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margin: .1em .5em;">[<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://citizendium.org/wiki/index.php?title=Hinduism&action=edit&section=0">edit intro</a>]</div> </td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div style="float:right; clear:right; margin:0 0 0.5em 0.3em; padding:0.5em 0 0.8em 1.4em;"><div id="toc" class="toc" role="navigation" aria-labelledby="mw-toc-heading"><input type="checkbox" role="button" id="toctogglecheckbox" class="toctogglecheckbox" style="display:none" /><div class="toctitle" lang="en" dir="ltr"><h2 id="mw-toc-heading">Contents</h2><label class="toctogglelabel" for="toctogglecheckbox"></label></div> <ul> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-1"><a href="#Etymology">1 Etymology</a></li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-2"><a href="#Beliefs">2 Beliefs</a> <ul> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-3"><a href="#Core_concepts">2.1 Core concepts</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-4"><a href="#Concept_of_God">2.2 Concept of God</a> <ul> <li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-5"><a href="#Brahman">2.2.1 Brahman</a></li> <li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-6"><a href="#Ishvara">2.2.2 Ishvara</a></li> <li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-7"><a href="#Devas_and_devis">2.2.3 Devas and devis</a></li> <li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-8"><a href="#Avataras">2.2.4 Avataras</a></li> <li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-9"><a href="#Atheism">2.2.5 Atheism</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-10"><a href="#Atman">2.3 Atman</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-11"><a href="#Karma,_samsara_and_moksha">2.4 Karma, samsara and moksha</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-12"><a href="#The_goals_of_life">2.5 The goals of life</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-13"><a href="#Yoga:_multiple_paths_to_the_goal">2.6 Yoga: multiple paths to the goal</a> <ul> <li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-14"><a href="#Bhakti_Yoga">2.6.1 Bhakti Yoga</a></li> <li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-15"><a href="#Karma_Yoga">2.6.2 Karma Yoga</a></li> <li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-16"><a href="#Raja_Yoga">2.6.3 Raja Yoga</a></li> <li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-17"><a href="#Jnana_Yoga">2.6.4 Jnana Yoga</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-18"><a href="#History">3 History</a> <ul> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-19"><a href="#Origins">3.1 Origins</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-20"><a href="#The_Vedic_period">3.2 The Vedic period</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-21"><a href="#Epic_and_Puranic_periods">3.3 Epic and Puranic periods</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-22"><a href="#The_age_of_Mahajanapadas">3.4 The age of Mahajanapadas</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-23"><a href="#Islam_and_Bhakti">3.5 Islam and Bhakti</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-24"><a href="#The_19th_and_20th_centuries">3.6 The 19th and 20th centuries</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-25"><a href="#Scriptures_and_theology">4 Scriptures and theology</a> <ul> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-26"><a href="#Shruti:_Vedic_literature">4.1 Shruti: Vedic literature</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-27"><a href="#Smriti:_non-Vedic_literature">4.2 Smriti: non-Vedic literature</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-28"><a href="#"Many_scriptures,_many_paths"">4.3 "Many scriptures, many paths"</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-29"><a href="#Schools_of_philosophy">4.4 Schools of philosophy</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-30"><a href="#Practices">5 Practices</a> <ul> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-31"><a href="#Puja_(worship)">5.1 Puja (worship)</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-32"><a href="#Devotional_singing">5.2 Devotional singing</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-33"><a href="#Yajna">5.3 Yajna</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-34"><a href="#Temples">5.4 Temples</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-35"><a href="#Hindu_iconography">5.5 Hindu iconography</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-36"><a href="#The_guru-disciple_tradition">5.6 The guru-disciple tradition</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-37"><a href="#Japa_and_mantra">5.7 Japa and mantra</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-38"><a href="#Pilgrimage">5.8 Pilgrimage</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-39"><a href="#Hindu_festivals">5.9 Hindu festivals</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-40"><a href="#Cremation">5.10 Cremation</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-41"><a href="#Society">6 Society</a> <ul> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-42"><a href="#Denominations">6.1 Denominations</a></li> <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-43"><a href="#Ashramas:_Stages_of_life">6.2 Ashramas: Stages of life</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-44"><a href="#Attribution">7 Attribution</a></li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-45"><a href="#Notes">8 Notes</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> Hinduism is a major world religion and set of philosophies and practices that originated on the Indian subcontinent. However, its diverse beliefs and practices do not always dovetail with that which is usually considered to be a religion. The broadest, timeless aspects of it are referred to as the sanatan dharma, the eternal religion. The early stage in the development of Hinduism---sometimes called the Vedic religion---was centered on the performance of rituals, and on the worship and propitiation of gods different from those prominent in later Hinduism. Though it is difficult to say with precision, this Vedic religion shares some features with the Avestan religion and Paganism, and itself seems to be a development of an earlier Indo-European religion.<a href="#cite_note-1">[1]</a><a href="#cite_note-2">[2]</a><a href="#cite_note-3">[3]</a> It is considered by some to be the world's oldest extant religion. <a href="#cite_note-4">[4]</a><a href="#cite_note-5">[5]</a> Hinduism contains a vast body of scriptures, which are divided between revealed and remembered (or traditional) works. (However, only the Vedas are considered to be revealed.) These works cover a broad range of theology, philosophy and mythology, providing spiritual insights and guidance on the practice of <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Dharma&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Dharma (page does not exist)">dharma</a> (religious living). Among such texts, the corpus of Vedic literature is at the fore in terms of authority, importance and antiquity.<a href="#cite_note-6">[6]</a> This includes a large number of hymns in the Saṃhitā Veda, works detailing the performance of ritual, works interpreting the symbolic meanings of ritual, and works which contain broader philosophical and theological speculation (the Upanisads). Hinduism has approximately a billion practitioners, of whom about 905 million live in <a href="/wiki/India" title="India">India</a> and <a href="/wiki/Nepal" title="Nepal">Nepal</a>,<a href="#cite_note-7">[7]</a> placing it as the world's third largest religion] after <a href="/wiki/Christianity" title="Christianity">Christianity</a> and <a href="/wiki/Islam" title="Islam">Islam</a>. Other countries with large Hindu populations include <a href="/wiki/Sri_Lanka" title="Sri Lanka">Sri Lanka</a>, <a href="/wiki/Bangladesh" title="Bangladesh">Bangladesh</a>, <a href="/wiki/Indonesia" title="Indonesia">Indonesia</a>, <a href="/wiki/Malaysia" title="Malaysia">Malaysia</a>, <a href="/wiki/Fiji" title="Fiji">Fiji</a>, <a href="/wiki/Suriname" title="Suriname">Suriname</a>, <a href="/wiki/Guyana" title="Guyana">Guyana</a> and <a href="/wiki/Trinidad_and_Tobago" title="Trinidad and Tobago">Trinidad and Tobago</a>. <h2>Etymology</h2> The <a href="/wiki/Persian_language" title="Persian language">Persian</a> term Hindū comes from the <a href="/wiki/Sanskrit" title="Sanskrit">Sanskrit</a> Sindhu, i.e. the Indus River.<a href="#cite_note-Hindu-8">[8]</a> The <a href="/wiki/Rig_Veda" title="Rig Veda">Rig Veda</a> mentions the land of the Indo-Aryans as Sapta Sindhu (the land of the seven rivers in the northwestern <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Indian_subcontinent&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Indian subcontinent (page does not exist)">Indian subcontinent</a>, one of them being the Indus). This corresponds to Hapta Həndu in the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Avesta&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Avesta (page does not exist)">Avesta</a> (Vendidad or Videvdad: Fargard 1.18)—the sacred scripture of <a href="/wiki/Zoroastrianism" title="Zoroastrianism">Zoroastrianism</a> of the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Iranian_Empire&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Iranian Empire (page does not exist)">Iranian Empire</a>. It is mentioned as one of the 16 lands where Iranians (arya) live. The term was used for those who lived in the Indian subcontinent on or beyond the "Sindhu".<a href="#cite_note-9">[9]</a> The British used the term to differentiate between Muslims and Christians on the one hand and all others. <h2>Beliefs</h2> <h3>Core concepts</h3> Hinduism originates from the ancient Vedic tradition and other <a href="/wiki/Indigenous_peoples" title="Indigenous peoples">indigenous</a> beliefs, incorporated over time. Due to its diversity Hinduism can only be defined in terms of peoples and places.<a href="#cite_note-10">[10]</a> It is possible to find Hindu groups whose beliefs have nothing in common and it is impossible to identify any universal belief of practice.<a href="#cite_note-11">[11]</a> Prominent themes in Hinduism include <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Dharma&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Dharma (page does not exist)">Dharma</a> (ethics and duties), <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Samsara&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Samsara (page does not exist)">Samsāra</a> (The continuing cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth), <a href="/wiki/Karma" class="mw-redirect" title="Karma">Karma</a> (action and subsequent reaction), and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Moksha&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Moksha (page does not exist)">Moksha</a> (liberation from the cycle of samsara). <a href="/wiki/Buddhism" title="Buddhism">Buddhism</a>, Jainism, and Sikhism share traits with Hinduism, because these religions originated in India and focus on self-improvement with the general aim of attaining personal spiritual experiences. <h3>Concept of God</h3> Hinduism is sometimes considered to be a polytheistic religion, but such a view oversimplifies a diverse system of thought with beliefs spanning <a href="/wiki/Monotheism" title="Monotheism">monotheism</a>, <a href="/wiki/Polytheism" title="Polytheism">polytheism</a>,<a href="#cite_note-EBpolytheism-12">[12]</a> <a href="/wiki/Pantheism" title="Pantheism">pantheism</a>, monism, and even atheism. For instance, the Advaita Vedanta school holds that there is only one causal entity (<a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Brahman&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Brahman (page does not exist)">Brahman</a>), which manifests itself to humans in multiple forms<a href="#cite_note-ISBN_1-884852-02-5-13">[13]</a> while many scholars consider the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Samkhya&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Samkhya (page does not exist)">Samkhya</a> school of thought to have had atheistic leanings. <h4>Brahman</h4> <dl><dd>For more information, see: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Brahman&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Brahman (page does not exist)">Brahman</a>.</dd></dl> According to the monistic/panentheistic theologies of Hinduism, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Brahman&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Brahman (page does not exist)">Brahman</a> (the greater Self or <a href="/wiki/God" title="God">God</a>) is in the highest sense One and nondifferentiated from the world and its beings (hence 'nondualist'). In connoting Brahman's absolutely unparalleled nature, it is also called Parambrahman, where the Sanskrit prefix param- denotes "ultimate". Brahman is also sometimes seen as synonymous with the concept of <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Paramatma&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Paramatma (page does not exist)">Paramatma</a> (Supreme Spirit). Beyond time and space, both immanent and transcendent,<a href="#cite_note-baskar1-14">[14]</a><a href="#cite_note-15">[15]</a> Brahman is often described succinctly as sacchidananda, meaning 'Truth-Consciousness-Bliss', not only possessing the qualities but also being their very essence. Advaita philosophy declares that ultimately Brahman (the impersonal God) is beyond mere intellectual description and can be understood only through direct spiritual experience, where the 'knower' and the 'known' are subsumed into the act of 'knowing'. The goal is to "wake up" and realize that one's <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Atman&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Atman (page does not exist)">atman</a>, or soul, is really identical to <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Brahman&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Brahman (page does not exist)">Brahman</a>, the uber-soul.<a href="#cite_note-16">[16]</a><a href="#cite_note-17">[17]</a> On the other hand, monotheistic (for example, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Dvaita_Vedanta&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Dvaita Vedanta (page does not exist)">Dvaita Vedanta</a>) and other devotional (<a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Bhakti&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Bhakti (page does not exist)">bhakti</a>) schools, understand <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Brahman&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Brahman (page does not exist)">Brahman</a> as a Supreme Being who possesses personality. In these conceptions, Brahman is associated with <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Vishnu&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Vishnu (page does not exist)">Vishnu</a>, <a href="/wiki/Shiva" title="Shiva">Shiva</a> or <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Shakti&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Shakti (page does not exist)">Shakti</a> depending on the sect. Brahman is seen as fundamentally separate from its reliant souls (humanity) so, in achieving liberation, individual beings experience God as an independent being, a living personality, and retain their individual identities. <h4>Ishvara</h4> <dl><dd>For more information, see: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Ishvara&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Ishvara (page does not exist)">Ishvara</a>.</dd></dl> When God is viewed as the supreme personal being (rather than as the infinite principle) God is called <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Ishvara&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Ishvara (page does not exist)">Ishvara</a> ("The Lord";<a href="#cite_note-MW_Sanskrit_dict.-18">[18]</a>), <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Bhagavan&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Bhagavan (page does not exist)">Bhagavan</a> ("The Auspicious One";<a href="#cite_note-MW_Sanskrit_dict.-18">[18]</a>), or Parameshwara ("The Supreme Lord"<a href="#cite_note-MW_Sanskrit_dict.-18">[18]</a>). Ishvara thus refers to the personal aspect of God in general; it is not specific to a particular deity. Ishvara transcends gender, yet can be looked upon as father, mother, friend, child, or even as sweetheart.<a href="#cite_note-ISBN_1-884852-02-5-13">[13]</a> Some schools of Hindu philosophy do not believe in Ishvara, while others interpret Ishvara in different ways.<a href="#cite_note-ISBN_81-208-2144-0-19">[19]</a><a href="#cite_note-ISBN_1-884852-02-5-13">[13]</a> Some schools do not distinguish between Ishvara and Brahman. The <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Dvaita&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Dvaita (page does not exist)">Dvaita</a> school holds that Ishvara is not <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Incorporeal&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Incorporeal (page does not exist)">incorporeal</a>,<a href="#cite_note-ISBN_81-208-2144-0-19">[19]</a> but is infinite and a personal being. <h4>Devas and devis</h4> <dl><dd>For more information, see: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Deva_(Hinduism)&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Deva (Hinduism) (page does not exist)">Deva (Hinduism)</a>.</dd></dl> The Hindu scriptures refer as many celestial entities, called <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Deva_(Hinduism)&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Deva (Hinduism) (page does not exist)">Devas</a> ("The heavenly or shining ones",<a href="#cite_note-MW_Sanskrit_dict.-18">[18]</a> also called devatās). The word Devas may be translated into English as gods,<a href="#cite_note-MW_Sanskrit_dict.-18">[18]</a> demigods,<a href="#cite_note-20">[20]</a> deities,<a href="#cite_note-MW_Sanskrit_dict.-18">[18]</a> celestial spirits<a href="#cite_note-21">[21]</a> or angels.<a href="#cite_note-22">[22]</a> The feminine of deva is devī. The <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Veda&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Veda (page does not exist)">Vedas</a> and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Puranas&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Puranas (page does not exist)">Purānas</a> depict the devas in their mythological stories. The latter lauds the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Trimurti&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Trimurti (page does not exist)">Trimurti</a> of Mahādevas ("Great Gods"), which are the three aspects of God: Brahmā, Vishnu and Shiva.<a href="#cite_note-23">[23]</a> Other Devas have been worshipped throughout Hinduism's history. The devas are an integral part of Hindu culture and are depicted in <a href="/wiki/Art" title="Art">art</a>, <a href="/wiki/Architecture" title="Architecture">architecture</a> and through <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Icon&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Icon (page does not exist)">icons</a>. In their religious practices, Hindus can primarily worship one of these deities, known as their iṣṭa devatā, or chosen ideal.<a href="#cite_note-24">[24]</a><a href="#cite_note-25">[25]</a> The particular form of God worshipped as one's chosen ideal is a matter of individual preference and needs,<a href="#cite_note-26">[26]</a> influenced by regional and family traditions.<a href="#cite_note-27">[27]</a> <h4>Avataras</h4> <dl><dd>For more information, see: <a href="/wiki/Avatar" title="Avatar">Avatar</a>.</dd></dl> Many denominations of Hinduism teach that from time to time God descends to Earth in corporeal form to help humans along in their struggle toward enlightenment in the form of <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Bhakti&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Bhakti (page does not exist)">bhakti</a> or liberation from rebirth known as <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Moksha&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Moksha (page does not exist)">moksha</a>. Hindus believe that God's incarnations bring the dharmic order back into balance whenever necessary. Such an incarnation of God is called an <a href="/wiki/Avatar" title="Avatar">avatar</a>. The most famous avatars are of Vishnu, the two most popular being <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Rama&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Rama (page does not exist)">Rama</a>, whose life is depicted in the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Ramayana&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Ramayana (page does not exist)">Ramayana</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Krishna" title="Krishna">Krishna</a>, who is a central figure in the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Mahabharata&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Mahabharata (page does not exist)">Mahabharata</a> and whose life is depicted in the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Srimad_Bhagavatam&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Srimad Bhagavatam (page does not exist)">Srimad Bhagavatam</a>. <h4>Atheism</h4> <dl><dd>For more information, see: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Atheism_in_Hinduism&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Atheism in Hinduism (page does not exist)">Atheism in Hinduism</a>.</dd></dl> Mainstream Hindu philosophy talks about the existence of God, being heavily influenced by the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Vedanta&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Vedanta (page does not exist)">Vedanta</a> school, the dominant philosophical school of Hinduism. Nonetheless, there were earlier atheistic schools such as <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Samkhya&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Samkhya (page does not exist)">Samkhya</a>, which did not acknowledge the existence of God. <h3>Atman</h3> <dl><dd>For more information, see: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=%C4%80tman&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Ātman (page does not exist)">Ātman</a>.</dd></dl> Most Hindus believe that the spirit or soul, the true "self" of every person, called the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=%C4%80tman&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Ātman (page does not exist)">ātman</a>, is eternal;<a href="#cite_note-monierwilliams1-28">[28]</a> as is Brahman, which may be seen as either the greater Self or as God, depending on the outlook. According to the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Advaita&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Advaita (page does not exist)">Advaita</a> (non-dualist) schools of philosophy, the individual self and greater Self are not fundamentally distinct. They argue that the core spirit, or "Self", of every individual person is identical with the greater Spirit. Referring to 'Brahman' unequivocally as God may reveal problems of semantics, where certain traditions understand God to be a motivating agency with personality and others that it is without personality and form, beyond any sort of definition and thus non-equivalent to the 'God' as understood by dualist schools of Hinduism or Abrahamic understandings of God.<a href="#cite_note-monierwilliams1-28">[28]</a> According to the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Upanishads&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Upanishads (page does not exist)">Upanishads</a>, whoever gains insight into the depths of his own nature and becomes fully aware of the ātman as the innermost core of his own Self will realize his identity with Brahman and will thereby reach Moksha (liberation from the birth and death cycle).<a href="#cite_note-monierwilliams1-28">[28]</a><a href="#cite_note-ISBN_0-7007-0279-2_p_7-29">[29]</a> According to the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Dvaita&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Dvaita (page does not exist)">Dvaita</a> (dualist) school, (often associated with <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Vaishnavism&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Vaishnavism (page does not exist)">Vaishnavism</a>), the ātman is not identical with Brahman, which is seen as being God with personality (though not limited); instead, the ātman is dependent on God. Moksha depends on love towards God and on God's grace.<a href="#cite_note-ISBN_0-7007-0279-2_p_7-29">[29]</a> <h3>Karma, samsara and moksha</h3> <dl><dd>For more information, see: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Karma_in_Hinduism&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Karma in Hinduism (page does not exist)">Karma in Hinduism</a>.</dd></dl> Karma translates literally as action, work or deed<a href="#cite_note-30">[30]</a> and is often described as the "moral law of cause and effect".<a href="#cite_note-31">[31]</a> According to the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Upanishads&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Upanishads (page does not exist)">Upanishads</a>, an individual, known as the jiva-atma, develops <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Samskara&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Samskara (page does not exist)">samskaras</a> (impressions) from actions, whether physical or mental. The "linga sharira", a body more subtle than the physical one, but less subtle than the soul, retains impressions, carrying them over into the next life, establishing a unique trajectory for the individual.<a href="#cite_note-32">[32]</a> Thus, the concept of a universal, neutral and never-failing karma intrinsically relates to <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Reincarnation&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Reincarnation (page does not exist)">reincarnation</a> as well as one's personality, characteristics and family. Karma threads together the notions of <a href="/wiki/Free_will" title="Free will">free will</a> and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Destiny&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Destiny (page does not exist)">destiny</a>. This cycle of action, reaction, birth, death, and rebirth is a continuum called <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Samsara&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Samsara (page does not exist)">samsara</a>. The notion of reincarnation and karma is a strong premise in Hindu thought. The <a href="/wiki/Bhagavad_Gita" title="Bhagavad Gita">Bhagavad Gita</a> states that: <blockquote>As a person puts on new clothes, discarding old and torn clothes, similarly an embodied soul enters new material bodies, leaving the old bodies.(B.G. 2:22)<a href="#cite_note-33">[33]</a></blockquote> Samsara provides ephemeral pleasures, which lead people to desire rebirth to enjoy the pleasures of a perishable body. However, escaping the world of samsara through <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Moksha&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Moksha (page does not exist)">moksha</a> (liberation from the death and re-birth cycle) is believed to ensure lasting happiness and peace.<a href="#cite_note-34">[34]</a><a href="#cite_note-35">[35]</a> It is thought that after several reincarnations, an atman eventually seeks unity with the cosmic spirit (Brahman/Paramatman). The ultimate goal of life, referred to as <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Moksha&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Moksha (page does not exist)">moksha</a>, <a href="/wiki/Nirvana" title="Nirvana">nirvana</a> or <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Samadhi&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Samadhi (page does not exist)">samadhi</a>, is described as the realization of one's union with God; realization of one's eternal relationship with God; realization of the unity of all existence; perfect unselfishness and knowledge of the Self; liberation from ignorance; attainment of perfect mental peace; or detachment from worldly desires. Such a realization liberates one from samsara and ends the cycle of rebirth.<a href="#cite_note-36">[36]</a><a href="#cite_note-37">[37]</a> The exact conceptualization of moksha differs among the various Hindu schools of thought. For example, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Advaita_Vedanta&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Advaita Vedanta (page does not exist)">Advaita Vedanta</a> holds that after attaining moksha an atman no longer identifies itself with an individual but as part of Brahman. The followers of <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Dualistic&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Dualistic (page does not exist)">dualistic</a> schools such as <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Dvaita&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Dvaita (page does not exist)">dvaita</a> on the other hand, expect to spend eternity in a <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Loka&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Loka (page does not exist)">loka</a>, or heaven,<a href="#cite_note-38">[38]</a> in the company of their chosen form of Ishvara. Thus, it is said, the followers of dvaita wish to "taste sugar," while the followers of Advaita wish to "become sugar."<a href="#cite_note-39">[39]</a> <h3>The goals of life</h3> <dl><dd>For more information, see: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Purusharthas&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Purusharthas (page does not exist)">Purusharthas</a>.</dd></dl> Classical Hindu thought accepts two main life-long dharmas: Grihastha Dharma and Sannyasin Dharma. The <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Grihastha&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Grihastha (page does not exist)">Grihastha</a> <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Dharma&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Dharma (page does not exist)">Dharma</a> recognize four goals as noble known as the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Purusharthas&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Purusharthas (page does not exist)">puruṣhārthas</a>. They are: <ol><li><a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Kama_(Purusharthas)&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Kama (Purusharthas) (page does not exist)">kāma</a>: Sensual pleasure and enjoyment</li> <li><a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Artha&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Artha (page does not exist)">artha</a>: Material prosperity and success</li> <li><a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Dharma&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Dharma (page does not exist)">dharma</a>: Following the laws and rules that an individual lives under</li> <li><a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Moksha&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Moksha (page does not exist)">moksha</a>: Liberation from the cycle of samsara<a href="#cite_note-ISBN_0-7007-0279-2-40">[40]</a><a href="#cite_note-essenhinuism7-41">[41]</a></li></ol> Among these, dharma and moksha play a special role:<a href="#cite_note-essenhinuism7-41">[41]</a> dharma must dominate an individual's pursuit of kama and artha while seeing moksha, at the horizon. The Sannyasin Dharma recognizes, but renounces Kama, Artha and Dharma, focusing entirely on Moksha. As described <a href="/wiki/Hinduism#Ashramas_(stages_of_life)" title="Hinduism">below</a>, the Gṛhasthi eventually enters this stage eventually. However, some enter this stage immediately from whichever stage they may be in. <h3>Yoga: multiple paths to the goal</h3> In whatever way a Hindu defines the goal of life, there are several methods (<a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Yogas&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Yogas (page does not exist)">yogas</a>) that sages have taught for reaching that goal. Someone who practices yoga is called a <a href="/wiki/Yogi" title="Yogi">yogi</a>. The chief texts dedicated to Yoga are the <a href="/wiki/Bhagavad_Gita" title="Bhagavad Gita">Bhagavad Gita</a>, the <a href="/wiki/Yoga_Sutras_of_Patanjali" title="Yoga Sutras of Patanjali">Yoga Sutras of Patanjali</a>, the <a href="/wiki/Hatha_Yoga_Pradipika" title="Hatha Yoga Pradipika">Hatha Yoga Pradipika</a> and, as their philosophical and historical basis, the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Upanishads&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Upanishads (page does not exist)">Upanishads</a>. Paths one can follow to achieve the spiritual goal of life (<a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Moksha&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Moksha (page does not exist)">moksha</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Samadhi&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Samadhi (page does not exist)">samadhi</a>, or <a href="/wiki/Nirvana" title="Nirvana">nirvana</a>) include: <ul><li><a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Bhakti_Yoga&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Bhakti Yoga (page does not exist)">Bhakti Yoga</a> (the path of love and devotion),</li> <li><a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Karma_Yoga&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Karma Yoga (page does not exist)">Karma Yoga</a> (the path of right action),</li> <li><a href="/wiki/index.php?title=R%C4%81ja_Yoga&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Rāja Yoga (page does not exist)">Rāja Yoga</a> (the path of meditation) and</li> <li><a href="/wiki/index.php?title=J%C3%B1%C4%81na_Yoga&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Jñāna Yoga (page does not exist)">Jñāna Yoga</a> (the path of wisdom).<a href="#cite_note-ISBN_1-884852-02-5-13">[13]</a></li></ul> An individual may prefer one yoga over others according to his or her inclination and understanding. For instance some followers of the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Dvaita&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Dvaita (page does not exist)">Dvaita</a> school hold that <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Bhakti&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Bhakti (page does not exist)">Bhakti</a> ("devotion") is the only practical path to achieve spiritual perfection for most people, based on their belief that the world is currently in the age of <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Kali_yuga&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Kali yuga (page does not exist)">Kali yuga</a> (one of four epochs part of the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Yuga&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Yuga (page does not exist)">Yuga</a> cycle).<a href="#cite_note-42">[42]</a> Practice of one yoga does not exclude others. Many schools believe that the different yogas naturally blend into and aid other yogas. For example, the practice of jnana yoga, is thought to inevitably lead to pure love (the goal of bhakti yoga), and vice versa.<a href="#cite_note-43">[43]</a> Someone practicing deep meditation (such as in raja yoga) must embody the core principles of karma yoga, jnana yoga and bhakti yoga, whether directly or indirectly.<a href="#cite_note-ISBN_1-884852-02-5-13">[13]</a><a href="#cite_note-44">[44]</a> <h4>Bhakti Yoga</h4> <dl><dd>For more information, see: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Bhakti_yoga&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Bhakti yoga (page does not exist)">Bhakti yoga</a>.</dd></dl> The <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Bhakti&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Bhakti (page does not exist)">bhakti</a> traditions emphasize cultivation of love and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Devotion&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Devotion (page does not exist)">devotion</a> for God as the path to perfection. Followers of <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Bhakti&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Bhakti (page does not exist)">bhakti</a> typically worship God as a divine personal being or <a href="/wiki/Avatar" title="Avatar">avatar</a>, such as <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Rama&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Rama (page does not exist)">Rama</a> or <a href="/wiki/Krishna" title="Krishna">Krishna</a>. Followers of the bhakti path strive to purify their minds and activities through the chanting of God's names (<a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Japa&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Japa (page does not exist)">japa</a>), <a href="/wiki/Prayer" title="Prayer">prayer</a>, devotional hymns (<a href="/wiki/Bhajan" title="Bhajan">bhajan</a>) and treating all living creatures with compassion. Bhakti followers seek to enjoy a loving relationship with God, rather than to merge their consciousness with <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Brahman&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Brahman (page does not exist)">Brahman</a>. <h4>Karma Yoga</h4> <dl><dd>For more information, see: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Karma_yoga&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Karma yoga (page does not exist)">Karma yoga</a>.</dd></dl> Followers of karma yoga seek to achieve freedom by acting without attachment to the results of their actions. According to Hinduism, action is inevitable, and has one great disadvantage—any act done with attachment to its fruits generates karmic or psychological bondage.<a href="#cite_note-ISBN_978-0949027047-45">[45]</a> Followers of karma yoga follow the injunction in the <a href="/wiki/Bhagavad_Gita" title="Bhagavad Gita">Bhagavad Gita</a>: <blockquote> Without being attached to the fruits of action, one should act as a matter of duty; for by working without attachment, one attains the Supreme.<a href="#cite_note-46">[46]</a> </blockquote> Many followers of karma yoga offer the results of every action to God, thus combining karma yoga with <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Bhakti_yoga&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Bhakti yoga (page does not exist)">bhakti yoga</a>. Karma yoga is supposed to bring purification of the heart, freedom from bondage to the ego, humility, and the growing understanding that Brahman is in all people.<a href="#cite_note-ISBN_978-0949027047-45">[45]</a> <h4>Raja Yoga</h4> <dl><dd>For more information, see: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Raja_yoga&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Raja yoga (page does not exist)">Raja yoga</a>.</dd></dl> Followers of Raja yoga seek to experience the spiritual truth directly through <a href="/wiki/Meditation" class="mw-redirect" title="Meditation">meditation</a>. Raja yoga is based on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali,<a href="#cite_note-ISBN_81-85301-75-1-V1-29-47">[47]</a> which has eight 'limbs' that describe the stages a yogi must pass through to reach the goal of samadhi.<a href="#cite_note-ISBN_978-1565892194-48">[48]</a> The eight limbs begin with right action (<a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Yamas&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Yamas (page does not exist)">yamas</a> and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Niyamas&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Niyamas (page does not exist)">niyamas</a>) and perfect meditative posture (<a href="/wiki/Asana" title="Asana">asana</a>), and continue with control of the body's life force (<a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Pranayama&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Pranayama (page does not exist)">pranayama</a>). From there, the yogi practices techniques of meditation that take him through the progressive stages of interiorization (<a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Pratyahara&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Pratyahara (page does not exist)">pratyahara</a>), concentration (<a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Dharana&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Dharana (page does not exist)">dharana</a>) and meditation (<a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Dhyana&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Dhyana (page does not exist)">dhyana</a>).<a href="#cite_note-ISBN_978-1425359829-49">[49]</a><a href="#cite_note-ISBN_978-1565892194-48">[48]</a> The final goal of the raja yogi—and the eighth limb of Patanjali's Sutras—is <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Samadhi&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Samadhi (page does not exist)">samadhi</a>, or oneness with Brahman.<a href="#cite_note-ISBN_1-884852-03-3-50">[50]</a> <h4>Jnana Yoga</h4> <dl><dd>For more information, see: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Jnana_yoga&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Jnana yoga (page does not exist)">Jnana yoga</a>.</dd></dl> Jnana yoga is the path of wisdom, or true knowledge, and appeals to people with an intellectual nature.<a href="#cite_note-ISBN_978-8120818767-51">[51]</a> The jnana yogi typically practices the four interrelated means to liberation: <ol><li>Viveka: discriminating between what is real (the immortal Atman, or true self), and unreal (the physical universe)</li> <li>Vairāgya, dispassion for material pleasures</li> <li>Shad-Sampat, the six virtues, which bring about mental control and discipline.</li> <li>Mumukshutva, intense desire for liberation from the birth and death cycle.<a href="#cite_note-jnana-52">[52]</a></li></ol> These practices lead to the unfoldment of wisdom (intuitive perception), rather than mere intellectual knowledge.<a href="#cite_note-ISBN_978-1565891364-53">[53]</a> Through discrimination and introspection, the jnana yogi eventually realizes the highest truth, that "I am Brahman, the pure, all-pervading Consciousness."<a href="#cite_note-jnana-52">[52]</a> <h2>History</h2> <dl><dd>For more information, see: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=History_of_Hinduism&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="History of Hinduism (page does not exist)">History of Hinduism</a>.</dd></dl> <h3>Origins</h3> The earliest evidence for certain (minor) elements of Hinduism may date back as far as the late <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Neolithic&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Neolithic (page does not exist)">neolithic</a> and the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Early_Harappan&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Early Harappan (page does not exist)">early Harappan</a> period (ca. 5500–2600 BCE).<a href="#cite_note-History-54">[54]</a> The beliefs and practices of the pre-classical era (ca. 1500-500 BCE) are called the "<a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Historical_Vedic_religion&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Historical Vedic religion (page does not exist)">Vedic religion</a>". The oldest surviving text of Hinduism is the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Rigveda&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Rigveda (page does not exist)">Rigveda</a>, which is dated to between 1700–1100 BCE based on <a href="/wiki/Linguistics" title="Linguistics">linguistic</a> and philological evidence.<a href="#cite_note-55">[55]</a> <h3>The Vedic period</h3> <dl><dd>For more information, see: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Historical_Vedic_religion&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Historical Vedic religion (page does not exist)">Historical Vedic religion</a>.</dd></dl> Modern Hinduism grew out of the Vedas. The earliest of these, the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Rigveda&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Rigveda (page does not exist)">Rigveda</a>, centers on worship of deities such as <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Indra&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Indra (page does not exist)">Indra</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Varuna&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Varuna (page does not exist)">Varuna</a> and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Agni&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Agni (page does not exist)">Agni</a>, and on the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Soma&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Soma (page does not exist)">Soma</a> ritual. The early Indo-Aryans performed fire-sacrifices, called <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Yagna&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Yagna (page does not exist)">yajña</a> and chanted Vedic mantras. They did not build <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Temple&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Temple (page does not exist)">temples</a> or <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Icon&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Icon (page does not exist)">icons</a>. Buddhist and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Jain&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Jain (page does not exist)">Jain</a> texts claim that Animals were sacrificed in larger yajñas. The oldest Vedic traditions exhibit strong similarities to <a href="/wiki/Zoroastrianism" title="Zoroastrianism">Zoroastrianism</a> and with other <a href="/wiki/Indo-European_people" class="mw-redirect" title="Indo-European people">Indo-European</a> religions, like Paganism.<a href="#cite_note-56">[56]</a> <h3>Epic and Puranic periods</h3> The epic poems <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Ramayana&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Ramayana (page does not exist)">Ramayana</a> and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Mahabharata&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Mahabharata (page does not exist)">Mahabharata</a> were composed roughly from 400 BCE to 200 CE but were transmitted orally for hundreds of years prior to this period.<a href="#cite_note-57">[57]</a> The Ramayana and Mahabharata contain secular and mythological stories of the rulers and wars of ancient India as well as on the <a href="/wiki/Avatar" title="Avatar">avatars</a> Rama and Krishna respectively. They are interspersed with treatises on various Hindu philosophical concepts and themes, including the nature of the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Atma&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Atma (page does not exist)">atma</a>, karma, dharma, moksha, and the organisation of society and government. The later <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Puranas&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Puranas (page does not exist)">Puranas</a> recount tales about <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Deva_(Hinduism)&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Deva (Hinduism) (page does not exist)">devas and devis</a>, their interactions with humans and their battles against <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Rakshasa&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Rakshasa (page does not exist)">demons</a>. <h3>The age of Mahajanapadas</h3> <dl><dd>For more information, see: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Mahajanapadas&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Mahajanapadas (page does not exist)">Mahajanapadas</a>.</dd></dl> During the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Iron_Age_in_India&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Iron Age in India (page does not exist)">Iron Age in India</a>, several schools of thought arose and developed in <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Hindu_philosophy&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Hindu philosophy (page does not exist)">Hindu philosophy</a> including <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Samkhya&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Samkhya (page does not exist)">Samkhya</a>, <a href="/wiki/Yoga" title="Yoga">Yoga</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Nyaya&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Nyaya (page does not exist)">Nyaya</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Vaisheshika&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Vaisheshika (page does not exist)">Vaisheshika</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Purva-Mimamsa&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Purva-Mimamsa (page does not exist)">Purva-Mimamsa</a> and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Vedanta&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Vedanta (page does not exist)">Vedanta</a>. Three key revolutions underpinned the nascence of a new epoch in Hindu thought. These were the spiritual upheaval initiated by the Upanishads, and the arrival of <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Mahavira&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Mahavira (page does not exist)">Mahavira</a> (founder of <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Jainism&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Jainism (page does not exist)">Jainism</a>) and the <a href="/wiki/Buddha" title="Buddha">Buddha</a> (founder of <a href="/wiki/Buddhism" title="Buddhism">Buddhism</a>). <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Charvaka&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Charvaka (page does not exist)">Charvaka</a>, the leader of an atheistic materialist school, also came to the fore in <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=North_India&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="North India (page does not exist)">North India</a> in the sixth century BCE.<a href="#cite_note-ISBN_0-19-563921-9-58">[58]</a> The <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Upanishads&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Upanishads (page does not exist)">Upanishads</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Mahavira&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Mahavira (page does not exist)">Mahavira</a> and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Gautama_Buddha&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Gautama Buddha (page does not exist)">Buddha</a> taught that to achieve <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Moksha&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Moksha (page does not exist)">moksha</a> or <a href="/wiki/Nirvana" title="Nirvana">nirvana</a>, one did not have to accept the authority of the <a href="/wiki/Vedas" title="Vedas">Vedas</a> or the caste system; the Buddha went a step further and claimed that the existence of a Self/soul or God was unnecessary.<a href="#cite_note-59">[59]</a> In this intellectual ferment, many Hindus became Buddhists while others were influenced by Buddhist and Jain teachings.<a href="#cite_note-60">[60]</a> The arrival of new philosophies substantially changed the religion between the end of the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Maurya&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Maurya (page does not exist)">Maurya</a> and beginning of the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Gupta&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Gupta (page does not exist)">Gupta</a> periods.<a href="#cite_note-61">[61]</a>. <h3>Islam and Bhakti</h3> From the seventh century, successive waves of armies from <a href="/wiki/Muslim" title="Muslim">Muslim</a> kingdoms invaded and to varying degrees, gained control over North India.<a href="#cite_note-ISBN_0-19-563921-9-58">[58]</a> During this period Buddhism declined rapidly and many Hindus were forcibly converted to <a href="/wiki/Islam" title="Islam">Islam</a>. Some Muslim rulers such as <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Aurangzeb&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Aurangzeb (page does not exist)">Aurangzeb</a> destroyed Hindu temples and otherwise persecuted non-Muslims, while others, such as <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Akbar&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Akbar (page does not exist)">Akbar</a>, were more tolerant. Hinduism underwent profound changes due in large part to the influence of the prominent teachers <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Ramanuja&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Ramanuja (page does not exist)">Ramanuja</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Madhvacharya&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Madhvacharya (page does not exist)">Madhva</a>, and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Chaitanya&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Chaitanya (page does not exist)">Chaitanya</a>.<a href="#cite_note-ISBN_0-19-563921-9-58">[58]</a> Followers of the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Bhakti&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Bhakti (page does not exist)">Bhakti</a> movement moved away from the abstract concept of <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Brahman&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Brahman (page does not exist)">Brahman</a>, which the philosopher <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Adi_Shankara&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Adi Shankara (page does not exist)">Adi Shankara</a> consolidated a few centuries before, to focus on the more accessible <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Avatara&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Avatara (page does not exist)">avataras</a>, especially Krishna and Rama.<a href="#cite_note-ISBN_0-19-563921-9-58">[58]</a> A new attitude toward God—emotional, passionate love—replaced the old approaches of sacrificial rite and meditation on the formless Brahman.<a href="#cite_note-62">[62]</a> <h3>The 19th and 20th centuries</h3> The 19th and 20th centuries saw an unprecedented interaction between Hindu and European thought (in the form of <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Abrahamic&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Abrahamic (page does not exist)">Abrahamic</a> religions and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Western_Philosophy&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Western Philosophy (page does not exist)">Western Philosophy</a>). This intercultural correspondence catalyzed developments in <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Indology&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Indology (page does not exist)">Indology</a>, formations of new schools of Hindu thought, the global spread of Hinduism and changes within Hindu society. Meanwhile, traditional systems of Hinduism witnessed revivals and new developments that flourished independently. <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Indology&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Indology (page does not exist)">Indology</a> as an academic discipline of studying Indian culture from a European perspective was established in the 19th century, led by <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Max_M%C3%BCller&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Max Müller (page does not exist)">Max Müller</a> and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=John_Woodroffe&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="John Woodroffe (page does not exist)">John Woodroffe</a>. They brought much of the <a href="/wiki/Vedas" title="Vedas">Vedic</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Puranic&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Puranic (page does not exist)">Puranic</a> and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Tantric&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Tantric (page does not exist)">Tantric</a> literature and philosophy to Europe and the <a href="/wiki/United_States_of_America" title="United States of America">United States of America</a>. At the same time, societies such as the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Brahmo_Samaj&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Brahmo Samaj (page does not exist)">Brahmo Samaj</a> and the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Theosophical_Society&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Theosophical Society (page does not exist)">Theosophical Society</a> attempted to reconcile and fuse Abrahamic and Dharmic philosophies, endeavouring to institute societal reform. This period also saw the emergence of more traditional movements in origin though still innovative, sometimes based on the personalities and teachings of individuals, as with <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Shri_Ramakrishna&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Shri Ramakrishna (page does not exist)">Shri Ramakrishna</a> and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Ramana_Maharshi&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Ramana Maharshi (page does not exist)">Ramana Maharshi</a>. Prominent Hindu philosophers, including <a href="/wiki/Sri_Aurobindo" title="Sri Aurobindo">Sri Aurobindo</a> and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=A._C._Bhaktivedanta_Swami_Prabhupada&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (page does not exist)">Swami Prabhupada</a> (founder of <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=ISKCON&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="ISKCON (page does not exist)">ISKCON</a>) translated, reformulated and presented Hinduism's foundational texts for contemporary audiences in new iterations, attracting followers and attention in India and abroad. Others such as <a href="/wiki/Swami_Vivekananda" title="Swami Vivekananda">Swami Vivekananda</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Paramahansa_Yogananda&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Paramahansa Yogananda (page does not exist)">Paramahansa Yogananda</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=B.K.S._Iyengar&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="B.K.S. Iyengar (page does not exist)">B.K.S. Iyengar</a> and <a href="/wiki/Swami_Rama" title="Swami Rama">Swami Rama</a> have been instrumental in raising the profiles of traditional <a href="/wiki/Yoga" title="Yoga">Yoga</a> and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Vedanta&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Vedanta (page does not exist)">Vedanta</a> in the West. In the Indian subcontinent, Hinduism is still practised by the majority of India's inhabitants although the number in the areas of modern Pakistan and <a href="/wiki/Bangladesh" title="Bangladesh">Bangladesh</a> have dwindled after the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Partition_of_India&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Partition of India (page does not exist)">Partition of India</a>. Hinduism is the official religion in Nepal, which is the world's only Hindu state.<a href="#cite_note-63">[63]</a><a href="#cite_note-64">[64]</a> Indonesia has experienced a <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Hinduism_in_Indonesia&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Hinduism in Indonesia (page does not exist)">Hindu revival</a> in recent years due to the efforts of <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Parisada_Hindu_Dharma&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Parisada Hindu Dharma (page does not exist)">Parisada Hindu Dharma</a>. <dl><dd>See also: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=British_Raj&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="British Raj (page does not exist)">British Raj</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Brahmo_Samaj&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Brahmo Samaj (page does not exist)">Brahmo Samaj</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Arya_Samaj&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Arya Samaj (page does not exist)">Arya Samaj</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=ISKCON&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="ISKCON (page does not exist)">ISKCON</a>, and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Ramakrishna_Math&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Ramakrishna Math (page does not exist)">Ramakrishna Math</a></dd></dl> <h2>Scriptures and theology</h2> Hinduism is based on "the accumulated treasury of spiritual laws discovered by different persons in different times."<a href="#cite_note-65">[65]</a> The scriptures were transmitted orally, in verse form to aid memorization, for many centuries before they were written down.<a href="#cite_note-66">[66]</a><a href="#cite_note-ISBN_0-911206-15-9-E5-V1-3-67">[67]</a> Over many centuries, other sages refined the teachings and expanded the canon. The majority of the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Scripture&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Scripture (page does not exist)">sacred texts</a> are in the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Sanskrit_language&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Sanskrit language (page does not exist)">Sanskrit language</a>. Sanskrit continues to be used in religious and literary settings. The scripture are collectively referred to as <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Shastra&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Shastra (page does not exist)">Shastras</a> and are classified into two classes: Shruti and Smriti. <h3>Shruti: Vedic literature</h3> <dl><dd>For more information, see: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=%C5%9Aruti&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Śruti (page does not exist)">Śruti</a>.</dd></dl> Shruti (lit: that which has been heard) refers to the Vedas which form the earliest record of the Hindu scriptures. While they have not been dated with much certainty, the most conservative estimates date their origin to 1200 BCE or earlier.<a href="#cite_note-68">[68]</a><a href="#cite_note-69">[69]</a><a href="#cite_note-70">[70]</a> Hindus revere the <a href="/wiki/Vedas" title="Vedas">Vedas</a> as eternal truths revealed to ancient sages (<a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Rishi&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Rishi (page does not exist)">Ṛṣis</a>) through meditation.<a href="#cite_note-71">[71]</a> Some of these sages were women, called Ṛṣikās.<a href="#cite_note-72">[72]</a> A number of modern Hindus do not associate the creation of the Vedas with a God or person. They are thought of as the laws of the spiritual world, which would still exist even if they were not revealed to the sages.<a href="#cite_note-73">[73]</a><a href="#cite_note-74">[74]</a><a href="#cite_note-75">[75]</a> There are four Vedas (called Ṛg-, Sāma- Yajus- and Atharva-). The <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Rigveda&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Rigveda (page does not exist)">Rigveda</a> is the first and most important Veda.<a href="#cite_note-76">[76]</a> Each Veda is divided into four parts: the primary one, the Veda proper, being the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Samhita&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Samhita (page does not exist)">Saṃhitā</a>, which contains sacred mantras in verse or prose. The other three parts form a three-tier ensemble of commentaries, usually in prose and are believed to be slightly later in age than the Saṃhitā. These are: the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Brahmana&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Brahmana (page does not exist)">Brāhmaṇas</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Aranyaka&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Aranyaka (page does not exist)">Āraṇyakas</a>, and the <a href="/wiki/Upanishad" title="Upanishad">Upanishads</a>. The first two parts were subsequently called the Karmakāṇḍa (the ritualistic portion), while the last two form the Jñānakāṇḍa (the knowledge portion).<a href="#cite_note-hinduwebsite-77">[77]</a><a href="#cite_note-Shivananda-78">[78]</a><a href="#cite_note-Vedah-79">[79]</a> Hindus normally use the term "Veda" in a broad sense as covering all this literature, while Westrn scholars tend to restrict its use to the Saṃhitā only. Whereas the Vedas focus on rituals, the Upanishads focus on spiritual insight and philosophy. They constitute a major portion of the Jnāna Kānda,<a href="#cite_note-ISBN_0-911206-15-9-E5-V1-3-67">[67]</a> and explore philosophical teachings. The Upanishads discuss <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Brahman&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Brahman (page does not exist)">Brahman</a> and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Reincarnation&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Reincarnation (page does not exist)">reincarnation</a>.<a href="#cite_note-80">[80]</a><a href="#cite_note-81">[81]</a> While the Vedas are not read by most <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Laity&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Laity (page does not exist)">lay</a> Hindus, they are revered as the eternal knowledge whose sacred sounds help bring spiritual and material benefits. Theologically, they take precedence over the Smriti.<a href="#cite_note-82">[82]</a> and local custom (ācāra). See also: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=%C5%9Arauta&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Śrauta (page does not exist)">Śrauta</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Sutra&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Sutra (page does not exist)">Sutra</a> <h3>Smriti: non-Vedic literature</h3> <dl><dd>For more information, see: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Smriti&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Smriti (page does not exist)">Smriti</a>.</dd></dl> Hindu texts other than the Shrutis are collectively called the Smritis (memory).<a href="#cite_note-Smritis-83">[83]</a> The most notable of the smritis are the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Itihasa&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Itihasa (page does not exist)">Itihāsa</a> (<a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Epic_poetry&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Epic poetry (page does not exist)">epics</a>), which consist of the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Mahabharata&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Mahabharata (page does not exist)">Mahābhārata</a> and the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Ramayana&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Ramayana (page does not exist)">Rāmāyaṇa</a>. <a href="/wiki/Bhagavad_Gita" title="Bhagavad Gita">Bhagavad Gītā</a> is an integral part of the Mahabharata and one of the most popular sacred texts of Hinduism. It contains philosophical teachings from Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu, told to the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Pandava&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Pandava (page does not exist)">Pāṇḍava</a> prince <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Arjuna&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Arjuna (page does not exist)">Arjuna</a> on the eve of a great war. The Bhagavad Gītā is described as the essence of the Vedas.<a href="#cite_note-84">[84]</a> Another set of venerable Smriti are the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Purana&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Purana (page does not exist)">Purāṇas</a> ("ancient histories"), which illustrate Hindu ideas through vivid narratives dealing with deities, and their interactions with humans. There are texts with a more sectarian nature such as Devī Mahātmya, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Tantras&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Tantras (page does not exist)">Tantras</a> as well as the Mahanirvāṇa Tantra, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Tirumantiram&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Tirumantiram (page does not exist)">Tirumantiram</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Shiva_Sutras&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Shiva Sutras (page does not exist)">Shiva Sutras</a> and the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Hindu_Agamas&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Hindu Agamas (page does not exist)">Hindu Āgamas</a>. A more controversial text, the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Manusmriti&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Manusmriti (page does not exist)">Manusmriti</a>, is a prescriptive lawbook which epitomizes the societal codes of <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Varna&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Varna (page does not exist)">the caste system</a>. Most Hindu scriptures, especially the epics and Puranas, are not typically interpreted literally. More importance is attached to the ethics and metaphorical meanings derived from them.<a href="#cite_note-85">[85]</a> Hindu exegesis leans toward figurative interpretations of scriptures rather than literal ones. <h3>"Many scriptures, many paths"</h3> In contrast to the scriptural canons of some religions, the Hindu scriptural canon is not closed. Hindus believe that because the spiritual truths of the Vedas are eternal, they continue to be expressed in new ways.<a href="#cite_note-86">[86]</a> Some Hindus even venerate the scriptures of other religions. One much-quoted verse from the Rigveda that emphasizes the diversity of paths to the one goal is: <dl><dd><blockquote>ekam sad viprā bahudhā vadanti</blockquote></dd> <dd>Truth is one, the wise call it in many different ways</dd> <dd>—<a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Rig_Veda_1&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Rig Veda 1 (page does not exist)">Rig Veda 1</a>.164.46</dd></dl> This openness means that there is little theological quarrel between Hindu denominations<a href="#cite_note-87">[87]</a> although these denominations may view God and their notions in a different form or sense.<a href="#cite_note-88">[88]</a> <h3>Schools of philosophy</h3> <dl><dd>For more information, see: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Hindu_philosophy&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Hindu philosophy (page does not exist)">Hindu philosophy</a>.</dd></dl> The six Āstika or orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy, which accept the authority of the Vedas, are <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Nyaya&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Nyaya (page does not exist)">Nyāya</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Vaisheshika&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Vaisheshika (page does not exist)">Vaisheshika</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Samkhya&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Samkhya (page does not exist)">Sāṃkhya</a>, <a href="/wiki/Yoga" title="Yoga">Yoga</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Purva_Mimamsa&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Purva Mimamsa (page does not exist)">Pūrva Mīmāṃsā</a> (also called Mīmāṃsā), and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Vedanta&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Vedanta (page does not exist)">Uttara Mīmāṃsā</a> (also called Vedānta).<a href="#cite_note-Philosophy-89">[89]</a> The Heterodox Nāstika schools, which do not rely on the authority of the Vedas, are <a href="/wiki/Buddhism" title="Buddhism">Buddhism</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Jainism&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Jainism (page does not exist)">Jainism</a> and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Lokayata&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Lokayata (page does not exist)">Lokāyata</a>. Although scholars mainly study these philosophies, they influence the beliefs of average Hindus. <h2>Practices</h2> Hindu practices generally involve seeking awareness of God and sometimes also seeking blessings from Devas. Therefore, Hinduism has developed numerous practices meant to help one think of divinity in the midst of everyday life. According to <a href="/wiki/Swami_Vivekananda" title="Swami Vivekananda">Swami Vivekananda</a>: <blockquote> "The ideal of man is to see God in everything. But if you cannot see Him in everything, see Him in one thing, in that thing you like best, and then see Him in another. So on you go . . . Take your time and you will achieve your end."<a href="#cite_note-90">[90]</a> </blockquote> <h3>Puja (worship)</h3> <dl><dd>For more information, see: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Puja&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Puja (page does not exist)">Puja</a>.</dd></dl> Hindus can engage in formal worship (<a href="/wiki/Sanskrit" title="Sanskrit">Sanskrit</a>: pūjā, worship or veneration<a href="#cite_note-MW_Sanskrit_dict.-18">[18]</a>) either at home or at a temple. At home, Hindus often create a shrine with icons dedicated to the individual's chosen form(s) of God. Veneration may involve offering food, water, or flowers and may be expressed through the burning of incense, lighting of candles or oil-lamps, ringing a bell, waving a fan, or sounding a conch-shell. Other practices of Puja include <a href="/wiki/Meditation" class="mw-redirect" title="Meditation">meditation</a>, chanting mantras, and reciting scriptures. <h3>Devotional singing</h3> <a href="/wiki/Bhajan" title="Bhajan">Devotional singing</a> is an important part of bhakti. Devotional singing occurs in temples, in <a href="/wiki/Ashram" class="mw-redirect" title="Ashram">ashrams</a>, on the banks of holy rivers, at home and elsewhere. Hymns are in <a href="/wiki/Sanskrit" title="Sanskrit">Sanskrit</a> or in modern Indian languages such as <a href="/wiki/Hindi" class="mw-redirect" title="Hindi">Hindi</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Marathi&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Marathi (page does not exist)">Marathi</a>, <a href="/wiki/Bengali_language" class="mw-redirect" title="Bengali language">Bengali</a> or <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Tamil_language&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Tamil language (page does not exist)">Tamil</a>. Musical instruments accompanying devotional singing include the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Manjeera&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Manjeera (page does not exist)">manjeera</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Tanpura&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Tanpura (page does not exist)">tanpura</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Harmonium&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Harmonium (page does not exist)">harmonium</a>, and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Tabla&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Tabla (page does not exist)">tabla</a>. Another form of community worship is <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Satsang&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Satsang (page does not exist)">Satsang</a> (fellowship), the practice of gathering for study or discussion of scriptures and religious topics as well as chanting mantras.<a href="#cite_note-91">[91]</a> <h3>Yajna</h3> <dl><dd>For more information, see: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Yajna&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Yajna (page does not exist)">Yajna</a>.</dd></dl> Vedic rites of fire-oblation (<a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Yajna&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Yajna (page does not exist)">yajna</a>) are now only occasional practices although they are highly revered in theory. In a Hindu wedding ceremony however, the presence of <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Agni&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Agni (page does not exist)">sacred fire</a> as the divine witness, the yajña and chanting of Vedic <a href="/wiki/Mantra" title="Mantra">mantras</a> is still the norm.<a href="#cite_note-92">[92]</a><a href="#cite_note-93">[93]</a> The same applies to death rituals. Worship of God through icons <dl><dd>For more information, see: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Murti&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Murti (page does not exist)">Murti</a>.</dd></dl> Hindus may perform their worship through <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Icon&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Icon (page does not exist)">icons</a> (<a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Murti&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Murti (page does not exist)">murti</a>), such as statues or paintings symbolic of God's power and glory. The icon serves as a tangible link - a point of concentration - between the worshipper and God.<a href="#cite_note-94">[94]</a> Another view is that the image is a manifestation of God, since God is immanent. The <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Padma_Purana&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Padma Purana (page does not exist)">Padma Purana</a> states that the mūrti is not to be thought of as mere stone or wood but as a manifest form of the Divinity.<a href="#cite_note-95">[95]</a> A few Hindu sects, such as the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Arya_Samaj&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Arya Samaj (page does not exist)">Arya Samaj</a>, do not believe in worshiping God through icons. <h3>Temples</h3> <dl><dd>For more information, see: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Mandir&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Mandir (page does not exist)">Mandir</a>.</dd></dl> Hindu temples are a place of worship for Hindus. They are usually dedicated to a primary deity along with associated subordinate deities. However, some temples are dedicated to multiple deities. Most major temples are constructed as per the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Agama&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Agama (page does not exist)">āgama shāstras</a> and many are pilgrimage sites. Visiting temples is not obligatory for Hindus.<a href="#cite_note-ISBN_1-884852-02-5_p_157-96">[96]</a> Many Hindus go to temples only during religious festivals, though others do so more regularly. Temples are not used for funerals, or as social hubs but some are used for weddings. Many Hindus view the four <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Shankaracharya&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Shankaracharya (page does not exist)">Shankaracharyas</a> (the abbots of the monasteries in <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Jyotirmath&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Jyotirmath (page does not exist)">Joshimath</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Govardhana_matha&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Govardhana matha (page does not exist)">Puri</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Sringeri_Sharada_Peetham&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Sringeri Sharada Peetham (page does not exist)">Shringeri</a> and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Dwaraka_P%C4%ABtha&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Dwaraka Pītha (page does not exist)">Dwarka</a>) as the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Patriarch&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Patriarch (page does not exist)">Patriarchs</a> of Hinduism. <h3>Hindu iconography</h3> <dl><dd>For more information, see: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Hindu_iconography&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Hindu iconography (page does not exist)">Hindu iconography</a>.</dd></dl> Hinduism has a developed system of symbolism and iconography to represent the sacred in art, architecture, literature and worship. The icon serves as a tangible link - a point of concentration. These symbols gain their meaning from the scriptures, mythology, or cultural traditions. The symbols <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Om&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Om (page does not exist)">Om</a> (which represents the Parabrahman), <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Swastika&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Swastika (page does not exist)">Swastika</a> (which symbolizes auspiciousness) have grown to represent Hinduism itself, while other markings such as <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Tilaka&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Tilaka (page does not exist)">tilaka</a> identify a follower of the faith. Hinduism associates many symbols, which include the lotus, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Chakra&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Chakra (page does not exist)">chakra</a> and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Veena&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Veena (page does not exist)">veena</a>, with particular deities. These associations distinguish their physical representations in sculptures and pictures and are based on allegorical references in Hindu mythology. While most representations of deities are largely anthropomorphic there are exceptions. For instance, the deity Shiva can be worshipped in the form of a <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Lingam&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Lingam (page does not exist)">lingam</a>, a pillar-like stone. <h3>The guru-disciple tradition</h3> <dl><dd>For more information, see: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Guru-shishya_tradition&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Guru-shishya tradition (page does not exist)">Guru-shishya tradition</a>.</dd></dl> In many Hindu sects, spiritual aspirants adopt a personal spiritual teacher, called a <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Guru&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Guru (page does not exist)">guru</a>. Traditionally, during <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Brahmacharya&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Brahmacharya (page does not exist)">brahmacharya</a> (see <a href="/wiki/Hinduism#Ashramas_(stages_of_life)" title="Hinduism">Ashramas</a>) a Guru taught a disciple all things necessary to lead a <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Dharma&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Dharma (page does not exist)">dharmic</a> life. The student is expected to follow the instructions of the guru and to have a spiritual life. <h3>Japa and mantra</h3> <dl><dd>For more information, see: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Japa&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Japa (page does not exist)">Japa</a> and <a href="/wiki/Mantra" title="Mantra">Mantra</a>.</dd></dl> <div class="thumb tright"><div class="thumbinner" style="width:152px;"><a href="/wiki/File:Chirag%27s_Back.JPG" class="image"><img alt="" src="/wiki/images/thumb/4/45/Chirag%27s_Back.JPG/150px-Chirag%27s_Back.JPG" decoding="async" width="150" height="200" class="thumbimage" srcset="/wiki/images/thumb/4/45/Chirag%27s_Back.JPG/225px-Chirag%27s_Back.JPG 1.5x, /wiki/images/thumb/4/45/Chirag%27s_Back.JPG/300px-Chirag%27s_Back.JPG 2x" data-file-width="1920" data-file-height="2560" /></a> <div class="thumbcaption"><div class="magnify"><a href="/wiki/File:Chirag%27s_Back.JPG" class="internal" title="Enlarge"></a></div>© Image: Dr.Ramaanand The back of one such child with a Chakra, the result of chanting mantras.</div></div></div><a href="/wiki/Mantra" title="Mantra">Mantras</a> are prayers that through their meaning, sound, and chanting style help a person focus their mind on holy thoughts or to express devotion to God. Mantras are meant to give courage in exigent times and invoke one's inner spiritual strength. After the pranava or "fundamental" mantra of Aum, one of the most revered mantras is the Gayatri Mantra. Hindus are initiated into this most sacred mantra at the time of their <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Upanayanam&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Upanayanam (page does not exist)">Upanayanam</a> (thread ceremony). Many Hindus perform morning ablutions at the bank of a sacred river while chanting the Gayatri or Mahamrityunjaya mantras. Japa (ritualistic chanting) is extolled as the greatest duty for the Kali Yuga (what most Hindus believe to be the current age) in the epic Mahabharata. Many Hindu traditions adopt Japa as their primary spiritual practice. The <a href="/wiki/Gaudiya_Vaishnavism" title="Gaudiya Vaishnavism">Gaudiya Vaishnava</a> tradition of chanting the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Hare_Krishna&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Hare Krishna (page does not exist)">Hare Krishna</a> mantra is one such example. The chanting of Mantras, is also a kind of meditation that gives spectacular results to the meditator. For example, children may be born with a Chakra (divine whorl) on their back, because the father/mother was chanting the Mantra, 'Om Namo Bhagavathae Vaasudaevaaya', just before conception, when making love, which means that the child and its parents are blessed by Lord Vaasudaeva (Vishnu). A specific mantra is used as a japa mantra to invoke the blessings or get a boon / <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Darshan&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Darshan (page does not exist)">darshan</a> (theophany - manifestation of a particular God / Godess). <h3>Pilgrimage</h3> <a href="/wiki/Pilgrimage" title="Pilgrimage">Pilgrimage</a> is not mandatory in Hinduism though many adherents undertake them. There are many Hindu holy places in India. One of the most famous is the ancient city of <a href="/wiki/Varanasi" title="Varanasi">Varanasi</a>. Other holy places in India include <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Kedarnath&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Kedarnath (page does not exist)">Kedarnath</a> and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Badrinath&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Badrinath (page does not exist)">Badrinath</a> in the <a href="/wiki/Himalayas" title="Himalayas">Himalayas</a>, the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Jagannath&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Jagannath (page does not exist)">Jagannath</a> temple at <a href="/wiki/Puri" class="mw-redirect" title="Puri">Puri</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Rishikesh&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Rishikesh (page does not exist)">Rishikesh</a> and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Haridwar&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Haridwar (page does not exist)">Haridwar</a> in the foothills of the Himalayas, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Allahabad&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Allahabad (page does not exist)">Prayag</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Rameshwaram&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Rameshwaram (page does not exist)">Rameshwaram</a> in the South and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Gaya,_India&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Gaya, India (page does not exist)">Gaya</a> in the east. The largest single gathering of pilgrims is during the annual <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Kumbh_Mela&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Kumbh Mela (page does not exist)">Kumbh Mela</a> fair held in one of four different cities on a rotating basis. Another important "set" of pilgrimages are the 51 "<a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Shakti_Peethas&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Shakti Peethas (page does not exist)">Shakti Peethas</a>," where <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Shakti&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Shakti (page does not exist)">the Mother Goddess</a> is worshipped, the two principal ones being <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Kalighat&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Kalighat (page does not exist)">Kalighat</a> and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Kamakhya&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Kamakhya (page does not exist)">Kamakhya</a>. <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Vaishno_Devi&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Vaishno Devi (page does not exist)">Vaishno Devi</a>, the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Shakti&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Shakti (page does not exist)">Shakti</a> temple near <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Katra&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Katra (page does not exist)">Katra</a>, <a href="/wiki/Jammu_and_Kashmir" title="Jammu and Kashmir">Jammu and Kashmir</a> is the second most visited religious shrine in India, after <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Tirumala_Venkateswara_Temple&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Tirumala Venkateswara Temple (page does not exist)">Tirupati Balaji</a> Mandir (temple).<a href="#cite_note-97">[97]</a> <h3>Hindu festivals</h3> <dl><dd>For more information, see: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Hindu_festivals&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Hindu festivals (page does not exist)">Hindu festivals</a>.</dd></dl> Hinduism has many festivals throughout the year. Their dates are usually prescribed by the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Hindu_calendar&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Hindu calendar (page does not exist)">Hindu calendar</a> and typically celebrate events from Hindu mythology, often coinciding with seasonal changes and occasions of importance in an agrarian society. There are festivals which are primarily celebrated by specific sects or in certain regions of the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Indian_subcontinent&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Indian subcontinent (page does not exist)">Indian subcontinent</a>. Some widely observed <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Hindu_festivals&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Hindu festivals (page does not exist)">Hindu festivals</a> are, <ul><li><a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Dussera&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Dussera (page does not exist)">Dussera</a>, or <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Durga_Puja&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Durga Puja (page does not exist)">Durga Puja</a>, celebrates events from Hindu mythology symbolizing the triumph of good over evil;</li> <li><a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Diwali&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Diwali (page does not exist)">Diwali</a>, the festival of lights;</li> <li><a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Ganesh_Chaturthi&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Ganesh Chaturthi (page does not exist)">Ganesh Chaturthi</a>, the festival celebrating the birth of <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Ganesha&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Ganesha (page does not exist)">Ganesha</a>;</li> <li><a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Maha_Shivaratri&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Maha Shivaratri (page does not exist)">Maha Shivaratri</a>, the festival dedicated to Shiva;</li> <li><a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Ram_Navami&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Ram Navami (page does not exist)">Ram Navami</a>, celebrates the birth of Rama, the seventh incarnation of Vishnu;</li> <li><a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Krishna_Janmastami&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Krishna Janmastami (page does not exist)">Krishna Janmastami</a>, celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Vishnu;</li> <li><a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Holi&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Holi (page does not exist)">Holi</a>, a spring festival of colors and light;</li> <li><a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Sankranti&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Sankranti (page does not exist)">Sankranti</a>, a harvest festival of India</li></ul> <h3>Cremation</h3> On death, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Cremation&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Cremation (page does not exist)">cremation</a> is considered obligatory for all except <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Sanyasi&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Sanyasi (page does not exist)">sanyasis</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Hijra_(South_Asia)&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Hijra (South Asia) (page does not exist)">hijra</a>, and children under five. Cremation is typically performed by wrapping the corpse in cloth and burning it on a <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Pyre&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Pyre (page does not exist)">pyre</a>. Manikarnika Ghat, in <a href="/wiki/Varanasi" title="Varanasi">Varanasi</a>, is a famous site where bodies are cremated by the side of the river, in full view of the public. Those not cremated may be simply wrapped in cloth, weighted with stones and cast into a river. Hinduism obliges the closest male relative (son, father, husband, etc.) of the deceased to immerse the cremated remains in the holy river <a href="/wiki/Ganges_River" title="Ganges River">Ganges River</a>, preferably at the holy city of <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Haridwar&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Haridwar (page does not exist)">Haridwar</a>, India. The cremated remains may also be entombed, in case the deceased was a well-known person. <h2>Society</h2> <h3>Denominations</h3> <dl><dd>For more information, see: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Hindu_denominations&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Hindu denominations (page does not exist)">Hindu denominations</a>.</dd></dl> Hinduism has no central doctrinal authority and many practising Hindus do not claim to belong to any particular denomination at all.<a href="#cite_note-98">[98]</a> However, academics categorize contemporary Hinduism into four major denominations: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Vaishnavism&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Vaishnavism (page does not exist)">Vaishnavism</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Shaivism&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Shaivism (page does not exist)">Shaivism</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Shakthism&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Shakthism (page does not exist)">Shakthism</a> and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Smarthism&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Smarthism (page does not exist)">Smarthism</a>. The denominations differ primarily in the God worshipped as the Supreme One and in the traditions that accompany worship of that God. <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Vaishnavas&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Vaishnavas (page does not exist)">Vaishnavas</a> worship Viṣhṇu; <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Shaivites&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Shaivites (page does not exist)">Shaivites</a> worship Shiva; <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Shakthas&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Shakthas (page does not exist)">Shakthas</a> worship <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Shakthi&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Shakthi (page does not exist)">Shakthi</a> (power) personified through a female divinity or Mother Goddess, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Devi&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Devi (page does not exist)">Devi</a>; while <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Smarthists&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Smarthists (page does not exist)">Smarthists</a> believe in the essential sameness of all deities. There are also many movements that are not easily placed in any of the above categories, such as Swami <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Dayananda_Saraswati&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Dayananda Saraswati (page does not exist)">Dayananda Saraswati</a>'s <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Arya_Samaj&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Arya Samaj (page does not exist)">Ārya Samāj</a>, which rejects image worship and veneration of multiple deities. It focuses on the Vedas and the Vedic fire sacrifices (<a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Yagna&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Yagna (page does not exist)">yajña</a>). The <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Tantra&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Tantra (page does not exist)">Tantric traditions</a> in Hinduism have various sects, as Banerji writes in "Tantra in Bengal": <blockquote> Tantras are ... also divided as āstika or Vedic and nāstika or non-Vedic. In accordance with the predominance of the deity the āstika works are again divided as Śāktha, Śaiva, Saura, Gāṇapatya and Vaiṣṇava.<a href="#cite_note-99">[99]</a> </blockquote> As in every religion, some view their own denomination as superior to others. However, many Hindus consider other denominations to be legitimate alternatives to their own. <a href="/wiki/Heresy" title="Heresy">Heresy</a> is therefore generally not an issue for Hindus.<a href="#cite_note-100">[100]</a> <h3>Ashramas: Stages of life</h3> <dl><dd>For more information, see: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Vedic_ashram_system&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Vedic ashram system (page does not exist)">Vedic ashram system</a>.</dd></dl> Traditionally, the life of a male Hindu was divided into four <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Ashrama&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Ashrama (page does not exist)">Āshramas</a> ("phases" or "stages"; unrelated meanings of āshrama include "monastery" or "refuge"). The first part of one's life, Brahmacharya, the stage as a student, is spent in celibate, controlled, sober and pure contemplation under the guidance of a <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Guru&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Guru (page does not exist)">Guru</a>, building up the mind for spiritual knowledge. Grihastha is the householder's stage, in which one marries and satisfies <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Kama_(Purusharthas)&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Kama (Purusharthas) (page does not exist)">kāma</a> and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Artha&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Artha (page does not exist)">artha</a> within one's married and professional life respectively (see the <a href="/wiki/Hinduism#The_four_pursuits_of_life" title="Hinduism">pursuits of life</a>). Among the moral obligations of a Hindu householder are the duties to support one's parents, children, guests, priests (Brahmins), and monks (sanyāsis). Vānaprastha, the retirement stage, is gradual detachment from the material world. This may involve giving over duties to one's child <h2>Attribution</h2> <dl><dd>Some content on this page may previously have <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki?title=Hinduism">appeared on Wikipedia</a>.</dd></dl> <h2>Notes</h2> <div class="mw-references-wrap mw-references-columns"><ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-1"><a href="#cite_ref-1">↑</a> Kenoyer, J. M. "Ancient Cities of the Indus Valley Civilization" pages 180-183. Oxford University Press 1998 </li> <li id="cite_note-2"><a href="#cite_ref-2">↑</a> Osborne, E: "Accessing R.E. Founders & Leaders, Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism Teacher's Book Mainstream.", page 9. Folens Limited, 2005. </li> <li id="cite_note-3"><a href="#cite_ref-3">↑</a> Klostermaier, K:"A Survey of Hinduism", page 1. SUNY Press, 1994; </li> <li id="cite_note-4"><a href="#cite_ref-4">↑</a> e.g. in <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://bharatvani.org/books/civilization/partI4.htm">"Hinduism and the Clash of Civilizations"</a> by <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=David_Frawley&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="David Frawley (page does not exist)">David Frawley</a>, <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Voice_of_India&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Voice of India (page does not exist)">Voice of India</a>, 2001. <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/8185990727" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 81-85990-72-7</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-5"><a href="#cite_ref-5">↑</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://java.nationalgeographic.com/studentatlas/clickup/hinduism.html">Religion: Hinduism</a> - National Geographic </li> <li id="cite_note-6"><a href="#cite_ref-6">↑</a> Generalizations concerning Hinduism must be qualified, however, and it is important to note that there are traditions within Hinduism which deny the authority of Vedic literature. cf. Flood, p. 7 </li> <li id="cite_note-7"><a href="#cite_ref-7">↑</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html">Major Religions of the World Ranked by Number of Adherents</a>, Adherents.com (2005 figure) </li> <li id="cite_note-Hindu-8"><a href="#cite_ref-Hindu_8-0">↑</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.vishnumandir.com/htm/meaning.htm">"Meaning of Hindu"</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-9"><a href="#cite_ref-9">↑</a> See <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Indo-European_sound_laws&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Indo-European sound laws (page does not exist)">Indo-European sound laws</a> for a discussion of the transition from "Sindhu" to "Hindu" </li> <li id="cite_note-10"><a href="#cite_ref-10">↑</a> <cite class="book" style="font-style:normal" id="Reference-Weightman-1997">Weightman, Simon (1997). “Hinduism”, Hinnells, John: Handbook of Living Religions. <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Penguin_books&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Penguin books (page does not exist)">Penguin books</a>, 262. <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0140514805" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 0-140-51480-5</a>.</cite><span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Handbook+of+Living+Religions&rft.title=Handbook+of+Living+Religions&rft.atitle=Hinduism&rft.aulast=Weightman&rft.aufirst=Simon&rft.date=1997&rft.pub=%5B%5BPenguin+books%5D%5D&rft.pages=262&rft.isbn=0-140-51480-5">  </li> <li id="cite_note-11"><a href="#cite_ref-11">↑</a> <cite class="book" style="font-style:normal" id="Reference-Weightman-1997">Weightman, Simon (1997). “Hinduism”, Hinnells, John: Handbook of Living Religions. <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Penguin_books&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Penguin books (page does not exist)">Penguin books</a>, 263. <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0140514805" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 0-140-51480-5</a>.</cite><span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Handbook+of+Living+Religions&rft.title=Handbook+of+Living+Religions&rft.atitle=Hinduism&rft.aulast=Weightman&rft.aufirst=Simon&rft.date=1997&rft.pub=%5B%5BPenguin+books%5D%5D&rft.pages=263&rft.isbn=0-140-51480-5">  </li> <li id="cite_note-EBpolytheism-12"><a href="#cite_ref-EBpolytheism_12-0">↑</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-38143">"Polytheism"</a>, <a href="/wiki/Encyclopedia_Britannica" class="mw-redirect" title="Encyclopedia Britannica">Encyclopedia Britannica</a>, 2007 </li> <li id="cite_note-ISBN_1-884852-02-5-13">↑ <a href="#cite_ref-ISBN_1-884852-02-5_13-0">13.0</a> <a href="#cite_ref-ISBN_1-884852-02-5_13-1">13.1</a> <a href="#cite_ref-ISBN_1-884852-02-5_13-2">13.2</a> <a href="#cite_ref-ISBN_1-884852-02-5_13-3">13.3</a> <a href="#cite_ref-ISBN_1-884852-02-5_13-4">13.4</a> See generally, Swami Bhaskarananda, The Essentials of Hinduism (Viveka Press 1994) <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/1884852025" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 1-884852-02-5</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-baskar1-14"><a href="#cite_ref-baskar1_14-0">↑</a> Swami Bhaskarananda, Ritualistic Worship and Its Utility </li> <li id="cite_note-15"><a href="#cite_ref-15">↑</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.hinduwebsite.com/brahman.asp">Brahman: Supreme God in Hinduism</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-16"><a href="#cite_ref-16">↑</a> See generally, Complete Works of <a href="/wiki/Swami_Vivekananda" title="Swami Vivekananda">Swami Vivekananda</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/8185301751" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 81-85301-75-1</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-17"><a href="#cite_ref-17">↑</a> The presence of God within the heart of every living being is mentioned in the <a href="/wiki/Bhagavad_Gita" title="Bhagavad Gita">Bhagavad Gita</a> at 9.29, 15.15 and 18.61, which says that God is the source of inner direction and that it is through God's power alone that we have consciousness. </li> <li id="cite_note-MW_Sanskrit_dict.-18">↑ <a href="#cite_ref-MW_Sanskrit_dict._18-0">18.0</a> <a href="#cite_ref-MW_Sanskrit_dict._18-1">18.1</a> <a href="#cite_ref-MW_Sanskrit_dict._18-2">18.2</a> <a href="#cite_ref-MW_Sanskrit_dict._18-3">18.3</a> <a href="#cite_ref-MW_Sanskrit_dict._18-4">18.4</a> <a href="#cite_ref-MW_Sanskrit_dict._18-5">18.5</a> <a href="#cite_ref-MW_Sanskrit_dict._18-6">18.6</a> Monier-Williams Sanskrit Dictionary </li> <li id="cite_note-ISBN_81-208-2144-0-19">↑ <a href="#cite_ref-ISBN_81-208-2144-0_19-0">19.0</a> <a href="#cite_ref-ISBN_81-208-2144-0_19-1">19.1</a> See generally, Sinha, H.P. (1993), Bhāratīya Darshan kī rūprekhā (Features of Indian Philosophy). Motilal Banarasidas Publ. <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/8120821440" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 81-208-2144-0</a>. </li> <li id="cite_note-20"><a href="#cite_ref-20">↑</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.veda.harekrsna.cz/planetarium/index.htm">Vedic cosmology</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-21"><a href="#cite_ref-21">↑</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.blessingscornucopia.com/Hinduism_Hindu_Vedic_Vedas_Manifold_Mahadevas_Nature_Spirits.htm">Blessingsconucopia.com</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-22"><a href="#cite_ref-22">↑</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.india4u.com/festival/mahakumb.asp">Devas once translated as angels</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-23"><a href="#cite_ref-23">↑</a> C.J. Fuller, The Camphor Flame 32 (Princeton 2004) <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/069112048X" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 0-691-12048-X</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-24"><a href="#cite_ref-24">↑</a> Karel Werner, A Popular Dictionary of Hinduism at 80 (Curzon Press 1994) <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0700702792" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 0-7007-0279-2</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-25"><a href="#cite_ref-25">↑</a> Louis Renou, The Nature of Hinduism 55 (New York 1962) </li> <li id="cite_note-26"><a href="#cite_ref-26">↑</a> Harman, William, "Hindu Devotion" 106 in Contemporary Hinduism, Robin Rinehart, ed. (2004) <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/1576079058" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 1-57607-905-8</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-27"><a href="#cite_ref-27">↑</a> Harman, William, "Hindu Devotion" 104 in Contemporary Hinduism, Robin Rinehart, ed. (2004) <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/1576079058" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 1-57607-905-8</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-monierwilliams1-28">↑ <a href="#cite_ref-monierwilliams1_28-0">28.0</a> <a href="#cite_ref-monierwilliams1_28-1">28.1</a> <a href="#cite_ref-monierwilliams1_28-2">28.2</a> Monier Williams, Religious Thought and Life in India 27 (New Delhi 1974) </li> <li id="cite_note-ISBN_0-7007-0279-2_p_7-29">↑ <a href="#cite_ref-ISBN_0-7007-0279-2_p_7_29-0">29.0</a> <a href="#cite_ref-ISBN_0-7007-0279-2_p_7_29-1">29.1</a> Karl Werner, A Popular Dictionary of Hinduism at 37 (Curzon Press 1994) <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0700702792" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 0-7007-0279-2</a>; See also the Vedic statement "ayam ātmā brahma" (This Atman is Brahman). </li> <li id="cite_note-30"><a href="#cite_ref-30">↑</a> Vaman S. Apte, Sanskrit-English Dictionary, (Nag Publishers, 1997) </li> <li id="cite_note-31"><a href="#cite_ref-31">↑</a> Huston Smith, The World's Religions, pg 64 (HarperSanFrancisco 1991) <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0062507990" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 0-06-250799-0</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-32"><a href="#cite_ref-32">↑</a> S. Radhakrishnan, Indian Philosophy - Vol.1, pg. 254 (Oxford University Press, 1996) <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0195638190" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 0 19 563819 0</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-33"><a href="#cite_ref-33">↑</a> Bhagavad Gita 2.22 </li> <li id="cite_note-34"><a href="#cite_ref-34">↑</a> See Bhagavad Gita XVI.8-20 </li> <li id="cite_note-35"><a href="#cite_ref-35">↑</a> See Swami Vivekananda, Jnana Yoga 301-02 (8th Printing 1993) </li> <li id="cite_note-36"><a href="#cite_ref-36">↑</a> Rinehart, Robin, ed., Contemporary Hinduism19-21 (2004) <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/1576079058" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 1-57607-905-8</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-37"><a href="#cite_ref-37">↑</a> Swami Bhaskarananda, Essentials of Hinduism, 79-86 (Viveka Press 1994) <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/1884852025" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 1-884852-02-5</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-38"><a href="#cite_ref-38">↑</a> The concepts of <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Heaven&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Heaven (page does not exist)">Heaven</a> and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Hell&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Hell (page does not exist)">Hell</a> do not translate directly into Hinduism. Spiritual realms such as <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Vaikunta&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Vaikunta (page does not exist)">Vaikunta</a> (the abode of Vishnu) or loka are the closest analogues to an eternal Kingdom of God. </li> <li id="cite_note-39"><a href="#cite_ref-39">↑</a> Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, Translation by Swami Nikhilananda (8th Ed. 1992) <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0911206019" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 0-911206-01-9</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-ISBN_0-7007-0279-2-40"><a href="#cite_ref-ISBN_0-7007-0279-2_40-0">↑</a> Werner, Karel, "A Popular Dictionary of Hinduism", Curzon Press, 1994. <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0700702792" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 0-7007-0279-2</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-essenhinuism7-41">↑ <a href="#cite_ref-essenhinuism7_41-0">41.0</a> <a href="#cite_ref-essenhinuism7_41-1">41.1</a> Swami Bhaskarananda, Essentials of Hinduism 7 </li> <li id="cite_note-42"><a href="#cite_ref-42">↑</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://bhagavadgitaasitis.com/11/54/en1">B-Gita 11.54</a> "My dear Arjuna, only by undivided devotional service can I be understood as I am, standing before you, and can thus be seen directly. Only in this way can you enter into the mysteries of My understanding." </li> <li id="cite_note-43"><a href="#cite_ref-43">↑</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://bhagavadgitaasitis.com/5/5/en1">B-Gita 5.5</a> "One who knows that the position reached by means of analytical study can also be attained by devotional service, and who therefore sees analytical study and devotional service to be on the same level, sees things as they are." </li> <li id="cite_note-44"><a href="#cite_ref-44">↑</a> See Monier Williams, Religious Thought and Life in India 116 (New Delhi 1974) </li> <li id="cite_note-ISBN_978-0949027047-45">↑ <a href="#cite_ref-ISBN_978-0949027047_45-0">45.0</a> <a href="#cite_ref-ISBN_978-0949027047_45-1">45.1</a> Sivananda, Swami, Karma Yoga (Life and works of Swami Sivananda). Integral Yoga, 1987. <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780949027047" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 978-0949027047</a>. </li> <li id="cite_note-46"><a href="#cite_ref-46">↑</a> Bhagavad Gita 3:19 </li> <li id="cite_note-ISBN_81-85301-75-1-V1-29-47"><a href="#cite_ref-ISBN_81-85301-75-1-V1-29_47-0">↑</a> Patanjali's Yoga Aphorisms II.29, English translation & commentary (side-by-side with original Sanskrit) in Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda Vol. I, 29 <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/8185301751" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 81-85301-75-1</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-ISBN_978-1565892194-48">↑ <a href="#cite_ref-ISBN_978-1565892194_48-0">48.0</a> <a href="#cite_ref-ISBN_978-1565892194_48-1">48.1</a> Kriyananda, Swami, The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita: Explained by Paramhansa Yogananda, As Remembered by His Disciple, Swami Kriyananda. Crystal Clarity Publishers, 2006. <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781565892194" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 978-1565892194</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-ISBN_978-1425359829-49"><a href="#cite_ref-ISBN_978-1425359829_49-0">↑</a> Sivananda, Swami, Raja Yoga, Divine Life Society. </li> <li id="cite_note-ISBN_1-884852-03-3-50"><a href="#cite_ref-ISBN_1-884852-03-3_50-0">↑</a> Bhaskarananda, Swami, Meditation, Mind, and Patanjali's Yoga (Viveka Press 2001) <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/1884852033" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 1-884852-03-3</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-ISBN_978-8120818767-51"><a href="#cite_ref-ISBN_978-8120818767_51-0">↑</a> Kriyananda, Swami, Art and Science of Raja Yoga. Crystal Clarity Publishers, 2002. <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/9788120818767" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 978-8120818767</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-jnana-52">↑ <a href="#cite_ref-jnana_52-0">52.0</a> <a href="#cite_ref-jnana_52-1">52.1</a> Sivananda, Swami, Jnana Yoga. Divine Life Society, 1982. </li> <li id="cite_note-ISBN_978-1565891364-53"><a href="#cite_ref-ISBN_978-1565891364_53-0">↑</a> Kriyananda, Swami, Awaken to Superconsciousness. Crystal Clarity Publishers, 2000. <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781565891364" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 978-1565891364</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-History-54"><a href="#cite_ref-History_54-0">↑</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/history/history_1.shtml">"Hindu History"</a> The BBC names a bath and phallic symbols of the <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Harappan_civilization&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Harappan civilization (page does not exist)">Harappan civilization</a> as features of the "Prehistoric religion (3000-1000 BCE)". </li> <li id="cite_note-55"><a href="#cite_ref-55">↑</a> T. Oberlies (Die Religion des Rgveda, Vienna 1998. p. 158) based on 'cumulative evidence' sets wide range of 1700–1100. </li> <li id="cite_note-56"><a href="#cite_ref-56">↑</a> The <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Rigveda&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Rigveda (page does not exist)">Ṛgvedic</a> deity Dyaus, regarded as the father of the other deities, is linguistically <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Cognate&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Cognate (page does not exist)">cognate</a> with <a href="/wiki/Zeus" title="Zeus">Zeus</a>—the king of the gods in <a href="/wiki/Greek_mythology" title="Greek mythology">Greek mythology</a>, <a href="/wiki/Jupiter_(mythology)" title="Jupiter (mythology)">Iovis</a> (gen. of Jupiter) —the king of the gods in <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Roman_mythology&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Roman mythology (page does not exist)">Roman mythology</a>, and <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Tiu/Ziu&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Tiu/Ziu (page does not exist)">Tiu/Ziu</a> in <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Germanic_paganism&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Germanic paganism (page does not exist)">Germanic mythology</a><a rel="nofollow" class="external autonumber" href="http://www.bartleby.com/61/roots/IE117.html">[1]</a>, cf. English 'Tues-day'. Other Vedic deities also have cognates with those found in other <a href="/wiki/Indo-European_languages" title="Indo-European languages">Indo-European</a> speaking peoples' mythologies; see <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Proto-Indo-European_religion&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Proto-Indo-European religion (page does not exist)">Proto-Indo-European religion</a>. </li> <li id="cite_note-57"><a href="#cite_ref-57">↑</a> Robin Rinehart, Contemporary Hinduism 28 (2004) <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/1576079058" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 1-57607-905-8</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-ISBN_0-19-563921-9-58">↑ <a href="#cite_ref-ISBN_0-19-563921-9_58-0">58.0</a> <a href="#cite_ref-ISBN_0-19-563921-9_58-1">58.1</a> <a href="#cite_ref-ISBN_0-19-563921-9_58-2">58.2</a> <a href="#cite_ref-ISBN_0-19-563921-9_58-3">58.3</a> A.L. Basham, Ed., A Cultural History of India (Oxford 1999) <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0195639219" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 0-19-563921-9</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-59"><a href="#cite_ref-59">↑</a> Sir Charles Eliot, Hinduism and Buddhism, Vol. I (London 1954) </li> <li id="cite_note-60"><a href="#cite_ref-60">↑</a> Olivelle, Patrick, "The renouncer tradition", pp. 273-274; in "Blackwell companion to Hinduism", Ed. Flood,Gavin, Blackwell Publ., 2003. <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0631215352" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 0-631-21535-2</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-61"><a href="#cite_ref-61">↑</a> Between the Empires. Ed. P. Olivelle, Oxford University Press 2006 </li> <li id="cite_note-62"><a href="#cite_ref-62">↑</a> J.T.F. Jordens, “Medieval Hindu Devotionalism,” in A.L. Basham, Ed., A Cultural History of India (Oxford 1999) <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0195639219" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 0-19-563921-9</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-63"><a href="#cite_ref-63">↑</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.nepalgov.gov.np/sambidhan/2.pdf">Constitution of Nepal: Part I</a>, Government of Nepal website. Accessed: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=April_9&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="April 9 (page does not exist)">April 9</a>, 2007 </li> <li id="cite_note-64"><a href="#cite_ref-64">↑</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/np.html">Country profile: Nepal </a>, CIA Factbook.Accessed: <a href="/wiki/index.php?title=April_9&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="April 9 (page does not exist)">April 9</a>, 2007 </li> <li id="cite_note-65"><a href="#cite_ref-65">↑</a> Complete Works of <a href="/wiki/Swami_Vivekananda" title="Swami Vivekananda">Swami Vivekananda</a> Vol III. 118-120; Vol. I. 6-7. </li> <li id="cite_note-66"><a href="#cite_ref-66">↑</a> Sargeant, Winthrop, Introduction to The Bhagavad Gita at 3 (New York, 1984) <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0873958314" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 0-87395-831-4</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-ISBN_0-911206-15-9-E5-V1-3-67">↑ <a href="#cite_ref-ISBN_0-911206-15-9-E5-V1-3_67-0">67.0</a> <a href="#cite_ref-ISBN_0-911206-15-9-E5-V1-3_67-1">67.1</a> Swami Nikhilananda, The Upanishads: A New Translation Vol. I, at 3 (5th Ed. 1990) <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0911206159" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 0-911206-15-9</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-68"><a href="#cite_ref-68">↑</a> Swami Nikhilananda, The Upanishads: A New Translation Vol. I, at 7 (5th Ed. 1990) <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0911206159" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 0-911206-15-9</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-69"><a href="#cite_ref-69">↑</a> Coulson, Michael, Sanskrit: An Introduction to the Classical Language (2d Ed. 1992) <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0844238252" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 0-8442-3825-2</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-70"><a href="#cite_ref-70">↑</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.hindunet.org/vedas/rigveda/">Hindunet.org</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-71"><a href="#cite_ref-71">↑</a> Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda Vol III. 118. </li> <li id="cite_note-72"><a href="#cite_ref-72">↑</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://hinduwisdom.info/Women_in_Hinduism.htm">Hindu Wisdom - Women in Hinduism</a>. Retrieved on 2006-01-02. </li> <li id="cite_note-73"><a href="#cite_ref-73">↑</a> Note: Nyaya-Vaisheshika believe that the Vedas were created by God, and are not eternal. </li> <li id="cite_note-74"><a href="#cite_ref-74">↑</a> Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda Vol. I. 6-7. </li> <li id="cite_note-75"><a href="#cite_ref-75">↑</a> Swami Harshananda, "A Bird's Eye View of the Vedas," in Holy Scriptures: A Symposium on the Great Scriptures of the World (2d Ed.) <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/8171201210" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 81-7120-121-0</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-76"><a href="#cite_ref-76">↑</a> Rigveda is not only the oldest among the vedas, but is one of the earliest <a href="/wiki/Indo-European" class="mw-redirect" title="Indo-European">Indo-European</a> texts. See: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.hindunet.org/vedas/rigveda/">Hindunet.org</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-hinduwebsite-77"><a href="#cite_ref-hinduwebsite_77-0">↑</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.hinduwebsite.com/vedicsection/yajna.asp">Hinduwebsite.com explaining the yajnas</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-Shivananda-78"><a href="#cite_ref-Shivananda_78-0">↑</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.dlshq.org/religions/vedas.htm">Swami Shivananda's mission</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-Vedah-79"><a href="#cite_ref-Vedah_79-0">↑</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.vedah.com/org2/literature/essence/what_is_veda.html">What is Veda?</a>, Vedah.com </li> <li id="cite_note-80"><a href="#cite_ref-80">↑</a> See Karel Werner, A Popular Dictionary of Hinduism 166 (Curzon Press 1994) <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0700702792" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 0-7007-0279-2</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-81"><a href="#cite_ref-81">↑</a> Monier-Williams, Religious Life and Thought in India 25-41 (New Delhi 1974) </li> <li id="cite_note-82"><a href="#cite_ref-82">↑</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://hinduism.iskcon.com/tradition/1105.htm">ISCKON site</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-Smritis-83"><a href="#cite_ref-Smritis_83-0">↑</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.hinduism.8k.com/smritis.html#sruti">"The Smritis"</a> by Swami Sivananda </li> <li id="cite_note-84"><a href="#cite_ref-84">↑</a> Sarvopaniṣado gāvo, etc. (Gītā Māhātmya 6). Gītā Dhyānam, cited in Introduction to <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.bhagavadgitaasitis.com/introduction/en">Bhagavad-gītā As It Is</a>. </li> <li id="cite_note-85"><a href="#cite_ref-85">↑</a> See Swami Nikhilananda, The Upanishads: A New Translation Vol. I, at 8 (5th ed. 1990) <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0911206159" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 0-911206-15-9</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-86"><a href="#cite_ref-86">↑</a> Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda II.374 (18th Printing 1995) <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/8185301751" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 81-85301-75-1</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-87"><a href="#cite_ref-87">↑</a> Brahmachari Siddheshwar Shai v. State of West Bengal (Supreme Court of India), available at <a rel="nofollow" class="external autonumber" href="http://www.hinduismtoday.com/in-depth_issues/RKMission.html">[2]</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-88"><a href="#cite_ref-88">↑</a> See Monier Williams, Religious Thought and Life in India 64, 66 (New Delhi 1974) </li> <li id="cite_note-Philosophy-89"><a href="#cite_ref-Philosophy_89-0">↑</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.hinduism.co.za/philosop.htm">"Schools of Philosophy"</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-90"><a href="#cite_ref-90">↑</a> Swami Vivekananda, Vedanta: Voice of Freedom, Ed. Swami Chetanananda (1990) <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0916356639" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 0-916356-63-9</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-91"><a href="#cite_ref-91">↑</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761555715_6/Hinduism.html">MSN Encarta on Hinduism</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-92"><a href="#cite_ref-92">↑</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://marriage.aryabhatt.com/hindu_wedding.asp">Aryabhatt.com</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-93"><a href="#cite_ref-93">↑</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.sudhirlaw.com/HMA55.htm">Hindu Marriage Act, 1955</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-94"><a href="#cite_ref-94">↑</a> Swami Bhaskarananda, Essentials of Hinduism 137 (Viveka Press 1994) <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/1884852025" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 1-884852-02-5</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-95"><a href="#cite_ref-95">↑</a> arcye viṣṇau śīlā-dhīr. . . narakī saḥ. </li> <li id="cite_note-ISBN_1-884852-02-5_p_157-96"><a href="#cite_ref-ISBN_1-884852-02-5_p_157_96-0">↑</a> Swami Bhaskarananda, Essentials of Hinduism 157 (Viveka Press 1994) </li> <li id="cite_note-97"><a href="#cite_ref-97">↑</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.siliconindia.com/shownews/33424">More pilgrim rush to Vaishno Devi this year</a> (October 08, 2006). </li> <li id="cite_note-98"><a href="#cite_ref-98">↑</a> Karl Werner, A Popular Dictionary of Hinduism at 73 (Curzon Press 1994) <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0700702792" class="internal mw-magiclink-isbn">ISBN 0-7007-0279-2</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-99"><a href="#cite_ref-99">↑</a> Banerji, p. 2. </li> <li id="cite_note-100"><a href="#cite_ref-100">↑</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://library.thinkquest.org/28038/page1_3.html">Religions of the World</a> India and Hinduism - Background of relativism </li> </ol></div>  </div> <div class="printfooter" data-nosnippet="">Retrieved from "<a dir="ltr" href="https://citizendium.org/wiki/index.php?title=Hinduism&oldid=974831">https://citizendium.org/wiki/index.php?title=Hinduism&oldid=974831</a>"</div></div> <div id="catlinks" class="catlinks" data-mw="interface"><div id="mw-normal-catlinks" class="mw-normal-catlinks"><a href="/wiki/Special:Categories" title="Special:Categories">Categories</a>: <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Pages_using_ISBN_magic_links" title="Category:Pages using ISBN magic links">Pages using ISBN magic links</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:CZ_Live" title="Category:CZ Live">CZ Live</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Religion_Workgroup" title="Category:Religion Workgroup">Religion Workgroup</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Articles_written_in_British_English" title="Category:Articles written in British English">Articles written in British English</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:All_Content" title="Category:All Content">All Content</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Religion_Content" title="Category:Religion Content">Religion Content</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Internal_articles_including_external_material" title="Category:Internal articles including external material">Internal articles including external material</a></li></ul></div><div id="mw-hidden-catlinks" class="mw-hidden-catlinks mw-hidden-cats-hidden">Hidden categories: <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Religion_tag" title="Category:Religion tag">Religion tag</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Suggestion_Bot_Tag" title="Category:Suggestion Bot Tag">Suggestion Bot Tag</a></li></ul></div></div> </div> </div> <div id="mw-navigation"> <h2>Navigation menu</h2> <div id="mw-head"> <nav id="p-personal" class="vector-menu mw-portlet mw-portlet-personal vector-user-menu-legacy" aria-labelledby="p-personal-label" role="navigation" > <h3 id="p-personal-label" class="vector-menu-heading " > Personal tools </h3> <div class="vector-menu-content"> <ul class="vector-menu-content-list"><li id="pt-login" class="mw-list-item"><a href="/wiki/index.php?title=Special:UserLogin&returnto=Hinduism" title="To edit pages, [[Special:RequestAccount|get a contributor account]]. 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