Digital Learning Commons: World Religions: Hinduism

Fast Facts

Polytheistic

Founded: between 2300 BCE and 1500 BCE

Origin: Indus Valley, Ancient India

Sacred Texts: The Vedas, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and many others

Followers: Hindus

Current Population: 1.15 billion

Hinduism by Natalie M. Rosinsky
Call Number: 294.5 ROS
Hinduism is the oldest organized religion in the world, tracing its start back to 3500 b.c.e. About 98 percent of the world's Hindus live in India. Hindus acknowledge one central creator god, but they worship many gods, who may assume various physical forms, called avatars, on Earth. Learn more about the rich history and traditions of Hinduism and how the religion fits into today's world in Hinduism, part of the World Religions series.
The Broken Tusk by Uma Krishnaswami
Call Number: 294.5 KRI
This collection of Hindu folktales features stories about the god, Ganesha. Included among the tales are Ganesha's Head, The Broken Tusk, and 'Why Ganesha Never Married.' Most of the stories come from Hindu legend; one comes from Mongolia, where Ganesha made his way into the Buddhist tradition.

Holy Trinity

Brahma: Creator god with four faces

Vishnu: Preserves and protects the universe

Shiva: Destroyer god

Other Important Deities

Ganesha: Remover of obstacles, god of new beginnings, success and wisdom

Kali: Goddess of time, creation, destruction and power

Krishna: God of compassion, tenderness and love

Lakshmi: Goddess of wealth, fortune and prosperity

Saraswati: Goddess of knowledge, music, art, wisdom and learning

Atman: inner self or soul; the spiritual life principle of the universe, especially when regarded as inherent in the real self of the individual.

Dharma: The eternal and inherent nature of reality, regarded in Hinduism as a cosmic law underlying right behavior and social order.

Karma: Universal law of cause and effect.

Moksha: Release from the cycle of rebirth impelled by the law of karma.

Samsara: Continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (reincarnation).