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Principles
and Practice of Hindu Religion A
Comprehensive Study of the Ancient Tradition and
the Perennial Philosophy |
Chapter-
I: An Introduction and Overview of Hinduism | The
Principles and the Practice and
an Overview of Chapters II to VII A
Basic Study - for the Youth and for Beginners in Hindu
Religious Studies |
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Lesson
7: Beliefs,
Prayers and Rituals for One God in many forms How
the Gods in many forms evolved in Ancient times? |
In the
ancient Neolithic age, when the human civilization started settling as groups
in small villages, as farmers, hunters and traders, people started recognizing
the social need for prayers to a supreme being and various forms of theology and
philosophy evolved. Each of the communities had their own form and system for
worship and religious practice. Most groups prayed for various forms of natural
forces. Many social leaders and kings were elevated to the levels of a God and
people worshipped their images. While nomadic communities mingled together through
travel and war, many different forms of worship coexisted. Many primitive people
and later civilizations like the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians and Persians had multiple
forms of worship of God. They had many gods, one for each form of force or activity.
Reformed religious movements in the ancient times like the Judeo-Christian and
Zoroastrian religions denied and opposed the practice of polytheism. Their Messiah
had a spiritual experience and true revelation of the Divine. They opposed and
eliminated all old beliefs and established their own faith of "One God."
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Vedic
forms of Hindu religion, where every one was allowed to have the spiritual
experience and true revelation of the Divine, came across the nomadic and farming
communities in villages who were worshipping the different forms of "Gods." They
accepted all those variations in faith and worship rituals. They showed tolerance
and believed that there are many paths to One Supreme Reality. The Agamas explained
the several forms like Siva, Vishnu, Vasudeva, Muruga and Kali as
manifestations of the Supreme Formless God. Vedas also explained the Vedic
Deities of natural forces like Varuna and Agni as many subordinate
forces working under the Divine command of the Supreme Brahmam. Thus Hindus accept
in one supreme God who is without form and has no attributes. He takes the various
forms so that the people can comprehend His Glory. |
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Sanãthana
Dharma ãsthra |
| Lessons:
- 1
, 2 , 3 , 4
, 5 , 6 , 7
, 8 , 9 , 10
,
11 , 12 , 13
, 14 , 15 , 16
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