The overwhelming majority of Hindu sacred texts are composed in the Sanskrit language. Indeed, much of the morphology and linguistic philosophy inherent in the learning of Sanskrit is sometimes claimed to be inextricably linked to study of the Vedas and relevant Hindu scriptures. Hinduism - Shruti. Main article: Shruti The Vedas (वेद, literally, "Knowledge") are considered as Shruti by the Hindus. They are said to have been revealed by the Brahman to the rishis while the la ...

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Hinduism, Hinduism - Core Concepts, Hinduism - The Eternal Way, Hinduism - Basic beliefs, Hinduism - Practice Yoga Dharma, Hinduism - The four objectives Of Life, Hinduism - The four stages of Life, Hinduism - The four classes of the society, Hinduism - Nature of God, Hinduism - Denominations, Hinduism - Hindu sacred texts, Hinduism - Shruti, Hinduism - Bhagavad Gītā, Hinduism - Smriti, Hinduism - Origins and society, Hinduism - Origins of Hinduism, Hinduism - Etymology, Hinduism - Vedic religion, Hinduism - Hindu nationalism, Hinduism - Temples, Hinduism - Current geographic distribution, Hinduism - Hindu philosophy: the six Vedic schools of thought, Hinduism - Pūrva Mīmāmsā, Hinduism - Yoga, Hinduism - Uttara Mimāmsā: Vedānta and its three main schools, Hinduism - Alternative cultures of worship, Hinduism - The Bhakti schools, Hinduism - Tantra, Hinduism - Important symbolism and themes in Hinduism, Hinduism - Tilaka symbol on forehead or between eyebrows, Hinduism - Ahimsa non-violence vegetarian diet and the cow, Hinduism - Hindu symbolism, Hinduism - Murtis icons, Hinduism - Sanskrit, Hinduism - Mantra, Hinduism - Criticism, Hinduism - Hinduism, Hinduism - Related systems and religions

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Hinduism - The Bhakti schools. Main article: Bhakti The Bhakti (Devotional) school takes its name from the Hindu term that signifies a blissful, selfless and overwhelming devotion of God as the beloved Father, Mother, Child, or whatever relationship finds appeal in the devotee's heart. The philosophy of Bhakti seeks to relate to the personal form of God. Seen as a form of Yoga, or union, it seeks to interlink the self with God, since consciousness of the body and limited mind as self is ...

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Hinduism, Hinduism - Core Concepts, Hinduism - The Eternal Way, Hinduism - Basic beliefs, Hinduism - Practice Yoga Dharma, Hinduism - The four objectives Of Life, Hinduism - The four stages of Life, Hinduism - The four classes of the society, Hinduism - Nature of God, Hinduism - Denominations, Hinduism - Hindu sacred texts, Hinduism - Shruti, Hinduism - Bhagavad Gītā, Hinduism - Smriti, Hinduism - Origins and society, Hinduism - Origins of Hinduism, Hinduism - Etymology, Hinduism - Vedic religion, Hinduism - Hindu nationalism, Hinduism - Temples, Hinduism - Current geographic distribution, Hinduism - Hindu philosophy: the six Vedic schools of thought, Hinduism - Pūrva Mīmāmsā, Hinduism - Yoga, Hinduism - Uttara Mimāmsā: Vedānta and its three main schools, Hinduism - Alternative cultures of worship, Hinduism - The Bhakti schools, Hinduism - Tantra, Hinduism - Important symbolism and themes in Hinduism, Hinduism - Tilaka symbol on forehead or between eyebrows, Hinduism - Ahimsa non-violence vegetarian diet and the cow, Hinduism - Hindu symbolism, Hinduism - Murtis icons, Hinduism - Sanskrit, Hinduism - Mantra, Hinduism - Criticism, Hinduism - Hinduism, Hinduism - Related systems and religions

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Vastu:

Vastu: article.

(See also: Vastu, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Ayyavazhi and Hinduism - Religious Practices. The religious practises of Ayyavazhi largely differ from traditional Hinduism. Akilam says that previous practices were not wrong, but that they were changed because of the abnormal, cruel nature of Kaliyan and his boons, which the Universe had experienced before. Akilattirattu Ammanai says that the whole acts and rules of the Universe had changed by the advent of Kaliy ...

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Ayyavazhi and Hinduism, Ayyavazhi and Hinduism - Differences between Ayyavazhi and Hinduism, Ayyavazhi and Hinduism - Religious Practices, Ayyavazhi and Hinduism - Beliefs, Ayyavazhi and Hinduism - Sociology, Ayyavazhi and Hinduism - Similarities between Ayyavazhi and Hinduism, Ayyavazhi and Hinduism - Religious Practices, Ayyavazhi and Hinduism - Theology

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liberal Hinduism: A synonym for Smartism and the closely related neo-Indian religion.

See: neo-Indian religion, Smartism, universalist.

(See also: Liberal Hinduism, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Modern Hinduism is the reflection of continuity and progressive changes that occurred in various traditions and institutions of hinduism during the 19th and 20th centuries. This continuity and adaptation to modern ideas is still a continuing process. Modern Hinduism has as its values rational thought, modern education and the ideals of humanism, rationalism and religious universalism. This has meant combating the conservative and obscurantist elements, imbibing modernity, modern education compared to classical sanskritic education ...

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History of Hinduism, History of Hinduism - Origins, History of Hinduism - Analyzing the History, History of Hinduism - Literature, History of Hinduism - Archaeology, History of Hinduism - Hindu Mythology, History of Hinduism - Early Hinduism, History of Hinduism - Influences of the Indus Valley and Dravidian Peoples, History of Hinduism - Evolution of Hindu Philosophy, History of Hinduism - Socio-Religious Reform Movements, History of Hinduism - Hinduism and Jainism, History of Hinduism - Hinduism and the rise of Buddhism, History of Hinduism - Hinduism during the Golden Age in Bharat, History of Hinduism - Shankaracharya and the revival of Hinduism, History of Hinduism - Cultural expansion in South-East Asia, History of Hinduism - Hinduism in Medieval Ages, History of Hinduism - Islamic Invasion, History of Hinduism - Goa Inquisition, History of Hinduism - Bhakti Movement, History of Hinduism - The Reign of Shivaji, History of Hinduism - Modern Hinduism, History of Hinduism - Reform Movements, History of Hinduism - Converts

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(Complete article: Sati) Sati is the voluntary immolation of a woman on her husband's funeral pyre. (It was practiced by the Scythians and also the ancient peoples of Scythia, Egypt, Scandinavia and China) Sati was performed ideally as an act of immortal love and was believed to purged the couple of all accumulated sin. Though no scripture mandates it, the Puranas, part of the Hindu Smriti, mention sati as highly meritorious in several instances. A few instances of sati are recorded in the Hindu epics, which are otherwise reple ...

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Women in Hinduism, Women in Hinduism - Gender of God, Women in Hinduism - Status of women, Women in Hinduism - Marriage, Women in Hinduism - Divorce, Women in Hinduism - Remarriage, Women in Hinduism - Incest, Women in Hinduism - Sati, Women in Hinduism - Property rights, Women in Hinduism - Study of Scriptures

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From prehistoric times of Vedic civilization up to the Gupta Empire era, Hindu philosophy, theology and mythology were constantly evolving. History of Hinduism - Socio-Religious Reform Movements. Many orders for religious reform, moksha and religious transformation arose across India. History of Hinduism - Hinduism and Jainism. See Also: Jainism Jainism is perhaps the third-oldest religion in the world, and the earliest religious transformation of Hindu philosophy. The main conflict today remains over the rejection of the ...

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History of Hinduism, History of Hinduism - Origins, History of Hinduism - Analyzing the History, History of Hinduism - Literature, History of Hinduism - Archaeology, History of Hinduism - Hindu Mythology, History of Hinduism - Early Hinduism, History of Hinduism - Influences of the Indus Valley and Dravidian Peoples, History of Hinduism - Evolution of Hindu Philosophy, History of Hinduism - Socio-Religious Reform Movements, History of Hinduism - Hinduism and Jainism, History of Hinduism - Hinduism and the rise of Buddhism, History of Hinduism - Hinduism during the Golden Age in Bharat, History of Hinduism - Shankaracharya and the revival of Hinduism, History of Hinduism - Cultural expansion in South-East Asia, History of Hinduism - Hinduism in Medieval Ages, History of Hinduism - Islamic Invasion, History of Hinduism - Goa Inquisition, History of Hinduism - Bhakti Movement, History of Hinduism - The Reign of Shivaji, History of Hinduism - Modern Hinduism, History of Hinduism - Reform Movements, History of Hinduism - Converts

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Early Hinduism is a term used to designate the religious development of India before the historical period. Two kinds of evidence are available: literary and archeological. History of Hinduism - Literature. Shruti Vedas Rig Veda Sama Veda Yajur Veda Atharva Veda Brahmanas Aranyakas Upanishads Smriti Itihāsas Mahābhārata Bhagavad Gītā See also:

History of Hinduism, History of Hinduism - Origins, History of Hinduism - Analyzing the History, History of Hinduism - Literature, History of Hinduism - Archaeology, History of Hinduism - Hindu Mythology, History of Hinduism - Early Hinduism, History of Hinduism - Influences of the Indus Valley and Dravidian Peoples, History of Hinduism - Evolution of Hindu Philosophy, History of Hinduism - Socio-Religious Reform Movements, History of Hinduism - Hinduism and Jainism, History of Hinduism - Hinduism and the rise of Buddhism, History of Hinduism - Hinduism during the Golden Age in Bharat, History of Hinduism - Shankaracharya and the revival of Hinduism, History of Hinduism - Cultural expansion in South-East Asia, History of Hinduism - Hinduism in Medieval Ages, History of Hinduism - Islamic Invasion, History of Hinduism - Goa Inquisition, History of Hinduism - Bhakti Movement, History of Hinduism - The Reign of Shivaji, History of Hinduism - Modern Hinduism, History of Hinduism - Reform Movements, History of Hinduism - Converts

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From a Hindu perspective, Sanatana Dharma is composed of eternal principles and had no beginning and will have no end. There are two contemporary streams of thought regardings its origins: Current archeaological and literary evidence suggests that Hinduism was formed somewhere between 1500-1300 BCE. These dates are when the Rig Veda is believed to have begun to be written down, though it is accepted that there was a long oral tradition of the Vedas before that. Astronomical evidence gives an earlier date of a ...

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History of Hinduism, History of Hinduism - Origins, History of Hinduism - Analyzing the History, History of Hinduism - Literature, History of Hinduism - Archaeology, History of Hinduism - Hindu Mythology, History of Hinduism - Early Hinduism, History of Hinduism - Influences of the Indus Valley and Dravidian Peoples, History of Hinduism - Evolution of Hindu Philosophy, History of Hinduism - Socio-Religious Reform Movements, History of Hinduism - Hinduism and Jainism, History of Hinduism - Hinduism and the rise of Buddhism, History of Hinduism - Hinduism during the Golden Age in Bharat, History of Hinduism - Shankaracharya and the revival of Hinduism, History of Hinduism - Cultural expansion in South-East Asia, History of Hinduism - Hinduism in Medieval Ages, History of Hinduism - Islamic Invasion, History of Hinduism - Goa Inquisition, History of Hinduism - Bhakti Movement, History of Hinduism - The Reign of Shivaji, History of Hinduism - Modern Hinduism, History of Hinduism - Reform Movements, History of Hinduism - Converts

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The Gupta dynasty ruled India (what was India then, the north of the Vindhyas), between fourth and sixth centuries of the common era. Though not as vast as Mauryan empire, Gupta rule has left a deep and wide cultural impact not only in the subcontinent but on the adjacent Asian countries as well. The practice of dedicating temples to different deities came into vogue followed by fine artistic temple architecture and sculpture. Books on medicine, veterinary science, mathematics, astronomy and astrophysics were written. The famous Aryabhata an ...

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History of Hinduism, History of Hinduism - Origins, History of Hinduism - Analyzing the History, History of Hinduism - Literature, History of Hinduism - Archaeology, History of Hinduism - Hindu Mythology, History of Hinduism - Early Hinduism, History of Hinduism - Influences of the Indus Valley and Dravidian Peoples, History of Hinduism - Evolution of Hindu Philosophy, History of Hinduism - Socio-Religious Reform Movements, History of Hinduism - Hinduism and Jainism, History of Hinduism - Hinduism and the rise of Buddhism, History of Hinduism - Hinduism during the Golden Age in Bharat, History of Hinduism - Shankaracharya and the revival of Hinduism, History of Hinduism - Cultural expansion in South-East Asia, History of Hinduism - Hinduism in Medieval Ages, History of Hinduism - Islamic Invasion, History of Hinduism - Goa Inquisition, History of Hinduism - Bhakti Movement, History of Hinduism - The Reign of Shivaji, History of Hinduism - Modern Hinduism, History of Hinduism - Reform Movements, History of Hinduism - Converts

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Apart from religious philosophy, mysticism and spiritualism and tales of superhuman heroes and events, Hindu mythology has a strong historical nature and character. It is perhaps the most extensive, although controversial and largely un-confirmable source for the history of ancient India and its peoples. For history according to the Hindu epics and scriptures, visit Hindu mythology. ...

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History of Hinduism, History of Hinduism - Origins, History of Hinduism - Analyzing the History, History of Hinduism - Literature, History of Hinduism - Archaeology, History of Hinduism - Hindu Mythology, History of Hinduism - Early Hinduism, History of Hinduism - Influences of the Indus Valley and Dravidian Peoples, History of Hinduism - Evolution of Hindu Philosophy, History of Hinduism - Socio-Religious Reform Movements, History of Hinduism - Hinduism and Jainism, History of Hinduism - Hinduism and the rise of Buddhism, History of Hinduism - Hinduism during the Golden Age in Bharat, History of Hinduism - Shankaracharya and the revival of Hinduism, History of Hinduism - Cultural expansion in South-East Asia, History of Hinduism - Hinduism in Medieval Ages, History of Hinduism - Islamic Invasion, History of Hinduism - Goa Inquisition, History of Hinduism - Bhakti Movement, History of Hinduism - The Reign of Shivaji, History of Hinduism - Modern Hinduism, History of Hinduism - Reform Movements, History of Hinduism - Converts

Read more here: » History of Hinduism: Encyclopedia II - History of Hinduism - Hindu Mythology

conversion to Hinduism: Entering Hinduism has traditionally required little more than accepting and living the beliefs and codes of Hindus. This remains the basic factor of adoption, although there are, and always have been, formal ceremonies recognizing an individual's entrance into the religion, particularly the namakarana, or naming rite.

The most obvious sign of true sincerity of adoption or conversion is the total abandoning of the former name and the choosing of the Hindu name, usually the name of a God or Goddess, and then making it legal on one's passport, identity card, social security card and driver's license. This name is used at all times, under all circumstances, particularly with family and friends. This is severance. This is adoption. This is embracing Hinduism. This is conversion. This is true sincerity and considered by born members as the most honorable and trusted testimony of those who choose to join the global congregation of the world's oldest religion.

Many temples in India and other countries will ask to see the passport or other appropriate identification before admitting devotees of non-Indian origin for more than casual worship. It requires nothing more than one's own commitment to the process. Belief is the keynote of religious conviction, and the beliefs vary greatly among the different religions of the world. What we believe forms our attitudes, shapes our lives and molds our destiny. To choose one's beliefs is to choose one's religion. Those who find themselves at home with the beliefs of Hinduism are, on a simple level, Hindu. Formally entering a new religion, however, is a serious commitment. Particularly for those with prior religious ties it is sometimes painful and always challenging.

The acceptance of outsiders into the Hindu fold has occurred for thousands of years. As Swami Vivekananda once said, "Born aliens have been converted in the past by crowds, and the process is still going on." Dr. S. Radhakrishnan confirms the swami's views in a brief passage from his well known book The Hindu View of Life: "In a sense, Hinduism may be regarded as the first example in the world of a missionary religion. Only its missionary spirit is different from that associated with the proselytizing creeds. It did not regard it as its mission to convert humanity to any one opinion.

For what counts is conduct and not belief. Worshipers of different Gods and followers of different rites were taken into the Hindu fold. The ancient practice of vratyastoma, described fully in the Tandya Brahmana, shows that not only individuals but whole tribes were absorbed into Hinduism. Many modern sects accept outsiders. Dvala's Smriti lays down rules for the simple purification of people forcibly converted to other faiths, or of womenfolk defiled and confined for years, and even of people who, for worldly advantage, embrace other faiths (p. 28-29)."

See: Hindu, Hinduism.

(See also: Conversion to Hinduism, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Hinduism (Hindu Dharma): (Sanskrit) India's indigenous religious and cultural system, followed today by nearly one billion adherents, mostly in India, but with large populations in many other countries. Also called Sanatana Dharma, "eternal religion" and Vaidika Dharma, "religion of the Vedas."

Hinduism is the world's most ancient religion and encompasses a broad spectrum of philosophies ranging from pluralistic theism to absolute monism.

It is a family of myriad faiths with four primary denominations:

• Saivism,
• Vaishnavism,
• Shaktism and
• Smartism.

These four hold such divergent beliefs that each is a complete and independent religion. Yet, they share a vast heritage of culture and belief:

• karma,
• dharma,
• reincarnation,
• all-pervasive Divinity,
• temple worship,
• sacraments,
• manifold Deities,
• the guru-shishya tradition and
• a reliance on the Vedas as scriptural authority.

From the rich soil of Hinduism long ago sprang various other traditions. Among these were Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism, which rejected the Vedas and thus emerged as completely distinct religions, disassociated from Hinduism, while still sharing many philosophical insights and cultural values with their parent faith.

Though the genesis of the term is controversial, the consensus is that the term Hindu or Indu was used by the Persians to refer to the Indian peoples of the Indus Valley as early as 500 bce. Additionally, Indian scholars point to the appearance of the related term Sindhu in the ancient Rig Veda Samhita. Janaki Abhisheki writes (Religion as Knowledge: The Hindu Concept, p. 1): "Whereas today the word

Hindu connotes a particular faith and culture, in ancient times it was used to describe those belonging to a particular region. About 500 bce we find the Persians referring to 'Hapta Hindu.' This referred to the region of Northwest India and the Punjab (before partition).

The Rig Veda (the most ancient literature of the Hindus) uses the word Sapta Sindhu singly or in plural at least 200 times. Sindhu is the River Indus. Panini, the great Sanskrit grammarian, also uses the word Sindhu to denote the country or region.

While the Persians substituted h for s, the Greeks removed the h also and pronounced the word as 'Indoi.' Indian is derived from the Greek Indoi."

Dr. S. Radhakrishnan similarly observed,

"The Hindu civilization is so called since its original founders or earliest followers occupied the territory drained by the Sindhu (the Indus) River system corresponding to the Northwest Frontier Province and the Punjab. This is recorded in the Rig Veda, the oldest of the Vedas, the Hindu scriptures, which give their name to this period of Indian history. The people on the Indian side of the Sindhu were called Hindus by the Persians and the later Western invaders. That is the genesis of the word Hindu" (The Hindu View of Life, p. 12).

See: Hindu.

(See also: Hinduism, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

That: When capitalized, this simple demonstrative refers uniquely to the Ultimate, Indescribable or Nameless Absolute. The Self God, Parasiva. It is the English equivalent of Tat, as in, Tat tvam asi, "You are That!"

(See also: That, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

initiation (to initiate): Entering into; admission as a member. In Hinduism, initiation from a qualified preceptor is considered invaluable for spiritual progress. Usually the beginning of more advance learning.

See: diksha, shaktipata, sannyasa diksha.

(See also: Initiation, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Kapila: (Sanskrit) Founder (ca 500 bce) of the Sankhya philosophy, one of the six darshanas of Hinduism.

See: shad darshana.

(See also: Kapila, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

waver: To vacillate, showing doubt or indecision. Characteristic of not being firm-minded. To be unsure of oneself.

See: conversion to Hinduism.

(See also: Waver, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

wrath: Intense anger. Rage.

(See also: Wrath, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

icon: A sacred image, usually of God or one of the Gods. English for murti.

See: aniconic, murti.

(See also: Icon, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

iconoclastic: Opposed to widely accepted ideas, beliefs and customs. Also [but not used as such in this text], opposed to the worship or use of religious icons, or advocating their destruction.

(See also: Iconoclastic, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

illusion (illusory): A belief, opinion or observation that appears to be, but is not in accord with the facts, truth or true values, such as the illusion created by a magician.

See: avidya.

(See also: Illusion, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)