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. It has been described that number of verses that exist in all of the various types of hindu scriptures, as below, total 1 billion. From timeless and universal questions such as the purpose of life to the relationship between humans and the divine existence, pure being, light of consciousness emerged many schools of thoughts or darshanas. In the following pages you can find a short overview of the six major schools of indian philosophy, also traditionally termed six darsanas or shaddarsanas, such as. These four vedas form the core of the first holy books of hinduism. 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.
In the history of hinduism, the six orthodox schools had emerged before the start of the common era, and some schools emerged possibly even before the buddha some scholars have questioned whether the orthodox and heterodox schools classification is sufficient or accurate, given the diversity and evolution of views within each major school of hindu philosophy, with some subschools combining. The darshanas are hindu sacred texts that consist of varying attempts to develop and systematize the vedas. However, smruti texts often carry almost as much authority as sruti. Manu, yajnavalkya and parashara emerged who codified existing laws to ensure that the hindu way of life was consistent with both the vedic spirit and the changing times. They got their present form between 1200200 bce and were introduced to india by the aryans. The principles of dharma that are taught in the vedas are called the vaidika dharma or shrauta dharma and are considered to be infallible without error, universal and eternal. These billion verses are summarized into 700 verses by lord krishna in his bhagavad gita, as confirmed by adi shankr. Guided by the founder, satguru sivaya subramuniyaswami, the magazines editors, who are initiated monks of the kauais hindu monastery, collaborated with holy men and women and experts around the world in creating graphically rich guides to virtually. Hinduism part 4 download books, sacred, spiritual texts. Mar 17, 2004 the itihasas reflect popular, nonbrahmanic interests and the rise of theistic hinduism focused on shiva, vishnu and shakti. The upanishads are also called as vedantas or the end of the vedas.
Technically, the ramayana is a hindu epic, not really a scripture. Hinduism is a religion with various gods and goddesses. The religion of hinduism originated in northern india, near the river indus, about 4000 years ago and is the worlds oldest existing religion. It is indias major religion, but unlike many other religions in the world, hinduism has no founder.
Above, god holds the holiest of scriptures, the vedas and. Moreover lord rama is an avatar of vishnu and ramayana the glorious story rams journey in the mortal world. Hinduism hindu holy books explanation sheet teacher made. The institutes of vishnu sbe 7 julius jolly, translator 1880 sacred books of the east, vol. The four vedas, upanishads, bhramanas, aranyakas and bhagavad gita make up the treasure of sruti literature. Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world today with about 800 million adherents. This sacred text is divided into two main sections, the old testament and the new testament which are then further divided into various books.
The vedas are considered the earliest literary record of indoaryan civilization and the most sacred books of india. It is believed that hinduism dates back to 500010,000 bc. Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world, as well as the worlds oldest religion. Guide to understanding hinduism and the hindu religion, beliefs, customs, rituals, gods, mantras and converting to hinduism shalu sharma 4.
However, the puranas are supposed to be complied by muni vyasa. Online books on hinduism, hindu religion, hindu culture, shastras, hindu scripture, vedas, upanishad, hindu saints, sages, science and hinduism. And, the cults which are based in these scriptures are usually referred to as tantric cults. The concept of hindu ism categorically termed hinduism in the narrow sense religion being a single monolithic religion is recent, dating back only to the 19th century. Hinduism does not possess a single holy book like bible in christianity and quran in islamic dharma. Oct 11, 2017 it has been described that number of verses that exist in all of the various types of hindu scriptures, as below, total 1 billion. Beneath the layers of poetic imagery, colorful visions and seemingly superstitious ritual prayers practices, the vedas said to contain profound secrets of the worlds, their origins and knowledge of the spiritual realms into which. All hindus know that some books are considered holy by everyone, and not every book written by every author becomes holy. Hinduism part 2 download books, sacred, spiritual texts. The rigveda is a collection of hymns dedicated to 33 gods especially to indri and agni.
Mimamsa sutra philosophy of rites and rituals of sage jaimini. The oldest and most revered holy writings are the vedas, consisting of four books or more correctlycollections. Darshanas are schools of philosophy based on the vedas, and are part of the. In hinduism there are six such darshanas or schools of philosophy, namely sa. Hinduism is the worlds third most popular religion, with around 750 million followers. The itihasas reflect popular, nonbrahmanic interests and the rise of theistic hinduism focused on shiva, vishnu and shakti. Hinduism is a religion, or a way of life, found most notably in india and nepal, mauritius and bali indonesia. The vedas are a large body of hindu texts originating in ancient india, with its samhita and brahmanas complete before about 800 bce. There are also other holy books like puranas, ramayana, mahabharta etc.
Hinduism sacred books the bhagavad gita, translated from the sanskrit, with introduction and notes revised second edition. 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. The main scriptures that come under smriti texts are. Hinduism is the religion of over a billion hindus, who live mostly in india, but. Hinduism is practised by more than 80% of indias population. Tantras or agamas have had a profound impact on the way hinduism is practiced in our daily lives. The two great epics ramayana and mahabharata bhagavadgita is part of mahabharata, puranas. While the first four are intuitional, and the fifth inspirational and emotional, the darshanas are the intellectual sections of the hindu writings. Christianity vs hinduism difference and comparison diffen. We are trying to list out here as many hindu scriptures and books as possible. See also whats at your library, or elsewhere broader terms. 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 vedas and these other works are further divided into two sections. The majority of the vedas are considered the shruti, which is translated to that which is hard.
Gita is about 5000 years old, bhagavatam about years, scholars say. The two major categories in which all hindu scriptures are divided are the shruti and the smriti. Hindu philosophy is not mere speculation or guesswork. While we have the main vedas, upanishads, the mahabharata in several translations we also present newer commentaries, anthologies, and entirely new branches of hinduism. The holy books of world religions sacred texts in world. The shruti refers to the body of most authoritative, ancient religious texts. They include the mahabharata and ramayana epics, two of the most beloved hindu texts, as well as the puranas. Sruti pronounced shroothee are the holy books within hinduism that are considered to be divinely inspired, and thus infallible and authoritative. Just like the ramayana, mahabharata is also a hindu epic. Another hindu holy book that deals with religious duties is law of manu or the dharma shastra. I agree with all those who said bhagavadgita and bhagavata pura.
Smriti is a literature which includes various shastras and itihasas epics like ramayana, mahabharata, harivamsa puranas, agamas and darshanas. The dharmashastras law books are considered by many to form part of the smriti. The sutras and the suttas can be considered the holy books of buddhism. Hindu texts are manuscripts and historical literature related to any of the diverse traditions. Studying our holy books v the hindu tendency to see all faiths through their own spiritual viewpoint is patronizing and insulting to other faiths, whose followers openly reject the hindu interpretations of their own doctrines which they have understood in a different manner traditionally. The bhagavadgita introduction and chapter summaries.
Used the indian renaissance to generalize hinduism and emphasize the unity of all religions. Jan 15, 2017 here at the hinduism section of, we aim at presenting the original works that lay the foundations of hinduism. In the religions of indian origin, a darshana refers to a body, system, or school of philosophy. Flood traces the development of hindu traditions from ancient origins and the major deities to the modern world. Hinduism is a term used to designate a body of religious and philosophical beliefs. Each has a long history, believers, literary sources, and several sub schools. Jul, 1996 this book provides a muchneeded thematic and historical introduction to hinduism, the religion of the majority of people in india.
Since 1979 the international magazine hinduism today has been producing a treasury of educational features on all aspects of sanatana dharma. They are the original scriptures of hindu teachings, containing spiritual knowledge encompassing all aspects of life. This holy book is written in the sanskrit language. Hinduism is by far the predominant faith in india, where 82% of the population is hindu. The different gods and goddesses in the hindu mythology are derived from these books. The following description should help you to prepare a short presentation for your 7year olds. They are part of the six scriptures of the hindus, the other five being. The ancient indians were not interested in history as such, which is simply the records of kings and merchants written by the victors. 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. The sacred texts of hinduism fall into one of two categories.
The only two religions with more adherents are christianity 2 billion and islam 1. Here at the hinduismsection of, we aim at presenting the original works that lay the foundations of hinduism. Hinduism holy book important books and writings of hinduism. Download the bible, the holy quran, the mahabharata, and thousands of free pdf ebooks on buddhism, meditation, etc. Its followers, called christians, often believe christ is the son of the holy trinity and walked the earth as the incarnate form of god the father. The darshanas are hindu sacred texts that consist of varying. Over the ages, various schools of theology developed in hinduism through a dynamic tradition of philosophical inquiry and debate. Hinduism is an ancient religion with diverse traditions such as vaishnavism, shaivism. 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. Darshanas are schools of philosophy based on the vedas. A concise explanation of the main hindu holy books. The puranas are holy books of hinduism that date back to gupta empire in ancient india.
Some of the other holy works and books of hinduism are stories and epic poems. But due to centuries of retelling, the ramayana has acquired a demireligious status. They are rig veda, sama veda, yajur veda and atharva veda. Christianity broadly consists of individuals who believe in the deity jesus christ. Composed in vedic sanskrit hymns, the texts constitute the oldest layer of sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of hinduism. The flow of hinduism can be divided roughly into major periods of change and development. The four vedas the rig veda, the sama veda, the yajur veda and the atharva veda are the authentic texts of hinduism and are comprised of hymns, incantations, rituals and the importance of practicing them in daily life. Hinduism is a modern term, but it represents the ancient most living thought and culture of the world.
Smriti literature is considered less authoritative than sruti. This book provides a muchneeded thematic and historical introduction to hinduism, the religion of the majority of people in india. The holy book in the hindu religion is known as the vedas. The philosophical maxims of vedic literature have stood the test of time, and the vedas form the highest. All about hinduism is intended to meet the needs of those who want to be introduced to the various facets of the crystal that is hinduism. Hinduism flows from the misty past some 6000 to 7000 years ago. An introduction to hindu philosophy learn religions. Jan 30, 2020 the vedas are considered the earliest literary record of indoaryan civilization and the most sacred books of india. Hinduism a brief overview of the development of hinduism. Itihasas in hindu religious context this term refers to the mahabharata and the. The vedas are considered to be very holy, brahman himself in the form of words and sounds. Apr 03, 20 the puranas are holy books of hinduism that date back to gupta empire in ancient india.
The vedas constitute the shruti, a word that means that which has been heard from god by the rishis and are considered of divine origin. The story of the mahabharata, indias longest epic poem. While we have the main vedas, upanishads, the mahabharata in several translations we also present newer commentaries, anthologies. These are the most ancient religious texts which define truth for hindus. I have written two books on hinduism, but they are suitable only for years and above. Hindu philosophy internet encyclopedia of philosophy. The book, which was first published in 1947, has now been rearranged in a more convenient form, with useful additions here and.
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