Hinduism

Hinduism believes that a person’s life is actually the journey of the soul. A
Hindu goes through a series of reincarnations in a physical body, that
eventually lead to ‘moksha’ (freedom from the cycle of rebirths). Purity of
our mind leads to good ‘karma (actions). Good karma in this life are essential
as that determine our next birth. Good karma is based on ‘Dharma’ which
means righteousness, ethics and the reason of your existence. Hindus are
divided into 4 varna (groups) viz. Brahmana-s, Kshatriya-s, Vaishya-s, and
Shudra-s. These 4 varna are assigned by swabhava (natural behaviour based
on past actions) and current profession, not by birth alone.

The 4 sacred Veda-s

World’s oldest literature are the Veda-s, a collection of religious poems and
hymns. The Veda-s was composed in the ancient intellectual language of
Sanskrit. Some Vedic hymns address the philosophic theme that one God
takes many different forms. The 3 main manifestations of the omnipresent
God are: Brahma, the creator of the universe, Vishnu the protector, and
Shiva the destroyer. Although individuals may worship several different gods
and goddesses, they really revere but one Supreme Being.

Rig Veda
As a body of writing, the Rig Veda (the wisdom of verses) is remarkable. It
contains 10 mandala-s (book-sections) containing 1,028 hymns with 10,589
verses. Demigods addressed include nature gods like Indra (rain demigod;
king of heavens), Agni (fire demigod), Rudra (storm demigod), Soma (the
draught of immortality), and Varuna (water demigod).

Sama Veda
Sama Veda or the wisdom of chants is a collection of saman-s or chants,
derived from the eighth and ninth books of the Rig Veda. These were meant
for the priests who officiated at the rituals of the soma ceremonies. There
are painstaking instructions in Sama Veda about how particular hymns must
be sung; to put great emphasis upon sounds of the words of the mantras and
the effect they could have on the environment and the person who
pronounced them.
Yajur Veda
Yajur Veda or the wisdom of sacrifices lays down various sacred invocations
(yajur-s) which were chanted by a particular sect of priests called adhvaryu.
They performed the yagnya rituals. This Veda also outlines various chants
which should be sung to pray and pay respects to the various instruments
which are involved in the sacrifice.

Atharva Veda
Atharva Veda is called so because the families of the Atharvan sect of the
Brahmana-s have traditionally been credited with the ‘discovery’ of this
Veda.

The 18 Upanishad-s
The term Upanishad (‘upa’ near; ‘ni’ down; ‘sad’ to sit) means selected
students sitting down near the Guru to learn the big secret. In the splendid
isolation of their forest abodes, the philosophers who composed the
Upanishad-s contemplated upon the various mysteries of life and its
creation. The Upanishads disclose the essence of life to the seeker of truth.
In the Upanishad-s, views about Brhmn (Paramatma, the Absolute or God)
and atman (one’s soul) are proposed. The Upanishad-s were originally called
Vedanta, which literally means the conclusion to the Veda-s.

There are 18 principal Upanishad-s viz:

Brhadaranyaka Upanishad
The Brhadaranyaka Upanishad is widely accepted to be the most important
of all Upanishads. It has 3 khanda-s (parts). The madhu khanda
contemplates on the relationship between the individual and the Universal
self. The muni khanda of Yagnyavalkya is a debate which gives the
philosophical backing to the earlier teaching. The khila khanda tackles
various rituals of worship and meditation.

Chandogya Upanishad
This Upanishad is a part of the Sama Veda. The name comes from the singer
of the songs (saman-s) who is called Chandoga. The others discuss the origin
and profundity of the concept of Aum, among other things like yagnya (fire
ritual).
Aitareya Upanishad
This one forms part of the Rig Veda. The purpose is to make the reader
understand the deeper meaning of yagnya (fire ritual) and to take him away
from the outer trappings of the actual act.

Taittriya Upanishad
A part of the Yajur Veda, this Upanishad is divided into 3 valli-s (sections).
The shiksha valli deals with the phonetics of the chants, while Brahmananda
valli and Bhrigu valli deal with self-realization.

Isha Upanishad
Also called the Ishavasya Upanishad, this book deals with the union of God,
the world, being and becoming. The stress is on the Absolute in relation with
the world (Paramatma). The gist of the teachings is that a person’s worldly
and otherworldly goals need not necessarily be opposed to each other.

Kena Upanishad
The name of this Upanishad comes from the first word kena, or by whom. It
has 2 sections of prose and 2 of poetry. The verses deal with the supreme
spirit or the absolute principle (Brhmn) and the prose talks of Ishvara (God).
The moral of the story is that the knowledge of Ishvara reveals the way to
self-realization.

Katha Upanishad
Also called the Kathakopanishad, this Upanishad uses a story (katha)
involving a young Brahmana boy called Nachiketa and Yamaraja to reveal
the truths of this world and beyond.

Prashna Upanishad
Prashna literally means question, and this book is part of the Atharva Veda. It
addresses questions pertaining to the ultimate cause, the power of Aum,
relation of the supreme to the constituents of the world.
Mundaka Upanishad
This book also belongs to the Atharva Veda. The name is derived from
‘mund’ or to shave, meaning that anyone who understands the Upanishad-s
is shaved from ignorance. This book inscribes the importance of knowing the
supreme Brhmn, only by which knowledge can one attain self-realization.

Mandukya Upanishad
The Mandukya is an exquisite treatise which expounds on the principle of
Aum and its significance in various states of being, waking, dream and the
dreamless sleep. The subtlest and most profound of the Upanishad-s, it is
said that this alone will lead one to the path of enlightenment.

Svetasvatara Upanishad
The name of this Upanishad is after its teacher. It comments on the unity of
the souls and the world in one all-encompassing reality. The concept of there
being one god is also talked about here. It is dedicated to Rudra, the storm
god.

Kausitaki Brahmana Upanishad

The core of this text is dedicated to illustrating the fact that the path to
release is through knowledge.

Maitri Upanishad
This refers to the Trinity of Hindu Gods (Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma), and
references to the world being temporary in character.

Subala Upanishad
Belonging to the Yajur Veda, this Upanishad puts down a dialogue between
the sage Subala and Brahma, the creator of the Hindu Trinity of Gods. It
discusses the universe and the absolute.

Jabala Upanishad
Belonging to the Atharva Veda, this Upanishad addresses some questions
pertaining to renunciation.
Paingala Upanishad
The Paingala is a dialogue between Yagnyavalkya and his disciple Paingala. It
discusses meditation and its effects.

Kaivalya Upanishad
This Upanishad delves into the state of kaivalya (being alone).

Vajrasuchika Upanishad
Belonging to the Sama Veda, the Vajrasuchika reflects on the nature of the
supreme being.

The core of the teachings of the Upanishads is summed up in three words:

tat tvam asi… you are that (Brhmn, the Supreme Soul).

The Purana-s and Upa-purana-s

The Purana-s are important Hindu religious texts, consisting of historical
narratives of the universe from creation to destruction, genealogies of kings
and sages, and Hindu geography. Purana-s describe various wars between
the Asura-s (demons) and the Deva-s (demigods). Purana-s describe Hindu
philosophies like ahimsa (non-injury to living creatures), and worshipping of
cows which Hindus believe are sacred animals. Brahmana scholars read
stories from the Purana-s in katha sessions, in which a travelling Brahmana
settles for a few weeks in a temple for the narration.

The different Purana-s are:

1. Agni (15,400 verses) – Contains details of Vastu Shastra and

Gemology
2. Bhagavata (18,000 verses) – The most celebrated and popular of the
Purana-s, telling of Vishnu’s Avatara-s. Its tenth and longest canto
narrates the deeds of God Krishna, introducing his childhood exploits.
3. Bhavishya (14,500 verses)
4. Brahma (10,000 verses) – includes legends of River Godavari and its
tributaries.
5. Brahmanda (12,000 verses) – includes Lalita Sahasranamam, a text
some Hindus recite as prayer to the Supreme Goddess
6. Brahmavaivarta (17,000 verses) – Describes worshipping protocols of
Devi-s, Krishna and Ganesha
7. Garuda (19,000 verses) – Most hallowed Purana regarding the death
and its aftermaths.
 8. Harivamsa (16,000 verses) – Appendix of the epic Mahabharata
9. Kurma (17,000 verses)
10.Linga (11,000 verses) – staunch Shaiva Theological Purana
11.Markandeya (9,000 verses) – includes the Devi Mahatmya, an
important text for the Shakta-s
12.Matsya (14,000 verses)
13.Narada (25,000 verses) – Describe the greatness of Veda-s and
Vedanga-s
14.Padma (55,000 verses) – Includes Geetha mahatmya, the greatness of
Bhagavad Geeta
15.Shiva (24,000 verses)
16.Skanda (81,100 verses) – The longest Purana, it is an extraordinarily
meticulous pilgrimage guide, containing geographical locations of
pilgrimage centres in India, with related legends, parables, hymns and
stories.
17.Vamana (10,000 verses) – includes description of the areas around
Kurukshetra
18.Varaha (24,000 verses)
19.Vayu (24,000 verses)
20.Vishnu (23,000 verses)
The Upapurana-s are ancillary texts. They include: Sanat Kumara,
Narasimha, Brihan-naradiya, Shiva-rahasya, Durvasa, Kapila, Vamana,
Bhargava, Varuna, Kalika, Samba, Nandi, Surya, Parashara, Vasishtha, Devi
Bhagavata, Ganesha, Mudgala, and Hamsa.

Sixteen Sanskars are as follows:

1. Garbhadhaan
In Hindu Parampara, Four Sanskars before the birth of a child and eleven
Sanskars after the birth and one Sanskar is performed afterthedeathofaperson.
Garbhadhan Sanskar is performed with an objective of the development and
continuance of the progeny of the parents and with a view to get a noble and
intelligent child. Prayer is performed to the pious Runanubandhi Atma and wish
for Saubhagyavati is also cherished.

2. Punsavan
For the physical and mental development of the baby in the womb of the
mother, this Sanskar is performed amidst chanting of the Vedic Mantras. Due to
this Sanskar, a child is born and healthy and intelligent.

3. Simantonayan
This Sanskar is performed un completion of 4-6-8 month from the conceiving of
a baby. As there has been physical and mental development a baby in the
womb of the mother, behaviour and conduct and thinking of a mother are
imbibed by the baby. As a baby emulates the mother in letter and spirit, it is in a
way ritual for the mother for being alert in her achar-vichar-shravan etc.

4. Jatkarma
After the birth of a baby, Jatkarma ritual is performed wherein the baby is
released from the Doshas of the birth-time and the Dosha of remaining in the
womb of the mother and for the long life of a baby. After performing Suraksha
Kavach of Dev-Devi of Kul Parampara, the concerned deities and Pitrus are
satisfied through Pooja. Even Ghee and honey are touched at the lip of the baby
and nabhi-dand is cut.

5. Naamkaran
Ritual of Naamkaran is performed on the 11th day from the birth of a baby.
Learned Brahmins prepare Janmpatrika of the birth time and the baby is named
accordingly.

6. Nishkramana
Nishkraman means to go out. On the fourth month from the birth, a child is
taken out of home and at that he is granted Darshan of Panchmahabhut –
Pruthvi, Jal, Tej, Vayu and Aakash and prayer is performed for the well being and
health of the child.

7. Annprashan
On the seventh month from the birth, meals are offered to the child as an
auspicious sign and on that day poojan of Annapurna Devi is performed.

8. Chaul
Between the age of one-three- five years from the birth, hair of the child is
removed through Mundan Sanskar; so that intellect of a child is developed and
the insects of the pregnancy time are destroyed.

9. Vidyarambh
Through this Sanskar, a child is initiated towards appropriate formal education
and at that time poojan of Maa Sharda Devi is performed.

10. Karnavedh
Ears of a child pierced with the help of a golden needle and making it
convenient the facility of wearing gold ornaments. Through acupuncture this
also helps free flow of blood in the brain of the child so that memory power of
the child is increased.

11. Upnayan
This ritual is performed in front of Guru by accepting a three- layered cotton
thread popularly known as Yagnopavit. After accepting and wearing this
Yagnopavit, a person is know as Dwij – born second time. In the knot of
Yagnopavit are said to be residing Brahma-Vishnu-Shiv and in nine Sutra Tantu
is said to be performed poojan of Omkar, Agni, Shesh, Chandra, Pitru, Prajapati,
Agni, Surya, Vishwadev.

12. Vedarambha
Besides formal education, the child is also imparted Vedic Gyan.

13. Keshani Samskar

During Brahmcharyashram, prior to starting education, head is kept clean
shaved for Keshant – Siddhi of Brahmcharya because Kaamdev is said to be
residing in Kesh.

14. Samavartan
This Sanskar is performed upon return of the child after completing his
education.

15. Vivah
In this most important ritual, Agni is lighted and by performing Parikrama
inthepresenceofAgnidev, bride and bridegroom take oath and perform Sankalp
of adhering to Dharma assigned to each of them by this Lagna-Sanskar. And one
gets rid of Pitru-run.

16. Antyesthi
After leaving this human body, agni (fire) which is lighted at the time of Lagna
Sanskar is carried from home to crematorium and there body is offered to fire.
By doing so, Atma becomes free from all types of Runas (obligations).