The Hindu religion is called “Santana Dharma” or “eternal faith”; an ancient religion that is based on the theory of dharma. Dharma represents the ‘canon Hindu law’ as well as the ‘religion’ or sacred concepts of Hinduism. Dharma can be a path of spiritual discipline leading to God. The word dharma literally translates from the ancient Hindu language Sanskrit as meaning to support and maintain.

The origins of the Hindu religion are very unique, in that its foundations did not begin with a single individual. Rather, Hinduism is a religion built on the thousands of years of super conscious experiences and spiritual realizations by saints, sages ands seers. While Hinduism can be ceremonial, it is often not defined as a religion, but as a way of life.

The scriptures of Hinduism are the Vedas, or scriptures of knowledge and wisdom. The Vedas date back to the beginning of civilization in India and were passed down through an oral tradition for over several thousand years! There are four Vedas: Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda. The Rigveda is a collection of prayer hymns; the Yajurveda deals with ceremonial rites and performances. The Samaveda is a collection of hymns set to music, and the Atharvaveda is a compendium of ethical principles. The Vedas were passed down by recitation from generation to generation and were documented in written form as books much later on books by rishi Veda Vyaasa.

Another popular book of the Hindus is the Bhagavad Gita (or Gita) widely considered an important scripture. In the Gita, Lord Krishna, a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu, advises his friend, Arjuna, upon the onset of a fierce battle. The Gita deals with dharma, in this case defined as one’s duty in life.

The Hindus belief in one supreme consciousness called Brahman, a part of this consciousness is present in everyone and is called the Atman. The plurality of Gods and Goddesses are perceived as manifest forms and divine creatures of this Supreme Being. The three main gods, or trinity gods, are Lord Brahma the Creator, Lord Vishnu the Preserver, and Lord Shiva the Destroyer. The three main goddesses that are worshipped are Saraswati: the Goddess of Knowledge, Lakshmi: the goddess of Wealth and Health, and Durga: the goddess of Power. Devotion or complete surrender to the love of the Gods and Goddesses in Hinduism is known as Bhakti.

In essence the Supreme Being is considered to be:

“ He is beyond all
exists at the relative
universe.
That part of Him
appears as sentient and
insentient beings.
From a part of Him was
born the body of the
universe, and out of this
body were born the
Gods, the earth and
men.”
– Rig Veda

INTRODUCTION TO HINDUISM