Aryans who entered India [-1500] had polytheistic religion {Hinduism}.
truth
Truth cannot use words, images, or things, only personal experience. Finding true reality requires human endeavor.
universe
Universe is product of divine will and desire of the One to become many. The world body contains upper, middle, and lower regions. Upper region {garuda} has multitude of heavens, with celestial musicians, female apsarases, and bird-like atmosphere gods. Heavens have rulers {Indra, ruler}. Souls earn merit and abide in heaven as gods during time between reincarnations. Middle region has man and beasts. Lower world contains Dravidian fertility gods who attend Shiva and Kubera, titans, ghosts, monsters, goblins, and water gods appearing as serpents.
holidays
Saraswati Puja honors Saraswati, goddess of learning and fine arts, on 5th day of new moon in January or February.
Holi is advent of spring, dedicated to Kama, god of love, on full moon in March. People spray colored powders and waters.
Sivaratri honors Shiva, on 14th day of new moon in March.
Janmastami is birthday of Krishna, 8th day of new moon in July or August.
In west India, Ganesh Chaturthi or Coconut Day is in honor of Ganesh, in August or September. In Bengal, Durga Puja is triumph of good over evil, in September or October. In north India, Dussera is Rama's victory over Ravana, in September or October.
Dewali or Festival of Lights is Rama's return from exile, after victory over Ravana, in October or November.
treasures
Hinduism has six treasures. First, mental quiet, then sense restraint, then end to sense qualities, then endurance, then concentration, and then perfect faith. People should master their minds and bodies, to eliminate all outside influences.
life
Hinduism identifies four areas of human life: artha, kama, dharma, and moksa. In Hinduism, life is ascetic, monastic, and meditative. There are periods of praying, yoga, daily rituals, and worship.
life: stages
In Hinduism, life has four stages: student, householder, retirement for meditation, and poor sage. The first two stages require the first three life-area skills, such as living in village and participating in civilization. After performing all duties, finishing raising family, and losing skill in craft, retirement to the forest is third life stage. In old age, people concentrate on self and need skills of the fourth life stage to prepare for death.
duty and reward
In Hinduism, people should do their duty, without need for reward. People should be indifferent.
ritual
In Hinduism, taking part in ritual acts, such as weddings or traditional crafts, gains solemnity and higher sense of life.
Social Sciences>Religion>Religions>Hinduism
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Date Modified: 2022.0224