Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Hinduism (Branches (Vaishnavas primarily worship Vishnu., Shaivas…
Hinduism
Beliefs
Principles
-
-
Samsara is the cycle of death and rebirth of our soul (Atma) and in karma, the basic principle of cause and effect that determines our future even in the next life.
According to cyclic time there is no end or beginning, but rather it is divided into 4 yugas and restarts every 5 million years.
Sacred texts
There is no single sacred text for Hinduism, but rather dozens, though the 4 Vedas are the most important in most branches.
The Upanishads are also very important, as they answer questions from the Vedas.
The Itihasa tell important events in Hindu history. They are the Mahabharata, the Puranas and the Ramayana.
Proper behavior
Purusharthas are the 4 goals one should aim towards in life: Dharma (role in life and our behavior), Artha (pursuit for prosperity), Kama (pleasure) and Moksha.
Arishadvarga are the 6 temptations to avoid: excess Kama, Krodha (anger), Lobha (greed), Moha (attachment), Mada (pride) and Matsarya (jealousy).
Pantheon
The trinity
Brahma created the universe, and has one head for each Veda, which he created, and for the Yugas. He is married to Saraswati, the goddess of learning.
Vishnu preserves the world and uses avatars on earth to preserve Dharma. Bhudevi, earth goddess and Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and good fortune, are his wives.
Shiva is responsible for destroying the universe in order to begin a new cycle. Parvati, goddess of love, and Sati, goddess of longevity, are his wives.
The sons of Shiva are Ganesha, remover of obstacles, and Murugan, god of war.
Branches
-
-
Smartas follow sacred texts other than the Vedas, and worship Ganesha, Durga, Surya, Shiva and an avatar of Vishnu.
-
-
Most forms of Hinduism are henotheistic, meaning they worship a single god while not denying the existence or possible existence of other deities.
Sanskrit is the sacred language of Hinduism and the Vedas, though writting in it isn't mandatory.
Initially, caste was determined by skill, not birth, but the Manusmriti prohibited moving among the castes.