Transcript Ancient History

Om (Aum) – the most important Hindu symbol,
often used as the emblem of Hinduism (see above).
• It consists of three syllables — a-u-m — which
are considered to symbolize the three states of
consciousness – waking, dreaming, and deep
sleep. Aum is the most important mantra and is
thus chanted at the beginning of many prayers,
mantras, and rituals.
Hands in prayer – a sign of respect for the sacred,
that which is dear to the heart (see above).
• Hindu people greet each other by placing their
two hands together and slightly bowing the head,
whilst saying namaste or a similar phrase. They
adopt the same posture when greeting the
temple deity or a holy person. Thus when
greeting another person, a Hindu is offering
respect to the soul within (atman) and also to
God within the heart (Paramatman).
• Lotus (padma) – symbol of purity/transcendence.
Growing out of the mud, it is beautiful, and though resting
on water, it does not touch it.
• Conch shell – one of the four symbols of Vishnu. The
others are the lotus, club and disc.
• Swastika – an ancient solar sign considered to invoke
auspiciousnes.
• Trident (trishul) – the symbol of Shiva.
• Kalasha – coconut circled by mango leaves on a pot.
Often used in rituals such as the fire sacrifice.
• Cow – symbol of purity, motherhood and non-violence.
• Lotus feet (of guru or deity) – touching the feet of
superiors shows an attitude of submission and service.
• Dipa/lamp – symbol of light.
• A Hindu bride just prior to the wedding ceremony. Her
jewelry is made of 22-carat gold. After marriage, Hindu
ladies should wear the bindi in between the eyebrows.
• Filigreed patterns painted on the bride's palms with henna
paste. The feet are similarly decorated. The paste is
made from the powdered, dried leaves of the henna plant.
• Ancient Sanskrit texts laid down the concept of sola
singar, the sixteen items with which every woman should
adorn herself. They are: the bindi, necklaces, earrings,
flowers in the hair, rings, bangles, armlets (for the upper
arm), waistbands, ankle-bells, kohl (or kajal – mascara),
toe rings, henna, perfume, sandalwood paste, the upper
garment, and the lower garment. Though modern life
makes wearing all of these impractical, many women will
dress up in most or all sixteen items for weddings,
festivals, and other special occasions.
• Hindu jewelry and ornaments are now popular amongst
non-Hindus. The nose-ring, or nose-pin, traditionally
represented purity and was often adopted when a girl
reached marriageable age. The word "bindi" derives from
the Sanskrit word "bindu," meaning "point" or "dot." It is
placed on the agya-chakra, often termed "the third eye."
In some traditions, the bindi is the sign of a married lady.
Customarily it is made from kum-kum — vermilion, but as
a fashion item it now comes in many shapes and colours.
Similar Words
Brahman – the supreme god, present in all
people and things, parts of whom include:
• Other gods
• Atman (people’s souls)
• Nature
Brahma – the creator
Brahmin – priestly caste
Gods
Brahma – the creator – depicted with four heads and
four sets of arms.
Vishnu – the preserver, who enters the world when
evil threatens to overcome good. Vishnu has
“avatars,” or different forms, that include the popular
gods Krishna and Rama.
Shiva – the destroyer; but he also creates. He
crushes evil so good can follow. Also called “Lord of
the Dance.”
Sacred Texts of Hindus
Vedas – oldest, written in Sanskrit, contain
hymns and stories.
Upanishads – very old teachings.
Ramayana – epic poem about Rama and
Sita.
Mahabharata – longest epic poem in the
world – contains Bhagavad-Gita, about
Krishna’s advice to Arjuna.
Four Stages of Life
Hinduism teaches that the ideal life has
four stages:
• Student
• Family man
• Thinker, contemplating spiritual things
• Wandering monk; has given up family life
Types of Yoga
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Jhana Yoga – yoga of knowledge and
analysis of one’s mind; to achieve an
understanding of what is real or illusory.
Bhakti Yoga – yoga of love and devotion to
god, as present in all people and things
Karma Yoga – yoga of right action
Hatha Yoga – yoga of perfecting the body
through postures and breathing exercises.
Types of Yoga (cont’d)
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Raja Yoga – yoga of meditation.
Mantra Yoga – yoga of mantras, of repeating
words or sounds during meditation.
Kundalini Yoga – yoga of channeling energy
through the body’s chakras (energy centers),
from the lowest to the highest chakra, to
achieve self-realization.
Ganesha
Riding His
Rat
Lord Ganesha: the
lord of beginnings
and wisdom
Saatphere (Traditional Hindu Marriage Scene)
A Divine Musical Concert at Vrindavan
Shri Hari's Lila is the Boat to Cross Over the Ocean of Mundane Existence
Krishna
and
Radha
Gajendra
Moksha
Goddess
Gayatri
Shri Rama and Sita in Exile
The Five Powers
of Lord Hanuman
The Gopis Celebrate the Appearance of Krishna
Procession at the Taj Mahal
A painting of Radha and Krishna in the distinctive Kangra style
Goddess Sarasvati:
with two hands she
strums the vina, and
with another holds a
book. Her fourth
hand fingers prayer
beads, symbolising
the need for
spirituality in both
academic and
artistic endeavours.
Krishna sets the example of how to receive a respectable
guest. Here, in a story from the Bhagavata-Purana, he
washes the feet of an impoverished Brahana.
He is seated on a skin of a tiger, a number of cobras all
around his neck, his long matted hair into a mop atop of
his head, the crescent that he wears on the mop of his
hair, the sacred river Ganga falling from his head and
flowing by his side who was brought down from heavens
by Bhagiratha, the trident (trishula), the symbol of his
power, the sacred bull and mendicant’s bowl.