Hinduism - Unity in diversity
68Hinduism in India
India is one of the most religiously diverse nations in this world. Majority of the Indian population (over 80%) are Hindus thus giving India the name ‘Hindustan'. Recently one of my friends told me that there are over 300 million deities in Hindu religion alone and since she does not know who is real she would not prefer to worship anyone or go to any temple. After some talk with her I convinced her that though the deities of Hindu religion appear to be several, they are really facets of the same Supreme God. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are not three independent entities, but three different aspects of the Supreme Being and perform three different cosmic tasks, i.e. creation, preservation and destruction. This oneness of the three gods is brought out by the mystic symbol AUM where 'A' represents Lord Vishnu, 'U' Lord Shiva and 'M' represents Lord Brahma. Just as the sunlight cannot have a separate and independent existence from the sun, this deity's also do not have a separate or independent existence. For those who have seen the ICICI Life Insurance advertisement, just because a person acts as successful employee, husband and pillow for his daughter does not mean that he is three different persons. In the same manner, Goddess Saraswati represents the learning and knowledge aspect of the Supreme Being and anyone who wishes to acquire this may prey to her. Goddess Lakshmi represent wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual. Hindu's believe that living beings are not separate from God and that he is anywhere and everywhere. For that matter, be it Christians, Hindu's or Muslims, all believe that there is only one supreme power.
Lord Brahma the Creator of the universe. Brahma grew in a lotus out of the navel of the sleeping Vishnu. Brahma's mind born sons are the seers Marici, Atri, Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratuj, Pracetas, Vashishta, Bhrgu and Narada. His nine sons Daksa, Dharma, Kama, Anger, Greed, Delusion (Maya), Lust, Joy, Death and Bharata and one daughter called Angaja came from his body. In order to create the world and produce the human race, Brahma made a goddess out of himself. Brahma called the woman Gayatri (popularly known as Saraswati).
Brahma has four heads, but used to have five. One head was lost later when Brahma lied to Vishnu and thus caused Shiva to become very angry. The four Veda's (Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, and Atharva Veda) are said to have sprung from his heads. Brahma is picturised as carrying a rosary in the upper right hand, a book in the upper left hand, a kamandalu (water pot) in the lower left hand, and bestows grace with his lower right hand and sitting on a swan.
Lord Mahavishnu is the preserver of the Universe. He is normally picturised as a human body with four arms. In His hands He carries a conch (shankha), a mace (gada), and discus (chakra). His body is blue in color and he wears yellow clothes. Lord Vishnu is shown standing on a thousand-headed snake (Shesha Nag). The ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu described in Hindu mythology and are to even a non-hindu. A strong relation to the evolution theory of Darwin can be noted in these incarnations. The incarnations of Lord Vishnu is refered to as 'Dashavatar'. They are Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parasurama, Rama, Sri Krishna and Buddha. Kalki is the incarnation which is yet to come.
Lord Shiva, the third member of the Hindu is said to be the Lord of great mercy and compassion. He protects devotees from evil forces such as lust, greed, and anger. He grants boons, bestows grace and awakens wisdom in His devotees. Lord Shiva's destruction is not negative but nourishing and constructive. His destruction builds and transforms life and energy for the welfare of the world. He is normally picturised along with Parvati. He is mostly seen as having three eyes, a snake (Vasuki naga) around the neck , unclad body covered with ashes, matted locks, ganges on head, a cresent moon as ornament, wearing rudraksha, holding trishul and dhamaru and sitting on tiger skin.
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Comments
Anamika,
You have presented the facts that are comprehendible to people who belong to a civilisation called Hindu civilisation. The vastness of this civilisation in much beyond the understanding of people belonging to narrow visioned religions, and even to those who try to compare a civilisation(with many religions with in it) with such religions.It is this worthwhile to observe that never in its history have Hindus indulged in institutionalised proselytization, unlike the other religions who have been trying to finish their respective numerical poverties by indulging into it. And this is because we are inherently as satisfied as a deep calm sea. Forgive those paupers in mind, who do not understand this greatness just because they are not able to distinguish between a petty digit and a theorem.God Bless!
SHYAM
Hi Anamika,
You have portrayed the Hindu civilisation rightly. I am proud to be a part of the rich Indian heritage where I belong. It is left to us how we can preserve them. And I see modernisation or western culture has made our younger generation to focus less of our civilisation. We at present love to copy what the western world does and at times feel ashamed of ourselves!! WHY??? Many of us don't know the value of the rich culture where we belong to. I strongly believe in the super natural power. Like u rightly said the power indeed portrayed in different forms.
K.S.Sharma
Thanks for all the comments. To Quote RigVeda "Ekam Sat, Viprah Bahudha Vadanti", which means that there is only One God (Truth) and people see Him (It) differently.
I've always found Hinduism a wonderously interesting,and very ancient religion and although not Hindu myself, I do read the Upanishads sometimes just to absorb some of that incredible poetry in the scriptures!
Nice article to get brief idea of Hindhu gods for anyone.
Well thought out hub. I think if I was going to be a devotee of any of the Hindu gods it would be Shiva as I like the way he dances.
THE PAGE IS REALLY NICE.IT'S REALLY GIVING A GOOD EXPLAINATION
Thanks for all the wonderful comments.
Hi Anamika,
Good article.
I wish you break the first para into smaller ones for ease of reading.
Regarding 330 million GOds in Hinduism, it's primarily a western mis-interpretation with mischief in mind. Please have a look in to the following article of mine:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/833257/ar
CVR
Hi Rajanji,
Thanks for your comment. I have gone through your wonderful article. If you look at the first paragraph and one of my comments in this section you would see that i am also emphasising the same point.
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linusnuahs says:
2 years ago
interesting but unbelievable... well atleast I don't, but it must have taken some faith in these for you to compile this blog. If you check on my posts, I think you would realise as to why I say unbelievable....
ps. have followed you from ibibo.