Brahmanism, popularly known as Hinduism, developed its ritual, worship and philosophy from Aryan scriptures; the Vedas. Over the years this civilization, culture and tradition were trickled down to the lower caste of the social hierarchy of the Hindu society through puranas as well as Ithihasas like Ramayana and Mahabharata. Brahmanism considers Brahmin caste as hereditary creators, preservers and propagators of religion. A Brahmin (less often Brahman) is a person born in the priestly Brahmin caste. The word is related to but not to be confused with religious conception of the t ...

Including:

• Brahmanism - Theology
• Brahmanism - Pantheism
• Brahmanism - Caste
• Brahmanism - Sub castes
• Brahmanism - Maharashtrian sub-castes:
• Brahmanism - South Indian brahmin sub-castes:
• Brahmanism - The four stages of life
• Brahmanism - Sacramental rites
• Brahmanism - Vegetarianism
• Brahmanism - Moksha
• Brahmanism - Evolution of Brahminism
• Brahmanism - Brahmin Supremacy
• Brahmanism - Trimurti
• Brahmanism - Challenge To Brahmin Supremacy and Caste System
• Brahmanism - Buddhism
• Brahmanism - Charvaka
• Brahmanism - B.R. Ambedkar
• Brahmanism - Famous Brahmins

Read more here: » Brahmanism: Encyclopedia - Brahmanism

Grihastha - Pronunciation. 'Gri' as the 'Gru' in 'Gruel' 'Has' as the 'Hus' in 'Husk' 'tha' as in 'thaw' Grihastha - Word Root. This is a Sanskrit word. The Sanskrit meaning of "Gruha" is house. And the word Grihasthya symbolises a person who runs a house. Grihastha - Usage. This word is generally used to denote a particular phase of life( next 40 years {20-60 years of human life span} after Brahmacharya ...

Including:

• Grihastha - Pronunciation
• Grihastha - Word Root
• Grihastha - Usage

Read more here: » Grihastha: Encyclopedia - Grihastha

Brahmacharya is a Sanskrit word. The root "Brahma" signifies The Ultimate Reality or The Unified whole. The root "Char" means To follow or practice. The word Brahmacharya symbolises a person who is leading a life in quest of Brahma, or in other words a student. It is part of the Hindu scheme of life. Brahmacharya - Pronunciation. 'Brah' as the 'Bru' in 'brush' 'ma' as in 'animal' 'char' as the 'ture' in 'accenture' 'ya' as 'ia' in 'v ...

Including:

• Brahmacharya - Pronunciation
• Brahmacharya - Usage
• Brahmacharya - Yoga
• Brahmacharya - Diet and Ahimsa
• Brahmacharya - Modern Brahmacharis
• Brahmacharya - Links for more Information and Various Views

Read more here: » Brahmacharya: Encyclopedia - Brahmacharya

In Hinduism, the Trimurti (also called the Hindu trinity) are three aspects of God in His forms as Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. This Trimurti concept is a tenet strongly held in Smartism as well as Ayyavazhi mythology. Brahma - the Creator Vishnu - the Preserver Shiva - the Destroyer The trimurti itself is conceived of as a deity and artistically represented as a three-faced human figure. Brahma is no longer as relevant as he once was, some would say the all-in-one Devi or Shakti, the Divine Moth ...

Including:

• Trimurti - Symbolizations
• Trimurti - Change of the Hindu Trinity
• Trimurti - Other uses

Read more here: » Trimurti: Encyclopedia - Trimurti

A vanaprastha (from Sanskrit vana, forest, and prus, dwelling) is a person who is living in the forest as a hermit after partially giving up material desires. This word is generally used to denote a particular phase of life(next 20 years {60-80 years of human life span} ). In this phase of life, the person is in a retreat from worldly life. He lives away from the city, in a jungle as a hermit, with as little material possessions as possible. This stage denotes a transition phase from material to spiritual life. It is the third ...

Read more here: » Vanaprastha: Encyclopedia - Vanaprastha

Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham is one of the important Hindu Advaita maṭhas. The heads of the maṭha are known as Shankaracharyas. It is believed to be one of the original maṭhas started by Sri Adi Shankaracharya. Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Location. The maţha is located in the temple town of Sringeri (also spelled as Shringeri), on the banks of river Tunga located in the Chikmagalur district of the Karnataka state, India. It is located 190 km from Mangalore. From Sringeri, the river Tunga flows ...

Including:

• Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Location
• Sringeri Sharada Peetham - History
• Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Head of the maṭha
• Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Philosophy and Traditions of the maṭha
• Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Followers of the maṭha
• Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Activities of the maṭha
• Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Relationship with other maṭhas and Institutions
• Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Guru Parampara

Read more here: » Sringeri Sharada Peetham: Encyclopedia - Sringeri Sharada Peetham

The Smarta worldview is influenced by Advaita philosophy, as most Smarta Gurus believe in Advaita. But in order to be a Smarta one need not follow Advaita philosophy. Also, a follower of Advaita philosophy need not be a Smarta. However, Advaita itself was firmly established and propagated by Adi Shankaracharya, who was born in a smarta family tradition. However, it was most essential for smarta Brahmins to specialize in the Karma Kanda of Vedas and associated rituals diligently and teach to the subsequent generations. This is the only ...

See also:

Smartism, Smartism - Definition, Smartism - Distinction from others, Smartism - Main beliefs, Smartism - Contributions to advaita, Smartism - Contributions to other philosophies, Smartism - Smartas who split away from their group, Smartism - Religious texts, Smartism - Prominent communities, Smartism - Swaminarayana sect view similar to Smarta view

Read more here: » Smartism: Encyclopedia II - Smartism - Main beliefs

The three first castes, however unequal to each other in privilege and social standing, are yet united by a common bond of sacramental rites (samskaras), traditionally connected from ancient times with certain incidents and stages in the life of the Hindu, as conception, birth, name-giving, the first taking out of the child to see the sun, the first feeding with boiled rice, the rites of tonsure and hair-cutting, the youths investiture with the sacrificial thread, and his return home on ...

See also:

Brahmanism, Brahmanism - Theology, Brahmanism - Pantheism, Brahmanism - Caste, Brahmanism - Sub castes, Brahmanism - Maharashtrian sub-castes:, Brahmanism - South Indian brahmin sub-castes:, Brahmanism - The four stages of life, Brahmanism - Sacramental rites, Brahmanism - Vegetarianism, Brahmanism - Moksha, Brahmanism - Evolution of Brahminism, Brahmanism - Brahmin Supremacy, Brahmanism - Trimurti, Brahmanism - Challenge To Brahmin Supremacy and Caste System, Brahmanism - Buddhism, Brahmanism - Charvaka, Brahmanism - B.R. Ambedkar, Brahmanism - Famous Brahmins

Read more here: » Brahmanism: Encyclopedia II - Brahmanism - Sacramental rites

The definite settlement of the caste system and the Brahmanical supremacy must probably be assigned to somewhere about the close of the Brahmapa period. Division in their own ranks was hardly favorable to the aspirations of the priests at such a time; and the want of a distinct formula of belief adapted to the general drift of theological speculation, to which they could all rally, was probably felt the more acutely, the more determined a resistance the military class was likely to oppose to their claims. Side by side with the conception of ...

See also:

Trimurti, Trimurti - Symbolizations, Trimurti - Change of the Hindu Trinity, Trimurti - Other uses

Read more here: » Trimurti: Encyclopedia II - Trimurti - Change of the Hindu Trinity

Rama Rao toured Andhra extensively in what was called Chaitanya Ratham (literally - a Chariot which spreads energy), his "election vehicle", and made use of the immense popularity of his on-screen movie image to win the next election. The party was voted to power in a record nine months after its establishment. TDP also won more than 35 (out of 40) Lok Sabha seats in the 1984 Indian elections. This made TDP the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha as Congress won more tha ...

See also:

Telugu Desam Party, Telugu Desam Party - NTR's era, Telugu Desam Party - Naidu's era, Telugu Desam Party - External link

Read more here: » Telugu Desam Party: Encyclopedia II - Telugu Desam Party - NTR's era

The origin of the maṭha is described in Sankara Vijaya, written by Madhava, brother of Sayana. He was different from Vidyaranya, an ancient seer of the maṭha, though Vidyaranya's purvashrama name was also Madhava. There are many inaccuracies in the Madhaviya Sankaravijaya. For example there is mention of an encounter of Adi sankaracharya with one great tantric called Abhinavagupta of Kamarupa. In fact there was one such famous tantric called Abhinavagupta in Kashmir, who wro ...

See also:

Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Location, Sringeri Sharada Peetham - History, Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Head of the maṭha, Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Philosophy and Traditions of the maṭha, Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Followers of the maṭha, Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Activities of the maṭha, Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Relationship with other maṭhas and Institutions, Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Guru Parampara

Read more here: » Sringeri Sharada Peetham: Encyclopedia II - Sringeri Sharada Peetham - History

Brahma (Devanagari ब्रह्मा, pronounced as "brəhmα:") is the Hindu creator god, and one of the Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. He must not be confused with the Supreme Cosmic Spirit of Hindu philosophy Brahman (the word stems of both are the same). Brahmā is identied with the Vedic deity Prajapati. Brahmacharya The word Brahmacharya symbolises a person who is leading a life in quest of Brahma, or in other words a student. The root "Bra ...

See also:

Glossary of terms in Hinduism, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - A, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - B, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - C, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - D, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - E, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - F, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - G, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - H, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - I, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - J, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - K, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - L, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - M, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - N, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - O, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - P, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - Q, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - R, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - S, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - T, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - U, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - V, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - W, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - Y, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - Z, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - Notes

Read more here: » Glossary of terms in Hinduism: Encyclopedia II - Glossary of terms in Hinduism - B

The definite settlement of the caste system and the Brahmanical supremacy must probably be assigned to somewhere about the close of the Brahmapa period. Division in their own ranks was hardly favorable to the aspirations of the priests at such a time; and the want of a distinct formula of belief adapted to the general drift of theological speculation, to which they could all rally, was probably felt the more acutely, the more determined a resistance the military class was likely to oppose to their claims. Side by side with the conception of ...

See also:

Trimurti, Trimurti - Symbolizations, Trimurti - Evolution of Theology on the Hindu Trinity, Trimurti - Other uses

Read more here: » Trimurti: Encyclopedia II - Trimurti - Evolution of Theology on the Hindu Trinity

The Smartas consider themselves followers and propagators of Smriti or religious texts derived from Vedic scriptures. It is from this that the name is derived. This term is used with respect to a certain specialized category of Brahmins. Not all Brahmins specialized in this Smriti tradition. Some were influenced by Buddhism, Jainism or Charvaka tradition and philosophy. This did not mean that all these people rejected the authority of Vedas, but only that their tradition of worship and philosophy was based not on smriti texts. ...

See also:

Smartism, Smartism - Definition, Smartism - Distinction from others, Smartism - Main beliefs, Smartism - Contributions to advaita, Smartism - Contributions to other philosophies, Smartism - Smartas who split away from their group, Smartism - Religious texts, Smartism - Prominent communities, Smartism - Swaminarayana sect view similar to Smarta view

Read more here: » Smartism: Encyclopedia II - Smartism - Distinction from others

Most Hindu, Buddhist and Jain monks are brahmacharis, having taken the vow for life, commiting themselves to work of religious service and study. Mahatma Gandhi, the great Indian political and spiritual leader had embraced the vow and lifestyle permanently at age 36. Many brahmacharis have the final goal of nirvana, or moksha in mind when they pursue strictly disciplined lifestyles. ...

See also:

Brahmacharya, Brahmacharya - Pronunciation, Brahmacharya - Usage, Brahmacharya - Yoga, Brahmacharya - Diet and Ahimsa, Brahmacharya - Modern Brahmacharis, Brahmacharya - Links for more Information and Various Views

Read more here: » Brahmacharya: Encyclopedia II - Brahmacharya - Modern Brahmacharis

The main Hindu scriptures are the main religious books followed by the Smartas. These include: 1.The Vedas (Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharva Veda). These are considered primary spiritual resources; every Brahmin family is affiliated to one or more of the Vedas. The Vedas are considered divine revelation, which only an advanced spiritual student can grasp. 2.The Upanishads, which are part of the Vedas, are often mentioned separately, given their especial importan ...

See also:

Smartism, Smartism - Definition, Smartism - Distinction from others, Smartism - Main beliefs, Smartism - Contributions to advaita, Smartism - Contributions to other philosophies, Smartism - Smartas who split away from their group, Smartism - Religious texts, Smartism - Prominent communities, Smartism - Swaminarayana sect view similar to Smarta view

Read more here: » Smartism: Encyclopedia II - Smartism - Religious texts

Swami Sivananda, in his book, All about Hinduism, noted that "Brahma represents the creative aspect; Vishnu, the preservative aspect; and Siva, the destructive aspect of Paramatman. These functions are akin to wearing different garbs on different occasions. For example, when you do the function of a judge, you put on one kind of dress. At home you wear another kind of dress. When you do worship in the temple, you wear another kind of dress. You exhibit different kinds of temperament on different occasions. Even so, the Lord does the f ...

See also:

Trimurti, Trimurti - Symbolizations, Trimurti - Evolution of Theology on the Hindu Trinity, Trimurti - Other uses

Read more here: » Trimurti: Encyclopedia II - Trimurti - Symbolizations

After the demise of N.T. Rama Rao in 1996, his widow split the minority party again in the face of other opponents who were claiming to inherit his legacy. However, the infighting, fragmentation and the lack of a charismatic leader, led them to political oblivion in the subsequent elections. Chandrababu Naidu remained the leader of the majority faction, now recognised as the official Telugu Desam. Naidu has expressed a goal of establishing Hyderabad and the state as a center for information technology. He wants to make Andhra Pradesh what he calls Swarnaand ...

See also:

Telugu Desam Party, Telugu Desam Party - NTR's era, Telugu Desam Party - Naidu's era, Telugu Desam Party - External link

Read more here: » Telugu Desam Party: Encyclopedia II - Telugu Desam Party - Naidu's era

Prominent Smarta communities of South India include Sirinadu community who have their origins from Mysore in Karnataka, the Iyer community of Tamil Nadu, the Namboothiri community of Kerala, and the vaidiki Mulukanadu, Vaidiki Velanadu, vaidike Badaganadu, Vaidiki Telanganya, Babboor Kamme, Sankethi, Hoysala Kannada, Kota, Arvel Niyogi and Gaud Saraswat communities of Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, among many others. Communities like the Sri Vaishnavas, Madhwas and Veera Saivas are some of the other Hindu sects which ...

See also:

Smartism, Smartism - Definition, Smartism - Distinction from others, Smartism - Main beliefs, Smartism - Contributions to advaita, Smartism - Contributions to other philosophies, Smartism - Smartas who split away from their group, Smartism - Religious texts, Smartism - Prominent communities, Smartism - Swaminarayana sect view similar to Smarta view

Read more here: » Smartism: Encyclopedia II - Smartism - Prominent communities

Sreekanta was the founder of Siva Advaita. Tyagaraja was a Bhakti Saint and musical genius who inspired Hindus of many different sects. Deeply immersed in Bhakti, this devotee of Lord Rama, was acceptable to even non Smartas. In his compositions, the Saint is a simple and humble Bhakta. In one of his compositions he asks which one is better "Dvaita or Advaita?". He leaves the question open. He belonged to that category of saints who believe in Bhakti as the path to God. In this sense his teachings were suitable to people of all the th ...

See also:

Smartism, Smartism - Definition, Smartism - Distinction from others, Smartism - Main beliefs, Smartism - Contributions to advaita, Smartism - Contributions to other philosophies, Smartism - Smartas who split away from their group, Smartism - Religious texts, Smartism - Prominent communities, Smartism - Swaminarayana sect view similar to Smarta view

Read more here: » Smartism: Encyclopedia II - Smartism - Contributions to other philosophies

Much of the maṭha activity is centered around religious institutions. A number of Vedic Schools and Temples are maintained by the maṭha. Besides this the maṭha also runs a hospital, and a few colleges. It has established branches in many parts of India. The Sharadambal Temple at Sringeri is managed by the Sringeri maṭha. There is also a spectacular library in Sringeri, with rare Sanskrit Volumes ,which is managed by the maṭha. The environment in Sringeri is highly unpolluted and beautiful. The maṭha has also played an impor ...

See also:

Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Location, Sringeri Sharada Peetham - History, Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Head of the maṭha, Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Philosophy and Traditions of the maṭha, Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Followers of the maṭha, Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Activities of the maṭha, Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Relationship with other maṭhas and Institutions, Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Guru Parampara

Read more here: » Sringeri Sharada Peetham: Encyclopedia II - Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Activities of the maṭha