Hindu MythologyHindu Mythology:The Basic Myths of the Religion of The Basic Myths of the Religion of

Cultural and Varied OriginsCultural and Varied Origins

A Few Class Reminders:A Few Class Reminders:• Papers are due on 1/16/08 by 2:30 P.M. Papers are due on 1/16/08 by 2:30 P.M.

• You will have the 100 minute block to do some work, but we do You will have the 100 minute block to do some work, but we do have some items to take care of during that time as well (I am have some items to take care of during that time as well (I am estimating that I need 30 minutes).estimating that I need 30 minutes).

• Never mind.Never mind.

• We will be handling Hindu Mythology in less than 30 minutes We will be handling Hindu Mythology in less than 30 minutes today and the remaining 50 or so will be yours.today and the remaining 50 or so will be yours.

• Notes for Both Islamic and Hindu Mythology Are Posted on My Webpage for Notes for Both Islamic and Hindu Mythology Are Posted on My Webpage for Anyone Who Needs Them.Anyone Who Needs Them.

Hindu MythologyHindu Mythology:The Basic Myths of the Religion of The Basic Myths of the Religion of

Cultural and Varied OriginsCultural and Varied Origins

An Introduction to Hindu MythologyAn Introduction to Hindu Mythology• One cosmic Truth holds in Hindu thought, and that is that all things are One cosmic Truth holds in Hindu thought, and that is that all things are simply a part of a greater, whole One, which is also know as simply a part of a greater, whole One, which is also know as TrimurtiTrimurti, the , the Hindi triad.Hindi triad.• In early Hindu belief, which still holds true for nothing in Hinduism is In early Hindu belief, which still holds true for nothing in Hinduism is ever discarded, this Universal whole was called Brahmam. All beings and ever discarded, this Universal whole was called Brahmam. All beings and things, from the gods and demons, through humans, on to the lowliest things, from the gods and demons, through humans, on to the lowliest pebble on the beach, were and are part of this One. pebble on the beach, were and are part of this One. • The history of Hindu mythology can be broken up into several different The history of Hindu mythology can be broken up into several different ages, all of which have contributed to the faith as a whole. The first is the ages, all of which have contributed to the faith as a whole. The first is the pre-Vedic age, which goes back to the time of the early Indus valley pre-Vedic age, which goes back to the time of the early Indus valley civilizations of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, which were established civilizations of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, which were established around 2400 BCE. These cities were destroyed by 1700. around 2400 BCE. These cities were destroyed by 1700. • Hindu mythology is the sum total of beliefs, practices, and Hindu mythology is the sum total of beliefs, practices, and socioreligious institutions of the Hindus (originally, the inhabitants of the socioreligious institutions of the Hindus (originally, the inhabitants of the land of the Indus River). It evolved from Vedism, the religion of the Indo-land of the Indus River). It evolved from Vedism, the religion of the Indo-European peoples who settled in India.European peoples who settled in India.• Some scholars have suggested that the Indo-European invaders known Some scholars have suggested that the Indo-European invaders known as the Indo-Aryans came and conquered both much of India and Persia by as the Indo-Aryans came and conquered both much of India and Persia by about 1500 BCE. They brought with them new gods and hymns dedicated about 1500 BCE. They brought with them new gods and hymns dedicated to them. These hymns came to be called collectively the Vedas, the “holy to them. These hymns came to be called collectively the Vedas, the “holy book” of Hinduism.book” of Hinduism.

BrahmaBrahma VishnuVishnuShivaShiva

BrahmaBrahma

• In Hindu mythology, the senior member of the triad, or Trimurti, of the great gods (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva). In later times he became symbolized as the supreme eternal deity whose essence pervades the entire universe.

•Although Brahma is one of the major gods in Hinduism he is not being worshipped by Hindus. India today has very few temples dedicated to Brahmdev alone as opposed to the thousands of temples dedicated to the other deities in the Trimurti.

• Brahmā is traditionally depicted with four heads and four faces and four arms. With each head he continually recites one of the four Vedas. He is often depicted with a white beard (especially in North India), indicating the near eternal nature of his existence. He is shown as having four arms, with none holding a weapon, unlike most other Hindu Gods. One of his hands is shown holding a scepter in the form of a spoon, which is associated with the pouring of holy ghee or oil into a sacrificial pyre - indicating the fact that Brahmā is the lord of sacrifices. Another of his hands holds a water-pot (sometimes depicted as a coconut shell containing water). The significance of the water is that it is the initial, all-encompassing ether in which the first element of creation evolved. Brahmā also holds a string of rosary beads that he uses to keep track of the Universe's time. He also is shown holding the Vedas, and sometimes, a lotus flower.

VishnuVishnu

• Vishnu is regarded as the preserver of the universe.• The original worship of Vishnu, by the Aryan conquerors of India or the original Dravidian inhabitants is not definitely known. • In the ancient Vedas, the body of literature known as the Veda, and sacred literature of the Aryan conquerors, Vishnu is ranked among the lesser gods and is usually associated with the major Vedic god Indra who in the epics and Puranas fights against dragons and demonic forces. • He becomes the prominent second god of the Trimurti. In some Puranic literature Vishnu is said to be eternal, an all-pervading spirit, and associated with the primeval waters that are believed to have been omnipresent before the creation of the universe.• The concept of Vishnu being the preserver of the world came relatively late in Hinduism. Presumably it sprang from two other beliefs: that men attain salvation by faithfully following predetermined paths of duty, and that powers of good and evil (gods and demons) are in contention for domination over the world. • When these powers are upset Vishnu, it is further believed, descends to earth, or his avatar, to equalized the powers. Further it is thought that ten such incarnations or reincarnations of Vishnu will occur. Nine descents are said to have already occurred, the tenth is yet to come. •Another interesting speculation concerning Vishnu's role as preserver among many modern scholars is that it is characteristic of the practitioners of Hinduism to raise local legendary heroes to gods in the Hindu pantheon. •Vishnu is portrayed as blue or black shinned and has four arms. He has a thousand names and their repetition is an act of devotion.

ShivaShiva

• The third deity of the Hindu triad of great gods, the Trimurti. Shiva is called the Destroyer (of evil), but has also the aspect of regeneration.

• As destroyer he is dark and terrible, appearing as a naked ascetic accompanied by a train of hideous demons, encircled with serpents and necklaces of skulls.

• As auspicious and reproductive power, he is worshipped in the form of the shivling or shiva linga (lingam). Shiva is depicted as white, with a dark-blue throat, with several arms and three eyes.

• He carries a trident and rides a white bull. His consort is Parvati (Devi).