Hinduism
(Sanathana Dharma)
Sanathana means ancient.
Dharma means right conduct.
Origin of the word Hinduism
• People living in the Indus Valley.
• Later became Hindus.
• Religion became Hinduism.
Uniqueness of Hinduism
• Caters to the needs of all people.
• Accepts all religions and all paths.
• Considers scriptures to be a road map to
facilitate spiritual journey.
• Believes all creations and all creatures are forms
of God.
• Does not believe in conversion of people of one
religion to another.
• Does not have a founder or a book.
Swami Vivekananda
• “I am proud to belong to a religion which
has taught the world both tolerance and
universal acceptance. We believe not only
in universal tolerance, but we accept all
religions as true. As different streams
having different sources all mingle their
waters in the sea, so different paths which
men take through different tendencies
various though they appear, crooked or
straight, all lead to God.”
Goal of life
• To know:
– Who we are
– Where we have come from
– To become one with our source
– To realize our full potential
– To become one with Brahman
– Moksha: Self-realization, liberation, or bliss.
Four Paths
• 1. Bhakti Yoga:
– Listening to stories of glories of God
– Singing praises of God
– Reciting the name of God
– Worshipping God
– Saluting God
– Friendship with God
– Total surrender to God
Four Kinds of Devotees
• One who calls upon God when in trouble
• One who prays for material wealth and
power
• Seeker of knowledge
• Seeker of self-realization
2. Karma Yoga
• Path of selfless service- to work for the
good of humanity.
• Non-attachment to fruits of action
• Purity of heart- surrendering the fruits to
God
3. Gnaana Yoga- Path of Knowledge
• Four practices:
– Discrimination (real vs. unreal)
– Detachment from unreal
– Six wealths: serenity of mind, control of
senses, mind control, intensity of endurance,
faith, one-pointedness of mind, strong
yearning for liberation
4. Raja Yoga- Path of
Contemplation
• Patanjali Astaanga Yoga- Eight paths of
contemplation
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Yama- responsible restraint
Niyama- purification
Asana- postures
Pranaayama- regulation of breathing
Pratyaahara- drawing senses inwards
Dhaarana- concentration for 12 seconds
Dhyaana- meditation, 12 dharana- 12x12= 144
seconds
Three Levels of Progression - the
three philosophies
• Dwiita: Dualism- Karma Yoga- “I am in the
Light”, “Messenger of God”.
• Visistadwaiita: Qualified non-dualismBhakti Yoga- “Light is in me”, “Son of
God”.
• Adwiita: Non-dualism- Gnaana Yoga- “I
am the Light”, “I and my Father are one”.
Shri Ramakrishna
• “When I think of myself as identified with the
body, I am thy servant and thou art my master,
my will is controlled by thy will.”
• “When I think of myself as a Jiva (individualized
soul) as distinct from the body, I am the part and
thou art the whole.”
• “When I recognize the spiritual principle in me
as distinct from body and mind and Jiva, I realize
that I am one with the Divine.”
Two Levels of Contemplation
• Form:
– Contemplation with form
– Contemplation without form
Four Goals of Life
• Dharma: right conduct or righteousness
• Artha: acquisition of worldly possessions
and wealth
• Kaama: satisfying desires for sense
pleasures
• Moksha: liberation achieved through God
realization.
Four Stages of Hindu Life
• Brahmacharya: the stage of student
• Gaarhasthya: the stage of householder or
family life.
• Vaanaprastha: the stage of retired person
or hermit
• Sannyasa: the stage of monk or
renounciate.
Dharma, the concept of Hindu
Ethics
• Dharma means moral or ethical duty.
• There are several levels of Dharma:
– Individual Dharma
– Family Dharma
– Societal Dharma
– National Dharma
– Dharma of Mankind
– Dharma of Cosmos (controlled by God)
Dharma, the Concept of Hindu
Ethics (cont.)
• One can sacrifice lower Dharma for the
sake of higher Dharma, but not vice versa.
For example, Buddha sacrificed Dharma
of his family for the sake of higher Dharma
to the Mankind. Hence, it was acceptable.
It is not acceptable to sacrifice the Society
for the sake of Family. One’s own
Conscience, Nature, and Scriptures tell us
about the correct Dharma at a given time.
Doctrine of Karma- Law of Cause
and Effect
• Every action has a reaction. Every act has
an effect either in this life or in future lives.
Good actions will have good effects, and
bad actions will have bad effects.
Doctrine of Destiny- Pre-determination
of Events in this Life from Previous
Actions
• The past actions that are producing results in
this life.
• Today’s actions that will produce results in future
lives.
• Among these three kinds of actions, the selfrealized souls can wipe off all actions or the
results of the actions: salvation.
• The actions of the past lives are to produce
results at a future date.
Doctrine of Free Will
• Out of the 8,400,000 species of God’s
creation, only Humans have free will to
discover their source.
• So long as one has body consciousness,
one has free will, for which he reaps the
fruits.
• Divine consciousness without ego;
surrendering actions to God wipes off the
results of action.
God’s Grace
• God’s Grace is equal on all of creation. He
is never partial. He is only a witness. His
grace is like the wind, we are like the
boats in the ocean.
• Devotee is a receiving instrument while
God is the transmitting station.
• God’s Grace is like sunshine that shines
equally on everybody.
Theory of Reincarnation
• After death the gross body mixes with the
five elements. The subtle body, consisting
of senses, mind, intellect, and vital energy
along with the causal body, the Soul goes
to a different plane of existence.
Theory of Reincarnation (cont.)
• 14 such planes are described: Sathya
Loka, Tapo Loka, Mahar Loka, Gnaana
Loka, Svar Loka, Bhuvar Loka, Bhu Loka,
Bhur Loka, Atala Loka, Vitala Loka, Sutala
Loka, Rasaatala Loka, Talaatala Loka,
Mahaatala Loka, Pataala Loka.
• Among these, 6 are higher planes of
existence, 7 are lower planes.
Theory of Reincarnation (cont.)
• The departed soul goes to the higher or
lower lokas and go through either pleasure
or suffering, depending on their good or
bad karma respectively on earth.
Theory of Reincarnation (cont.)
• Reincarnation: when a person dies with strong
unfulfilled desires, he will be reborn on this earth
after he completes the karma phala in other
lokas.
• Reincarnation is also an opportunity to evolve to
full potential of human birth, i.e. Self-Realization.
After this, he will have no more pent up desires,
hence no rebirth. He will be liberated and be one
with totality.
Trigunas: Creation
• World is Ardha Nareeswara Swarupam- a
combination of Spirit and Matter. The spirit
is Purusha or Shiva and the Matter is
Prakriti or Shakti. Shiva is the potential
energy, while Shakti is kinetic energy. If
Shiva is electricity, Shaki is magnetic
force.
Trigunas: Creation (cont.)
• Prakriti is composed of three intertwined
subtle natures compared to the three
strands of rope. These substances are
called Gunas. They are: Sattwa Guna,
Rajo Guna, and Tamo Guna. Before the
dawn of manifest world of plurality and
diversity is created from unity, these three
Gunas are in perfect balance and
harmony. When the state of harmony is
lost, the world of diversity is created.
Trigunas: Creation (cont.)
• Tamo Guna is inertia, inactivity, dull and
stabilizing quality represented by Black.
• Rajo Guna is represented by activity,
represented by Red.
• Sattwa Gun is light, evolving and elevating
force represented by White.
Trigunas: Creation (cont.)
• While Tamo Guna causes confusion and
causeless violence,
• Rajo Guna causes restlessness and
bondage through attachment to the fruits
of action,
• Sattwa Guna gives spiritual progress.
• Going above the three Gunas gives
ultimate liberation.
Concept of Maya- the Illusionary
Force of Creation
• This illusionary force is created by God,
which prevents the experience of God, as
sun creates clouds and the clouds cover
the sun from view.
• In order for the One to appear as many,
the illusionary force was created at the
beginning of creation. This illusionary force
is called Maya.
Concept of Maya (cont.)
• Mala: clouding due to impurities. Cleared
by selfless actions.
• Vikshepa: agitations in mind. Cleared by
Bhakti and Raja Yoga.
• Aavarana: veiling and covering. Cleared
by Gnaana Yoga.
Five Sheaths in Humans
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Food Sheath: gross body
Vital Energy Sheath: subtle body
Mind Sheath: subtle body
Knowledge Sheath: subtle body
Bliss Sheath: causal body
Eternal Cycle
• Cosmos is in an eternal cycle of Unity to
Diversity to Unity. From God that is Unity, three
gunas- Maya, five subtle elements (space, air,
fire, water, earth)- five gross elementsinanimate-animate-plants-aquatic animalsamphibians-birds-animals-and ultimately
humans to God, the Unity again. Among the
creation, humans are the only ones that have
the capability to become one with God, since
they are the precursors of divinity.
Eternal Cycle (cont.)
• Hiranya Garbha (Brahma) is created from
God as the embodiment of cosmic creative
intelligence from His thought…The lifetime
of Hiranyagarbha is called Mahakalpa
– Krita Yuga (1,728,000 human years)
– Treta Yuga (1,296,000 human years)
– Dwaapara Yuga (864,000 human years)
– Kali Yuga (432,000 human years)
– Maha Yuga (4,320,000 human years)
Eternal Cycle (cont.)
• One Maha Yuga is supposed to be half a
day (12 hours) for Hirnyagarbha and he is
said to live for 100 years. And then he
merges into God. At the end of one cycle
of Hiranyagarbha, the world undergoes
dissolution and this is called Maha
Pralaya.
Spiritual Sadhana- Spiritual
Journey
• Spirituality is an uncovering, evolving,
spontaneous process. All creatures and creation
are in this journey from the day they were born
until the day they die. They will not rest and be
fully happy until they reach the goal of becoming
one with God. The difference between one and
the other is that each one is at a different station
on this road, some ahead, and some behind,
and ultimately they will all reach the same
destination.
Spiritual Sadhana- Spiritual
Journey (cont.)
• Hinduism talks about six hurdles in this
path.
– Sathya (truth)
– Dharma (right conduct)
– Shanthi (peace)
– Prema (love)
– Ahimsa (non-violence in thought, word, and
deed)
– Thyaga (sacrifice, selflessness)
Hindu Scriptures- Sruti Literature
• Vedas (1200-900 B.C.):
– Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and
Atharvana Veda
• Major Upanishads:
– Isa, Kena, Katha, Prasna, Mundaka,
Mandukya Aitareya, Taittiriya, Chandogya,
Brihadaranyaka, Kaushitaki, Maitri
Hindu Literature- Smriti Literature
• Smritis (900-500 B.C.): Manu Smriti, Gautama Smriti, Yajnavalkya Smriti
• Vedangas: Siksa, Vyakarana, Chandas, Nirukta, Jyotisha, Vastu, Panchangam, Kalpa.
(Dharma Sutras, Astronomy, Astrology, Grammar, Rituals)
• Darsanas: Nyaya, Vaiseshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Purva mimamsa, Uttara mimamsa
Vedanta. (Brahama Sutras, Patanjali yoga Sutras)
• Ithihasa (900 B.C.): Ramayana Mahabharata (Bhagavad Geeta)
• Puranas: Agni, Bhagavata, Bhavishya, Brahma, Brahmanda, Brahmavaivarta, Garuda,
Harivamsha, Kurma, Linga, Markandeya, Matsya, Narada, Padma, Skanda, Siva, Vamana,
Varaha, Vayu, Vishnu
• Upavedas: Material added to the Vedas- Ayurveda (added to the Atharvana Veda),
Arthasastra (added to Rig Veda), Dhanurveda (added to Yajur Veda), Gandharvaveda (added to
Sama Veda)
• Tantras: Mantras, Yantras, Mandalas, Cosmograms, Mudras, Kundalini Power, Sexo-Yogic
Exercises, Bhandhas
• Agamas: Vaishnava Agamas (Vishnu Samhita), Saiva Agamas, Shakti Agamas
• Upangas: Logical & Ritualistic forms of thought
• Siddhantas: Dwiita, Visistadwiita, Adwiita
Hindu Scriptures- Prasthanatraya
• Bhagavad Geeta (500-200 B.C.)
• Upanishads
• Brahama Sutras (500 B.C. - 500 C.E.)
Hindu Caste System
• Brahman: scholars
• Kshatriya: warriors
• Vaishya: traders
• Shudra: servants (the conquered people)
Similarities to Greek mythology
Hercules (Herakles) fighting
the Lernaean Hydra
Krishna (Harekrsna) fighting
the Kaliya Serpent
Similarities to Greek mythology
Dionysus
(Dionysos)
holding a
Trident
Dionysus
(Dionysos)
encircled with a
snake, with
leopard by his
side, with the
moon in the
background, his
abode is Mount
Olympus
Shiva, holding the Trident,
resting on a leopard skin
with a Cobra perched beside
him, his abode is Mount
Kailas, Himalayas
Similarities to Biblical mythology
The ancient Vedic Aryan Hindus (Indus Saraswati) spoke about a series of Ten
Pitris who ruled before the global Flood.
Ancient Babylonian legend speaks of a pre-Flood series of ten kings.
The ancient Egyptians described Ten Shining Ones who ruled consecutively before the
Deluge.
The last of these kings in the aforementioned lists was the hero who led seven others aboard
a vessel in which they survived the global Flood.
In ancient India, the hero was Manu who survived the global-Flood "pralaya" with
the Seven Rishis.
In ancient Babylon, the hero's name was Zisudra who spear-headed the survival on the Ark
of seven other humans, the Seven Apkallu.
In ancient Egypt, the Flood hero was Toth who survived the Deluge along with the Seven
Sages.
Did the Vedic Aryans travel as far as Easter Island?
The Easter Islands located in the Pacific Ocean,
were situated far away from any civilization.
The craftsmanship of these islands corresponds to
the one of the ancient Incas.
The sign script of the Easter Islands almost equals
the ancient scripts of Indus Valley.
Easter Island
symbols
Indus Saraswati
symbols
Were the Ancient Vedic civilisation of Indus Saraswati valley Trans-Oceanic
seafarers?
1 Billion people, 1 Billion Gods
Lakshmi
Buddha
Krsna
Christ
Saraswati
Murugan
Nanak
Rama
Devi
SARASWATI
Ganesha
Bibliography
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http://www.utc.edu/Faculty/Sarla-Murgai/MeraBharatIndiaMahan.ppt