Hinduism: Main Gods

Hinduism: Main Gods.

 "Om" symbolizes the essential oneness with the supreme Hindu Trinity. It's a symbol that represent the Hinduism.

“The idea of God is the pivotal doctrine in any religion.” (Woodburne, 1925. Pp. 52)

The Hinduism is formed of diverse tradition and has no single founder. Was born more or less in 3000 B.C., in the Indus Valley of India. Within Hinduism as a culture are the Polytheism, henotheism, pantheism and monotheism that are all to be found within Hinduism. Also, the main division of Hinduism today is Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Smartism and Shaktism. They believed in reincarnation and karma or dharma.

The Hinduism has more than 330 million of deities. And with about one billion followers, is the world’s third largest religion (after Christianity and Islam) and for the time is also called the “oldest living religion”. The concept of God is complex and depends upon each individual and the tradition and philosophy that each Hindu followed. Most Hindus believed that the spirit or soul (the true self of every person) is eternal.

 There are different moral ideals of Hinduism: (Campos, I. V., 2013)

·         Non-violence

·         Truthfulness

·         Search for the ultimate truth

·         Friendship

·         Dharma (fulfilling one’s duty)

·         Compassion

·         Fortitude

·         Self-restraint

·         Purity

The Hinduism is the majority currently in 3 states in the world: India, which is the birthplace of this religion and its holy land, and where they are 80.5% of the population; Nepal with 80% and the African island of Mauritius with 48%.

 Hindus accepted the Vedas sacred texts, covering many ancient texts. Major scriptures include the Vedas, Upanishads, Purānas, Mahābhārata, Rāmāyana, Bhagavad Gîtā and Âgamas.

The Rig Veda is one of the oldest religious text.

Bhagavad Gita, a 19th century manuscript

After a brief history of Hinduism, let's start with what really does not matter here: the gods. First of all, we need to talk about the Trimurti (in English “Three forms”) formed by Brahmā the creator, Vishnu the maintainer and Śhiva the destroyer or transformer.

• ·         Brahmā (creator). Is one of a trinity of supreme creator deities in the Hindu pantheon.

Chandra, Encyclopedia of Hindu Gods and Goddesses, (2001):

Brahmā is depicted with 4 heads, often bearded, facing in 4 directions, and with 4 hands, sometimes with one of them raised in blessing or promise. As a god of knowledge he often carries the Vedas in one of his hands. Also, includes a water pot indicating prosperity, a spoon or a string of pearls. (pp.42)

In the Rāmāyaņa and the Mahābhārata, he is often referred to as the progenitor or great grandsire of all human beings.

• ·         Śhiva (destroyer). Principal creative and destructive god. Śhiva is a deity with the linked roles of both creator and destroyer of life, more generally the latter. Personifies the inexorable passage of time and out of destruction he creates new life.

Chandra, Encyclopedia of Hindu Gods and Goddesses, (2001):

Generally depicted in the role of an ascetic with a blue painted throat, attributed to holding the primal poison halahala in his throat before swallowing it to save mankind from its deadly effect... bears 4 arms which is fastened a skull, a drum, representing the rhythm of creation, and a noose. Has a strong association with fire and may hold a ball of flame. (pp. 306) 

Śhiva is often depicted with a 3 eye, with which he burned Desire to ashes. The number 5 is a sacred for Śhiva, because his body consists of five mantras, called the pañcabrahmans:

o   Sadyojāta

o   Vāmadeva

o   Aghora

o   Tatpurusha

o   Îsāna

These five represented as the five faces of Śhiva and also associated with five elements, five senses, five organs of perception, and five organs of action.

• ·         Vishnu (maintainer). Is the preserver of the world. He rules real time or history and through the concept of karma he maintains a moral balance which he corrects occasionally in the guise of one of his incarnations.

Chandra, Encyclopedia of Hindu Gods and Goddesses, (2001):

Vishnu is depicted with many heads or with four heads, generally with four arms, typically holding a wide assortment of attributes including conch and prayer wheel. He may also carry a discus, which reflects a destructive aspect, a mace of authority and a lotus… (pp. 362)

Vishnu has six qualities being the most important:

o   Jhāna – Omniscience

o   Aishvarya – Sovereignty

o   Shakti – Energy

o   Bala – Strength

o   Vîrya – Vigor

o   Tejas - Splendor

Now, you know a little more about Hinduism, a little history and a little about their main gods. Hinduism is a religion very extensive due to its thousands of gods and is incredibly interesting. Have as many gods makes you think everything from if you just need a god for everything or you better have a god for everything. Although, it must be hard to remember the name of all the gods, and what represents each one. 

But if you want to know more, whatch this video about the history of Hinduism:

Lista de referencias

• ·         Woodburne, A. S. (Jan., 1925). The Journal of Religion: The Idea of God in Hinduism. Vol. 5, No. 1, pp 52-66. Published by: The University of Chicago Press. Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1195422

• ·         Lorenzen, D. N. (2006). Who invented Hinduism? India: Yoda Press.

• ·         Chandra, S. (2001). Encyclopedia of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. New Delhi: Sarup & Sons.

• ·         BBC (2013). Explanation of the Hindu gods. (Recovery March 1,2013) http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/explanation-of-the-hindu-gods/4796.html

• ·         Donald R. & Davis Jr. (November 2011). The spirit of Hindu Law: history of Religions. Vol. 51, No. 2.  pp. 183-185. Published by: The University of Chicago Press. Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/660933

• ·         The Saffron SIKH (2013). Taj Mahal is an Ancient Hindu Shiva Temple. (recovery March 3, 2013)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lRqPBhjNJY