5. Demographics
• Considered oldest religion
• Worldwide 1.058 billion
• 15% of world’s population
• Third largest religion in world
worldreligiondatabase.org (2021)
6. Demographics
• Worldwide 1.058 billion
• India 9.99 million
• United States 1.6 million
• Arizona 33,000
(worldreligiondatabase.org; AZCentral, 2014)
9. Periods of History
1. Indus Valley Period (2700 to 1500 BC)
2. Vedic Period (1500 to 500 BC)
3. Second Urbanisation (500 - 200 BC)
4. Early Classical (200 BC to 320 AD)
5. Classical Period (320 AD to 500 AD)
6. Medieval to Early Modern (500 - 1757)
7. Modern Period (1757 to 1947)
8. Independent India (1947 to present)
15. Periods of History
1. Indus Valley Period (2700 to 1500 BC)
2. Vedic Period (1500 to 500 BC)
16. Vedic Period
1500 BC - 500 BC
Vedic texts written
Vedism developed
Religion called Brahmanism
Mark, J. (2020) World History Encyclopedia
17. Brahmanism
1500 BC - 500 BC
Brahman (ultimate reality)
Ultimate god or real being
First Cause
First Rule-Maker
Mark, J. (2020) World History Encyclopedia
18. Cosmology
First Cause
Universe is ordered
Rita (rules the universe follows)
Sanatan Dharma (Eternal Order)
Mark, J. (2020) World History Encyclopedia
19. Cosmology
Humans consist of
• Physical body
• Mind
• Soul
• Atman
Must also have transcendent self to connect
with Brahman
Atman (the higher self)
Mark, J. (2020) World History Encyclopedia
20. Veda Texts
Completed in 1000 BC
Rig Veda
Yajur Veda
Sama Veda
Jones & Ryan. (2007). Encyclopedia of Hinduism.
24. Periods of History
1. Indus Valley Period (2700 to 1500 BC)
2. Vedic Period (1500 to 500 BC)
3. Second Urbanisation (500 - 200 BC)
4. Early Classical (200 BC to 320 AD)
27. Periods of History
1. Indus Valley Period (2700 to 1500 BC)
2. Vedic Period (1500 to 500 BC)
3. Second Urbanisation (500 - 200 BC)
4. Early Classical (200 BC to 320 AD)
5. Classical Period (320 AD to 500 AD)
29. Periods of History
1. Indus Valley Period (2700 to 1500 BC)
2. Vedic Period (1500 to 500 BC)
3. Second Urbanisation (500 - 200 BC)
4. Early Classical (200 BC to 320 AD)
5. Classical Period (320 AD to 500 AD)
6. Medieval to Early Modern (500 - 1757)
30. Medieval Period
500 - 1757 AD
Proliferation of Teachers
Islamic Invasion
Decline of political influence
Dashavatara Temple to Vishnu
Mark (2020) World History Encyclopedia
31. Periods of History
1. Indus Valley Period (2700 to 1500 BC)
2. Vedic Period (1500 to 500 BC)
3. Second Urbanisation (500 - 200 BC)
4. Early Classical (200 BC to 320 AD)
5. Classical Period (320 AD to 500 AD)
6. Medieval to Early Modern (500 - 1757)
7. Modern Period (1757 - 1947)
32. Modern Period
1757 - 1949
• Battle of Plassey 1757
• British Occupation
• English East India Company
• Christian Missionaries
• Modernization
33. Periods of History
1. Indus Valley Period (2700 to 1500 BC)
2. Vedic Period (1500 to 500 BC)
3. Second Urbanisation (500 - 200 BC)
4. Early Classical (200 BC to 320 AD)
5. Classical Period (320 AD to 500 AD)
6. Medieval to Early Modern (500 - 1757)
7. Modern Period (1757 - 1947)
8. Independent India (1947 - Present)
34. India’s Independence
1949 - Present
Mahatma Gandhi, first Prime Minister
Hinduism state religion
Modernization of Hinduism
Elimination of the Caste System
38. Hinduism believes truth always existed
• Shruti — that what is heard
• Recorded in the Vedas
• No prophet or revelation
• Concept: Pre-existent Truth
47. Satya Yuga
• Golden Age (1,728,000 years)
• Brahma Rules
• Dharma the Bull has 4 legs
• Age of Truth
• Dharma the Bull has 4 legs
• No distinction between creatures
Jones & Ryan. (2007). Encyclopedia of Hinduism
48. Treta Yuga
Silver Age (1,296,000 years)
Brahma Rules
Dharma the Bull has three legs
Emergence of human Civilization
Humans became greedy so
Brahma had to create a warrior
class to keep them in order.
Jones & Ryan. (2007). Encyclopedia of Hinduism
49. Dwapar Yuga
Bronze Age (864,000 years)
Vishnu Rules to maintain order
Dharma the Bull has two legs
Secularization of Humanity
Neglect of the Caste System
Negelect to honor the gods
Truth is no longer followed
Vishnu rules
Jones & Ryan. (2007). Encyclopedia of Hinduism
50. Kali Yuga
Iron Age (432,000 years)
Ruled by Shiva destroyer/creator
Dharma the bull only one leg
Materialism - Warfare
Age of Darkness
Ends in Destruction of Civilization
Shiva then re-creates universe
Jones & Ryan. (2007). Encyclopedia of Hinduism
74. Hindu Trimurti
1. Brahama - The Creator
2. Vishnu - The Preserver
3. Shiva- The Destroyer
Brahman Vishnu Shiva
75. Trimurti (history)
Earliest record:
Poem Kumarasambhava “the Birth
of the War God” (4th Century AD)
Earliest depiction:
Sadashiva Stone relieve on a cave
temple on Elephant Island, India
Historians claim the Trimurti, was
an attempt to reconcile different
legends from the Vedic period into
one meta narrative.
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2020, February 21). trimurti. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/trimurti-Hinduism
79. Brahma (history)
• First described 700 BC - 100 AD
• Earliest sources Mahabharata and the
Puranas.
• Described in ancient writings as
Grandfather
• Described as Prajapati (the first god)
Jones, C. James, J. (2007). “Brahma” in Encyclopedia of Hinduism. 89
Cartwright, Mark. (16 May 2015). “Brahma” . World History Encyclopedia
80. Brahma (Mythology)
• Born from a comic golden egg (or)
• Born from a Lotus in Vishnu’s Naval
• Created good/evil; light/darkness
• Created: gods, demons, ancestors, and men
• Created Manu, the first man
• Created plants & animals on earth
• Created night & day: demons to rule night,
good goes rule the day
• Then abandoned his body became spirit
Cartwright, Mark. (16 May 2015). “Brahma” . World History Encyclopedia
81. Brahma (Mythology)
• Brahma looked with lust at a goddess
and Shiva cut his 5th head off.
• Brahma lied and lost most of his
worshippers and that’s why he has few
devotees
• Vishnu made him the creator with no
other responsibilities.
Cartwright, Mark. (16 May 2015). “Brahma” . World History Encyclopedia
82. Brahma (Art)
• Depicted Red, with 4 heads. Shiva cut
off his fifth
• The 4 Vedas, or 4 Yugas
• 4 arms: rosary (prayer beads)
symbolizing time, water pot (creation or
cleansing man); Veda (makes
knowledge possible); lotus flower (from
which he came).
• Sits in a lotus flower from which he
came
• Brahma is red because creator.
Cartwright, Mark. (16 May 2015). “Brahma” . World History Encyclopedia
83. Brahma (Hinduism)
• Only two temples in India to Brahma:
Pushkara, and Rajasthan.
• Does not come to earth, and hardly
involved.
Cartwright, Mark. (16 May 2015). “Brahma” . World History Encyclopedia
86. Vishnu (history)
• Earliest mention in Vedas
• Minor, only ritual importance
• Mentioned 64 times in Rig Veda
• Earliest story: saved world from
flood
• Late Veda period, identified with
Vasudeva, a minor god in Western
India.
Jones, C. James, J. (2007). “Vishnu” in Encyclopedia of Hinduism. 492
87. Vishnu (history)
• In the Mahabharata Epic, he is
identified with Krishna (whom
Krishna is incarnation) and
established in Trimurti.
• Later the other legends are joined to
his story: the other gods become
incarnations of Vishnu
• Later, it is taught he has 10 avatars
(10 stories joined with Vishnu)
• In Bhagavad Ghita a following of
devotees develops and becomes
(Vishnuism)
Jones, C. James, J. (2007). “Vishnu” in Encyclopedia of Hinduism. 492
88. Vishnu (Art)
• Dark Blue—blue aura, blue energy,
• Four arms
• Atop the Cobra Sheshtnag
representing the many desires of
the mind. He sits over them
showing he has control.
• Sometimes seated over throne
• Conch: produces sound “OM” the
primeval sound of creation.
• Discus: cut down abhorrent men or
symbolizes the mind
• Lotus: glorious existence
• Mace: mental & physical strength.
Jones, C. James, J. (2007). “Vishnu” in Encyclopedia of Hinduism. 492
89. Vishnu (Mythology)
• Bhagavata Purana epic, has most
of the Vishnu stories.
• He becomes pre-existing god
• Gives nectar of immortality to
other gods
• Story: gods wanted nectar of
eternal life. Vishnu helped produce
it. Demons tried to run off with it.
Vishnu created Maya (illusion) to
distract them, give nectar to gods.
Physical world to this day is MAYA,
illusory.
Cartwright, Mark. (2012). “Vishnu”. In World History Encyclopedia
92. Krishna
Primary Avatar
a. when earth was flooded he dragged
earth out from under the sea
b. Born on earth (like Jesus) spent life
fixing things
93. Krishna & the Cow
Lives in Vrindavan where there are
cows
When born on earth, is born a cow
herder as a child.
Reason why Cows are sacred
94.
95. 3. Shiva
• Means “The Auspicious One”
• Known as the Destroyer
• Depicted as both male & female
• At end of Yuga cycle will perform a
dance to destroy the world.
• Brought Ganges river to earth from the
Milky Way.
Doniger, W. (2021, May 6). Shiva. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Shiva
96. 3. Shiva
3rd eye bestows inward vision, but
also destruction when focused on
someone or something
Skulls around neck = death
Serpent around neck
Riding tiger = victory of animal
instincts.
Doniger, W. (2021, May 6). Shiva. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Shiva
97. Shiva (History)
• Shiva (the auspicious,
beneficent)
• Earliest found 2600 BC in a royal
seal
• Originated Northern India
• First appears in the Ramayana
(600 -300 BC) and then
Mahabharata (700 BC - 100 AD)
• Described in Shvetashvatara
Upanishad (300 BC) as highest
deity.
Jones, C. James, J. (2007). “Shiva” in Encyclopedia of Hinduism. 406
98. Shiva (Mythology)
• First Appears with wife Sati
• Sati dies, is reincarnated as
Parvati, his 2nd wife.
• They have a son, Ganesha.
• Then son Karttikeya, the god of
eternal youth.
Jones, C. James, J. (2007). “Shiva” in Encyclopedia of Hinduism. 406
99. Shiva (Art)
• The gods recognize his power and
recruit him to fight the demons
• His power is in “dancing”
• Four arms: 4 directions
• At the end of Yuga cycle he will
dance the world out of existence.
• He is also the Lord of Chaos
• He is also God of destruction
Jones, C. James, J. (2007). “Shiva” in Encyclopedia of Hinduism. 406
104. 1. Vaishnavism
• Devotion to Vishnu
• Vishnu is the manifestation of Brahman
• Incarnations: Rama, Krishna, (others)
• Vishnu defends Dharma (moral law)
• Goal is moksha (liberation) spend eternity
in Vishnu’s presence
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2018, December 28). Vaishnavism. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Vaishnavism
105. Srivaishnava Sect
• Doctrine of Vishishtadvaita (non dualism)
• The phenomenal world is illusory
• But it is the medium to access Krishna
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2018, December 28). Vaishnavism. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Vaishnavism
106. Madhva Sect
• Followers of the philosopher Madhva
• Doctrine of Dvaita (dualism)
• God & the Atman are separate entities
• Atman depends on Brahman but is not
equal to it.
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2018, December 28). Vaishnavism. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Vaishnavism
107. Pushtimarg Sect
• Followers of Vallabhacharya
• Phenomenal world is NOT illusory but real
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2018, December 28). Vaishnavism. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Vaishnavism
108. Gaudiya Sect
• Followers of Chaitanya
• Phenomenal world is NOT illusory but real
• Relationship between Brahman and the
world is inconceivable (we can’t
understand).
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2018, December 28). Vaishnavism. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Vaishnavism
109. 2. Shaivism
• Devotion to Shiva
• (1) Pluralism - many realities
• (2) Monism - only one reality
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2015, March 5). Shaivism. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Shaivism
110. Shaiva-Siddhanta
• Shiva philosophical system in South India
• Dated 5th to 9th Century
• Three Universal Realities
1. Pashu - the individual soul (not Atman)
2. Shiva - the Lord, ultimate reality
3. Pasha - soul’s bondage to the body
• Ignorance - we are all ignorant of realities
• Freedom obtained by (a) acts of service, (b)
worship ( c) Yoga - spiritual discipline, and
(d) deep learning.
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2016, April 6). Shaiva-siddhanta. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Shaiva-siddhanta
111. 3. Smartas
• Traditional sect
• Members of the Brahman, Kshatriya, and
Vishya sect
• Follow the Smriti Texts
• Follow Shankara (8th Century teacher)
• Head monastery in Karnataka, India.
• Follow 5 deities: Vishnu, Shiva, Shakti,
Surya, and Ganesha.
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2007, March 1). Smarta sect. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Smarta-sect
112. 4. Shaktas
• Worship goddess Shakti (means power)
• Mostly in Bengal and Assam
• Shakti was wife of Shiva
• The Divine mother
• Absolute surrender to her power
• Shakti is a coiled serpent within each
person that is released upon surrender to
the goddess Shakti.
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2015, January 19). Shaktism. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Shaktism
115. Brahma’s Body
• Brahmins - priests, Brahma’s mouth
• Kshatriyas - warriors, Brahma’s arms
• Vaishyas - merchants, Brahma’s legs
• Shudras - laborers, Brahma’s feet
116.
117. Caste System in History
• Caste originally based on abilities
• Laws of Manu (5th Century BC) fixed the castes
• Rule #1 - Brahmin are Lord of Castes
• Rule #2 - Hindus cannot change caste
• Dalit - Untouchables, out-caste, emerged
118. Caste System in History
• British exploited castes (1757 - 1930s)
• British established laws to protect (1930s - 1947)
• India established laws full rights to all castes (1947)
• Today, castes mostly social/cultural
120. Terms for Religious leaders
• Swami
• Guru
• Maharishi
• Yogi
• Pundit or Punjaris
121. Guru
Any Spiritual teacher, or guide
One who initiates followers,
“Guru” means “the weighty one”
Bears weight of wisdom.
Used for a common teacher
including Yoga teacher
Parrinder, G. (1984). In Hinduism. World Religions: From Ancient History to the Present. Facts on File.
122. Swami
Hindu Holy Man
“Swami” means Master
Teacher of Hindu philosophy
Mastery over “self”
Teacher with many followers and
a reputation
Parrinder, G. (1984). In Hinduism. World Religions: From Ancient History to the Present. Facts on File.
123. Yogi
Hindu teacher of Yoga
Teacher is bound by a code of moral
conduct and restraint similar to a
monk. Often involves celibacy. Myths
surround Yogis that can accomplish
physical tasks like levitation.
Parrinder, G. (1984). In Hinduism. World Religions: From Ancient History to the Present. Facts on File.
124. Maharishi
Term bestowed specifically on
Brahmins
Means “Great Seer”
Implies divine revelation
Parrinder, G. (1984). In Hinduism. World Religions: From Ancient History to the Present. Facts on File.
129. Why are cows sacred
• Because most Hindus are vegetarian and they give milk
• Because they are like a mother who gives life
• Because they are associated with mother goddess
• Because were sacred in the Vedas
159. ISKS
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Vaishnava Branch
Sri Chaitanya of Bengal (1500)
Devotion to Krishna
Bhagavad Gita
ISKS on Hollywood Blvd
