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The Origin of Hinduism

It is virtually impossible to date the origin of
Hinduism.
 It is believed to have originated somewhere
between 3200 BC and 2500 BC.
 But some say that Hinduism consists
of "thousands of different religious groups
that have evolved in India since 1500 BCE."
HINDUS
The word Hindu came from the word Sindhu
which meant those who lived on the other side
of the Indus river. (Persians called Indus as
Sindhu).
 Later on the Persians pronounced Sindhu as
Hindus, and all people living on the side of the
river Sindhu were called by them as Hindus.
 The Religion was named after the region it
originated..
(http://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/h_meaning.asp)
INDIAN CIVILIZATION
 The Indus Valley Civilization which spread
and flourished in the northwestern part of the
Indian Sub-continent from 3300 to 1300 BCE,
was the first major civilization in India. A
sophisticated and technologically advanced
urban culture developed in the Harappa and
Mohenjo-Daro period, from 2600 to 1900 BCE
 This civilization declined around 1500 B.C.,
probably due to ecological changes.
SINDHUINDIA
 The word India came from the Greeks as they
could not pronounce the word Sindhu (River),
they pronounced the word Sindhu as Indos.
 When
Alexander invaded India, the
Macedonian army referred to the river as Indus
and the land east to the river as India.
 Greek writers who wrote about Alexander
prepared to use the same name.
INDIAN & HINDUS
In the 4th and 5th centuries A.D., northern India
was unified under the Gupta Dynasty. During this
period, known as India's Golden Age, Hindu
culture and political administration reached new
heights.
 Names- Hindu and Indian are derived from the
same word - the name of the river (Indus) Sindhu.
 (http://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/h_meaning.asp)
 Hinduism-Its Historical Development: by Troy Wilson Organ, Published by Barron’s Educational
Series, Inc. Woodbury, New York, 1974
A SHORT HISTORY:INDIA
Almost 4,000 years India was considered as one of the
richest, best educated, and most scientifically advanced
and most profound religious people on the planet.
There was trade and Migrations to Egypt form 1400
BCE.
 Alexander the great when came to India, was
fascinated by the Hindu holy men.
Roman empire during the time of Augustus through
Hadrian, had massive trade relations with India
…
A SHORT HISTORY:INDIA
Hindu Philosophers were teaching Philosophy in
Rome by the 3rd century CE.
In the Medieval times, the Arabs praised the Hindus
as the world’s leading astronomers, mathematicians
and philosophers.
When the British conquered Indian in the 17th
century, they made off with much of India’s riches,
leaving the country bankrupt when they finally
granted it independence in 1947.
HINDU-SYMBOLS:
A variety of Hindu symbols are used in art,
sacred objects and rituals. They usually
signify Hindu concepts, the attributes of
deities, or the Gods or Goddesses
themselves. This section explains the
history, meaning and use of some common
Hindu symbols.
HINDU-SYMBOLS:
Om (also spelled Aum) is a Hindu
sacred sound that is considered the
greatest of all “mantras”. The syllable Om is
composed of the three sounds a-u-m (in Sanskrit,
the vowels a and u combine to become o) and the
symbol's threefold nature is central to its
meaning. It represent several important triads:
HINDU-SYMBOLS:
• the three worlds - earth,
atmosphere and heaven.
• the three major Hindu gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva.
• the three sacred Vedic scriptures - Rg,
Yajur, and Sama Vedas.
Thus Om mystically embodies the essence
of the entire universe.
HINDU-SYMBOLS:
The trihsula (also spelled trishul or trisula, Sanskrit
for "three spear") is a trident spear that is the
emblem of the god Shiva. The weapon symbolizes
empire and the irresistible force of transcendental
reality. The three prongs of the trishula represent
Shiva's three aspects of: creator, preserver and
destroyer . It also depicts the three shaktis (powers):
will, action and wisdom.(
HINDU-SYMBOLS:
The swastika is an ancient symbol
that has been found worldwide,
but it is especially common in India. Its
name comes from the Sanskrit word svasti
(sv = well; asti = is), meaning good fortune,
luck and well-being. Or (Sanskrit svastika,
"all is well").
HINDU-SYMBOLS:
The Tilak (Sanskrit tilaka, “mark”) is
a mark made on a Hindu's forehead. On a
man, the tilak takes the form of a line or lines
and usually indicates his sectarian affiliation.
On women, a tilak usually takes the form of a
bindi dot, which has its own symbolism.
HINDU-SYMBOLS:
Bindi is a dot worn on women's
foreheads. It is a form of the tilak,
a symbolic mark worn by many
Hindu men and women, but has less religious
connotations than other tilaks. Traditionally, the
bindi is worn on the forehead of married Hindu
women. It symbolizes female energy and is believed
to protect women and their husbands. Bindis are
traditionally a simple mark made with the paste of
colored sandalwood, sindoor or turmeric.
HINDU-SYMBOLS:
The linga or lingam (Sanskrit for
"symbol") is the symbol of the god
Shiva and the form in which he is
most commonly worshipped. The phallic symbol is
the main object of worship in Shaivite temples and
homes throughout India and the world. The linga is
a simple stylized phallus that nearly always rests on
pedestal of a stylized yoni, or female sex organ.
Together, the linga and yoni represent the power of
creative energy and fertility.
HINDU-SYMBOLS:
The Saffron Color: If there is
any color that can symbolize all
aspects of Hinduism, it's saffron
- the color of Agni or fire, which reflects the
Supreme Being. As such, the fire altar is regarded as
a distinct symbol of ancient Vedic rites. The saffron
color, also auspicious to the Sikhs, the Buddhists
and the Jains, seems to have obtained religious
significance much before these religions came into
being.