Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Hinduism evolved as a combination of various cultures and traditions, including Vedic ritualisms and the Upanishad texts. LEARNING OBJECTIVE [ edit ] Explain the evolution of hinduism KEY POINTS [ edit ] The Upanishads are a collection of Vedic texts particularly important to Hinduism that contain revealed truths concerning the nature of ultimate reality and describing the character and form of human salvation. The Vedic religion was influenced by local cultures and traditions adopted by as IndoAryans as they spread throughout India. The Vedas describes deities and mythology and instructions for religious rituals. Vedic ritualism heavily influenced the rise of Hinduism, which rose to prominence after c. 400 BCE. TERMS [ edit ] Samhita Mantras or hymns of praise moksha Human salvation Upanishads A collection of Vedic texts that contain the earliest emergence of some of the central religious concepts of Hinduism,Buddhism and Jainism deity A supernatural being, who may be thought of as holy, divine, or sacred brahman Truths concerning the ultimate nature of reality Brahmanas Instructions for religious rituals Give us feedback on this content: FULL TEXT [ edit ] The Upanishads The Upanishads are a collection of Vedic texts that contain the earliest emergence of some of the central religious concepts of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. They are also known as Vedanta ("the end of the Veda") and are one of the sacred texts of Hinduism. The Upanishads are considered by Hindus to contain revealed truths concerning the nature of ultimate reality (brahman) and describing the character and form of human salvation (moksha). The Upanishads are found mostly in the concluding part of the commentaries onthe Vedas and have been passed down by oral tradition. Vedic Religion Aryan religious beliefs and practices were profusely described in their religious literature, particularly the Vedas. Vedas ("knowledge") were ancient texts written in Sanskrit between 1500 and 500 BCE. There are four IndoAryan Vedas: 1. The Rig Veda: contains hymns about their mythology. 2. The Sama Veda: consists mainly of hymns about religious rituals. 3. The Yajur Veda: contains instructions for religious rituals. 4. The Atharva Veda: consists of spells against enemies, sorcerers, and diseases. Each Veda was further divided into two sections: 1. The Samhita: mantras or hymns in praise of various deities. 2. The Brahmanas: instructions for religious rituals. The Aryan pantheon of gods is described in great detail in the Rig Veda. However, the religious practices and deities are not uniformly consistent in these sacred texts, probably because the Aryans themselves were not a homogenous group. While spreading through the Indian subcontinent, it is probable that their initial religious beliefs and practices were shaped by the absorption of local religious traditions. According to the hymns of the Rig Veda, the most important deities were: Agni (the god of Fire): the intermediary between the gods and humans Indra (the god of Heavens and War): protector of the Aryans against their enemies Surya (the Sun god) Vayu (the god of Wind) Prthivi (the goddess of Earth) Modern Hindu representation of Agni, god of fire The Rig Veda describes the varied deities of Vedic religion. These gods persisted as Vedic religion was assimilated into Hinduism. One of the most important religious rituals that the Aryans performed was the soma, celebrated in honor of Indra. The soma was a drinking ritual in which the extract from the soma plant (this plant remains unidentifiedÍž perhapsEphedra sinica) was consumed. This drink was supposed to energize the consumer and in some cases even give him immortality. Rise of Hinduism Western scholars regard Hinduism as a fusion or synthesis of various Indian cultures and traditions. Hinduism is considered one of the oldest religions in the world, and Vedic ritualism, already a composite of IndoAryan and Harappan culture, contributed to the deities and traditions of Hinduism over time. The IndoAryan Vedas remain the oldest scriptures of Hinduism. The Sramana movement and success of Buddhism and Jainism drove the "Hindu synthesis" after the Vedic period, between c. 400 BCE and c. 300 CE. This new Hinduism and its societal divisions (i.e. caste system) spread to southern Indian and parts of Southeast Asia. As it spread, Hinduism assimilated popular nonVedic gods and other traditions from local cultures. The Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in Delhi, the world's largest Hindu temple Hinduism evolved as a combination of various cultures and traditions, including Vedic religion and the Upanishad texts.