facet of Bhakti yoga akin to the understanding of the murti. They often give courage in exigent times and serve to help 'invoke' one's inner spiritual strength. Indeed, Mahatma Gandhi's dying words were a two-word mantra to the Lord Rama: "Hai Ram!" (pronounced Hey Ram). In Tibet, many Buddhists carve mantras into rocks as a form of devotion. ... Bhakti yoga is the Hindu term for the spiritual practice of fostering of loving devotion to God, called bhakti Traditionally there are 9 forms of bhakti yoga. ... Murti Worship Different sects of Hinduism, especially devotional/bhakti and tantric ones, have their own particular monotheistic conception of supreme Godhead from whom all other deities and principles emanate (such as Vishnu or Shiva, Krishna or Devi). ... Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (October 2, 1869 – January 30, 1948) (Devanagari: मोहनदास करमचन्द गांधी), called Mahatma Gandhi, was the charismatic leader who brought the cause of Indias independence from British colonial rule to world attention. ... In Tibet, many Buddhists carve mantras into rocks as a form of devotion. ... This article is about a Hindu incarnation of God (i. ...

The most representative of all the Hindu mantras is the famed Gayatri Mantra: Gayatri (gāyatrī) is the feminine form of gāyatra, a Sanskrit word for a song or a hymn. ...

Sanskrit: ॐ भूर्भुवस्व: | तत् सवितूर्वरेण्यम् | भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि | धियो यो न: प्रचोदयात्

Transliteration: Aum bhūrbhuvasvaH | tat savitūrvareṇyam | bhargo devasya dhīmahi | dhiyo yo naH pracodayāt

(/H/ stands for the voiceless aspirate called 'visarga'.)

English: "OM, O Lord! You are the all pervading Source of Light, Sustainer, Protector and Bestower of Happiness. Kindle, Enlighten and inspire our Intelligence to possess Eternal Qualities."

A more detailed explanation of this mantra can be found here: [1] (http://www.indiaoz.com.au/hinduism/prayer/gayatri_mantra.shtml). It is considered one of the most universal of all Hindu mantras, and invokes the universal Brahman as the principle of knowledge and the illumination of the primordial Sun, only in its feminine aspect. Many Hindus to this day, in a tradition that has continued unbroken for at least 5,000 years, perform morning ablutions at the bank of a sacred river (especially the Ganga/Ganges). Known as a universal mantra, it is revered as being the most condensed form of Divine Knowledge (Veda). Its presiding principle, Ma (Mother) Gayatri, is also known as Veda Mata (Mother of the Vedas) and is strongly associated with the Goddess of Learning and Illumination, Saraswati. In the Vedantic (and subsequently Yogic) schools of Hinduism, Brahman is the signifying name given to the concept of the unchanging, infinite, immanent and transcendent reality that is the Divine Ground of all being. ... The River Ganges (Ganga in Indian languages) is a major river in northern India. ... The River Ganges (Ganga in Indian languages) is a major river in northern India. ... Gayatri (gāyatrī) is the feminine form of gāyatra, a Sanskrit word for a song or a hymn. ... This article is about Saraswati, the Hindu goddess. ...

The chief aim of the Vedic religion is to achieve moksha, or liberation, through constant dedication to Satya (Truth) and eventual realization of the Atman (Universal Soul). Whether this is achieved through meditation or pure love, this universal goal is achievable by all. But it should be noted that Hinduism is a very practical faith, and is embodied in every aspect of life. It believes equally in the temporal as in the infinite, only it encourages perspective. The great rishis (Hindu sages) have termed the samsaric (one who lives in samsara, i.e. the temporal or earthly plane) who succeeds in living an honest, loving and dharmic life a jivanmukta (living free soul). Hinduism's fundamental truth is best expressed in the Upanishadic dictum, Tat Twam Asi (Thou Art That), and the ultimate aspiration as follows: Moksha (Sanskrit: liberation) or Mukti (Sanskrit: release) refers, in general, to liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth. ... (Redirected from ) This is a disambiguation page for the term atman (or atma). ... In Hinduism, the Rishis are sages and/or seers who heard the hymns of the Devas; and then wrote them down as Vedic scriptures. ... Dharma - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins/monobook/IE50Fixes. ... The Upanishads (उपनिषद्, Upanişad) are part of the Hindu Shruti scriptures which primarily discuss meditation and philosophy and are seen as religious instructions by most schools of Hinduism. ...

Aum Asato ma sad gamaya, tamaso ma jyotir gamaya, mrityor ma aamritaam gamaya

"Aum Lead me from ignorance to truth, from darkness to light, from death to immortality."

For more details, see Mantra. In Tibet, many Buddhists carve mantras into rocks as a form of devotion. ...

Hindu scriptures

Hindu scripture is overwhelmingly written in Sanskrit. Indeed, much of the morphology and linguistic philosophy inherent in the learning of Sanskrit is inextricably linked to study of the Vedas and relevant Hindu texts. Hindu texts are typically seen to revolve around many levels of reading, namely gross/physical, subtle and supramental. This allows for many levels of understanding as well, implying that the truth of the texts can only be realized with the spiritual advancement of the reader. It is divided into two categories: Shruti- that which is heard (i.e. revelation) and Smriti- that which is remembered (i.e. tradition, not revelation). Many religions and spiritual movements hold certain written texts (or series of spoken legends not traditionally written down) to be sacred. ... The Sanskrit language ( संस्कृता वाक्) is one of the earliest attested members of the Indo-European language family and is not only a classical language, but also an official language of India. ... Morphology is the following: In linguistics, morphology is the study of the structure of word forms. ... Broadly conceived, linguistics is the study of human language, and a linguist is someone who engages in this study. ... The Vedas are part of the Hindu Shruti; these religious scriptures form part of the core of the Brahminical and Vedic traditions within Hinduism and are the inspirational, metaphysical and mythological foundation for later Vedanta, Yoga, Tantra and even Bhakti forms of Hinduism. ... Shruti (what is heard) is a canon of Hindu scriptures, early forms of which may have existed as early as 1500 BC, with most scholarship favoring dates between 1200 and 800 BC. Shruti is said to have no author; rather, it is believed to be a divine recording of the... Smriti (what is fit/deserves to be remembered) refers to a canon of Hindu religious scripture. ...

For a more thorough look at the important texts of Hinduism, see Hindu scripture. Hindu scriptures Hindu scripture is overwhelmingly written in Sanskrit. ...

Shruti

The Vedas are considered scripture by all Hindus. While the overwhelming majority of Hindus may never read the Vedas, the reverence for the more abstract notion of eternal knowledge (Veda means knowledge) is etched deep into the hearts of all those who follow Veda Dharma. Classed with the Vedas (which specifically refer to the Rig/Rg, Yajur, Sama and Atharva Vedas) are their famous commentaries, the Upanishads. While the early Vedas lay the foundation for subsequent Hindu ritual, cosmology and developing philosophy, the Upanishads built the edifice of mystic insight and abhorrence for ritual practiced at the expense of spiritual insight. Forming the core of the Vedanta (End of Vedas), they streamline the excessive litany of praise to Vedic gods and capture the essence of the Rig Vedic dictum "Truth Is One." They set Hindu philosophy apart with its embrace of a single transcendent and yet immanent force that is native to each man's soul, an identification of micro- and macrocosm as One. It can be said that while early Hinduism is most reliant on the four Vedas, Classical Hinduism, from the Yoga and Vedanta to Tantra and Bhakti streams, was molded around the Upanishads. The Vedas are part of the Hindu Shruti; these religious scriptures form part of the core of the Brahminical and Vedic traditions within Hinduism and are the inspirational, metaphysical and mythological foundation for later Vedanta, Yoga, Tantra and even Bhakti forms of Hinduism. ... The Vedas are part of the Hindu Shruti; these religious scriptures form part of the core of the Brahminical and Vedic traditions within Hinduism and are the inspirational, metaphysical and mythological foundation for later Vedanta, Yoga, Tantra and even Bhakti forms of Hinduism. ... The Vedas are part of the Hindu Shruti; these religious scriptures form part of the core of the Brahminical and Vedic traditions within Hinduism and are the inspirational, metaphysical and mythological foundation for later Vedanta, Yoga, Tantra and even Bhakti forms of Hinduism. ... The Rig Veda ऋग्वेद (Sanskrit ṛc praise + veda knowledge) is the earliest of the four Hindu religious scriptures known as the Vedas. ... The Yajur Veda यजुर्वेद is one of the four Hindu Vedas; it contains religious texts focussing on liturgy and ritual. ... The Sama Veda (सामवेद), or Veda of Holy Songs, is third in the usual order of enumeration of the four Vedas, the ancient core Hindu scriptures. ... The Atharva Veda is a sacred text of Hinduism, part of the four books of the Vedas. ... The Upanishads (उपनिषद्, Upanişad) are part of the Hindu Shruti scriptures which primarily discuss meditation and philosophy and are seen as religious instructions by most schools of Hinduism. ... The Upanishads (उपनिषद्, Upanişad) are part of the Hindu Shruti scriptures which primarily discuss meditation and philosophy and are seen as religious instructions by most schools of Hinduism. ... Vedanta , meaning literally the end section of the Vedas, is a branch of Hindu philosophy. ... The adjective Vedic may refer to The Vedas, the oldest preserved Indo-Aryan texts. ... The Vedas are part of the Hindu Shruti; these religious scriptures form part of the core of the Brahminical and Vedic traditions within Hinduism and are the inspirational, metaphysical and mythological foundation for later Vedanta, Yoga, Tantra and even Bhakti forms of Hinduism. ... Hatha Yoga posture Yoga is a form of mysticism that developed on the Indian subcontinent in the Hindu cultural context. ... Vedanta , meaning literally the end section of the Vedas, is a branch of Hindu philosophy. ... Tantra (Sanskrit: loom), tantric yoga or tantrism is any of several esoteric traditions rooted in the religions of India. ... Bhakti is a Sanskrit term from Hinduism meaning loving devotion to the supreme God. ... The Upanishads (उपनिषद्, Upanişad) are part of the Hindu Shruti scriptures which primarily discuss meditation and philosophy and are seen as religious instructions by most schools of Hinduism. ...

Bhagavad Gita

The Bhagavad Gita ocupies a special position in the hearts of most Hindus as a keystone yoga upanishad whose eternal words perhaps are the most representative of all Hindu thought, each shloka 'directly' from the mouth of the Lord Krishna. While technically it is considered Smriti, it has singularly achieved nearly unquestioned status as Shruti, or revealed, and is thus the most definitive single Hindu text, read by millions of bhaktas (devotees) and yogis on a largely daily basis throughout the Sanatana Dharmic world. See Bhagavad Gita to explore this text. Bhagavad Gīta भगवद्गीता, composed ca the fifth - second centuries BC, is part of the epic poem Mahabharata, located in the Bhisma-Parva chapters 23–40. ... Lord Krishna Krishna (कृष्ण, Sanskrit for black), is, according to common Hindu tradition, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. ... Bhagavad Gīta भगवद्गीता, composed ca the fifth - second centuries BC, is part of the epic poem Mahabharata, located in the Bhisma-Parva chapters 23–40. ...

Smriti

The post- Vedic Hindu scriptures form the latter category, the most notable of which are the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, major epics considered scripture by most followers of Sanatana Dharma, their stories arguably familiar to the vast majority of Hindus living in the Indian subcontinent, if not abroad. Other texts considered important by today's Hindus include the Devi Mahatmya, an ode to Devi, the Divine Mother, and the Yoga Sutras, a key meditative yoga text of Shri Patanjali. There are also a number of revered Hindu Tantras and Sutras that command the respect of various Hindu sects of different persuasion, some including the Mahanirvana Tantra, Tirumantiram and Shiva Sutras. Other important scriptures are the sectarian Hindu Agamas which are texts dedicated to Vishnu, Shiva and Devi. The Mahabharata (Devanagari: महाभारत, phonetically Mahābhārata - see note), sometimes just called Bharata, is the great religious and philosophical epic of India. ... Lord Ram, Laxman, Sita and Hanuman(crouching) The Ramayana (Sanskrit: march (ayana) of Rama) is part of the Hindu smriti, written by Valmiki (c. ... EPIC might be an acronym or abbreviation for: Electronic Privacy Information Center Explicitly Parallel Instruction Computing Enhanced Programmable ircII Client El Paso Intelligence Center End Poverty In California European Privatisation and Investment Corporation Sometimes it is also used to refer to Epic Games game development company. ... The Indian subcontinent is the peninsular region of South Asia, which includes India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, usually also Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and some disputed territory currently controlled by China, and sometimes Myanmar. ... 1: In Hinduism, Devi (goddess) is the personification of the supreme God as the Divine Mother of Hinduism. ... This article is in need of attention. ... Patañjali, is the compiler of the Yoga Sutra, a major work containing aphorisms on the practical and philosophical wisdom regarding practice of Raja yoga. ... The Tantras (Looms or Weavings), written between 500 and 1800, are part of Hindu Smriti; these religious scriptures discuss rituals and meditation. ... Below is a list of sutras organized alphabetically under the broad categories of Hinduism and Buddhism. ... The Agamas are sectarian and monotheistic texts dedicated to worship of Vishnu, Shiva or Devi. ... For other uses of the name Vishnu, see Vishnu (disambiguation). ... For the Jewish ritual of mourning, see Shivah. ... 1: In Hinduism, Devi (goddess) is the personification of the supreme God as the Divine Mother of Hinduism. ...

References

1. Rigveda. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia (http://www.britannica.com/ebc/article?eu=402241)
2. "Hinduism" on Microsoft Encarta Online (http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761555715/Hinduism.html)

See also

Related articles, lists and concepts

• Contemporary Hindu movements
• Survey of Hindu organisations
• Early Hinduism
• Hinduism and other religions
• Hindu deities
• Hinduism in Southeast Asia
• Hindu kingdoms in West Asia
• List of Hindus
• List of Hindu sects
• Metrics of time in Hinduism
• Sanskrit
• Hindu temple architecture
• Vedic science
• Vedic timekeeping
• World Hinduism
• Adi Sankarachaarya

Hinduism is going through a phase or regeneration and reform through the vehicle of several contemporary movements. ... A Survey of Hindu Organisations Scope The article presents a comparitive overview of the leading Hindu organisations of India. ... Early Hinduism is a term used to designate the religious development of India before the historical period. ... Hinduism and other faiths Subsequent Dharma faiths: Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism While scriptures or teachings of Buddhism and Jainism are not actively followed by Hindus, they are seen as equally valid paths to God. ... Hinduism is a monist and monotheist religion that understands different deities as representing various aspects and principles of one supreme entity, Brahman or parabrahman. ... Hinduism in Southeast Asia influenced the Champa kingdom in Vietnam, the Srivijayan kingdom on Sumatra, the Singhasari kingdom and the Majapahit Empire based in Java, Bali, and a number of the islands of the Philippine archipelago. ... Hindu kingdoms in West Asia in the second millennium BC included the Mitanni of Syria, the Kassites of Mesopotamia. ... This a list of notable or famous people of the past 100 years who are or were Hindu. ... Hinduism like any other major religion has many sects or denominations. ... The Hindu metrics of time can be summarized as below. ... The Sanskrit language ( संस्कृता वाक्) is one of the earliest attested members of the Indo-European language family and is not only a classical language, but also an official language of India. ... Temple architecture in the Hindu tradition is connected to astronomy and sacred geometry. ... Vedic science is the science of self (atmavidya). ... The Hindu metrics of time can be summarized as below. ... The percentage of Hindus in various regions of the world is as follows. ... Sri Adi Sankara Adi Shankaracharya or Adi Shankara (the first Shankara in his lineage), reverentially called Bhagavatpada Acharya (the teacher at the feet of Lord), Shankara (approximately 509- 477 BC (though some claim 788-820 CE)) was the most famous Advaita philosopher who had a profound influence on the growth...

Important Hindu Scripture

• Vedas
• Upanishads
• Vedanta Sutras
• Bhagavad Gita
• Mahabharata
• Ramayana
• Devi Mahatmya
• Yoga Sutras

The Vedas are part of the Hindu Shruti; these religious scriptures form part of the core of the Brahminical and Vedic traditions within Hinduism and are the inspirational, metaphysical and mythological foundation for later Vedanta, Yoga, Tantra and even Bhakti forms of Hinduism. ... The Upanishads (उपनिषद्, Upanişad) are part of the Hindu Shruti scriptures which primarily discuss meditation and philosophy and are seen as religious instructions by most schools of Hinduism. ... The Brahma sutra is the nyaya prasthana, the logical text that sets forth the philosophy systematically (nyaya - logic/order). ... Bhagavad Gīta भगवद्गीता, composed ca the fifth - second centuries BC, is part of the epic poem Mahabharata, located in the Bhisma-Parva chapters 23–40. ... The Mahabharata (Devanagari: महाभारत, phonetically Mahābhārata - see note), sometimes just called Bharata, is the great religious and philosophical epic of India. ... Lord Ram, Laxman, Sita and Hanuman(crouching) The Ramayana (Sanskrit: march (ayana) of Rama) is part of the Hindu smriti, written by Valmiki (c. ... This article is in need of attention. ...

Hindu terminology

• Agnihotra
• Puja
• Rama-Lilas
• Rta

The Agnihotra is a Hindu religious ritual, performed at dawn. ... Puja (alternative transliteration poo, Sanskrit: reverence or worship, loosely) is a religious ritual which most Hindus perform every morning after bathing, dressing and wanking but prior to taking any food, drink or dope. ... Rama-Lilas is a Hindu religious holiday; celebrated in northern India, at the end of the monsoon season. ... Rta literally means the course of things. ...

External links

• Arsha Vidya Gurukulam (http://www.arshavidya.org/)
• A Tribute To Hinduism; an excellent site about Hindu culture's achievements in various fields. (http://www.atributetohinduism.com/)
• www.afghanhindu.info
• Atma Jyoti Ashram (http://www.atmajyoti.org/spirwrit_hinduism.asp) Articles on aspects of Hindu spirituality.
• BBC Religion and Ethics on Hinduism (http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/index.shtml)
• www.caribbeanhindu.com
• Authentic Hinduism Encyclopedia (http://www.encyclopediaofauthentichinduism.org/)
• Chinmaya International Foundation - The Maternal Ancestral Home of Shri AdhiSankaracharya and the Center for Advanced Sanskrit Research and Indology (http://www.chinfo.org/)
• Chinmaya Mission (http://www.chinmayamission.org/)
• Collection of Scholarly and Academic links on Hinduism (http://www.archaeolink.com/hindu_hinduism_general_resources.htm)
• Dharma Central (http://www.dharmacentral.com/); site from a Western convert to Hinduism, specifically, Vaishnvaism
• Divine Life Society (http://www.dlshq.org/home.html) - based on teachings and personality of Swami Sivananda
• Hindu American Foundation (http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org)
• Hindu Students Council of NCSU (http://www.hsc-ncsu.org/)
• Hindu.org (http://www.hindu.org/)
• Hindubooks.org (http://www.hindubooks.org/)
• Hinduism in Indonesia (http://www.hindu-indonesia.com/)
• Hindukids.org (http://www.hindukids.org/)
• Hindunet.org (http://www.hindunet.org/)
• Hindu Students Council (primarily in the Americas, but with international chapters) (http://www.hscnet.org/)
• himalayanacademy.com (http://www.himalayanacademy.com/); site from a deceased Western convert and then teacher, to Hinduism, specifically Shaivism
• Indology.Net (http://www.indology.net/)
• The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (http://www.iskcon.com/)
• Krishna.com - The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (http://www.krishna.com/) Bhagavad-gita online and extensive other resources
• Mandala Publishing: Award-winning Publisher of Hindu and Indian Spirituality-related books (http://www.mandala.org/)
• Panchmukha.org (Five Faces) (http://www.panchamukha.org/)
• Prapatti: Vaishnava site with downloadable shlokas (http://www.prapatti.com/)
• Sanskrit site with comprehensive library of texts (http://sanskrit.gde.to/)
• Saranam (http://www.saranam.com/)
• Sarve Samachar (http://news.hinduworld.com) - Hindu news
• Satsang: Hindu Bhajan - Text and Audio (http://satsang.tripod.com/)
• Satsangh: Hindu Puja - Text and Audio (http://satsangh.tripod.com/)
• Sai Baba (http://www.shirdi-sai-baba.com/)
• Spiritual India (http://www.spiritualindia.org/)
• ShivaShakti.com: Comprehensive Hindu Tantra site (http://www.shivashakti.com/)
• Swaveda: A Forum for Indian Studies (http://www.swaveda.com/)
• True History & Religion of India (http://thetruehistoryandthereligionofindia.org/)
• VEDA - Vedas and Vedic Knowledge Online (http://www.veda.harekrsna.cz/)
• Shri Aurobindo Kapali Sastri Institute of Vedic Culture (http://www.vedah.com/org/index.asp)
• Vedanet.com: American Institute of Vedic Studies (http://www.vedanet.com/)
• Vedanta.org (http://www.vedanta.org/)
• Video of Hindu dance-worship in Bharatanatyam (http://www.archive.org/movies/movieslisting-browse.php?collection=opensource_movies&cat=bharatanatyam)

This is an article on Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh. ...

Hindu Devotional Music

• Hindu Devotional Songs, including Vishnu sahasranama. (http://www.devotionalsongs.com/)
• Listen to Hindu Kirtans, Chants, and Bhajans Online (http://www.devotionalsinging.com)
• Listen to Sanskrit Shlokas, Mantras, and Scriptures Online (http://www.spiritual-happiness.com/scriptures.html)

Links to Themes in Hinduism

• Common Questions about Hinduism (http://www.ssvt.org/Education/Hinduism%20FAQ.asp)
• What is Hinduism? by Ed Viswanathan (http://www.indianest.com/hinduism/036.htm)
• The Six Systems of Hindu Philosophy (http://www.atmajyoti.org/sw_six_systems_of_hindu_philosophy.asp) by Raghavan Iyer
• Hinduism and views on various topics. (http://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/hinduismfaq.htm)
• Swami Sivananda's excellent book on Hinduism, also available on PDF. (http://www.dlshq.org/download/hinduismbk.htm)
• Hindu Dharma, another excellent book on Hinduism, also available on PDF. (http://www.ikashmir.org/hindudharma/index.html)
• Dvaita.org on the oneness of God, stressing Vishnu as the one God and source of all manifestations, including Devas (http://www.dvaita.org/shaastra/gita/gita_sara/gs-007.html) (see #56, one God in Hinduism and #57, Krishna is the supreme God.)
• Ten common questions by outsiders and pertinent answers. (http://www.hinduism-today.com/archives/2004/4-6/37-52_ten_questions.shtml)
• Dharma Central's facts about Hinduism (http://www.dharmacentral.com/faq.htm)
• Good overview of the four divisions of Hinduism (http://www.hinduism-today.com/archives/2003/10-12/44-49_four_sects.shtml)
• Vaishnava.com's site on facts about Hinduism that features a good overview of the four divisions of Hinduism (http://www.vaishnava.com/abouthinduism.htm)
• (oneness of God from an Advaita perspective); also see chapter 10. (http://www.kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part14/chap9.htm)
• see only one God, expressed for Shaivites as Shiva (http://www.shaivam.org/hipfaq.htm)

This article is about the Hindu religion; for other meanings of the word, see Hindu (disambiguation). ... Shruti (what is heard) is a canon of Hindu scriptures, early forms of which may have existed as early as 1500 BC, with most scholarship favoring dates between 1200 and 800 BC. Shruti is said to have no author; rather, it is believed to be a divine recording of the... The Vedas are part of the Hindu Shruti; these religious scriptures form part of the core of the Brahminical and Vedic traditions within Hinduism and are the inspirational, metaphysical and mythological foundation for later Vedanta, Yoga, Tantra and even Bhakti forms of Hinduism. ... The Upanishads (उपनिषद्, Upanişad) are part of the Hindu Shruti scriptures which primarily discuss meditation and philosophy and are seen as religious instructions by most schools of Hinduism. ... Bhagavad Gīta भगवद्गीता, composed ca the fifth - second centuries BC, is part of the epic poem Mahabharata, located in the Bhisma-Parva chapters 23–40. ... Itihasa (Sanskrit: thus verily happened) refers collectively to the epic Hindu scriptures, detailing the actions of divine incarnations on earth while interspersing them with often large sections of philosophical and ethical discourse. ... Lord Ram, Laxman, Sita and Hanuman(crouching) The Ramayana (Sanskrit: march (ayana) of Rama) is part of the Hindu smriti, written by Valmiki (c. ... The Mahabharata (Devanagari: महाभारत, phonetically Mahābhārata - see note), sometimes just called Bharata, is the great religious and philosophical epic of India. ... The Agamas are sectarian and monotheistic texts dedicated to worship of Vishnu, Shiva or Devi. ... Smriti (what is fit/deserves to be remembered) refers to a canon of Hindu religious scripture. ... The Tantras (Looms or Weavings), written between 500 and 1800, are part of Hindu Smriti; these religious scriptures discuss rituals and meditation. ... Sutra (सूत्र) in Sanskrit is derived from the verb √siv, meaning to sew. ... The Puranas are part of Hindu Smriti; these religious scriptures discuss devotion and mythology. ... The Brahma sutra is the nyaya prasthana, the logical text that sets forth the philosophy systematically (nyaya - logic/order). ... Hatha Yoga Pradipika is a classic Sanskrit manual on Hatha Yoga, written by Swami Svatmarama. ... Smriti (what is fit/deserves to be remembered) refers to a canon of Hindu religious scripture. ... Tiruvalluvar statue at Kanyakumari Tirukkural (திருக்குறள் in Tamil) is an important work of Tamil literature by Tiruvalluvar written in the form of couplets expounding various aspects of life. ... This article is in need of attention. ... In Hinduism, an avatar is the incarnation (bodily manifestation) of an Immortal Being, or of the Ultimate Supreme Being. ... In the Vedantic (and subsequently Yogic) schools of Hinduism, Brahman is the signifying name given to the concept of the unchanging, infinite, immanent and transcendent reality that is the Divine Ground of all being. ... Dharma - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins/monobook/IE50Fixes. ... Karma first came into being as a concept in Hinduism, largely based on the Vedas and Upanishads. ... Moksha (Sanskrit: liberation) or Mukti (Sanskrit: release) refers, in general, to liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth. ... Maya, in Hinduism, is many things. ... Ishta-Deva, or Ishta Devata is a term from Hinduism that means chosen Deity or revered aspect of God by a devotee and is a widely held concept in Smartism. ... Murti Worship Different sects of Hinduism, especially devotional/bhakti and tantric ones, have their own particular monotheistic conception of supreme Godhead from whom all other deities and principles emanate (such as Vishnu or Shiva, Krishna or Devi). ... Reincarnation, also called transmigration of souls, is the rebirth in another body (after physical death), of some critical part of a persons personality or spirit. ... For the movie by this title, see Samsara (2001). ... In Hinduism, the Trimurti (also called the Hindu trinity) are three aspects of God in His forms as Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. ... In early Hindu philosophy, turiya (also called caturtha) is a state of Pure Consciousness, or the experience of ultimate reality and truth. ... Hindu philosophy (one of the main divisions of Indian philosophy) is traditionally seen through the prism of six different systems that are listed here and makes up the main belief systems of Hinduism. ... There exist many schools and diverse movements of Hinduism. ... Early Hinduism is a term used to designate the religious development of India before the historical period. ... Samkhya, also Sankhya, (Sanskrit: सांख्य) is a school of Indian philosophy, and is one of the six astika or Hindu philosophical schools of India. ... Nyaya is the name given to one of the six orthodox or astika Hindu schools of Philosophy - specifically the history of logic. ... Vaisheshika, also Vaisesika, (Sanskrit: वैशॆषिक)is one of the six Hindu schools of philosophy (orthodox Vedic systems) of India. ... Hatha Yoga posture Yoga is a form of mysticism that developed on the Indian subcontinent in the Hindu cultural context. ... The main objective of the Purva (earlier) Mimamsa school was to establish the authority of the Vedas. ... Vedanta , meaning literally the end section of the Vedas, is a branch of Hindu philosophy. ... Tantra (Sanskrit: loom), tantric yoga or tantrism is any of several esoteric traditions rooted in the religions of India. ... Bhakti yoga is the Hindu term for the spiritual practice of fostering of loving devotion to God, called bhakti Traditionally there are 9 forms of bhakti yoga. ... Jyotish, referring to jyot, or light and isha, or lord, is the contemplation of the divinity expressing as time and space. ... Ayurveda (आयुर्वेद Sanskrit: ayu—life; veda—knowledge of) or ayurvedic medicine is a more than 2,000 year old comprehensive system of medicine based on a holistic approach rooted in Vedic culture. ... A ritual is a formalised, predetermined set of symbolic actions generally performed in a particular environment at a regular, recurring interval. ... Aarti, ãrti, arathi, or ãrati is a Hindu ritual in which light from wicks soaked in ghee (purified butter) or camphor is offered to one or more deities. ... A Bhajan is a Hindu devotional song, often but not necessarily of ancient origin. ... Darshan is a Sanskrit Hindu term meaning sight or a glimpse of the divine. ... In Hinduism, diksha is the ritual of initiation into a monastic order. ... In Tibet, many Buddhists carve mantras into rocks as a form of devotion. ... Puja (alternative transliteration poo, Sanskrit: reverence or worship, loosely) is a religious ritual which most Hindus perform every morning after bathing, dressing and wanking but prior to taking any food, drink or dope. ... The company of the highest knowledge and Truth; the company of a Guru; contact with a person or an assembly of persons who listen to, talk about, and assimilate the Truth. ... Stotras are Hindu prayers that praise aspects of God, such as Devi, Siva, or Vishnu. ... In Hinduism, Yajna or Yagya (Sanskrit yajñá worship, prayer, praise; offering, oblation, sacrifice) is a ritual of sacrifice performed to please the Devas. ... A guru (गुरू Sanskrit) is a teacher in Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism. ... General definition of saint In general, the term Saint refers to someone who is exceptionally virtuous and holy. ... Adi Shankara Adi Shankara (Shri Shankaracharya, Adhi Shankaracharya; the first Shankara in his lineage), reverentially called Bhagavatpada Acharya (the teacher at the feet of Lord) (Look below for Birth Dates) was the most famous Advaita philosopher, who had a profound influence on the growth of Hinduism through his non-dualistic... Sri Ramanuja Acharya (1017 - 1137 AD) was an Indian philosopher and is recognized as the most important saint of Sri Vaishnavism. ... Shri Madhvacharya,(1238-1317), was the chief propounder of the Dvaita or dualistic school of Hindu philosophy, one of the three influential Vedanta philosophies. ... Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa (February 18, 1836 - August 16, 1886) was a Bengali religious leader. ... Introduction Swami Vivekananda (Narendranath Dutta) (January 12, 1863 - July 4, 1902) is considered one of the most famous and influential spiritual leaders of the Hindu religion. ... Narayana Guru Narayana Guru (नारायण गुरु) (1856 - 1928) was a great sage and social reformer of India. ... Śrī Aurobindo Śrī Aurobindo (August 15, 1872–December 5, 1950) was an Indian nationalist, scholar, poet, Hindu mystic, evolutionary philosopher, yogi and guru. ... Ramana Mahrishi as portrayed in a loving oil painting by Jayalakshmi Satyendra Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi is regarded by some as one of the greatest saints of Hinduism in the 20th century. ... This is an article on Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh. ... Swami Chinmayananda (स्‍वामी चिन्‍मयानन्‍द) (1916-1993) was born Balakrishna Menon (Balan) in Ernakulam, Kerala in a very devout Hindu family. ... Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (1927 - 2001), affectionately known as Gurudeva, was born in Oakland, California on January 5th, 1927. ... Swaminarayan (April 2, 1781 - 1830) was born Ghanshyam Maharaj to a brahmin family in the village of Chhapaiya, Uttar Pradesh. ... Hinduism like any other major religion has many sects or denominations. ... Hinduism like any other major religion has many sects or denominations. ... Vaishnavism is the branch of Hinduism in which Vishnu or one of his avatars (i. ... Shaivism, also Saivism, is a branch of Hinduism that worships Siva as the Supreme God. ... Shaktism is a denomination of Hinduism that worships Shakti, the Divine Mother, in all of her forms whilst not rejecting the importance of masculine and neuter divinity. ... Smartism is a denomination of the religion of Hinduism and is closely affiliated with the Advaita tradition. ... Agama Hindu Dharma is the formal name of Hinduism in Indonesia. ... Hinduism is going through a phase or regeneration and reform through the vehicle of several contemporary movements. ... A Survey of Hindu Organisations Scope The article presents a comparitive overview of the leading Hindu organisations of India. ...