Upanishad - Principal Upanishads. The following is a list of the ten "principal" (mukhya) Upanishads that were commented upon by Shankara, and that are accepted as shruti by all Hindus. They are listed with their associated Veda (Rigveda (ṚV), Samaveda (SV), White Yajurveda (ŚYV), Black Yajurveda (KYV), Atharvaveda (AV)). See also:

Upanishad, Upanishad - Place in the Hindu canon, Upanishad - List of Upanishads, Upanishad - Principal Upanishads, Upanishad - Canon by Vedic Shakha, Upanishad - The Muktika canon

Read more here: » Upanishad: Encyclopedia II - Upanishad - List of Upanishads

The Gayatri Mantra is the most revered mantra in Hinduism. It consists of the prefix :oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ ॐ भूर्भुवस्वः, a formula taken from the Yajurveda, and the verse 3.62.10 of the Rig Veda (which is an example of the Gayatri meter). Since all the other three Vedas contain much material rearranged from the Rig Veda, the Gayatr ...

See also:

Gayatri, Gayatri - Mantra, Gayatri - Text, Gayatri - Translation, Gayatri - Goddess, Gayatri - External link, Gayatri - Organizations

Read more here: » Gayatri: Encyclopedia II - Gayatri - Mantra

The Atharvaveda, while undoubtedly belonging to the core Vedic corpus, in some ways represents an independent parallel tradition to that of the Rigveda and Yajurveda. The Jaina and Bauddha texts are considerably more hostile to the AV (they call it Aggvāna or Ahavā ...

See also:

Atharvaveda, Atharvaveda - Status, Atharvaveda - Recensions, Atharvaveda - Issues of note, Atharvaveda - Dating, Atharvaveda - Editions

Read more here: » Atharvaveda: Encyclopedia II - Atharvaveda - Status

The Mantras are collected into anthologies called Samhitas. There are four Samhitas, the Rk (= Poetry), Sāman (=Song), Yajus(=Prayer) and Atharvan (=A kind of priest) commonly referred to as the Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda. Each Samhita is preserved in a number of versions or recensions (shakhas), the differences among them being minor, except in the case of the Yajur Veda, where two "White" (shukla) recensions contain the Mantras only, while four "Black" (krishna) recensions interspersed ...

See also:

Vedas, Vedas - Organization, Vedas - Position and compilation, Vedas - Study, Vedas - Religious views: Monism Monotheism Henotheism and Polytheism, Vedas - Cosmogony

Read more here: » Vedas: Encyclopedia II - Vedas - Organization

In present day, they are sometimes refered to as Debra in colloquial Marathi. They are chiefly classified as Deshastha Rigvedi Brahmins and Deshastha Yajurvedi Brahmins depending on whether they follow the Rigveda or the Yajurveda for performing their religious ceremonies. In southern India, they are identified as Deshastha Madhva Brahmins, who follow the teachings of Madhvacharya and Deshastha Smartha Brahmins, who follow the teac ...

See also:

Deshastha Brahmin, Deshastha Brahmin - Classification, Deshastha Brahmin - Common Surnames, Deshastha Brahmin - Prominent Deshastha Brahmins

Read more here: » Deshastha Brahmin: Encyclopedia II - Deshastha Brahmin - Classification

The ancient Aryans were a community that, through centuries of development, realized advances in a wide range of fields ranging from astrology to agriculture. The accumulated wisdom of this people, as well as their guidelines for living, was set down in an ancient set of records known as the Vedas. These Vedas bore names such as the Rigveda, Samveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda, and many others. These ancient Vedas contain the word yoni in various contexts. The original meaning of yoni was "Divine Passage". A child was considered to ...

See also:

Yoni, Yoni - Historical perspective, Yoni - Yoni worship, Yoni - Yoni massage, Yoni - Other

Read more here: » Yoni: Encyclopedia II - Yoni - Historical perspective

The mantra is first attested in the kalisaṇṭāraṇopaniṣad (Kali Santarana Upanishad), a Vaishnava Upanishad associated with the Black Yajurveda. In this Upanishad, Narada is instructed by Brahma (in the translation of K. N. Aiyar): "Hearken to that which all Shrutis (the Vedas) keep secret and hidden, through which one may cross the Samsara (mundane existence) of Kali. He shakes off (the evil effects of) Kali through the mere uttering of the name of Lord Narayana, ...

See also:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna - The mantra, Hare Krishna - History, Hare Krishna - Hare Krishna movement, Hare Krishna - Hippie culture, Hare Krishna - Other scriptural references, Hare Krishna - Notes

Read more here: » Hare Krishna: Encyclopedia II - Hare Krishna - History

The maṭha Gurus follow the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta. As per the tradition initiated by Adi Shankara, the matha is incharge of the Yajur Veda (the Black Yajurveda is more popular in south India). The Gurus of the maṭha believe in all the demigods (devas), described in the Vedas and the Puranas, to be mundane manifestations of the same One Cosmic Spirit, called Brahman. They suscribe to the Vedic phrase "Aham Brahma Asmi",which means that "I am the Universal spirit". The Gurus wear ochre robes, smear their forehead with Sacred ashes o ...

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 - Philosophy and Traditions of the maṭha

Vedas:

An ancient sanskrit text. The entire body of ancient, sacred revelations of truth. Chief amongst which are the Rigveda, Saamaveda, Yajurveda and the Athharvanaveda. The basis for the Hindu religion, as well as ayurvedic medicine, health etc...

(See also: Vedas, Body Mind and Soul)

Vedas:

Vedas: [see also Vedas] Sacred scriptures of the Hindu religion. (BV-32). The Sacred scriptures revealed by the Supreme Being, adopted by the Hindus. There are four parts: Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda. The original revealed scriptures, first spoken by Lord Krishna.

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

Shruti Vedas Rig Veda Sama Veda Yajur Veda Atharva Veda Brahmanas Aranyakas Upanishads Smriti Itihāsas Mahābhārata Bhagavad Gītā Ramayana Puranas (List) Tantras Sutras (List) Stotras Ashtavakra Gita Gita ...

Including:

• Vedas - Organization
• Vedas - Position and compilation
• Vedas - Study
• Vedas - Religious views: Monism Monotheism Henotheism and Polytheism
• Vedas - Cosmogony

Read more here: » Vedas: Encyclopedia - Vedas

The Vedic civilization is the Indo-Aryan culture associated with the Vedas, the earliest known records of Indian history. Mainstream scholarship places the Vedic civilization into the 2nd and 1st millennia BC, many Hindu scholars date its beginnings as early as the 7th millennium BC based on astronomical information in the Vedas, genetics, horse bones findings in Harappan places that suggest a Vedic way of living before 2000 BC,and the reference to a big Saraswati river in Rig Veda which proves Vedic people were there before it decrea ...

Including:

• Vedic civilization - Overview
• Vedic civilization - Rigvedic period
• Vedic civilization - Political organization
• Vedic civilization - Society and economy
• Vedic civilization - Vedic Religion
• Vedic civilization - The later Vedic period
• Vedic civilization - Kingdoms
• Vedic civilization - Society

Read more here: » Vedic civilization: Encyclopedia - Vedic civilization

Hinduism (हिन्दू धर्म; also known as Sanātana Dharma - सनातन धर्म, and Vaidika-Dharma - वैदिक धर्म) is a worldwide religious tradition that is based on the Vedas and is the direct descendant of the Vedic religion. It encompasses many religious traditions that widely vary in practice, as well as many diverse sects and philosophies. An array of deities, all manifestations of the one supreme monistic Ishvara, are venerated. Beliefs, codes and principles vary fr ...

Including:

• 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

Read more here: » Hinduism: Encyclopedia - Hinduism

Please remove this notice after the article has been expanded. Details are on this talk page or at Wikipedia:Requests for expansion. The history of Hinduism begins around 7,000 years ago and continues till the dawn of the Gupta Empire in India, and the organized, written records and preservation of important historical documents. Hinduism was synthesized in these misty centuries, from the ancient Indo-Iranian Vedic religion, the religious and philosophical practices of the peoples of the Indus Valley Civil ...

Including:

• History of Early Hinduism - Analyzing the History
• History of Early Hinduism - At the birth of Hinduism
• History of Early Hinduism - The Aryans of India and Iran
• History of Early Hinduism - The Indus Valley Civilization
• History of Early Hinduism - Influences of the Indus Valley and Dravidian People
• History of Early Hinduism - The Indigenous Peoples within India
• History of Early Hinduism - Composition of the Vedas
• History of Early Hinduism - From the Ancient Vedic Religion
• History of Early Hinduism - Influences from the Indus Valley
• History of Early Hinduism - The Classical Age: Ramayana and Mahabharata

Read more here: » History of Early Hinduism: Encyclopedia - History of Early Hinduism

Gayatri (gāyatrī) is the feminine form of gāyatra, a Sanskrit word for a song or a hymn. It can be:- The name of a Vedic poetic meter of 24 syllables (three lines of eight syllables each), see Vedic meter. Any hymn composed in this meter. In Hinduism, it is one mantra in particular, and a goddess as its personification. It was written and developed by one of the greatest brahmarishi sages, Vishwamitra. Gayatri - Mantra. The Gayatri Mantra is the ...

Including:

• Gayatri - Mantra
• Gayatri - Text
• Gayatri - Translation
• Gayatri - Goddess
• Gayatri - External link
• Gayatri - Organizations

Read more here: » Gayatri: Encyclopedia - Gayatri

The religion of the Vedic civilization is the predecessor of classical Hinduism, usually included in the term. Its liturgy is reflected in the text of the Vedas. The religion centered on a clergy (the Brahmins) administering sacrificial rites. Texts considered to date to the Vedic period, composed in Vedic Sanskrit, are mainly the four Vedas, but the Brahmanas, and some of the older Upanishads are also considered Vedic. The Vedas record the liturgy connected with t ...

Including:

• Vedic religion - Post-Vedic religions

Read more here: » Vedic religion: Encyclopedia - Vedic religion

A mantra is a religious syllable or poem, typically from the Sanskrit language. Their use varies according to the school and philosophy associated with the mantra. They are primarily used as spiritual conduits, words and vibrations that instill one-pointed concentration in the devotee. Other purposes have included religious ceremonies to accumulate wealth, avoid danger, or eliminate enemies. Mantras originated in India with Vedic Hinduism and were later adopted by Buddhists and Jains, now popular in various modern forms of spiritual practice which are loosely b ...

Including:

• Mantra - Introduction
• Mantra - Mantra in Hinduism
• Mantra - Mantra Japa
• Mantra - Some Hindu mantras
• Mantra - Lead me from Ignorance to Truth
• Mantra - Hare Krishna Maha Mantra
• Mantra - The shanti mantras
• Mantra - Universal prayer
• Mantra - Other examples
• Mantra - The Hindu Bija Mantra
• Mantra - Remarks
• Mantra - What is Dharma?
• Mantra - The Significance of the Symbol Om
• Mantra - Mantras and Prayers
• Mantra - Kirtan and Bhajan
• Mantra - Vedic Conception of Sound
• Mantra - Mantra in Buddhism
• Mantra - Mantra in Shingon Buddhism
• Mantra - Mantra in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism
• Mantra - Om mani padme hum
• Mantra - Some other mantras used by Tibetan Buddhists
• Mantra - Mantra in other traditions or contexts

Read more here: » Mantra: Encyclopedia - Mantra

Indo-Aryan migration refers to the migration and expansion of the Indo-Aryans during the 2nd millennium BC or earlier. Archaeological and philological data indicates that there was a shift of settlements from the northwestern part of South Asia to the Gangetic valley and to the south during the second millennium BCE, but does not clearly support a migration of Indo-Aryan people into South Asia. Based on linguistic data, many scholars have argued that Indo-Aryan speakers invaded in South Asia in the second millennium BCE. This correspo ...

Including:

• Indo-Aryan migration - Overview
• Indo-Aryan migration - History
• Indo-Aryan migration - Linguistics
• Indo-Aryan migration - Philology
• Indo-Aryan migration - Rig Veda
• Indo-Aryan migration - Vedic and Puranic King lists
• Indo-Aryan migration - Puranas
• Indo-Aryan migration - Avesta and Airyanem Vaejah
• Indo-Aryan migration - Archaeology
• Indo-Aryan migration - Indus Valley Civilization
• Indo-Aryan migration - Vasishta head
• Indo-Aryan migration - Pottery
• Indo-Aryan migration - West Asia
• Indo-Aryan migration - Astronomical data
• Indo-Aryan migration - Physical Anthropology
• Indo-Aryan migration - Genetics and Archaeogenetics

Read more here: » Indo-Aryan migration: Encyclopedia - Indo-Aryan migration

Shakha (IAST śākhā), literally "branch" or "limb", is the Sanskrit term for a recension or version of Vedic texts according to a particular school. The scholars of a given shakha are properly called a caraṇa, but the term shakha is u ...

Read more here: » Shakha: Encyclopedia - Shakha

Shruti Vedas Rig Veda Sama Veda Yajur Veda Atharva Veda Brahmanas Aranyakas Upanishads Smriti Itihāsas Mahābhārata Bhagavad Gītā Ramayana Puranas (List) Tantras Sutras (List) Stotras Ashtavakra Gita Gi ...

Read more here: » Brahmana: Encyclopedia - Brahmana

Shruti Vedas Rig Veda Sama Veda Yajur Veda Atharva Veda Brahmanas Aranyakas Upanishads Smriti Itihāsas Mahābhārata Bhagavad Gītā Ramayana Puranas (List) Tantras Sutras (List) Stotras Ashtavakra Gita