Hinduism: Gods, Texts, Rituals & Concepts

• Study notes on Gods and Deities, Books and Texts, Practices and Rituals, and Concepts of Hinduism

Gods and Deities

• Agni is the divine principle of fire, vital for Vedic rituals.
• Shiva embodies destruction and creation; his Nataraja form symbolizes the cosmic dance and cyclical time.
• Ganesha removes obstacles, brings good fortune, and is often a guardian.
• Vishnu is the preserver who incarnates as avatars to restore cosmic order.
• Rama exemplifies dharma, virtue, and duty in the Ramayana.
• Krishna is a multifaceted deity and charioteer in the Bhagavad Gita known for wisdom.
• Brahma is the creator, representing the impersonal, universal principle.
• Parvati embodies power, beauty, and harmony, worshipped with Shiva.
• Kartikeya is a war god, especially significant in Tamil traditions.
• Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth, central to Diwali.

Books and Texts

• Vedas, composed 1500-500 BCE, contain hymns and rituals that form Hindu scriptures.
• Bhagavad Gita is a philosophical dialogue within the Mahabharata focused on dharma, karma, and devotion.
• Mahabharata details a dynastic war and explores duty, morality, and fate.
• Ramayana tells Rama's story of dharma, loyalty, and triumph over evil.

Practices and Rituals

• Puja is an act of reverence with offerings and devotion.
• Bharana is a vow made to a deity in exchange for a wish.
• Yoga unites soul and body through physical postures, breathing, and meditation.
• Fire Sacrifice is offering into a fire to communicate with gods.
• Cremation is the traditional fire ritual for disposing of the deceased.
• Vedic Marriages have sacred fire, vows, and symbolism for uniting families.
• Bindi symbolizes marital status, devotion, or spiritual awareness.
• Holi is a color festival celebrating good over evil and unity.
• Diwali is a festival of lights symbolizing light over darkness.
• Kumbh Mela is a pilgrimage to riverbanks for purification.

Concepts

• Dharma is one's duty as determined by caste and role.
• Karma is the law of cause and effect.
• Samsara is the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth driven by karma.
• Moksha is liberation from samsara.
• Ahimsa is non-violence.
• Bhakti is devotional worship and relationships with deities.
• Trimurti consists of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, representing creation, preservation, and destruction.
• Caste System is a hierarchical social structure of Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, and Dalits.
• Avatars are incarnations of Vishnu.
• Garbhagriha is the inner sanctum of a Hindu temple for the deity's image.
• River Ganges is a goddess believed to purify.
• Temples transport devotees to a divine realm.
• Dalits are people historically known as untouchables, outside of the caste system.