HinduismHinduism

Evolution (Origins, development)Gods of Hinduism

•• Asato Maa SadgamayaAsato Maa SadgamayaTamaso Maa Jyotir GamayaTamaso Maa Jyotir GamayaAmrityor Maa Amratam GamayaAmrityor Maa Amratam Gamaya

BrhadaranyakaBrhadaranyaka Upanishad 1:3:28Upanishad 1:3:28

Lead me from the unreal to the realLead me from the unreal to the realFrom darkness to lightFrom darkness to light(i.e., ignorance to knowledge)(i.e., ignorance to knowledge)From death to immortalityFrom death to immortality

About Hindu God (s): About Hindu God (s): Pick the right answerPick the right answer

Only one god who is impersonal (Brahman)Three gods (triad of Brahma, Visnu & Siva)10 gods33 gods330 million (33 crores) godsAll of the aboveNone of the above

The Vedic period (Aryan) : Vedic gods: 2500 – 1000 BC

The Epic Period : Avatars of Vishnu 1000 – 300 BC ? 400 AD

The Puranic period : Shiva becomes pre-eminent

Medieval period / Bhakti : Krsna worship

Renaissance / Modern Hinduism : Brahmo Samaj, Aurobindo, Theosophy, Tagore, Vivekananda, ISKON, Gandhi, Yoga

Upanishads : Mystical and philosophical

Hindu triad of Brahman, Visnu, Siva 1500 – 500 BC

Indus valley civilization

Early Vedic godsEarly Vedic gods

Indra (war & weather) slays demon Vrtra – creates the worldVaruna (ruler of cosmos: cosmic order= rta)

Agni (fire) Others:– Wind (Vayu), Surya, Vsnu, Rudra

Gaayatri Gaayatri (to sun God)(to sun God)

Om Bhoor BhuvassuvahOm Tat SavituravarenayamBhargo Devasya DheemahiDhiyo Yo nah Prachodayaat– Rg Veda 3:62

May there be peace on mortal, immortal and divine planesI meditate upon the most brilliant splendor of the Sun GodMay he stimulate our intellect(so that we are inspired to take the right action at the right time)

Hymn to Hymn to Mitra Mitra and and VarunaVaruna

Svasti mitravarunaSvasti pathye revatiSwasti na indrascagniscaSvasti no adite krdhi

Rg Veda V: 51, 14

Send us well-being, O Mitra and VarunaSend us well-being O divine path, laden with richesMay Indra and Agni bring us welfareSend us well-being O Aditi

Visadevas Visadevas and and SaraswatiSaraswati

Sam no deva visvadeva bhavantuSam sarasvati saha shibhihrastuSamabhisacah samu satisacahSam no divyah parthivah sam no apyah

Rg Veda VII: 35,11

May the divine vasudevas (All Gods) be kind to usMay Sarasvati with the divine thoughts be good to usMay the Helpful and Bountiful Gods be good to usMay those who live in Heaven, on earth and celestial watersBe gracious to us

Questions about originsQuestions about origins

Mythological – Indra – slays the the dragon Vrtra– Hiranyagarbha – golden embryo

Viswakarman (male) vac (sound) kala (time)

– Prajapati (Father of gods)Beginning of philosophical doubt and speculation

Philosophical questPhilosophical quest

‘O Yagnavalka, that of which they say it is above the heaven, beneath the earth, embracing heaven and earth, past, present, and future, tell me what is woven, like warp and woof?’ (3.8.3)

.. He said: ‘O Gargi, the Brahmanas call this the Akshara (the imperishable). It is neither coarse nor fine, neither short nor long, neither red (like fire) nor fluid (like water); it is without shadow, without darkness, without air, without ether, without attachment, without taste, without smell, without eyes, without ears, without speech, without mind, without light (vigour), without breath, without measure, having no within, no without, it devours nothing, and no one devours it’. (3.8.8)…

‘That Brahman’, O Gargi, ‘is unseen, but all seeing; unheard, but hearing; unperceived, but perceiving; unknown, but knowing. There is nothing that sees but it, nothing that hears but it, nothing that perceives but it, nothing that knows but it. In that Aksharathen, O Gargi, the ether is woven, like warp and woof’. (3.8.11)

Brahadranyaka Upanishad

The sage, our father, who took his place as priest of the oblation and offered all these worlds as oblation. Seeking riches through prayer, he entered those who were to come later, concealing those who went before.

With eyes on all sides and mouth on all sides, with arms on all sides and feet on all sides, the One God created the sky and the earth, fanning them with his arms.

What was the wood and what was the tree from which they carved the sky and the earth? You deep thinkers, ask yourselves in your own hearts, what base did he stand on when he set up the worlds?

The All-Maker, the Lord of sacred speech, swift as thought – we call to him today to help us in the contest. Let him who is the maker of good things and is gentle with everyone rejoice in our invocations and help us.

Rg Veda 10. 81. 1 - 7

The Father of the Eye, who is wise in his heart..

The All-Maker is vast in mind and vast in strength. He is the one who forms, who sets in order, and who is the highest image….

Our father, who created and set in order and knows all forms, all worlds, who all alone gave names to the gods, he is the one to whom all creatures come to ask questions.

….. the realm of light was still immersed in the realm without light.

You cannot find him who created these creatures; another has come between you. Those who recite the hymns are glutted with the pleasures of life; and they wander about wrapped up in the mist and stammering nonsense.

Rg Veda 10.82 : 1 – 7,

Rtam ra satyam cabhidoharTapso dhyajayataTato ratryajayataTatoh samudro arnevah– Rg Veda X: 190, 1

From the blazing ascetic fervor were bornThe Rta (the somic order) and TruthFrom this the stillness of night was bornFrom this the ocean with its waves

Philosophical doubtPhilosophical doubt

Hymn of CreationHymn of Creation

Then even nothingness was not, nor existenceThere was no air then, nor the heavens beyond it.

What covered it? Where was it? In whose keeping?Was there then cosmic water, in the depths unfathomed?

Then there was neither death nor immortality,nor was there then the touch of night and day.

The one breathed windlessly and self-sustaining.There was that One then, and there was no other.

At first there was only darkness wrapped in darkness.All this was only un-illuminated water.

That One which came to be, enclosed in nothing,Arose at last, borne of the power of heat.

In the beginning desire descended on it-That was the primal seed, born of the mind.

The sages who have searched their hearts with wisdomKnow that which is, is kin to that which is not

And they have stretched their cord across the void,And know what was above, and what below

Seminal power made fertile mighty forces.Below was strength, and over it was impulse.

But, after all, who knows, and who can sayWhence it all came, and how creation happened?

The gods themselves are later than creation,So who knows truly whence it has arisen?

Whence all creation had its origin,He, whether he fashioned it or whether he did not,

He who surveys it all from highest heaven,He knows - or may be even he does not know.

Rg veda 10.129

Man & His creator Man & His creator

AgniAgni

O Agni, shared by all men bring us good luck For sacrifice from earth and heaven.

With us be thine intelligence. Wonder worker, Protect us, God, with thy far-reaching blessing

These hymns brought forth for thee, O Agni, Laud thee for bounteous gifts, with cattle and with horses.

Good Lord, when man from thee hath gained enjoyment, By hymns, O nobly born, hath he obtained it.

Agni, I deem my Kinsman and my Father, Count him my brother and my friend forever.

I honor, as the face of lofty Agni in heaven The bright and holy light of Surya.

Effectual Agni, are our prayers for profit. He whom , at home thou, Priest for ever,

Guardest its rich in food, drawn by red steeds, And holy: by day and night shall all be pleasant.

Agni Agni ……

Men with their arms have generated Agni, Helpful as some kind friend, adorned with splendors,

And established as Invoker mid the people The ancient Priest the sacrifice’s lover.

Worship thyself, O God, the Gods in heaven: What, void of knowledge, shall the fool avail thee.

As Thou, O God, hast worshipped Gods by seasons, So nobly-born, to thine own pay worship.

Agni, be thou our Guardian and Protector Bestow upon us life and vital vigor.

Accept O mighty One the gifts we offer, And with unceasing care protect our bodies.

Rg Veda VII : 1 – 7

UpanishadsUpanishads

Tat tvam asi “ That thou art”

Aham Brahman ‘I am Brahman’

Hindu concept of godHindu concept of god

Nirguna Brahma (without attributes)– Sat chit-ananda : being – intelligence – bliss

Sat: pure (infinite) being Chit: pure (infinite) intelligenceAnanda: pure (infinite) bliss

Saguna Brahma : (with attributes – Knowable) – Male form:

Ishvara, Parameshvara, Paramãtma, Maheshvara,Viswakarmanand Purusha.

– Female form:– Divine Mother, Durgã and Kãlî

Brahma (Brahma (BrahBrah--ma)ma)

Four headsFour hands:– A lotus, string of beads,

Water jug, VedasFirst of Hindu triadSupreme deity of Upanishads: creator1 day = 2,160,000,000 human years

Consort: Saraswati– Goddess of learning

BrahmaBrahma

The Man has a thousand heads, a thousand eyes, a thousand feet.

He pervaded the earth on all sides and extended beyond it as far as ten fingers.

It is the man who is all this, whatever has been and whatever will is to be.

He is the ruler of immortality, when he grows beyond everything through food.

Such is his greatness, and the man is yet more than this. All creatures are a quarter of him; the three quarters are what is immortal in heaven.

Rg Veda 10.90.1

Brah-man = the Supreme Self Brah-ma = the Creator godBrah-min = priest

Vishnu : preserverVishnu : preserverFour arms: four directions: all pervadingLR : Conchshell (Panchajanya) : symbol of five elementsUR: (Sudarshana-chakra) Discus: cohesive tendency: mindUL: Lotus (Padma): causal power of illusion (the origin of universe) LL: Mace/club (Kaumodaki)): primeval knowledge

Avatars / Incarnations of Avatars / Incarnations of VisnuVisnu

First AgeSatya YugaAge of truth

Second AgeTreta Yuga

Third AgeDvapara YugaAge of conflict

Fourth AgeKali YugaStrife

Matsya – Fish

Kurma – Tortoise

Varaha (Boar)

Nr-simha (Man-lion)

Vamana (Dwarf)

Parasu-Rama (Rama with the Ax)

Rama-chandra(Righteousness)

Krsna : Bala-rama Buddha

Kalki

Matsya Matsya (fish)(fish)

Small fish seeks protection of ManuVishnu in the form of the giant fish, saves Manu and the risisfrom the deluge

Kurma Kurma (tortoise)(tortoise)

Recovers that which was lost in the deluge:

– Amrita (nectar of immortality),– Dhanwantari (the healer and bearer of

amrita)– Lakshmi (goddess of fortune and

beauty)– Sura (goddess of wine) – Rambha (ideal woman)– Ucha (horse) – Kaustubha (jewel) – Airavata (elephant)– Shankah (eternal conch) – Dhanush (bow)– Visha (poison)

Varaha Varaha (Boar)(Boar)

Recovers the earth from the bottom of the sea after battling a thousand years demon named Hiranyaksha

NaraNara--simha simha (man(man--lion)lion)

Demon king HiranyakaspaDevotee child Prahlada

Vamana Vamana (dwarf)(dwarf)

Demon named Bali reigns the triple worldVamana begs Bali to possess the land of 3 strides Spares Patala for the demons

ParasuParasu--ram (Ram with the Axe)ram (Ram with the Axe)

Overthrows the tyranny of ksatriyasKing named Karata-virya steals the sacrificial calf of Jamad-agni

RamaRama--chandrachandra

Ends the menace of the ten-headed demon king Ravana of LankaFaithful wife SitaLoyal brother LaxmanaWarrior monkeys - Hanuman

Avatars / Incarnations of Avatars / Incarnations of VisnuVisnu

First AgeSatya YugaAge of truth

Second AgeTreta Yuga Second Age

Third AgeDvapara YugaAge of conflict

Fourth AgeKali YugaStrife

Matsya – Fish

Kurma – Tortoise

Varaha (Boar)

Nr-simha (Man-lion)

Vamana (Dwarf)

Parasu-Rama (Rama with the Ax)

Rama-chandra(Righteousness)

Krsna : Bala-rama Buddha

Kalki

Images of Images of Krsna Krsna : his life: his life

Divine infant on all foursDivine childDivine youth playing the fluteChastiser of the serpent KaliyaChampion cowherd

Krsna Krsna :the amorous lover:the amorous lover

Delights in playing with the cowherd girls gopisPlays the flute to attract the gopisMost popularFavorite consort : Radha

Krsna Krsna : the warrior: the warriordiscourse to discourse to ArjunaArjuna

Bhagavad-gita (song of the lord) discourse on dharma and devotion to Krsna

Krishna claim in Krishna claim in BhagavadBhagavad--gitagita

My true being is unborn and changeless. I am the Lord who dwells in every creature. Through the power of my own maya, I manifest myself in finite form. Whenever dharma declines and the purpose of life is forgotten, I manifest myself on earth. I am born in every age to protect the good, to destroy evil, and to re-establish dharma.”….All paths, Arjuna, lead to me.

Bhagavad Gita 4:6-9,11

Buddha :Buddha :the great deluder of the godless / wickedthe great deluder of the godless / wicked

Rejected the ritual aspects of religious texts VedasEmpahsis on ethical life Deluder: leads ‘astray’ the wicked (demons and evil-doers) by their denial of the existence of godLogical

KalkinKalkin ::the righteous invaderthe righteous invader

Appeared in early Christian era ?

With flaming sword will destroy all evil (foreign kings) I.e., destroys the invaders

Renders the remnant of mankind pure and “awakens” them

Incarnations of Incarnations of Visnu Visnu MKVNVMKVNV--PRKBKPRKBK

Siva : the destroyerSiva : the destroyer

Rudra : lord of wrath ; god of destruction

Lord of sleep: the remover (sin= sleep)

One in deep meditation : Yogi

Hymn to Hymn to RudraRudra

We wish to gain your kindness, Rudra, Through sacrifice to the gods, for you are generous.

O Ruler over heroes, come to our families with kindness. Let us offer the oblation to you with our heroes free from injury.

We call down for help the dreaded Rudra Who completes the sacrifice, the sage who flies.

Let him repel far from us the anger of the gods; It is his kindness that we choose to have.

Hymn to Hymn to RudraRudra

Tawny boar of the sky, dreaded form with braided hair, We call you down and we bow low.

Holding in his hand the healing medicines that we long for, Let him grant us protection, shelter, refuge.

These words are spoken for Rudra, the father of the Maruts, Words sweeter than sweet, to strengthen him.

And grant us O immortal, the food for mortals. Have mercy on use, and on our children and grandchildren…

Rg Veda 1.114.3 - 6

Shiva : the asceticShiva : the ascetic

Non-aryan godPasupati : lord of the beastsUltimate YogiThird eye

Om Triyambakam YajamaheSugandhim PushtivardhanamUrvaarukamiva BandanaatMrtyormuksheeya maamrtaat

– Rg Veda, Taitreeya Upanishad, Rudra mantra

We worship Lord Shiva, the three eyed oneThe one who is master of all senses and qualititesAnd the one who is the sustainer of all growthMay he release from the bondage of death As a ripened cucumber is released from its stalk and may be grant us immortality

His contradictory nature : – Manifest and unmanifest – Yogi and Nataraja

Shiva (Shiva (NatarajaNataraja))

Lord of the danceNata = danceRaja = lordHis attributes:

Creation, Preservation, Destruction, Yogic powers, Salvation

Shiva: Shiva: LingaLinga worshipworshipimage of image of lingalinga--yoniyoni

Initially : fertility cultsLinga= phallic symbol Yoni = female

Later view: Wholenessincorporates two opposing forces: pravritti (energy: matter) andnivritti (quiescence: spirit)

Basis of later Tantric movement

Names of ShivaNames of Shiva

Tri-loka: Three-eyed Neela-kanta (Blue-throated) Panca-anana (Five faced)Candra-sekara (Moon crested)Ganga-dhara (Bearer of the ganges)Girisa (Mountain Lord)Wearing-matted-hair (Jata-dhara)Visva-natha (Lord of the Universe)

Kapala-malin (Wearing Garland of skulls)Siva Ardha-narisvaraSiva Daksina-murthi

TrimurtiTrimurti : Hindu triad: Hindu triad

Brahma Visnu ShivaCreator Preserver DestroyerSaraswati

Goddess of learning and wisdomBenevolent deityRosary, book, vena, open hand of blessingVehicle: swan or lotus

Lakshmi

Sprung up when the oceans were churnedGoddess of wealth and beautyOther forms: Sita, Rukmini

ParvatiDurga / Kali

Consort of Shiva : Consort of Shiva : Durga Durga / Kali/ KaliDurgaDurga: : Kills Kills MahisasuraMahisasura, Buffalo demon, Buffalo demon

Kali: fearsome and delights Kali: fearsome and delights inkilling inkilling her foesher foes

Hindu Hindu godessesgodesses

Consort of various godsSymbolize Nature: matter, Energy Devi = Shakti in 2 forms : – gentle (Parvati)– Fierce ( Kali / Durga)

Other godsOther gods

Hanuman Ganesh

Hindu pantheon : characteristicsHindu pantheon : characteristics

Gods operate in a closed system of universeGods maintain the cosmic order rtaMythological, not historicalHindu worldview denies the existence of absolute evil ; gods are in an eternal struggle with the ‘anti-gods’ / demonsDharma (sacred law, duty and tradition): order of values that links the individual to the social / ethical and cosmic order

A person may choose his own god : ist-ha devatha

Idol worship in HinduismIdol worship in Hinduism

Spiritual / abstract : meditation Ritualistic = idol worship– Darsan: “see god”– puja by devotee : offering to god– Prasad: blessing of god

Tirtha (pilgrimages): Kumbh mela, Kasi

Festivals: Dassera, Diwali, Siva ratri

Temple: shrines for godsTemple: shrines for gods

Initiation of statues: pratistaCare of idols by priestsGarbha-griha : main deityPradhk-shina (circumambulation)Smaller temple : minor deities, consortsMandapa: temple dances, recitations

Sectarianism & Sectarianism & ““CultsCults””

Vishnu = vaishnav~ism– Dvaita (Dualism) – Ramanuja (vs. Advaita of

Shankaracharya) – Radha-krishna cult (ISKCON)

Shiva = Shaiv~ismTantr~ism : “dynamic principle” goddess worshipGod-men : Sai baba, Mahesh Yogi etc.

Then Vidagdha Sakalya asked him: ‘How many gods are there, O Yagnavalka?’ He replied with this very nivid: ‘As many as there are mentioned in this Nivid of the hymn of praise addressed to the Visvadevas, viz., three and three hundred, three and three thousand (3306)’. ‘Yes’, he said, and asked again: How many gods are there really, O Yagnavalka? ‘Thirty three’ he said‘Yes’, he said and asked again: ‘How many gods are there really, O Yagnavalka?’‘Six’, he said.‘Yes’, he said, and asked again: ‘How many gods are there really, O Yagnavalka?’‘Three’ he said.

‘Yes’, he said and asked again: ‘How many gods are there really, OYagnavalka?’‘Two’, he said.‘Yes’, he said, and asked again: ‘How many gods are there really, OYagnavalka?’‘One and a half’, he said‘Yes’ , he said and asked again: ‘How many gods are there really, OYagnavalka?’One he said…

Braadranyaka Upanishad 3.9.13 Adhyaya, 9 Brahmana, 1 verse

About Hindu God (s): About Hindu God (s): Pick the right answerPick the right answer

Only one god who is impersonal (Brahman)Three gods (triad of Brahma, Visnu & Siva)10 gods33 gods330 million (33 crores) godsAll of the aboveNone of the above

The Vedic period (Aryan) : Vedic gods: 2500 – 1000 BC

The Epic Period : Avatars of Vishnu 1000 – 300 BC ? 400 AD

The Puranic period : Shiva becomes pre-eminent

Medieval period / Bhakti : Krsna worship

Renaissance / Modern Hinduism : Brahmo Samaj, Aurobindo, Theosophy, Tagore, Vivekananda, ISKON, Gandhi, Yoga

Upanishads : Mystical and philosophical

Hindu triad of Brahman, Visnu, Siva 1500 – 500 BC

Indus valley civilization