Portal:Hinduism

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Aum, an all-encompassing, mystical entity, representative of the Hindu religion and philosophy.

Hinduism (Sanskrit Hindū Dharma—हिन्दू धर्म, also known as Sanātana Dharma सनातन धर्म, and Vaidika Dharma वैदिक धर्म) is a religion originating in the Indian subcontinent, based on the Vedas, and is thought to be the oldest religious tradition still practiced today. The term, "Hinduism," is heterogeneous, as Hinduism consists of several schools of thought. It encompasses many religious rituals that widely vary in practice, as well as many diverse philosophies. Most Hindus believe in a Supreme Cosmic Spirit, which may be understood in abstract terms as Brahman or which may be worshipped in personal forms such as Vishnu, Shiva or Shakti. The religion is classified by many different forms of theism such as monotheism, monism, pantheism, polytheism and even atheism. Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world with approximately 1 Billion adherents, (2010), approximately 930 million of whom are in India.

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Depiction of Aravan, worshiped at Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore
Iravan (Aravan) is a minor character from the Hindu epic of Mahabharata. The son of Pandava prince Arjuna (one of the main heroes of the Mahabharata) and the Naga princess Ulupi, Iravan is the central god of the cult of Kuttantavar and plays a major role in the cult of Draupadi. Both these cults are of South Indian origin, from a region of the country where he is worshipped as a village deity. The Mahabharata portrays Iravan as dying a heroic death in the 18-day Kurukshetra War, the epic's main subject. However, the South Indian cults have a supplementary tradition of honouring Iravan's self-sacrifice to the goddess Kali to ensure her favour and the victory of the Pandavas in the war. The South Indian cult focus on three boons granted to Iravan by the god Krishna in honour of this self-sacrifice. Iravan is also a patron god of well-known Indian transgender communities called Ali. In Koovagam, Tamil Nadu, an 18-day festival holds a ceremonial marriage of Iravan to Alis and male villagers and followed then by their "widowhood" after ritual re-enactment of Iravan's sacrifice. Iravan is also known in Indonesia. Independent Javanese traditions present a dramatic marriage of Irawan to Titisari, daughter of Krishna, and a death resulting from a case of mistaken identity.
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Swami Vivekananda, September, 1893, Chicago
Swami Vivekananda (Bengali: স্বামী বিবেকানন্দ, Hindi: स्वामी विवेकानन्द) (whose pre-monastic name was Narendranath Dutta (Bengali: নরেন্দ্রনাথ দত্ত, Hindi: नरेन्द्रनाथ दत्त; January 12, 1863 – July 4, 1902) is considered one of the most famous and influential spiritual leaders of the Hindu religion. He was the chief disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and was the founder of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission. He is considered by many as an icon for his fearless courage, his positive exhortations to the youth, his broad outlook to social problems, and countless lectures and discourses on Vedanta philosophy.
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  • ...that Krishna (pictured) literally means "black" or "dark one" in Sanskrit?
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agnim īļe purohitam|
 yajñasya devam ŗtvijam|
hotāraM ratnadhātamam.||"

English: "I praise Agni, the priest of the house, the divine ministrant of sacrifice, the invoker, the best bestower of treasure.

— Rig Veda The first words of the first hymn.
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Hinduism

Overviews: Deities • Denominations • History • Mythology

Philosophy: Advaita  • Ayurveda • Bhakti • Dharma • Karma • Maya • Mimāṃsā • Moksha • Nyaya • Puja (Hinduism) • Reincarnation • Samkhya • Samsara • Shaivism •Shaktism • Tantra • Vaisheshika • Vaishnavism • Vedanta • Vegetarianism • Yoga • Yuga

Scriptures: Upanishads • Vedas • Brahmana • Bhagavad Gita • Ramayana • Mahabharata • Purana • Aranyaka • Shikshapatri • Vachanamrut • Ramcharitmanas

Lists: Advaita Vedanta • Ayyavazhi •Asuras • Avatars • Converts • Deities • Entertainers • Festivals • Gurus and saints • Krishna • Warriors • Rakshasas • Soldiers • Teachers • Temples • Yoga schools

Related topics: Astronomy • Calendar • Caste system • by Country • Festivals • Glossary • Laws • Leaders • Mantra • Murti • Music • Temples • Spirituality

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