This document provides an overview of key concepts in Hinduism. It discusses the most sacred Hindu symbol "Aum", describes Hinduism as having no single founder or origin but emerging from Vedic civilization. It outlines the three main gods - Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer. The document also summarizes Hindu scriptures, concepts of dharma, karma, samsara and moksha, as well as popular Hindu festivals, figures, and practices.

1. WELCOME
TO OUR
PRESENTATION

2. Hinduism
Aum, is the most sacred symbol
in Hinduism, is like calling
god's name towards you. This
name is generally said three
times, before chanting any
prayers.

3. Hinduism
सनातन धर्म र (Sanskrit
(Sanskrit)
)
• It originated on the Indian
It originated on the Indian
subcontinent with foundations in the
subcontinent with foundations in the
Vedic civilization
Vedic civilization, but has no known
, but has no known
founder, being itself a conglomerate
founder, being itself a conglomerate
of diverse beliefs and traditions.
of diverse beliefs and traditions.
• The world’s oldest living tradition

4. Hinduism
The world’s third largest
religion, Hinduism has no
specific origin. It is
polytheistic, characterized
by wrathful gods, based
around a caste system and
primarily practiced in India.
Hindus believe that the
levels in this caste system
are reflective of actions in
previous lives, and that
once a person reaches
untouchable status they
may then be able to attain
a union with God.

5. World Religions by Percentage and Size of
World Population--2009
David Barrett, Todd M. Johnson & Peter Crossing, “Christian World Communions: Five Overviews of
Global Christianity, AD 1800-2025,” Int’l Bulletin of Missionary Research, Jan. 2009, Global Table 5, p. 25.
Christians 2,271,727,000
Muslims 1,449,614,000
Hindus 913,455,000
Nonreligious 773,947,000
Chinese
universists
388,609,000
Buddhists 387,872,000
Ethnoreligionists 266,281,000
Atheists 148,346,000
Other 228,306,000
World Religions by Population

6. The Trimūrti
Sanskrit: िमूत्रिम ूर्तित
The Hindu Triad
 Brahma –the Creator
 Vishnu- the Preserver
 Shiva- the Destroyer
Brahma : Creation
Vishnu : Preservation
Shiva : Destruction
Shiva : Destruction

7. Brahmā & Saraswati
• The first of the Trimurti.
• He is the creator.
• He has four heads and four faces
and four arms.
• He is often pictured holding a holy
scripture.
• Lord of Sacrifices
• His consort is Saraswati,
goddess of wisdom music, arts, and
speech
• Originated as a river goddess. Her
name is Sanskrit for "she who has
lakes or pools."

8. Vishnu & Lakshmi
• Vishnu one of the most important
of the Hindu gods.
• Has four arms holding; conch
shell, discus, lotus and mace.
• Peaceful, merciful, and
compassionate
• Rides a bird called Garuda.
• His consort is Lakshmi
• Goddess good fortune, wealth,
light, wisdom and fortune, as well
as luck, beauty, and fertility

9. The Ten Avatars of Vishnu
• Matsya (fish)
• Kurma (turtle)
• Varaha (boar)
• Narasimha (man-lion)
• Vamana (dwarf)
• Parashurama (warrior-
priest)
• Rama (prince)
• Krishna (cow-herd)
• Buddha (sage)
• Kalki (horseman, who has
not yet appeared)

10. Śhiva & Parvati
• Shiva is the destroyer of
evil
• He holds a trishul.
• Rides a white bull.
• Often seen wearing a
tiger skin.
• His consort in parvati,
divine mother, also
representation of Shakti

11. Durga….Kali
Durga, protectress
Kali, destroyer of
demons

12. Lord Rama & Sita
• Principal characters in the Ramayana
• Lord of Self-Control or Lord of Virtue
• Sita, an avatar of Lakshmi, one of the
forms of the Goddess or Shakti, is
esteemed as the standard for wifely and
womanly virtues for all Hindu women.

13. Lord Krishna & Radha
Krishna – one of 10 avatars of
Vishnu; represents joy,
freedom, and love
Radha – represents all that is
great in womanhood; symbol
of ideal woman, daughter,
wife, and mother
Known for Hispastoral
childhood aswell asHisyouth
and lifeasaheroic warrior and
teacher

14. Lord Ganesha
• God of knowledge
• The elephant headed God
• One of the most popular
Indian deities; is considered
the “remover of obstacles”;
patron of science and
learning

15. Marriage
Eight types
1. Braham 2. Davia
3. Arsha 4. Prajapatya
5. Asura 6. Gandharva
7. Rakshasa 8. Paisacha

16. Castes in Hinduism
• System of social classes
– Brahmans – Priests and
scholars
– Kshatriyas – rulers and
warriors
– Vaisyas – farmers and
merchants
– Sudras – artisans and
workers
• Who is ?
– The mouth?
– The arms?
– The legs?
– The feet?

17. Brahmans, Kshatriyas
Highest class: Brahmans
priests and wise men of the society
Origin: Mouth of Brahma
Second highest class: Kshatriyas
Soldiers/landowners
Origin: Arm of Brahma

18. Vaisyas, Sudras
• Traders and businessmen, or
peasant farmers vaisyas
– origin: thighs of Brahma
• Sudra were believed to be the lowest
in the Hindu caste hierarchy. Their
duty was to serve the upper three
communities as slaves

19. Puja
• Puja is an act of worship or
veneration
• Hindus believe that God is
everywhere so they can worship
at home or in a temple called a
mandir.
• Visiting temples is not
required
• Hindus also do not claim to
belong to any denomination

20. Durga puja
• Sharadiya (Autumnal) Durga Puja, is celebrated later in the year
with the dates falling either in September or October
• It refers to all the six days observed as Mahalaya, Shashthi , Maha
Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Nabami and Bijoya Dashami.
• Widely celebrated in West Bengal, Assam , Bihar, Jharkhand,
Orissa and Tripura

21. Ramleela
• Dramatic folk representation of the life of Lord Ram, ending up in ten
day battle between Lord Ram and Ravan
• victory of Lord Ram over demon king Ravana
• UNESCO proclaimed the tradition of Ramlila a
Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of
Humanity in 2005.

22. Krishna Janmashtami
• Hindu festival celebrating the
birth of Lord Krishna, an avatar
of god Vishnu
• At midnight, the statue of infant
Krishna is bathed and placed
in a cradle, which is rocked,
amidst the blowing of conch
shells and the ringing of bells

23. Diwaali
• Festival of Lights
• It is the homecoming of Rama after a 14-year exile
in the forest and his victory over the Ravana
• Spiritual meaning of diwaali is "the awareness of the
inner light"

24. Holi
• Known as Dolyatra (Doul
Jatra) or Basanta-Utsab
(spring festival)
• Celebrated by people throwing
colored powder and colored
water at each other
• Celebrated at the end of the
winter season on the last full
moon day known as "Dol
purnima".

25. Facets of A Hindu
• Namaste
• Lighting a lamp
• Prayer Room
• Wear marks (Tilak)
• Holy Ash
• Fasting
• Ring the bell in temple
• Worship the kalasha
• Worship the Tulsi
• Blow the conch

26. Ten Great Observances
• Patience, firmness and stability
• Forgiveness
• Self-control and contentment
• Not to steal or conceal, or be selfish
• Cleanliness, purity and honesty
• Control over senses and compassion
• Right knowledge of the scripture
• Material and spiritual knowledge or
study
• Truth
• Absence of anger

27. Yoga
• A path to self-knowledge and liberation
A path to self-knowledge and liberation
• Method of keeping us in control of
our body, mind and actions
• One must master these four types of
yoga
– Karma yoga – the path of action
– Bhakti yoga – the path of devotion
– Jnana yoga – the path of knowledge
– Raja yoga – the path based on control of
one’s actions and thoughts
• Having learnt these, the body can be
detached from the soul.
• Achieve union with the supreme self or
God.

28. Hinduism as Philosophy
Hindu philosophy from the Puranas revolves around
the following five concepts. These have become the
cornerstones of Hindu traditions and beliefs.
KARMA LAWS OF ACTION
BHAKTI LAWS OF DEVOTION
JYANA LAWS OF KNOWLEDGE
DHARMA LAWS OF CONDUCT
MOKSHA LIBERATION / NIRVANA

29. Karma
• This denotes an action that brings back results
This denotes an action that brings back results
in this life or in the future life. The doctrine of
in this life or in the future life. The doctrine of
karma (karmavada) is based upon the theory of
karma (karmavada) is based upon the theory of
cause and effect. According to this doctrine, God
cause and effect. According to this doctrine, God
is not responsible for the pleasure or pain of His
is not responsible for the pleasure or pain of His
creatures. They suffer or enjoy owing to the
creatures. They suffer or enjoy owing to the
consequences of their own bad or good deeds
consequences of their own bad or good deeds
– As is his desire, so will his will (kratu) be; as is
his will, so will he act (karma); as he acts, so
will he attain.”

30. Bhakti
• Along with Dharma, Bhakti can also gain one
salvation.
• By devoting yourself completely to the god you
can attain Nirvana.
• However, you have to be a true devotee. Giving
your entire life over to the god. This is called
svadharma or “self-dharma”.
• You give up your caste and age dharma to
spend your entire life with the deity.

31. Dharma
• Duties that each person must complete based
on their status in society.
• The objectives of human life is known
as Dharma
– Dharma Includes
» Righteousness
» Livelihood
» Wealth
» Sensual Pleasure
» Liberation, Freedom

32. Ashrama
• The Hindu view of caste,
ashramas, and family are
inseparable
• Ashramas is the fourth stages
of life
• When a man marries he pays
three debts he owes to his
ancestors, the gods, and his
guru

33. Reincarnation
-wheel of life
According to Hinduism a soul
reincarnates again and again
on earth till it becomes
perfect and reunites with it
Source. A being has to live
many lives and undergo
many experiences before it
can attain perfection,
becoming one with the
Divine.

34. Man is mortal…the soul is immortal!
• Rebirth of the soul into another
living thing
• Ultimate goal of Hindus is to
live a perfect life (moksha)
which will free them from the
cycle of reincarnation
• To reach moksha a person
must rid themselves of selfish
desires

35. Nirvana / Moksha
• The end of the reincarnation cycle
• The soul is free of all pain and
merges (comes together ) with
Brahman.
• Similar to the idea of heaven.
• Goal of all Hindus
• It cannot be achieved in one
lifetime. One must go through
reincarnation.

36. “Salvation” in Hinduism
“Hence the man who thus knows will be at peace,
tamed, quietly contented, long-suffering,
recollected, for he will see the Self in self: he will
see all things as the Self. Evil does not touch
him: all evil he shrugs off. Evil does not torment
him: all evil he burns out. Free from evil, free
from doubt, immaculate, he becomes a
Brahman (in very truth, for Brahman now
indwells him).” Brihadaranyaka Upanishad IV, iv,
23

37. The main Hindu scriptures
• Shruti (“heard”) – oldest, most authoritative:
• Four Vedas (“truth”) – myths, rituals, chants
• Upanishads - metaphysical speculation
• Smriti (“remembered”) – the Great Indian Epics:
• Ramayana
• Mahabharata (includes Bhagavad-Gita)

38. Chronology
1. The Pre-Protohistoric period,
The Ramayana Period 3000 B.C.
The Vedas 1500 B.C.
The Upanishads 1500 B.C.
The Mahabharat. 1500 B.C.
The Gita. 1500 B.C.
2. Protohistoric period
The Purana Period 300A.D. to 1300A.D.

39. Vedas
There are four Vedas
They are the main source of all Hindu
knowledge and spiritual teachings.
RIG VEDA 10,589 VERSES deals with knowledge or JYANA
YAJUR VEDA 1,975 VERSES deals with the concept of KARMA
SAMA VEDA 1,875 VERSES deals with the practice of BHAKTI
ATHARVA VEDA 5,977 VERSES deals with the various sciences

40. Upanishads
One line summary of the 10 major Upanishads
ISHA : Karma without attachment.
KENA : God exists behind natural process.
KATHA : Immortality is simply union with God.
PRASNA: Discourse on Prana.
AITAREYA: Creation and pure consciousness.
MUNDAKA: Knowledge and Wisdom
TAITTIRIYA: Thou art Brahman.
MANDUKYA: Meaning of AUM
CHANDOGYA: Tat Tvam Asi.
SWETASVATARA: Meditation the way to God

41. Bhagavad gita
Sanskrit: भगवद्‌गीता –
The "Song of God" is an ancient Sanskrit text
The "Song of God" is an ancient Sanskrit text
comprising 700 verses from the
comprising 700 verses from the
Mahabharata. Krishna, as the speaker of the
Mahabharata. Krishna, as the speaker of the
Bhagavad Gita is referred to within as
Bhagavad Gita is referred to within as
Bhagavan.
Bhagavan.
Poem that represented new
ethical teachings

42. Puranas
BRAHMA PURANA VISHNU PURANA
SHIVA PURANA BRAHMANDA PURANA
BHAGAVATA PURANA LINGA PURANA
BRAHMAVAYVARTA PURANA NARADIYA PURANA
SKANDA PURANA MARKANDEYA PURANA
GARUDA PURANA AGNI PURANA
BHAVISHYA PURANA PADMA PURANA
MATSYA PURANA VAMANA PURANA
VARAHA PURANA KURMA PURANA
The puranic texts run into numerous volumes.
However, only 18 Puranas have been thoroughly studied and
translated. The Puranas are written in Sanskrit in the form of
shlokas

43. Ramayana &
Mahabharata
• Ramayan, written by Valmiki - Life history of
Sita and Rama teaching ideal values
• Mahabharat, written by Ved Vyas - Story of
Padavas, Kauravas and Sri Krishna

44. Ganges
• The Ganges River is considered
sacred.
• The River Ganges in India is said to be
holy. Hindus bath in the river to wash
away their sins.
• The Ganges River is a goddess that
agreed to come to earth to provide a
means of salvation for the dead.

45. Common Hinduism Questions
1. Why does Hinduism have so many Gods?
– Hindus all believe in one Supreme God who
created many Gods, highly advanced spiritual
beings, to be His helpers
1. Do Hindus believe in reincarnation?
– Yes, Hindus believe the soul (without body) is
immortal and takes birth again and again.
1. What is Karma?
– Karma is the universal principal of cause and effect.
Both good and bad karma not only decide our fate
(sorrow and happiness) in the present life, but also
in future life.

46. Common Hinduism Questions
4. Why do Hindus worship the cow?
– By honoring this gentle animal, who gives
more than she takes, Hindus honor the
creatures as well.
4. Are Hindus idol worshipers?
– Hindus worship God through the image so
that they can commune with Him and receive
His blessings.
4. Are Hindus forbidden to eat meat?
– Hindus teach vegetarianism as a way of life to
not hurt living creatures. But it is not
mandatory
7. Why do many Hindus wear a dot near
the middle of their forehead?
– It represents a divine sight and shows that
one is a Hindu.

47. OM
• OM (ॐ) is the sacred symbol of Hinduism,
and is prefixed and sometimes suffixed to all
Hindu mantras and prayers. Its contains a
deep symbolic message; which is
considered as divine primordial vibration of
the Universe which represents all existence,
encompassing all of nature into the One
Ultimate Reality.
• "Om" is a holy word often spoken during the
practice of any Hindu riutals.
• Represents the trinity of three supreme
Gods
– Brahma – the creator
– Vishnu – the preserver
– Shiva – the destroyer
Symbols…

48. Swastika
The swastika is considered
The swastika is considered
extremely holy and auspicious
extremely holy and auspicious
by all Hindus, and is regularly
by all Hindus, and is regularly
used to decorate all sorts of
used to decorate all sorts of
items to do with Hindu culture.
items to do with Hindu culture.
It symbolizes Peace and
It symbolizes Peace and
Harmony, Lord Ganesh has it
Harmony, Lord Ganesh has it
on his right hand
on his right hand

49. Lotus
• Represents beauty and
non-attachment
– This symbolizes how one
should live in the world in
order to gain release from
rebirth: without attachment
to one's surroundings.

50. Most Popular Hindu Temples
…Pilgrim places

51. The Khajuraho Temple

52. The Cave (Badami) Temple

53. The Kailash Temple

54. The Kashi Vishwanath temple

55. The Birla temple

56. The Brihadishwara temple

57. The Kantajir temple

58. The Angkor Wat

59. 59
Prayer
O mighty God! we are yours
Bless us always so we may do good, and never do
bad,
So we may die happily !!
Whenever there is a rise in crimes, take care of us;
Even when others do bad, we do good;
We should never have feelings of revenge;
All our efforts should be towards love,
So there is no hatred around us !!