Why is Hinduism Hardly discussed in this forum?

[Satyamavejayanti]

Just as people have made an ascent to Heaven, they have also visited and seen hell. Both heaven and hell exists in us.

St. Teresa of Avila - to Hell and Back

Hindus affirmatively say that both Heaven and Hell exists.

Well not all Hindus, plus the words heaven and hell are essentially Christian in nature, when translation was done someone must have assumed that svarga and narka mean heaven and hell. When asked what svarga means some smart pundit must have said place where there is good, so the obvious comparison was done with Christianity and the only place that was all good was heaven. Hence the words heaven and hell was fixed to svarga and naraka

 

[karann1986]

I too wonder why Hinduism is not discussed,as if we throw light on the past it seem that everything evolved from Hinduism, starting from the era of the Aryans.We must not forget that Sanskrit is one language from which most of the other languages evolved and our Upnishads are the oldest scriptures.But still I can't understand why Hinduism is under-estimated.
Talking about the Hindu God ,they are most popular all over the world like Ganesha and a lot of Ganesha Stories are read by people all over the world and temples of various Hindus deities are built all over the world.

 

[Pleroma]

Well not all Hindus, plus the words heaven and hell are essentially Christian in nature, when translation was done someone must have assumed that svarga and narka mean heaven and hell. When asked what svarga means some smart pundit must have said place where there is good, so the obvious comparison was done with Christianity and the only place that was all good was heaven. Hence the words heaven and hell was fixed to svarga and naraka

The words heaven and hell are very old, Elijah and others seem to have made a direct ascent to heaven, even Paul seem to have made an ascent to heaven, ascent to heaven has been made by Egyptian scholarly men fond of collecting literary sources of magic spells.

When Dharmaraya went to heaven he seem to have seen Duryodhana also seated in heaven and hell has been mentioned in Garuda Purana. So heaven and hell are very old indeed mentioned in all religions from the late antiquity.

 

[Shuddhasattva]

Pleroma, you are rather missing the point of mistranslation.

 

[Pleroma]

Pleroma, you are rather missing the point of mistranslation.

What is being mistranslated? The story of Nachiketha is well known and mentioned in the upanishads and to attain heaven many perform yaga and yajnas with personal desires and Shankara came and showed us that our aim in life should neither be the heaven nor the hell.

Both Heaven and Hell are common terms in Hinduism. No one should deny that they do not exist.

 

[Shuddhasattva]

I envy octupus' facepalm abilities.

 

[1robin]

That site hasn't been updated in a good number of years, at least 5 iirc. Moreover, there are not 330 million Hindu gods, there is one God. That number is a misinterpretation of the Rig Veda. Your mockery of Hinduism is offensive.

Hindu deities - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cut out the woe is me routine. The claim that 330 million deities is a little hard to take seriously is a very reasonable stance. Your response should have been that you do not in fact believe this and shown me something that backs that up. When a former Hindu and one of the greatest philosophers in history says that there are 330 million God's in Hinduism it is anything but a certainty that that is not in fact the case. There was no mockery and I resent the implication. Instead of an appeal to sympathy, a cogent rebuttal would have been far more meaningful. How has the world gone from going to the moon, overcoming terrible odds, and conquering all frontiers to whining every time someone says something we don't agree with?

 

[Jainarayan]

"Woe is me" my ***. Your comments are offensive. I gave you facts. Believe it or don't believe it. But don't rely on a "former Hindu" (who was actually never Hindu himself, but claimed descent from Hindus) and use it to back into your claim.

Zacharias was born in Madras, India. Zacharias claims descent from a woman of the Nambudiri Brahmin caste and a low caste Boatman.[7] Swiss German missionaries spoke to one of his ancestors about Christianity and his family was converted. Zacharias grew up in a nominal Anglican household,[7] and was an atheist until the age of 17, when he unsuccessfully tried to commit suicide by swallowing poison. While in the hospital, a local Christian worker brought him a Bible and told his mother to read to him out of John 14. Zacharias says that it was John 14:19 that touched him and caused him to commit his life to Christ.[7]

/End.

 

[Breathe]

Cut out the woe is me routine. The claim that 330 million deities is a little hard to take seriously is a very reasonable stance. Your response should have been that you do not in fact believe this and shown me something that backs that up. When a former Hindu and one of the greatest philosophers in history says that there are 330 million God's in Hinduism it is anything but a certainty that that is not in fact the case. There was no mockery and I resent the implication. Instead of an appeal to sympathy, a cogent rebuttal would have been far more meaningful. How has the world gone from going to the moon, overcoming terrible odds, and conquering all frontiers to whining every time someone says something we don't agree with?

And yet, even when it's universal been denounced as inaccurate on here, you've ignored it.

Here's my own quick, layperson, ignorant, and simplified explanation for "330 million gods":

It may be because the word "koṭi" (कोट&#2367 in Sanskrit means "ten million (crore; 100 lakh)" but is used figuratively as "groups" (or more commonly "type") of deva ("shining ones"). Japanese use the term "eight million kami" to mean "innumerable gods and spirits" so it may be similar.

There are about a hundred or two devas that I've read briefly about, but many are regional versions of the same, just in different forms or names: for example, Śiva is also Hara, Rudra, Mahéśvara, Bhairava, Śankara... Viṣṇu is Narayāṇa, Anānta, Govinda, Gopala, Hari, usually seen as the same but different in some ways to Rāma, Kṛṣṇa, etc, who are manifestations of Viṣṇu, or Viṣṇu as a manifestation of Kṛṣṇa.. it all depends, on various things: dualist or non-dualist, or dual-non-dualist, pantheist, panentheist, polytheist, or animist, Śaiva or Vaiṣṇava... this excludes minor tribal versions, as well.

Even the devas who are different are often...not always different entities: Kālī is a form of Durgā, who is usually seen as a form of Pārvatī, who is herself a reincarnation of Satī... Caṇḍīka (Caṇḍ&#299 is often seen as a form of Durgā, or even Lakśmī, and Lakśmī, Durgā/Kālī/Pārvatī are often taken as manifestations of the one absolute "enabling power" ("goddess") Śakti.

I could be wrong on some things, but so far, well, makes sense.

Happy now?

 

[Pleroma]

Cut out the woe is me routine. The claim that 330 million deities is a little hard to take seriously is a very reasonable stance. Your response should have been that you do not in fact believe this and shown me something that backs that up. When a former Hindu and one of the greatest philosophers in history says that there are 330 million God's in Hinduism it is anything but a certainty that that is not in fact the case. There was no mockery and I resent the implication. Instead of an appeal to sympathy, a cogent rebuttal would have been far more meaningful. How has the world gone from going to the moon, overcoming terrible odds, and conquering all frontiers to whining every time someone says something we don't agree with?

Hinduism is purely a polythiestic religion, don't believe in others who say there is only one God, Hinduism definitely doesn't accept that, those Hindus who say there is only one God don't really know their religion.

Devas in the Vedas

Main article: Rigvedic deities

The main devas are (vide 6th anuvaka of Chamakam): Aditya, Agni, Antariksha, Ashwinis, Brahma, Brihaspati, Dishas, Dyaus, Indra, Ganesha, Marutas, Mitra, Mitravaruna, Moordha, Prajapati, Prithvi, Pusha, Rudra, Savitr, Shiva, Soma, Varuna, Vayu, Vishnu, and Vishvedavas.

These are the official Hindu deities and they all exists.

The Thirty-three gods is a pantheon of Hindu deities, some of Vedic origin and some developed later. It generally includes a set of 31 deities consisting of 12 Ādityas, 11 Rudras, and 8 Vasus; the identity of the other two deities that fill out the 33 varies, though their roles are generally a creator deity, presiding over procreation and protector of life and the 33rd is an all powerful supreme ruler.

The 31 are:

Twelve Ādityas (personified deities) – Mitra, Aryaman, Bhaga, Varuṇa, Dakṣa, Aṃśa, Tvāṣṭṛ, Pūṣan, Vivasvat, Savitṛ, Śakra, Viṣṇu. This list sometimes varies in particulars.

Eleven Rudras, consisting of:

Five abstractions – Ānanda "bliss", Vijñāna "knowledge", Manas "thought", Prāṇa "breath" or "life", Vāc "speech",

Five names of Śiva – Īśāna "ruler", Tatpuruṣa "that person", Aghora "not terrible", Vāmadeva "pleasant god", Sadyojāta "born at once"

Ātmā "self"

Eight Vasus (deities of material elements) – Pṛthivī "Earth", Agni "Fire", Antarikṣa "Atmosphere", Vāyu "Wind", Dyauṣ "Sky", Sūrya "Sun", Nakṣatra "Stars", Soma "Moon"

Other sources like the Vedas include the two Aśvins (or Nāsatyas), twin solar deities.

Indra also called Śakra, lord of the gods, is the First of the 33 followed by Agni

Prajāpati "Master of creatures", the creator [Prajāpati "Master of creatures", the creator is Brahma who resides over the thirty three.]

The generic title, though not the particular names of the deities, was borrowed in Buddhist sources as a name for the heaven "of the Thirty-three gods" (Trāyastriṃśa).


The official number is 33 gods not 330 million.

 

[Jainarayan]

...even Lakśmī, and Lakśmī, Durgā/Kālī/Pārvatī are often taken as manifestations of the one absolute "enabling power" ("goddess") Śakti.

Moreover Śakti can be considered the "energy" of God, complementary to the "action" of God. To our feeble minds, this is represented by female and male aspects.

 

[Breathe]

Moreover Śakti can be considered the "energy" of God, complementary to the "action" of God. To our feeble minds, this is represented by female and male aspects.

That's right; I should have phrased it more clearly.
Still, illustrates my point.

 

[Jainarayan]

That's right; I should have phrased it more clearly.
Still, illustrates my point.

Teamwork.

 

[Shuddhasattva]

Moreover Śakti can be considered the "energy" of God, complementary to the "action" of God. To our feeble minds, this is represented by female and male aspects.

I like this idea, but don't see its support. Action - kriya - is seen as one of the three main shaktis.

 

[Jainarayan]

I like this idea, but don't see its support. Action - kriya - is seen as one of the three main shaktis.

You're right; it's just a simplistic explanation. I don't remember where I found it as such a simplistic explanation. It was something like Shiva is the doer or mover of action; Kali, for example, would be the energy behind the action. They work together complementarily.

 

[1robin]

"Woe is me" my ***. Your comments are offensive. I gave you facts. Believe it or don't believe it. But don't rely on a "former Hindu" (who was actually never Hindu himself, but claimed descent from Hindus) and use it to back into your claim.

His parents were Hindu priests and he tried to commit suiced when they converted to Christianity. I do not know what constitutes a believer but his actions are consistent with one. It does not matter regardless, it is his lifes work and he is very very good, to study religions and he is an expert on all the major ones including oriental plurality religions.

Some people are offended by anything they do not like. We have begun sueing everyone that ever even inconveniences us in any way. You might consider the word "igloo" offensive, doesn't mean it actually is. I reitterate that 330 million God's may in fact be a false number but there is more than enough information to justify someone claiming that, even if incorrect. It is also extremely reasonable to hold the opinion that is a very unreasonable and suspicious amount that makes any one claiming that hard to take seriously. I will accept the claim there is only 33 Gods in Hinduism and not 333 million as I believe you are sincere and I have not reasearched it in depth. However I reject the oversensitivity and appeals to sympathy. As a Christian the Bible instructs us as defenders of the true faith that we are sent as sheep among wolves and the world hates us as it hated God. I expect hostility and get it regularly. If it offended me then I do not need to be in a debate forum. If you have no wolves you might not be a sheep. If you resent wolves you are not performing the role of the sheep. However nothing I said even approached what the bible meant by wolfish behavior.

 

[Shuddhasattva]

Wonderful, now not only are secular "experts" imposed on us, but now Christian ones - who apparently know much less than even the secular ones, for all that they are the "greatest philosophers of blah blah." What a circus.

 

[waitasec]

You did not offend me in any way. Every source I find says Hinuism has umpteen God's and I find that spurious.

funny, i think the same about the claims of theism

 

[1robin]

Hinduism is purely a polythiestic religion, don't believe in others who say there is only one God, Hinduism definitely doesn't accept that, those Hindus who say there is only one God don't really know their religion.

Devas in the Vedas

Main article: Rigvedic deities

The main devas are (vide 6th anuvaka of Chamakam): Aditya, Agni, Antariksha, Ashwinis, Brahma, Brihaspati, Dishas, Dyaus, Indra, Ganesha, Marutas, Mitra, Mitravaruna, Moordha, Prajapati, Prithvi, Pusha, Rudra, Savitr, Shiva, Soma, Varuna, Vayu, Vishnu, and Vishvedavas.

These are the official Hindu deities and they all exists.

The Thirty-three gods is a pantheon of Hindu deities, some of Vedic origin and some developed later. It generally includes a set of 31 deities consisting of 12 Ādityas, 11 Rudras, and 8 Vasus; the identity of the other two deities that fill out the 33 varies, though their roles are generally a creator deity, presiding over procreation and protector of life and the 33rd is an all powerful supreme ruler.

The 31 are:

Twelve Ādityas (personified deities) – Mitra, Aryaman, Bhaga, Varuṇa, Dakṣa, Aṃśa, Tvāṣṭṛ, Pūṣan, Vivasvat, Savitṛ, Śakra, Viṣṇu. This list sometimes varies in particulars.

Eleven Rudras, consisting of:

Five abstractions – Ānanda "bliss", Vijñāna "knowledge", Manas "thought", Prāṇa "breath" or "life", Vāc "speech",

Five names of Śiva – Īśāna "ruler", Tatpuruṣa "that person", Aghora "not terrible", Vāmadeva "pleasant god", Sadyojāta "born at once"

Ātmā "self"

Eight Vasus (deities of material elements) – Pṛthivī "Earth", Agni "Fire", Antarikṣa "Atmosphere", Vāyu "Wind", Dyauṣ "Sky", Sūrya "Sun", Nakṣatra "Stars", Soma "Moon"

Other sources like the Vedas include the two Aśvins (or Nāsatyas), twin solar deities.

Indra also called Śakra, lord of the gods, is the First of the 33 followed by Agni

Prajāpati "Master of creatures", the creator [Prajāpati "Master of creatures", the creator is Brahma who resides over the thirty three.]

The generic title, though not the particular names of the deities, was borrowed in Buddhist sources as a name for the heaven "of the Thirty-three gods" (Trāyastriṃśa).


The official number is 33 gods not 330 million.

Your claim I ignored you explenation is false. I never addressed the issue after that was posted. I will consider your 33 God's as the correct number. However there are very commonly accessed sites that say the 330 million is the case. They may be wrong but it is hard to fault a non Hindu for not knowing those sites are wrong. Especially when other Hindu's did not object when I posted that, and world class scholars like Ravi suggest it is the case. I do not think you were offended by my posts but for anyone who was you might find the non debate threads more to your likeing if you find any claim that you do not agree with as offensive.

 

[Shuddhasattva]

You're right; it's just a simplistic explanation. I don't remember where I found it as such a simplistic explanation. It was something like Shiva is the doer or mover of action; Kali, for example, would be the energy behind the action. They work together complementarily.

Meh. I liked the way you phrased it at first because it implied more equality.

I view the gender-assignments in Hinduism as, while useful and even beautiful, much much much too culture-bound, as they relegate almost always the female to the lesser, material role, controlled by the male intentional consciousness - mostly robbing her of consciousness and intention as well.

However, I view also that proper application of the samarasa doctrine means flipping all of the gender assignments on their head. And then again. And again. Until these two entwined mirrors merge into the light of the original face kissing itself.