Hinduism simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The sacred texts of hinduism fall into one of two categories. Sruti consists of four vedas, upanishads, brahmanas, aranyakas, and bhagavadgita while smriti consists of manu smriti, 18 puranas, ramayana, and mahabharata and other hindu holy books. Om or aum is the most important symbol in hinduism and it represents brahman, the supreme soul. Information on hinduism for kids primary homework help. The holy book in the hindu religion is known as the vedas. First, lets distinguish between two types of hindu literature. Christianity whose holy book is the holy bible and islam whose holy book is the quran. There are a number of scriptures and holy books in hinduism. The philosophical maxims of vedic literature have stood the test of time, and the vedas form the highest. Metals like gold, silver, copper, iron and brass are also considered holy in hinduism. The word hindu comes from the name of the river indus, which flows 1800 miles from. There are some other holy books revealed to different prophets.
If the indus valley civilization 3rd2nd millennium bce was the earliest source of hindu traditions, then hinduism is the oldest living religion on earth. Sruti belongs to the vedic period while smriti belongs to the postvedic period. What are the names of the holy books of worldwide religions. In fact they gave hinduism the name vaidika dharma, one of its old names. The primary sacred texts, known as the vedas, were composed around 1500 b. These books, written from around 1200 bce to 100 ce, began with four vedas, or mantras. The most holy of the hindu books is written in sanskrit and is referred to as the vedas. There is no single scripture as it is in other religions like christianity and islam.
Atheistic texts, fantasy novels, theological essays, holocaust. What name is given to the four holy books of the hindus. These books are in sanskrit, the sacred language of the hindus. Hinduism download books, sacred, spiritual texts and pdf e. Hindu scriptures and holy books are divided mainly into two categories viz sruti and smriti. The rigveda is a collection of hymns dedicated to 33 gods especially to indri and agni. List of holy books in hinduism the galaxy of hindu literature is very vast and voluminous. Sacred hindu scriptures holy books of hinduism holy. If the indus valley civilization 3rd2nd millennium bce was the earliest source of hindu traditions, then hinduism is. Hinduism is a religion from the indian subcontinent.
Hinduism is one of the largest forms of religion in the world. Believing in the holy books of islam is one of the key beliefs in islam and the islam holy book is widely recognised as the quran. Hindu sacred literature is the most ancient of the living literatures of the world. The galaxy of hindu literature is very vast and voluminous. This holy book is written in the sanskrit language. Sanatana dharma, known as hinduism or hindu dharma, buddhism or. In hinduism, there are many sacred books including the vedas. The quran kareem is the only recognised holy book of islam now.
The institutes of vishnu sbe 7 julius jolly, translator 1880 sacred books of the east, vol. The vedas are the four holiest books of the by mankind to the next, perhaps over thousands of years each book has four major kinds of text the samhitas mantras and benedictions, the aranyakas text on rituals, ceremonies, sacrifices and symbolicsacrifices, the brahmanas commentaries on rituals, ceremonies and sacrifices, and the upanishads texts discussing. They got their present form between 1200200 bce and were introduced to india by the aryans. The love between the divine mother and her human children is a unique relationship. Holy books of islam the recognised holy books in islam. While most of its followers are in south asia, specifically india and nepal, there are hindus around the world. One of the oldest known religious texts is the kesh temple hymn of ancient sumer, a set of inscribed clay tablets which scholars typically date around 2600 bce. However this might be a tad inaccurate because the quran is not the only holy book of islam. The dark mother goddess in hinduism learn religions. The vedas are the prime book of knowledge on which primary hindu beliefs stands.
The different gods and goddesses in the hindu mythology are derived from these books. Sruti pronounced shroothee are the holy books within hinduism that are considered to be divinely inspired, and thus infallible and authoritative. Jun 07, 2008 all hindus know that some books are considered holy by everyone, and not every book written by every author becomes holy. This sacred text is divided into two main sections, the old testament and the new testament which are then further divided into various books. May 04, 2020 here at the hinduism section of, we aim at presenting the original works that lay the foundations of hinduism. We are trying to list out here as many hindu scriptures and books as possible. Hinduism is an ancient religion with diverse traditions such as vaishnavism, shaivism, shaktism and others. Hinduism is often referred as the eternal law or sanatan dharma. Vedas and upanishadas are the most authoritative amongst all hindu scriptures and holy books.
Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world, and hindus refer to it as sanatana dharma, the eternal tradition, or the eternal way, beyond human history. In other words, hinduism is a conglomeration of different doctrines and traditions mainly based on vedas and modified from. These texts are glorious tales of the hindu trinity brahma, vishnu and maheshwar shiva. The scriptures of the vedas are meant to guide hindu believers in their daily lives. Hinduism does not possess a single holy book like bible in christianity and quran in islamic dharma. The religions founded by individuals have one book that summarizes the philosophies of the founder or the same from the disciples perspective and so on. The shruti refers to the body of most authoritative, ancient religious texts, believed to. Hinduism is an indian religion and dharma, or way of life, widely practiced in the indian subcontinent and parts of southeast asia. Jan 30, 2020 the vedas are considered the earliest literary record of indoaryan civilization and the most sacred books of india. Turning believers into nonbelievers and nonbelievers into believers achuthananda, swami on. It is a polytheist anthropomorphic religion with a highly ritualized form of worship. They vary by geographical spread, number of adherents, language, hierarchy and. All hindus know that some books are considered holy by everyone, and not every book written by every author becomes holy.
For these reasons hinduism is referred as way of life or a family of religions. Karma is an invisible force in hinduism, whereas in jainism it is a form of matter which can stick to the soul. The sound of om was heard at the creation of the universe. Hinduism is practised by more than 80% of indias population. Famous hindu holy figures are recognizable to other cultures. Hinduism doesnt have a single holy book which has to be followed, as hinduism is a way of life than a religion. Hinduism download books, sacred, spiritual texts and pdf. Hinduism is widely practiced in south asia mainly in india and nepal. By holy book i assume you mean the central texts which are. This religious book defines the boundary of the religion and the followers would be expected to strictly abide by that holy book. As per the vedantic embodiments hinduism is monotheistic. The puranas are holy books of hinduism that date back to gupta empire in ancient india. Hindus can choose to be polytheistic, pantheistic, monotheistic, monistic, agnostic, atheistic or.
Hindus holy books were edited by britishers exposed by rajiv dixit. These names occur in the mythologies and legends of hinduism. These expanded over time to include brahmanas, aranyakas and upanishads. Apr 03, 20 the puranas are holy books of hinduism that date back to gupta empire in ancient india. The epic of gilgamesh from sumer, although only considered by some scholars as a religious text, has origins as early as 2150 bce, and stands as one of the earliest literary works that includes various mythological figures and themes. The philosophical maxims of vedic literature have stood the test of time, and the vedas form the highest religious authority for all aspects. The bible, specifically the new testament as the old testament is just taken from the torah. Hindu website, hinduism, buddhism, jainism, sikhism. The vedas are scriptures that the hindu people use as a guide to daily and religious life.
Kali, the dark mother is one such deity with whom devotees have a very loving and intimate bond, in. However, the puranas are supposed to be complied by muni vyasa. Itihasas in hindu religious context this term refers to the mahabharata and the. Today, we share with you the most popular hindu gods names list of hindu deities.
The upanishads are also called as vedantas or the end of the vedas. Hinduism is the worlds third most popular religion, with around 750 million followers. The last one is a commentary on the vedas, but it is considered as a revealed book. This performance arts related sutra text is mentioned in other late vedic texts, as are two scholars names shilalin iast. The holy books of world religions sacred texts in world. But the vedantic beliefs went under much transformation and became gradually polytheistic in character. The religion of hinduism originated in northern india, near the river indus, about 4000 years ago and is the worlds oldest existing religion. The canon of books and poems that define hinduism were written in sanskrit and are of ancient origin. Despite muslims being obliged to believe in the other holy books sent down to the other prophets besides prophet muhammad pbuh, due to the alterations to the other holy books of islam, the current versions of the torah, psalms and bible are not accepted. Sacred hindu scriptures holy books of hinduism holy books. The four vedas, upanishads, bhramanas, aranyakas and bhagavad gita make up the treasure of sruti literature. Religious texts, also known as scripture, scriptures, holy writ, or holy books, are the texts which various religious traditions consider to be sacred, or central to their religious tradition.
Vedas simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Yes, the vedas1 are the common holy scripture for the hindus. Each tradition has a long list of hindu texts, with subgenre based on syncretization of ideas from samkhya, nyaya, yoga, vedanta and other schools of hindu philosophy. The hindu holy scriptures are mainly comprised of the following works. Om hinduism facts hinduism facts facts about hindu religion. Hindu texts are manuscripts and historical literature related to any of the diverse traditions. The quran, zaboor, torah and the bible are the four holy books. Turning believers into nonbelievers and nonbelievers into believers.
Hinduism is an ancient religion with diverse traditions such as vaishnavism, shaivism. Throughout its extensive history, there have been many key figures teaching different philosophies and writing numerous holy books. Please only submit books that fit this description. The belief system in the hindi religion is outlined from these scriptures. They are the original scriptures of hindu teachings, containing spiritual knowledge encompassing all aspects of life. He has written several books about hinduism for children and young adults. Other holy scriptures in hinduism are called the upanisads, the smrutis, the puranas, the ramayana and the mahabharata. Hinduism believes in one supreme godhood that controls and guides each and. Hinduism, major world religion originating on the indian subcontinent and comprising several and varied systems of philosophy, belief, and ritual. List of world religions and founders, religious books, place. There is something called pramana, authority, which our acharyas have recognised, and as per the acharyas a set of books are considered primary texts, whereas, other books based on these primary books can also be referred to.
How many holy books are in hinduism and what are their names. It is the most dominant religion of the indian subcontinent. Sruti literally means that what is revealed and smriti means that what is remembered. Hindu scriptures and holy books hinduism facts hinduism facts. Throughout its extensive history, there have been many key figures teaching different philosophies and writing innumerable holy books. In hinduism, gods are worshiped in several ways and for several reasons such as knowledge, peace, wisdom, health, and it also believed to be ones duty to pray god as god is considered as our maker as we originated from them and we are staying in them and at last will. Hindus believe that existence is a cycle of birth, death and rebirth governed by individuals karma.
Even animals like cow is considered very holy in hinduism. Mar 17, 2008 the last one is a commentary on the vedas, but it is considered as a revealed book. In simple words, hinduism is a way of life, which helps you to liberate from the cycle of birth and rebirth. Download the bible, the holy quran, the mahabharata, and thousands of free pdf ebooks on buddhism, meditation, etc. In hinduism, gods are worshiped in several ways and for several reasons such as knowledge, peace, wisdom, health, and it also believed to be ones duty to pray god as god is considered as our maker as we originated from them and we are staying in them and at. Beyond the sruti, hindu texts include smritis, shastras, sutras, tantras, puranas. The vedas the vedas, or books of knowledge, are the foremost sacred texts in hinduism.
Zaboor, torat, injeel and quran are the four most famous holy books. We provide unique and original resources on the beliefs, philosophy and essential practices of the following religions. Holy books of hinduism hinduism a perspective the religions founded by individuals have one book that summarizes the philosophies of the founder or the same from the disciples perspective and so on. Hinduism part 3 download books, sacred, spiritual texts. Of these, the first three books are considered the more ancient books, and the rig veda is the oldest of them. Other holy scriptures in hinduism are called the upanisads, the smrutis, the puranas, the ramayana and the. There are well over 4,000 different religions in the world today. Goodall adds regional texts such as bhagavata purana and yajnavalkya smriti to the list. Sruti scriptures are considered divinely inspired and fully authoritative for belief and practice, while smruti are recognized as the products of the minds of the great sages. The concluding portions of the vedas are called upanisads.
Several lists include only the vedas, the principal upanishads, the agamas and the bhagavad gita as scriptures broadly accepted by hindus. Hindus value many sacred writings as opposed to one holy book. In hindu belief it is the name of the sage vasishthas wife, who is. Hindu religion is a dominant eastern religion ranking third in the world. Unpanishads the upanishads are also called as vedantas or the end of the vedas.
The vedas, upanishads, puranas, and brahmanas granth are the four sacred books in hindu religion. The vedas are considered the earliest literary record of indoaryan civilization and the most sacred books of india. They are rig veda, sama veda, yajur veda and atharva veda. Hence, sruti is what ancient hindu saints heard during deep meditation. Here, i will give only a brief introduction to the holy books of hinduism. The smrti lists rules governing the actions of the individual, the community and the. Hinduism has been called the oldest religion in the world, and some practitioners and scholars refer to it as sanatana dharma, the eternal tradition, or the eternal way, beyond human history. Hindu religion hinduism facts hinduism facts facts. Hinduism is diverse on ideas on spirituality and traditions, but has no ecclesiastical order, no unquestionable religious authorities, no governing body, no prophets nor any binding holy book. While we have the main vedas, upanishads, the mahabharata in several translations we also present newer commentaries, anthologies, and entirely new branches of hinduism. Devotees worship the banana tree every thursday by offering turmeric, jaggery and. For these reasons, writers often refer to hinduism as a way of. Such objects are sacred in hinduism and people have faith in it.
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