Monday, October 23, 2017

Introduction to Hinduism Part-2 .33 crore Gods or 33?

Hinduism is believed to have 33 crore Gods. Brahma- the creator, Vishnu- the preserver and Shiv- the destroyer and 33 crore more; which in Hindi, we call it 33 Koti Gods. Well, there has been a misunderstanding about the word "koti". The word has been used for showing the type or family of Gods. After the trinity, there are 33 divinities mentioned in sacred texts.
These 33 Dev/Gods are:

1) 12 Aditya - The 12 Aditya are sons of sage Kashyap and Aditi. They carry along the longevity of a man, everything that is carried on by time.It is said that in each month of a year, different Aditya shines.
12 Aditya are :Dhata in Chaitra (March & April) , Aryama in Vaishakh (April & May), Mitra in Jyeshth (may & june), Varun in Aashadh (June & July), Indra in Shravan (July & August), Vivasvan in Bhadrapad (August & September), Tvashta in Ashwin (September & October), Vishnu in Kartik (October & November), Anshuman in Margshirsh (November & December), Bhag in Paush (December & January), Pushya in Magha (January & February) and Parjanya in Phalgun (February & March).These are mentioned by Sage Agastya, Äadityahrudyam or Aaditya Hrudaya Strotram.

2) 11 Rudra - Manu, Manyu, Shiv, Rutudhwaj, Mahinas, Umrateras, Kaal, Vaamdev, Bhav and Dhrutdhwaj have originated from Brahma's anger. In Bhagwad Geeta, these Rudra are associated with our body. Chapter 13, verse 6 and 7 says-

महाभूतान्यहंकारो बुद्धिरव्यक्तमेव च। 
इन्द्रियाणि दशैकं च पञ्च चेन्द्रियगोचराः।।६।।

इच्छा द्वेषः सुखं दुःखं सङ्घातश्चेता धृतिः।
एतत् क्षेत्रं समासेम सविकारमुदाहृतं।।७।।

There are five perceptual senses-eye, ear, nose, tongue and sense of touch. The five senses of activity being voice, hands, legs, the genitals and the anus. The internal sense being mind.

3) 8 Vasu - Vasu means which is placed everywhere that is which is found everywhere (vishwa/universe) and they are : Drona, Pran, Aka, Dhruv, Agni, Vasu and Vibhavasu. The earth, the fire, the water, the air, the ether, the sun, the moon and the stars are representatives of the 8 Vasu.

4) 2 Ashwini Kumar - Twin brothers Ashwini Kumar are sons of the Sun and his wife Sandya. They are regarded as the divine physians/doctors of the Gods.

God is One, but He is in many forms and has many names. As Chapter 9, Verse 23 states:

येप्यन्यदेवताभक्ता यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विता।
तेपि मामेव कौन्तेय यजन्त्यविधिपूर्वकं ।।

O Arjuna, those who worship devotedly different demigods, although faithfully; they also Worship me only, but they offer without true understanding.


Sunday, October 22, 2017

Introduction to Hinduism : Part I

Hinduism,the world's one of the ancient religion. But, from where this word came. It has historically been used as a geographical, cultural and later a religious identifier for the people indigenous to the south Asian region. Actually, people or the community living in the valley which ran through north-west India into Pakistan were called Hindus. The Indus river originally was named "Sindhu" running from this area, originates from the Sanskrit. And the Persians mispronounced Sindhu to Hindu,designated this land. Ancient India, extends far from the banks of Indus river including parts of the contemporary Pakistan, Afganistan,Iran and India. It's history overlaps with the development of Indian region since Iron age.

In Hinduism, there are three foremost traditions.The people or community who worships Shiv are known as Shaiv, people who worships Vishnu are known as Vaishnav and the people worshiping Shakti (goddess) are known as Shakya. This ancient religion believes in the principle of create, preserve and destroy. Every thing that has been created will be preserved and ultimately destroyed. And this process will continue.

It is believed that 'Brahma' is the creator. He has originated from the navel of Vishnu. Brahma has four heads, lives in Brahmlok and has the Royal Swan as his vehicle/mount. Vishnu ,the preserver is often depicted as having pale blue or dark complexion and has four arms. He holds a lotus (padma), a mace (gada), a conch (shankh) and a discus (chakra) known as sudarshan. He lives in vaikunth lok reclining on the coils of the serpent "Shesh". Garud, the divine like bird (eagle) serves as the vehicle/mount. Shiv, the destroyer of the evil and the transformer is a yogi or AadiYogi lives an ascetic life with wife "Parvati" on mount Kailash. He is also regarded as the Patron of yoga, meditation and art. Shiv has a serpent called 'Vasuki" who lies around his neck, adoring crescent moon, the holy river "Ganga" flowing from his matted hair, third eye on his forehead, trishula his weapon and a damru. This Trinity is the base of Hinduism.