Hindus value many sacred writings as opposed to one holy book. However, the puranas are supposed to be complied by muni vyasa. These texts are glorious tales of the hindu trinity brahma, vishnu and maheshwar shiva. The vedas are the four holiest books of the hindu religion. Hindus believe in reincarnation, which means that the soul is eternal and is constantly reborn in one form or another. I am dedicated to bringing you the highest quality, thoughtprovoking content from advaita vedanta. First, lets distinguish between two types of hindu literature. Hinduism is not based on a strict set of rules, it is not based on a single holy book, and it wasnt founded by one individual. According to pew research center, 94% of the world population. The dhammapada is a good book and actually the bhagavad gita is more buddhism than hinduism. Interesting facts about hinduism hindu trinity brahma vishnu and maheswar.
It is indias major religion, but unlike many other religions in the world, hinduism has no founder. It is believed that hinduism dates back to 500010,000 bc. This sacred text is divided into two main sections, the old testament and the new testament which are then further divided into various books. The epic of gilgamesh from sumer, although only considered by some scholars as a religious text, has origins as early as 2150 bce, and stands as one of the earliest literary works that includes various mythological figures and themes. Learn about the religion of hinduism with facts, figures, quizzes, videos and interactive activities from bbc bitesize religious studies. They were sung by the hindu priests and other hindus during religious activities. Which religious book has true facts, the quran or hindus. Some of the other holy works and books of hinduism. Information on hinduism for kids primary homework help. Facts about hinduism ks3 religious studies bbc bitesize.
Instead, hinduism has a large body of spiritual texts that guide devotees. Most of hinduisms sacred texts were written in sanskrit in. One of the oldest known religious texts is the kesh temple hymn of ancient sumer, a set of inscribed clay tablets which scholars typically date around 2600 bce. Christianity, judaism, islam, and hinduism religion facts. Religious books are about guidance, not about facts. There are more than one billion followers of hinduism in the world today. Buddhism facts show that buddhists account for about 6% of the worlds population, making this the 4th biggest in terms of followers religion in the world, following christianity with 2 billion followers, islam with 1. The institution of marriage was founded and put forth in practice by hindus. Hence, sruti is what ancient hindu saints heard during deep meditation. The most significant of these common gods include vishnu, shiva, and brahma.
Hindu scriptures and holy books are divided mainly into two categories viz sruti and smriti. They are believed to be one of the oldest books ever made by mankind. The original purpose of these activities was to purify, avert malicious. Sruti pronounced shroothee are the holy books within hinduism that are considered to be. The earliest documents on hinduism date back to 5,500 bce. The word hindu originates from the indian indus river. May 11, 20 hinduism attaches a very special value to the the darsan a sanskrit word meaning sight, of gurus, leaders, saintly persons and even holy places and holy images. Lord brahma, lord vishnu, and lord shiva are the main deities in hinduism. These are the most ancient religious texts which define truth for hindus. Sanskrit is the most commonly used language in hindu texts.
It is believed that vedas are revealed to hindus by god, himself. List of holy books in hinduism the galaxy of hindu literature is very vast and voluminous. The relative authority of religious texts develops over time and is derived from the ratification. However, smruti texts often carry almost as much authority as sruti. Rig veda is the oldest known book in the world with its contents dating back to 7000 b. Religious texts are texts related to a religious tradition. Hinduism actually believes in only one god, but in many forms. Brahman is the eternal origin, who is responsible for the creation of the universe. Ujjain mahakal hinduism beliefs interesting facts about. The upanishads, 18 puranas, ramayana and mahabharata are also important hindu scriptures. Here are some facts about hinduism you may not have known. The first lawmaker, manu, was a hindu and manu smriti was the first book on law in the world. They are written in an earlier indian language called sanskrit. Read cnns hinduism fast facts and learn more about hinduism, the third largest religion after christianity and islam.
The veda is a rather unusual collection of literature. They have phrases called mantras which are chanted at the religious ceremonies although they were finally written down around 1,500 bc, they are actually much much older. Other holy scriptures in hinduism are called the upanisads, the smrutis, the puranas, the ramayana and the mahabharata. Hinduism does not have a single holy book, but many ancient texts and scriptures. The holy book in the hindu religion is known as the vedas. The aryans gave hinduism its priestly language, sanskrit.
Hinduism was one of the first religions that had the idea of reincarnation that people can be born again after death, karma one event invents another, or that. The upanishads are also called as vedantas or the end of the vedas. With over one billion followers, it is the worlds third largest religion, after christianity and islam. Dont think of these eastern religions in the same context of western religions like christianity. The exact time when rigveda was composed is not known but it is proved that the period is well before b.
This book contains hymns or songs that are meant to praise the hindu gods. Feb 18, 2017 the most sacred scriptures of hinduism are the vedas books of knowledge, a collection of texts written in sanskrit from about 1200 bce to 100 ce as sruti revealed texts, the vedas are regarded as the absolute authority for religious knowledge and a test of hindu orthodoxy both jains and buddhists reject the vedas. The holy books of world religions sacred texts in world. Sruti pronounced shroothee are the holy books within hinduism that are considered to be divinely inspired, and thus infallible and authoritative. Hinduism does not have a single holy book that guides religious practice. The primary sacred texts, known as the vedas, were. The puranas are holy books of hinduism that date back to gupta empire in ancient india. The most famous of the hindu holy books is the vedas pronounced veyduhs, which is a book of knowledge. It is a collection of beliefs and philosophies sharing a common set of gods and concepts. With over one billion followers, it is the world s third largest religion, after christianity and islam.
Swami sriyukteswar giri guru of paramahansa yogananda writes in his book that the current day age is actually dwaparayuga in his book holy science. Hindu festivals are combinations of religious ceremonies, semiritual spectacles, worship, prayer, lustrations, processions, music and dances, eating, drinking, lovemaking, licentiousness, feeding the poor, and other activities of a religious or traditional character. The scriptures of the vedas are meant to guide hindu believers in their daily lives. Scholars regard hinduism as a combination of different indian cultures and traditions, with diverse roots. We are trying to list out here as many hindu scriptures and books as possible. Here at the hinduismsection of, we aim at presenting the original works that lay the foundations of hinduism. They also help to preserve the religious dimensions of family and society. One of the lessknown religion facts is that hinduism is not actually a single religion. According to the hindus, darsan is a twoway flow of vision. No one knows or cares to know who started hinduism.
It is believed that hinduism originated in northern india, and in india today, more than 80% of the population are followers. Hinduism is not based on a strict set of rules, it is not based on. The vedas are the four holiest books of the by mankind to the next, perhaps over thousands of years each book has four major kinds of text the samhitas mantras and benedictions, the aranyakas text on rituals, ceremonies, sacrifices and symbolicsacrifices, the brahmanas commentaries on rituals, ceremonies and sacrifices, and the upanishads texts discussing meditation, philosophy. Muslims believe the quran to be the word of god as given to the archangel gabriel, who in turn revealed those same words to the prophet muhammad.
The cities are ayodhya, mathura, haridwar, varanasi, kanchipuram, dvaraka and ujjain. Start studying christianity, judaism, islam, and hinduism religion facts. Hinduism simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The most holy of the hindu books is written in sanskrit and is referred to as the vedas. With that in mind, here are twenty interesting facts about hinduism. While we have the main vedas, upanishads, the mahabharata in several translations we also present newer commentaries, anthologies. First among these are the vedas knowledge in sanskrit, a collection of hymns on the divine forces of nature presenting key hindu teachings. The majority of the vedas are considered the shruti, which is translated to that which is hard. Whether you know everything about this fascinating religion or very little, you cant deny these are some incredible facts about hinduism.
What is heard in hinduism, the mostrevered body of sacred literature, considered to be the product of divine revelation. Hinduism was one of the first religions that had the idea of reincarnation that people can be born again after death, karma one event invents another, or that every action has its consequences, and other ideas. The vedas are scriptures that the hindu people use as a guide to daily and religious life. Nov 04, 2008 the aryans gave hinduism its priestly language, sanskrit. Jul 28, 2017 hinduism holly book indian news in hindi hindi news amazing facts in hindi hinduism basic beliefs shiva god. Various seals and artifacts found at indus valley civilization harappa civilization prove that the practices of harappa people were similar to that of hinduism today. Like, hinduism is the oldest religion in the world, and history can be traced back to 500010,000 b. Sruti consists of four vedas, upanishads, brahmanas, aranyakas, and bhagavadgita while smriti consists of manu smriti, 18 puranas, ramayana, and mahabharata and other hindu holy books.
Apr 03, 20 the puranas are holy books of hinduism that date back to gupta empire in ancient india. So far, we have seen some common hinduism facts, but now we will have a look at some interesting hinduism facts. Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world, as well as the worlds oldest religion. Shruti works are considered to have been heard and transmitted by earthly sages, as contrasted to smriti, or that which is remembered by ordinary human. Here, i will give only a brief introduction to the holy books of hinduism. Some of the other holy works and books of hinduism are stories and epic poems. The vedas and these other works are further divided into two sections. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Most of hinduism s sacred texts were written in sanskrit in ancient times. For example mediating figure that resembles lord shiva, a discovery of swastika, mother goddess seal and. The most ancient sacred texts of the hindu religion are written in sanskrit and called the vedas.
The vedas scriptures guide hindus in their daily life. They got their present form between 1200200 bce and were introduced to. Smriti literature is considered less authoritative than sruti. They got their present form between 1200200 bce and were introduced to india by the aryans. Sruti literally means that what is revealed and smriti means that what is remembered. Sruti scriptures are considered divinely inspired and fully authoritative for belief and practice, while smruti are recognized as the products of the minds of the great sages.
Others have preferred vedic religion, using the term vedic to refer not only to the ancient religious texts known as the vedas but also to a fluid corpus of sacred. Sruti belongs to the vedic period while smriti belongs to the postvedic period. The primary sacred texts, known as the vedas, were composed around 1500 b. It is the oldest scripture on the earth known till date. In life we are confronted with spiritual issue for which there is no answer in science, such as what should be the family structure or why we we love our forefathers too much, and what happens a. Hinduism is a very old religion from india that is still practiced today. The most sacred scriptures of hinduism are the vedas books of knowledge, a collection of texts written in sanskrit from about 1200 bce to 100 ce as sruti revealed texts, the vedas are regarded as the absolute authority for religious knowledge and a test of hindu orthodoxy both jains and buddhists reject the vedas. Hindu sacred texts the sacred texts of hinduism fall into one of two categories. For hindus, the veda is a symbol of unchallenged authority and. The most common language for hindu scriptures is sanskrit the oldest language in the world. Hinduism does not just have one sacred book but several scriptures. There are hundreds and thousands of interesting facts about hinduism.
Bhagavad gita is a popularly known holy book of hindus. Hinduism is developed out of brahmnisim and it has no founder. Hindu sacred literature is the most ancient of the living literatures of the world. Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world, and hindus refer to it as sanatana dharma, the eternal tradition, or the eternal way, beyond human history. If i missed anything let me know in the comments below. Hindus believe that the hymns of rigveda were revealed by supreme being through the saints to the human beings. According to pew research center, 94% of the world population of hindus live in india.
Five of the hindu holy books are the rig veda, bhagavad gita, sama veda, yajur veda, and athava veda. The practitioners and scholars refer to it as a sanatana dharma eternal religion. They differ from literary texts by being a compilation or discussion of beliefs, mythologies, ritual practices, commandments or laws, ethical conduct, spiritual aspirations, and for creating or fostering a religious community. Hinduism is widely practiced in south asia mainly in india and nepal. Most interesting facts about hinduism sanatana dharma. Oct 02, 2019 this is part of a hinduism facts series from the vedanta channel. Hinduism is the worlds third most popular religion, with around 900 million followers.
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