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HINDUISM: ONE GOD,MANY FORMS
Presented by the Hindu Students Council
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Hindu Prayer before Eating
Brahmaarpanam Brahma Havihi
Brahmaagnau Brahmanaa HutamBrahmaiva Tena Gantavyam
Brahma Karma Samaadhinaam
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Brief History of Hinduism
Most ancient religion in the world today
Based on the timeless spiritual vision and revealedknowledge of
the sacred Vedas
Also known as Santana Dharmaand VaidikaDharma
Now the third largest religion in the world
Nepal is the only nation with Hinduism as its statereligion
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Basic Beliefs
Various religions of man are different paths to the one
GodEssential Concepts: Dharma (individual ethics duties and
obligations),
Samsara (reincarnation/rebirth)
Karma (actions leading to a cause and effect relationship;
selfless
action) Moksha (salvation of every soul through a variety of
paths)
Bhakti (devotion; belief in God)
Jnana (enlightenment, knowledge)
Importance of Om (Aum)
Deities are all manifestations of the ONE SUPREMEmonistic
Brahman
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A Monotheistic Religion
Often misconceived to be a polytheistic religion
However, fundamental is the belief in a singular,Universal Soul
that is the ultimate divine Reality
"The Reality is One, the wise ones refer to Itvariously (by
various terms).
He has various names that all refer to the same
Being Different forms can be considered different paths to
suit different types of people
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Why so many forms? Varied expressions of the glory, power,
grandeur and a
mysterious divine nature of the Supreme Being.
While fulfilling a certain cosmic function, the SupremeBeing
becomes referred to by a specific name.
Certain deities were personified with features thatsymbolized
various aspects of the Divine nature.
These manifest forms are thus a great help in enabling oneto
dwell upon God in a tangible manner.
The Water Analogy: one substance that takes on different
forms to fulfill different functions.
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Ganesha: Remover of Obstacles
'Ga' symbolizes Buddhi(intellect) and 'Na'symbolizes
Vijnana(wisdom).
Considered the master ofintellect and wisdom.
Provides prosperity and
fortune.
His grace is invokedbefore the undertaking ofany task
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:230px-Ganesha.jpg
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Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva
Trimurti are three aspects ofGod, as Brahma, Vishnu andShiva
Brahma - the
Source/Creator/Generator Vishnu - the
Preserver/Indwelling-Life/Operator
Shiva - the
Transformer/Destroyer-Creator
Similar to interpretations ofthe Trinity in Christianity
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Krishna
Eighth avatar(incarnation) of Vishnu
Known for His pastoral
childhood as well as Hisyouth and life as aheroic warrior
andteacher
Non-Hindu religionsthat originated in Indiahave their own
versionsof Him.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Krishngovinda.jpg
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Lakshmi: Goddess of Wealth
Goddess of wealth,light, wisdom andfortune, as well as
luck,beauty, and fertility.
Representations arealso found in Jain andBuddhist monuments.
Also considered theMother of the Universeand Vishnu's
Shakti(strength)
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Saraswati: Goddess of Knowledge
First goddess worshippedin the Hindu religion.
Goddess of Knowledge andmusic, arts, and speech.
Also Goddess of thoughtsof truth and forgiveness.
Originated as a rivergoddess. Her name isSanskrit for "she who
haslakes or pools."
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References
Pictures from wikipedia.org and GoogleImages.
Man is made by his belief.As he believes, so he is.
-The Gita
