Roots of Hinduism
Google Classroom
Fragment of a four-faced linga, 900–1000 Central India. Sandstone. Courtesy of the Asian Art Museum, Gift of Edward Nagel, B71S10.
Hinduism is one of the world’s oldest religions. It has complex roots, and involves a vast array of practices and a host of deities. Its plethora of forms and beliefs reflects the tremendous diversity of India, where most of its one billion followers reside. Hinduism is more than a religion. It is a culture, a way of life, and a code of behavior. This is reflected in a term Indians use to describe the Hindu religion: Sanatana Dharma, which means eternal faith, or the eternal way things are (truth).
The word Hinduism derives from a Persian term denoting the inhabitants of the land beyond the Indus, a river in present-day Pakistan. By the early nineteenth century the term had entered popular English usage to describe the predominant religious traditions of South Asia, and it is now used by Hindus themselves. Hindu beliefs and practices are enormously diverse, varying over time and among individuals, communities, and regional areas.
Unlike Buddhism, Jainism, or Sikhism, Hinduism has no historical founder. Its authority rests instead upon a large body of sacred texts that provide Hindus with rules governing rituals, worship, pilgrimage, and daily activities, among many other things. Although the oldest of these texts may date back four thousand years, the earliest surviving Hindu images and temples were created some two thousand years later.
What are the roots of Hinduism?
Hinduism developed over many centuries from a variety of sources: cultural practices, sacred texts, and philosophical movements, as well as local popular beliefs. The combination of these factors is what accounts for the varied and diverse nature of Hindu practices and beliefs. Hinduism developed from several sources:
Prehistoric and Neolithic culture, which left material evidence including abundant rock and cave paintings of bulls and cows, indicating an early interest in the sacred nature of these animals.
The Indus Valley civilization, located in what is now Pakistan and northwestern India, which flourished between approximately 2500 and 1700 B.C.E., and persisted with some regional presence as late as 800 B.C.E. The civilization reached its high point in the cities of Harrapa and Mohenjo-Daro. Although the physical remains of these large urban complexes have not produced a great deal of explicit religious imagery, archaeologists have recovered some intriguing items, including an abundance of seals depicting bulls, among these a few exceptional examples illustrating figures seated in yogic positions; terracotta female figures that suggest fertility; and small anthropomorphic sculptures made of stone and bronze. Material evidence found at these sites also includes prototypes of stone linga (phallic emblems of the Hindu god Shiva). Later textual sources assert that indigenous peoples of this area engaged in linga worship.
According to recent theories, Indus Valley peoples migrated to the Gangetic region of India and blended with indigenous cultures, after the decline of civilization in the Indus Valley. A separate group of Indo-European speaking people migrated to the subcontinent from West Asia. These peoples brought with them ritual life including fire sacrifices presided over by priests, and a set of hymns and poems collectively known as the Vedas.
The indigenous beliefs of the pre-Vedic peoples of the subcontinent of India encompassed a variety of local practices based on agrarian fertility cults and local nature spirits. Vedic writings refer to the worship of images, tutelary divinities, and the phallus.
QuestionsTips & Thanks
Want to join the conversation?
Log in
Sort by:
Top Voted
olivio chino
8 years ago
Posted 8 years ago. Direct link to olivio chino's post “Why do they have no found...”
Why do they have no founder? There has to be someone who made up all those beliefs!
AnswerButton navigates to signup page•1 commentComment on olivio chino's post “Why do they have no found...”
(4 votes)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
Pankaj Kushwah
8 years ago
Posted 8 years ago. Direct link to Pankaj Kushwah's post “we have no named founder ...”
we have no named founder because our religion dates back much too old so no one knows from where it originated.
3 commentsComment on Pankaj Kushwah's post “we have no named founder ...”
(9 votes)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
Show more...
magda
8 years ago
Posted 8 years ago. Direct link to magda's post “That four-faced linga in ...”
That four-faced linga in the photo is meant to be a phallic representation of Shiva? It doesn't seem very...phallic...to me. Or am I missing something?
EDIT: Found an answer to my question. The photo shows only a fragment. A more complete four-faced linga looks like this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lingam#/media/File:Nepalese_stone_linga_SF_Asian_Art_Museum.JPG
AnswerButton navigates to signup page•CommentButton navigates to signup page
(4 votes)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
kamalikakoala
4 years ago
Posted 4 years ago. Direct link to kamalikakoala's post “actually the 1st photo wa...”
actually the 1st photo was not a fragment. it was a complete linga. the four faced linga was basically a artistic sculpture and shiva lingas are like the first pic
CommentButton navigates to signup page
(2 votes)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
Show more...
Jeffrey Reyes
8 years ago
Posted 8 years ago. Direct link to Jeffrey Reyes's post “How long did that masterp...”
How long did that masterpiece take to sculpt
AnswerButton navigates to signup page•CommentButton navigates to signup page
(4 votes)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
Thomas
5 years ago
Posted 5 years ago. Direct link to Thomas's post “Who created the religion?”
Who created the religion?
AnswerButton navigates to signup page•CommentButton navigates to signup page
(1 vote)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
kamalikakoala
4 years ago
Posted 4 years ago. Direct link to kamalikakoala's post “its a way of living that ...”
its a way of living that originated revolving around the culture and beliefs of people
CommentButton navigates to signup page
(4 votes)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
Show more...
Pranav Kumar
8 years ago
Posted 8 years ago. Direct link to Pranav Kumar's post “The new findings put Har...”
The new findings put Harappan civilization way back to 9000 BCE. Does it changes the course of history ?
AnswerButton navigates to signup page•CommentButton navigates to signup page
(2 votes)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
David Alexander
7 years ago
Posted 7 years ago. Direct link to David Alexander's post “It doesn't change the cou...”
It doesn't change the course or history, but may well change our theories of historical development.
CommentButton navigates to signup page
(2 votes)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
cooldue54310
8 years ago
Posted 8 years ago. Direct link to cooldue54310's post “Perhaps, were the indigen...”
Perhaps, were the indigenous cultures the dravidian peoples?
AnswerButton navigates to signup page•CommentButton navigates to signup page
(2 votes)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
(ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻
9 years ago
Posted 9 years ago. Direct link to (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻'s post “What is the Gangetic regi...”
What is the Gangetic region?
AnswerButton navigates to signup page•CommentButton navigates to signup page
(2 votes)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
Bitan Sarkar
4 years ago
Posted 4 years ago. Direct link to Bitan Sarkar's post “What is bhakti in the sen...”
What is bhakti in the sense?
AnswerButton navigates to signup page•1 commentComment on Bitan Sarkar's post “What is bhakti in the sen...”
(2 votes)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
Alexis
8 years ago
Posted 8 years ago. Direct link to Alexis's post “what is going on in the c...”
what is going on in the citie of harrapa
AnswerButton navigates to signup page•CommentButton navigates to signup page
(2 votes)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
Mayukha ammineni
8 years ago
Posted 8 years ago. Direct link to Mayukha ammineni's post “Are there any religions t...”
Are there any religions that are older than hinduism?
AnswerButton navigates to signup page•CommentButton navigates to signup page
(1 vote)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
Миленa
8 years ago
Posted 8 years ago. Direct link to Миленa's post “Definitely, but they are ...”
Definitely, but they are all extinct. Hinduism is the oldest religion that still exists.
5 commentsComment on Миленa's post “Definitely, but they are ...”
(3 votes)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
=====
Beliefs of Hinduism
Google ClassroomCommon to virtually all Hindus are certain beliefs, including, but not limited to, the following:
- a belief in many gods, which are seen as manifestations of a single unity. These deities are linked to universal and natural processes.
- a preference for one deity while not excluding or disbelieving others
- a belief in the universal law of cause and effect (karma) and reincarnation
- a belief in the possibility of liberation and release (moksha) by which the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara) can be resolved
The Hindu deities Shiva and Vishnu combined as Harihara, 600-700. Central India. Sandstone. Museum purchase, (Asian Art Museum, B70S1).
The Hindu deities Shiva and Vishnu combined as Harihara, 600–700. Central India. Sandstone. Courtesy of the Asian Art Museum, Museum purchase, B70S1.Hinduism is bound to the hierarchical structure of the caste system, a categorization of members of society into defined social classes. An individual’s position in the caste system is thought to be a reflection of accumulated merit in past lives (karma).
Observance of the dharma, or behavior consistent with one’s caste and status, is discussed in many early philosophical texts. Not every religious practice can be undertaken by all members of society. Similarly, different activities are considered appropriate for different stages of life, with study and raising families necessary for early stages, and reflection and renunciation goals of later years. A religious life need not be spiritual to the exclusion of worldly pleasures or rewards, such as the pursuit of material success and (legitimate) pleasure, depending on one’s position in life. Hindus believe in the importance of the observation of appropriate behavior, including numerous rituals, and the ultimate goal of moksha, the release or liberation from the endless cycle of birth.
Moksha is the ultimate spiritual goal of Hinduism. How does one pursue moksha? The goal is to reach a point where you detach yourself from the feelings and perceptions that tie you to the world, leading to the realization of the ultimate unity of things—the soul (atman) connected with the universal (Brahman). To get to this point, one can pursue various paths: the way of knowledge, the way of appropriate actions or works, or the way of devotion to God.
Kesh bv
6 years ago
Posted 6 years ago. Direct link to Kesh bv's post “Nastikas (person who woul...”
Nastikas (person who would argue as Na asti -i.e. it's NOT there) or those who do not believe in existence of GOD are still Hindus.. I see the article assumes that belief is a per-requisite to be a Hindu. It's NOT the case. Hinduism is a congregation of multitude of philosophies.
- One of the example (NOT necessarily only one) is 'Charvaka Sidhanta' or roughly philosophy propagated by rishi Charvaka.
Rather the essence of Hinduism is it's ability to question all it's own beliefs and customs.
"athato Brahma jijnasa' or NOW we shall seek to understand the creator.... is more of an essence to understand. To seek is NOT to agree to what has been told or written but to realize by one-self. And freedom to agree to ONLY that has been realized is the freedom with a Hindu.
Therefore to be a Hindu it is NOT required to agree or accept any belief systems or follow any rituals.
Many rituals change from location to location, and even within a small sect of people in a particular location... rituals change from family to family....
Caste system is a social system and has NOTHING to do with any of the Hindu philosophies. So agreeing or disagreeing to the caste system has NO impact on being a Hindu.
There are few thousand casts in HINDU society and the four varnas are general classifications. In today's date it's Govt of India which decides which of those castes are part of Schedule List (So the abbreviation SC & ST) The castes in this list were Historically subjected to extreme social limitations and the list is maintained to provide necessary protection and social acceptance and protection. So it's NOT one group of sudras or untouchables but it's a vast group of casts or sects.
In conclusion from my side:- to be a Hindu.
- It's NOT necessary to accept there is GOD (one can have healthy debate)
- It's NOT necessary to 'believe' in any text or ritual
- It's NOT necessary to fear God or be afraid of hell.
- It's NOT necessary to identify with one of the varnas - which is normally stated as integral part of Hinduism is most introductions.
- It's NOT necessary to be part of a caste (New converts to Hinduism in legal sense may not be part of any traditional caste).
- One can seek help from a Guru and refer to all available texts to fulfill spiritual needs.
AnswerButton navigates to signup page•CommentButton navigates to signup page
(25 votes)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
kamalikakoala
4 years ago
Posted 4 years ago. Direct link to kamalikakoala's post “the sankhya darshan does ...”
the sankhya darshan does not believe in the existence of god
CommentButton navigates to signup page
(4 votes)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
Show more...
cpetch
9 years ago
Posted 9 years ago. Direct link to cpetch's post “The last sentence in the ...”
The last sentence in the second paragraph is puzzling to me: "... the ultimate goal of moksha, the release or liberation from the endless cycle of birth."
How does an individual know that they have reached moksha? If a person achieves moksha, can they ever fall "out" of this state of being (before they die)? If so, will their cycle of rebirth begin again?
AnswerButton navigates to signup page•2 commentsComment on cpetch's post “The last sentence in the ...”
(2 votes)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
kulkarniajinkya11
9 years ago
Posted 9 years ago. Direct link to kulkarniajinkya11's post “please try to understand ...”
please try to understand the concept of Moksha metaphorically and not "Logically". I am sure logically cycle of birth and death means nothing clear. But don't make it a logical thing. Its a very highly philosophical thing. And answer to your question is when you will get the experience of it you will know that you have reached at moksha. It is not the thing to be proved scientifically nor the person who attains it tries to prove it ( Or make publicity) that he has reached Moksha. So, No one knows what happens when Moksha is attained. Te only way to know is you yourself practice and attain the Moksha. But the moment you attain it you will not desire to anything and even to get the answer for this question.
1 commentComment on kulkarniajinkya11's post “please try to understand ...”
(14 votes)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
Show more...
Analicia
9 years ago
Posted 9 years ago. Direct link to Analicia's post “do they have a bible or h...”
do they have a bible or holy book to go by
AnswerButton navigates to signup page•2 commentsComment on Analicia's post “do they have a bible or h...”
(1 vote)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
Manita Ojha
9 years ago
Posted 9 years ago. Direct link to Manita Ojha's post “There is no one "holy boo...”
There is no one "holy book", there are many books that contribute to the religion, such as the Bhagwad Gita, Vedas, and Mahabarat
1 commentComment on Manita Ojha's post “There is no one "holy boo...”
(14 votes)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
Show more...
anushka
7 years ago
Posted 7 years ago. Direct link to anushka's post “is god really there accor...”
is god really there according to science
AnswerButton navigates to signup page•1 commentComment on anushka's post “is god really there accor...”
(2 votes)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
David Alexander
7 years ago
Posted 7 years ago. Direct link to David Alexander's post “To ask scientific questio...”
To ask scientific questions in the service of proving religious belief is the wrong way to go about things. Similarly, to ask religious questions in the service of scientific proof is the wrong way around. These are non-overlapping magisteria.
5 commentsComment on David Alexander's post “To ask scientific questio...”
(8 votes)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
Show more...
Jovanni Thomas
3 years ago
Posted 3 years ago. Direct link to Jovanni Thomas's post “Who do you think lord Bra...”
Who do you think lord Brahma is?
AnswerButton navigates to signup page•CommentButton navigates to signup page
(3 votes)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
Kiran Patel
5 months ago
Posted 5 months ago. Direct link to Kiran Patel's post “*bold*Within the Trimurti...”
bold*Within the Trimurti, Lord Brahma is the "creator" and is known for his three heads. He originally made the universe.*bold
CommentButton navigates to signup page
(2 votes)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
Lucy B.
6 years ago
Posted 6 years ago. Direct link to Lucy B.'s post “Where do most people who ...”
Where do most people who are hindu live?
AnswerButton navigates to signup page•CommentButton navigates to signup page
(2 votes)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
Kiran Patel
4 months ago
Posted 4 months ago. Direct link to Kiran Patel's post “Most Hindus reside in Ind...”
Most Hindus reside in India, although they are Hindus all over the world, such as in Europe, the U.S., Canada, Australia, parts of southern Africa, and more.
CommentButton navigates to signup page
(2 votes)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
Show more...
maddy.mead13
5 years ago
Posted 5 years ago. Direct link to maddy.mead13's post “What is an example of the...”
What is an example of the problem of human free will in Hinduism?
AnswerButton navigates to signup page•CommentButton navigates to signup page
(3 votes)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
AtharvC
10 months ago
Posted 10 months ago. Direct link to AtharvC's post “I am hindu”
I am hindu
AnswerButton navigates to signup page•3 commentsComment on AtharvC's post “I am hindu”
(3 votes)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
Maya Simone
5 years ago
Posted 5 years ago. Direct link to Maya Simone's post “With the theory of reinca...”
With the theory of reincarnation and the "One-in-one-out" principle, how can population growth be factored into the equation? Also, where does one go after Moksha? Or would you just cease to be?It would seem that the population would only decrease, even if slightly, as people reached Moksha.
AnswerButton navigates to signup page•1 commentComment on Maya Simone's post “With the theory of reinca...”
(2 votes)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
sarath tamma
5 years ago
Posted 5 years ago. Direct link to sarath tamma's post “Attaining moksha is not s...”
Attaining moksha is not so easy task. it's mentioned in the vedas and in bhagavad gita, out of many millions who practice the path to moksha, only a few people will realise the truth and out of the millions and millions who found the truth, only a few will attain moksha. So if that sense, it's not easy to attain moksha. we can attain moksha after death or when we are alive.
CommentButton navigates to signup page
(3 votes)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
g.aizuddin2361
a month ago
Posted a month ago. Direct link to g.aizuddin2361's post “I am a muslim,not hindu!”
I am a muslim,not hindu!
AnswerButton navigates to signup page•CommentButton navigates to signup page
(3 votes)
Upvote
Button navigates to signup page
Downvote
Button navigates to signup page
Flag
Button navigates to signup page
more
