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HINDUISM, the world's oldest religion dates
back to about 5000 BC. The sacred texts include the Vedas, Epics
and Puranas, apart from other philosophical treatises. Hinduism
is a way of life and is based on the principle of Sanathana Dharma.
The Hindus worship the Supreme Being under three forms, Brahma-
the creator, Vishnu- the preservator and Shiva - destroyer.
Hinduism differs from Christianity and other Western religions in
that it does not have a single founder, a specific theological system,
a single system of morality, or a central religious organization.
It consists of "thousands of different religious groups that
have evolved in India since 1500 BCE."
This religion is called: Sanatana Dharma, "eternal religion,"
and Vaidika Dharma, "religion of the Vedas," and Hinduism
-- the most commonly used name.
Various origins for the word "Hinduism" have been suggested:
It may be derived from an ancient inscription translated as: "The
country lying between the Himalayan mountain and Bindu Sarovara
is known as Hindusthan by combination of the first letter 'hi' of
'Himalaya' and the last compound letter 'ndu' of the word `Bindu.'
Bindu Sarovara is called the Cape Comorin sea in modern times. It
may be derived from the Persian word for Indian. It may be a Persian
corruption of the word Sindhu (the river Indus). More...
With time, the religion of the Namboothiris
too, had been influenced by the animistic and ancestor worship of
the early Dravidians. The Aryan settlers from the north too formed
a religious community by assimilating the forms of worship of the
Dravidian inhabitants. With time, the religion of the Namboothiris
too, had been influenced by the animistic and ancestor worship of
the early Dravidians. The Aryan settlers from the north too formed
a religious community by assimilating the forms of worship of the
Dravidian inhabitants.
The Hindus thus worshipped the Supreme Being
under three forms, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva representing the creative,
preservative, and the destructive forces. Rama, Krishna and other
divinities are the avataras reflecting the later developments of
Pauranic Hinduism.
However there was no sharp demarcation of sects in Kerala, unlike
the sects in North India. If any preferential adoration was shown
by any person, the reason was that, it was the presiding deity in
the village temple or his/her Ishta Devata or Kula Daivam (family
deity).
The religion of the common people too became
an elevated form of the earlier Dravidian religion. The refined
gods replaced the rude divinities that once occupied the highest
echelons. Later, the various castes like Ezhavas, Nadars, Uralis
were formed on the basis of their occupation.
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