6. Trimurti (history)
Earliest record 500 AD
Poem Kumara Sambhava
“The Birth of the War God”
Describes the Trimurti
• Bramha the Creator
• Vishnu the Preserver
• Shiva the Destroyer
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopedia (2020, February 21). Trimurti. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/trimurti-Hinduism
7. Trimurti (history)
Earliest depiction is 500 AD
Sadashiva Stone relieve in a cave Temple
Elephant Island, India
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopedia (2020, February 21). Trimurti. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/trimurti-Hinduism
8. Trimurti (history)
Historians claim the Trimurti, was
an attempt to integrate different
legends and gods from the Vedic
period into one meta-narrative.
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopedia (2020, February 21). Trimurti. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/trimurti-Hinduism
9. Tell the Story of the Gods
Brahma https://www.worldhistory.org/Brahma/
Vishnu https://www.worldhistory.org/Vishnu/
Shiva https://www.worldhistory.org/shiva/
Krishna https://www.worldhistory.org/Krishna/
Ganesha https://www.worldhistory.org/Ganesha/
Murugan https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Murugan
11. Brahma (Art)
• Four Heads
• Holding the Vedas (sacred texts)
• Mala (beads) symbolizing time
• Pitcher for water, source of Creation
• Alms bowl
• Seated on Lotus, from which he sprung
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2022, November 14). Brahma. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Brahma-Hindu-god
12. The Four Vedas (texts)
Four Yugas (epochs)
Shiva cut off a 5th head because he
looked at a pretty girl.
13. Brahma (history)
• Earliest description 2000 - 1000 BC
• First described in Prapathaka (lesson)
• Called the Grandfather
Cartwright, M. (2015, May 16). Brahma. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/Brahma/
14. 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
Cartwright, M. (2015, May 16). Brahma. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/Brahma/
15. Brahma (Mythology)
• Created plants & animals on earth
• Created night & day
• Created demons to rule night
• Created good gods to rule the day
• Then abandoned his body became spirit
Cartwright, M. (2015, May 16). Brahma. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/Brahma/
16. 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
17. Brahma (Hinduism)
• Two temples in India to Brahma:
Pushkara, and Rajasthan.
• Does not come to earth
• Sleeps during this Yuga
• Rarely involved
Cartwright, Mark. (16 May 2015). “Brahma” . World History Encyclopedia
20. Vishnu (Art)
• Blue - he is infinite
• Four arms - 2 human world, 2 spiritual world
• Cobra — Sheshtnag representing the many
desires of the mind. Sits over him showing he
mastered desires
• Mace — the power of knowledge, time, intellect
Jones, C. James, J. (2007). “Vishnu” in Encyclopedia of Hinduism. 492
21. Vishnu (Art)
• Conch — produces sound “OM” the sound of creation.
• Discus — cuts down abhorrent men
• Parma (Lotus) — divine perfection, purity, unfolding
spiritual consciousness or rebirth.
Jones, C. James, J. (2007). “Vishnu” in Encyclopedia of Hinduism. 492
22. Vishnu (history)
• Earliest description 1300 - 1000 BC
• In the Rig Veda (64 times)
• Vishnu saved world from a great flood
Jones, C. James, J. (2007). “Vishnu” in Encyclopedia of Hinduism. 492
23. Vishnu (history)
Bhagavad Gita, a following of
devotees develops and becomes
(Vishnuism)
Jones, C. James, J. (2007). “Vishnu” in Encyclopedia of Hinduism. 492
31. Vishnu’s Wives
Lakshmi
Bhu Devi
Garuda (his eagle)
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2022, September 1). Lakshmi. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://
www.britannica.com/topic/Lakshmi
32. Lakshmi
Hindu goddess of wealth and good fortune
Appears with him in each incarnation
Very popular among Hindus today
Often small statues of her in homes
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2022, September 1). Lakshmi. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://
www.britannica.com/topic/Lakshmi
33. Bhudevi
Goddess of the earth
Worshipped by farmers
Gives life to the earth
https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/bhudevi
34. 3. Shiva
The Destroyer
“The Auspicious One”
Rules over Kali Yuga
Doniger, W. (2021, May 6). Shiva. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Shiva
35. Shiva
• Depicted as both male & female
• At end of Kali Yuga will do a dance
• The world will be destroyed
Doniger, W. (2021, May 6). Shiva. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Shiva
36. Shiva (Art)
3rd eye bestows inward vision, but
also destruction when focused on
someone or something
Skulls around neck = death
Serpent around neck
Riding tiger = Mastered the animal
of instincts.
Doniger, W. (2021, May 6). Shiva. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Shiva
37. Shiva (History)
• Shiva (the auspicious, beneficent)
• First described 2600 BC in a royal seal
• From Northern India
• First described in the Ramayana (600 -300 BC)
and then in Mahabharata (700 BC - 100 AD)
• Shvetashvatara Upanishad (300 BC) claimed
Shiva was the highest deity.
Jones, C. James, J. (2007). “Shiva” in Encyclopedia of Hinduism. 406
38. 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
39. Shiva (Mythology)
• First Appears with wife Sati
• Sati dies, is reincarnated as Parvati, his 2nd wife.
• Son Ganesha, god of lifting heavy objects
• Son Murugan, god of war
• Brought the Ganges river from the Milky Way
Jones, C. James, J. (2007). “Shiva” in Encyclopedia of Hinduism. 406
41. Sati
First wife of Shiva
Daughter of Daksa (sage)
Shiva took her as wife without Daksa’s
permission.
Daksa refused to invite Shiva to a
great Sacrifice
Sati died of embarrassment
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2023, June 6). Sati. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sati
42. Paravati
Second wife of Shiva
Reincarnation of Sati
Benevolent goddess
Daughter of the Himalayan Mountains
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2023, August 18). Parvati. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Parvati
45. Kalpa - 1 Day in Life of Brahama
• 994 Yugas = 1 Kalpa
• 2 Kalpas = ONE 24-hour Brahma day
• 1st Kalpa is daytime, Brahma is awake
• 2nd Kalpa is nighttime, Brahma sleeps
48. Characters
• Hayagriva — the horse demon
• Matsya — the fish avatar of Vishnu
• Shraddhadeva — (aka Manu) the
progenitor of the human race who saves
the world from a global flood.
57. 3. Sama Veda
Melody Knowledge
Liturgical songs
Intended to be sung with dance
58. 4. Atharva Veda
Curses, blessings, and spells
Ward off evil spirits
Marriage and funeral ceremonies
59. 2 Sanskrit Epics
400 BC - 400 AD
1. Mahabharata
2. Ramayana
Doniger, W. (2022, December 2). Mahabharata. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mahabharata
60. 1. Mahabharata
400 BC - 400 AD
Longest poem in the world
200,000 verses (lines)
Epoch story
5 x Bible
Doniger, W. (2022, December 2). Mahabharata. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mahabharata
61. Bhagavad Gita
1st or 2nd Century AD
“Song of God”
Mahabharata ch 23-40
Doniger, W. (2023, January 5). Bhagavadgita. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bhagavadgita
62. Bhagavad Gita
Setting:
Epoch War story
Krishna appears to Arjuna
Teaches Arjuna about Dharma
We all must act obey to Duty
Doniger, W. (2023, January 5). Bhagavadgita. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bhagavadgita
63. Bhagavad Gita Teachings
Commentary on Upanishads
1. Explains Yoga
2. Dualism of soul and physical body
3. Reincarnation
4. Who to attain moksha (release)
5. Achieving nirvana (extinction)
Doniger, W. (2023, January 5). Bhagavadgita. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bhagavadgita
64. 6. Amass record of karma (good actions)
7. Meditation
8. Amassing jnana (knowledge)
9. Following path of Bhakti (devotion)
10. Kama (desiring fruits of action)
Doniger, W. (2023, January 5). Bhagavadgita. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bhagavadgita
66. 2. Ramayana
600 - 300 BC
2nd Longest poem
24,000 verses
Epoch story of Prince Rama
From Ayodhya in Kosala
14-year exile
Doniger, W. (2022, December 2). Mahabharata. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mahabharata
68. Terms for Religious leaders
• Swami
• Guru
• Maharishi
• Yogi
• Pundit or Punjaris
69. 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.
70. 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.
71. 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.
72. 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.
75. Namaste
Greeting
Said with slight bow and
Hands together
K V Singh (2015). Hindu Rites and Rituals: Origins and Meanings. Penguin Books. pp. 123–124.
76. Namaste I bow to you
Namas “I bow”
Te “to You”
K V Singh (2015). Hindu Rites and Rituals: Origins and Meanings. Penguin Books. pp. 123–124.
77. Namaste
• Recognizes Atman in another person
• The Atman in me, salutes the atman in you
K V Singh (2015). Hindu Rites and Rituals: Origins and Meanings. Penguin Books. pp. 123–124.
85. Why are cows sacred
1. Because most Hindus are vegetarian therefore depend on milk
2. Because cows are like a mothers who gives life
3. Because cows are associated with mother goddesses
4. Because were sacred in the Vedas
5. Because Krishna, when he was on earth, was a cattle herder
88. Chakra
The seven focal points on the body that align with the centers
of energy, and are the focus of meditation
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2022, November 14). chakra. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://
www.britannica.com/topic/chakra
89.
90. The Third Eye
Ajhna (3rd Eye)
Spiritual Sight
Aligns with Chakra
Someone having spiritual sight
92. Homa होम
• Vedic Fire Ritual
• Performed by Hindu Priest
• Offerer asking gods for
something
Axel Michaels (2016). Homo Ritualis: Hindu Ritual and Its Signi
fi
cance for Ritual Theory. Oxford University Press. pp. 237–248.
93. Homa होम
• Offer food
• Grain
• Ghee (clarified butter)
• Incense
• Seeds
Axel Michaels (2016). Homo Ritualis: Hindu Ritual and Its Signi
fi
cance for Ritual Theory. Oxford University Press. pp. 237–248.
94. Homa होम
• Offered for the home
• At weddings
• Special occasions
Axel Michaels (2016). Homo Ritualis: Hindu Ritual and Its Signi
fi
cance for Ritual Theory. Oxford University Press. pp. 237–248.
109. ISKS
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Vaishnava Branch
Sri Chaitanya of Bengal (1500)
Devotion to Krishna
Bhagavad Gita
ISKS on Hollywood Blvd
