Hinduism is a major religious tradition of South Asia and the Indian subcontinent, with over one billion adherents worldwide. As one of the oldest religions on Earth, it has a long and complex history and is often known as Sanatana Dharma or ‘eternal law’. In Hinduism, God is represented through countless manifestations and personified forms, with countless names, each carrying its own energy and attributes.
The Supreme Being is known as Brahman, a fundamental energy field which is held to be the source of all physical and metaphysical reality. Brahman ultimately transcends all dualities, yet remains within every being, as well as in the material universe. The relationship between Brahman and Atman (the individual soul) is known as Moksha and is often referred to as liberation.
However, other expressions of God are known and worshipped, especially those which express His or Her personalised forms. Among the most famous of these is the Trimurti (literally ‘three forms’), which refers to the three main manifestations of the Supreme Being: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
Brahma is the Creator, Vishnu is the Preserver and Shiva is the Destroyer. Each of these figures is associated with a range of qualities and attributes, and they are worshipped around the world. Brahma is associated with creation and knowledge, while Vishnu is associated with protection and preservation. Shiva is usually portrayed as a powerful and destructive deity, yet he is also associated with the higher aspects of yoga and asceticism.
Other well-known figures include Saraswati (the Goddess of knowledge and the arts), Lakshmi (the Goddess of prosperity, wealth and fortune), and Ganesha (the “remover of obstacles”). Each of these deities has its own particular mythology and symbolism, as well as a wide range of different names, although some of them are shared with other deities.
In addition to the deities and their names, the ancient texts of Hinduism are also full of symbols, symbols which represent the different aspects of the Supreme Being. Popular symbols include the Om symbol (associated with Brahman) and the Swastika (associated with Shiva).
The names of Hindu gods and goddesses can also be invoked for specific purposes or wishes. For example, calling upon Ganesh for success or Lakshmi for wealth and abundance. Each deity has its own particular energies and attributes, and can be invoked through mantra, prayer, and other practices.
Atman
Atman is the individual soul, which is seen as an extension of the Supreme Being, Brahman. It is held that the Atman is an eternal part of Brahman and is responsible for attaching to a physical body in the material world. This attachment is seen as a type of bondage, from which one can break free by achieving Moksha, or release from the cycle of death and rebirth.
Atman is seen as the divine spark within each being, and is also referred to as the true self. This true self is eternal, and cannot be destroyed or changed by death or physical circumstances. To reconnect with the Atman is to return to the source of all-knowing and peace.
Atman is part of the larger concept of Advaita, the belief in non-duality. This means that the Atman and Brahman are one, and so any individual is connected to the divine essence in a deeper, more profound way than is usually realised by human consciousness.
Karma
Karma is a major concept in Hinduism and other Indian religions, describing the effects of one’s actions on one’s life, as well as the fate that awaits one in the afterlife. According to the Hindu belief system, karma can be both positive and negative, and it can influence an individual’s circumstances both in this lifetime and in future lives.
Karma is seen as a natural law, where an individual’s actions have consequences both in this world and in the afterlife. It is believed that the accumulation of good and bad karma will determine the kind of life and afterlife a person will experience. In this way, it is seen as a form of justice and balance, where one’s actions have consequences which ensure that all beings are treated fairly.
Karma is often seen as a way to account for suffering in the world, and is seen as an effective way to maintain balance and harmony. Those who believe in karma believe that all beings have the right to live their lives as they choose, and that their actions will have consequences both in this world and beyond.
Vedas
The Vedas are the oldest known Hindu religious texts, believed to have been composed between 1500BCE and 1000BCE. They are seen as revealed knowledge, transmitted orally and handed down for centuries before being written down in the early part of the 1st millennium BCE.
The Vedas describe the qualities of Brahman, the relationship between God and Atman, and various other topics related to the basic tenets of Hinduism. They also include hymns and mantras, as well as descriptions of rituals and ceremonies which are intended to bring one closer to Brahman.
The Vedas are still studied and revered today, by both scholars and practitioners of Hinduism. They are seen as a source of spiritual guidance and knowledge, and are used to help people better understand the nature of Brahman, Atman, and the world around them.
Yoga
Yoga is an ancient Indian practice which has been used for centuries to achieve physical and mental health and wellbeing. It is based on a system of postures and breathing exercises, as well as visualisation, meditation, and relaxation techniques.
Yoga is seen as a way to connect with the divine and to become more aware of one’s inner self. It is believed that by engaging in the various practices of yoga, one can gain access to the higher realms of consciousness and experience a more profound connection with the divine.
Yoga is also seen as a way of bringing balance into one’s life, and as a way of unifying body, mind, and spirit. Through regular practice, one can gain greater mental and physical flexibility, strength, and balance- as well as spiritual refinement.
Puja
Puja is a Hindu practice of offering prayer, worship and devotion to one or more deities. It is an integral part of daily Hindu life, and can take many forms, including chanting mantras, offering offerings of flowers and food, lighting incense or candles, or even performing elaborate rituals.
Puja is seen as a way of expressing devotion to the divine, and as a way of establishing a connection with the divine. It is a way to acknowledge the power and presence of the divine, and to open one’s heart and invite the divine into one’s life.
Puja can involve both solitary and communal worship, depending on the individual’s needs and beliefs. It is also seen as a way to gain spiritual insight and guidance, as well as to seek blessings from the divine.
Mantra
Mantra is an ancient practice consisting of repeating certain words or phrases, either silently or aloud. It is used to help maintain mental focus, to relax both mind and body, and to cultivate a sense of inner peace. It is also seen as a way of connecting with the divine and of invoking one’s personal deities.
Mantra meditation is a powerful practice, and it is believed that repeating mantras can help to dissolve negativity, purify the mind, and open the heart to greater peace, joy and love. As such, it is seen as an important part of daily spiritual practice, and a way of attuning oneself to the divine energies.
Mantra can also be used to express gratitude, devotion, and respect to the divine, as well as to invoke a particular deity’s energies or attributes. In this way, it is seen as an effective way to both bring the divine closer and to gain greater insight and understanding of one’s divine nature.
