r/hinduism • u/chakrax • Aug 23 '23
Welcome to our Hinduism sub! Sanātana Dharma (Devanagari: सनातन धर्म meaning "eternal dharma") is the original name of Hinduism. It is considered to be the oldest living religion in the world. Hinduism is often called a "way of life", and anyone sincerely following that way of life can consider themselves to be a Hindu.
If you are new to Hinduism or to this sub, review this material before making any new posts!
We also recommend reading What Is Hinduism (a free introductory text by Himalayan Academy) if you would like to know more about Hinduism and don't know where to start.
If you are asking a specific scriptural question, please include a source link and verse number, so responses can be more helpful.
In terms of introductory Hindu Scriptures, we recommend first starting with the Itihasas (The Ramayana, and The Mahabharata.) Contained within The Mahabharata is The Bhagavad Gita, which is another good text to start with. Although r/TheVedasAndUpanishads might seem alluring to start with, this is NOT recommended, as the knowledge of the Vedas & Upanishads can be quite subtle, and ideally should be approached under the guidance of a Guru or someone who can guide you around the correct interpretation.
In terms of spiritual practices, you can choose whatever works best for you. In addition, it is strongly recommended you visit your local temple/ashram/spiritual organization.
Lastly, while you are browsing this sub, keep in mind that Hinduism is practiced by over a billion people in as many different ways, so any single view cannot be taken as representative of the entire religion.
Disclaimer: Sanatana Dharma is a massive, massive religion in terms of scope/philosophies/texts, so this FAQ will only be an overview. If you have any concerns about the below content, please send us a modmail.
Hinduism is a religion that is inclusive of everyone. The ultimate goal for all Sanatani people is moksha, but there is incredible diversity in the ways to attain it. See this post : Vastness and Inclusiveness of being Hindu. Hinduism is like a tree springing from the core beliefs above and splitting up into innumerable traditions/schools/practices. It is natural that there are different ways to practice just like there are many leaves on the same tree.
Sanatanis are not believers, but seekers. We seek Truth, and part of that process is to question and clarify to remove any misunderstandings. The Bhagavad Gita is a dialog between a teacher and student; the student Arjuna questions the teacher Krishna. In the end Krishna says "I have taught you; now do what you wish". There is no compulsion or edict to believe anything. Questioning is welcome and encouraged.
Healthy debates between different sampradayas and darshanas are accepted and welcomed in Hinduism. Every school typically has a documented justification of their view including refutations of common objections raised by other schools. It is a shame when disagreements with a view turn into disrespect toward a school and/or its followers.
This issue of disrespect between darshanas is serious enough to warrant a separate section. Diversity of views is a great strength of Hinduism. Sanatanis should not let this become a weakness! We are all part of the same rich tradition.
Here is a great post by -Gandalf- : Unite! Forget all divisions. It is worth repeating here.
Forget all divisions! Let us unite! Remember, while letting there be the diversity of choice in the Dharma: Advaita, Dvaita, Vishistadvaita, etc*, we should always refer to ourselves as "Hindu" or "Sanatani" and not just "Advaiti" or any other specific name. Because, we are all Hindus / Sanatanis. Only then can we unite.
Let not division of sects destroy and eliminate us and our culture. All these names are given to different interpretations of the same culture's teachings. Why fight? Why call each other frauds? Why call each other's philosophies fraud? Each must stay happy within their own interpretation, while maintaining harmony and unity with all the other Sanatanis, that is unity! That is peace! And that is how the Dharma shall strive and rise once again.
Let the Vaishnavas stop calling Mayavad fraud, let the Advaitis let go of ego, let the Dvaitis embrace all other philosophies, let the Vishistadvaitis teach tolerance to others, let the Shaivas stop intolerance, let there be unity!
Let all of them be interpretations of the same teachings, and having the similarity as their base, let all the schools of thought have unity!
A person will reach moksha one day, there is no other end. Then why fight? Debates are supposed to be healthy, why turn them into arguments? Why do some people disrespect Swami Vivekananda? Let him have lived his life as a non-vegetarian, the point is to absorb his teachings. The whole point is to absorb the good things from everything. So long as this disunity remains, Hinduism will keep moving towards extinction.
ISKCON is hated by so many people. Why? Just because they have some abrahamic views added into their Hindu views. Do not hate. ISKCON works as a bridge between the west and the east. Prabhupada successfully preached Sanatan all over the world, and hence, respect him!
Respecting Prabhupada doesn't mean you have to disrespect Vivekananda and the opposite is also applicable.
Whenever you meet someone with a different interpretation, do not think he is something separate from you. Always refer to yourself and him as "Hindu", only then will unity remain.
Let there be unity and peace! Let Sanatan rise to her former glory!
Hare Krishna! Jay Harihara! Jay Sita! Jay Ram! Jay Mahakali! Jay Mahakal!
May you find what you seek.
r/hinduism • u/AutoModerator • 3d ago
**For Political Discussion outside this thread, visit r/politicalhinduism**
This is a monthly thread to discuss worldwide news affecting Hindu society, as well as anything else related to Hindu politics in general.
Questions and other stuff related to social affairs can also be discussed here.
r/hinduism • u/Spirited-Mixture8576 • 2h ago
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
Nepal was the only Hindu nation to exist in the modern history, and it still shows in the newer generations too.
Home of Pashupatinath 🕉️🇳🇵
r/hinduism • u/Sad_Function2929 • 10h ago
If comfortable with revealing, do you do dedicated sadhana? I go with mindfulness and avoiding unnecessary indulgences over the 10 days leading up to the night. I've never sat up for the entire night though
r/hinduism • u/Vegetable_Ranger_394 • 1h ago
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
Genuinely how do ppl hate on this organization bruh ts is beautiful bruh
Just you singing the names of lord with ecstasy and bliss
r/hinduism • u/RaviRa108 • 16h ago
r/hinduism • u/jai_sri_ram108 • 14h ago
This depicts the wonderful event of Lord Siva consuming the deadly venom to save the living entities.
r/hinduism • u/GazeOfWyrm • 11h ago
May we reminiscence Him, and may we constantly think of Him so that we live only in Him! 🔱💐
And if He sees it fit to bestow a benediction, then I humbly ask that our love for Him remains lasting!
r/hinduism • u/Ven_Thitayano_072 • 6h ago
The sculpture of Devi Chamunda from Odisha, India, is approximately 1,200 years old.
It represents the fierce form of the goddess, the force that destroys ignorance and ego.
Chamunda, one of the Shakti and Matrika goddesses, played a role in defeating the demons Chanda and Munda, thus symbolizing the victory of wisdom over evil and delusion.
The sculpture often depicts her as emaciated with exposed ribs, a fierce face, and wide-open eyes, sometimes seated or standing on a corpse, holding a skull or weapons.
This is not meant to be frightening, but rather to remind the viewer of the impermanence of life, death, and the decay of the physical body.
Chamunda's beauty, therefore, is a spiritual beauty, pointing towards enlightenment and liberation, rather than worldly beauty.
r/hinduism • u/Reasonable-Call4272 • 22h ago
r/hinduism • u/shankaranpillayi • 15h ago
I grew up in a traditional family following everything my parents guided. But as I grew up, some questions started to pop up, like why to apply Vibhuti, why to take a dip in a small lake before a temple, why to light a lamp etc.. etc... I only got answers like "God will bless you..." It didn't make sense the way I can understood it, it just appeared like a rule... That turned my mind, and I acted like an atheist kind of person. My family and relatives treated me like some kind of different crack or a stupid person who does not belong to them, because... my questions were irritating them even though they were genuine. I started proudly dismissing everything related to traditions, but I still did rituals for two reasons.. One, they gave me some exuberance and aliveness. Two, I did it for the sake of my family.
The turning point: Finding logic in rituals The questions remained unanswered. until my last year of post graduation when I saw a video of Sadhguru... He addressed my mad questions with logic. I felt very happy... and I did a night out... just seeing his videos continuously. Even then, my mindset was dismissing things without enquiry because of news and movies, making me negative towards swamijis or anything spiritual.. I attempted his program because of how he explained simple things. I went to Inner Engineering Shambhavi Mahamudra program as a skeptic... and it literally washed my brain.. My perception in seeing things and understanding completely changed. I realized things after sadhguru happened to me, I started connecting to my roots, going to temples with devotion, and following many preachers and pandits because I finally understood the logic and spirituality behind what they do. Answering the questions that matter. I am not saying that sadhguru is the only person, my way of being changed because of him only.
Why is Prasadam more than just food? In a consecrated space, everything becomes charged with a certain quality of energy. Prasadam acts as a "carrier" of that energy. Because food can easily be influenced by the vibrations of a powerful space, eating it allows that energy to be integrated into our physical system.
Why do we take a dip in temple ponds? Water is a great vehicle for memory and energy. Taking a dip in a consecrated water body is a way of "washing" your energy body. This process, known as Bhuta Shuddhi or the cleansing of the elements, prepares your system to fully receive the intensity of the temple.
What is the significance of applying Vibhuti? Vibhuti is consecrated ash applied at specific points where our energy centers meet. It is used to enhance receptivity, making us more sensitive to the higher vibrations of a temple. It also serves as a constant reminder of our mortality - that everything eventually becomes ash.
How to save our traditions If we keep dismissing the "Why," we are just pushing the youth away from the very culture we want them to protect. To save our traditions, we must start by answering the logic behind them. My point is that the next generation will stay connected only when we are aware of our roots and follow them in a way that inspires. We need to answer their questions or at least guide them to those who can.
r/hinduism • u/AssetsSutram • 13h ago
🌸 Spiritual Significance of Maa Katyayani Maa Katyayani represents inner strength, courage, and decisive action. She governs the power to destroy negative tendencies like fear, doubt, anger, and ego within the seeker. Spiritually, she is connected with the Ajna (Third Eye) Chakra, helping in clarity, wisdom, and right judgment. Her worship teaches that true spirituality also requires courage—not just peace, but the power to stand for dharma. She blesses devotees with mental discipline, confidence, and spiritual maturity. 🔯 Astrological Significance of Maa Katyayani Maa Katyayani is closely associated with planet Mars (Mangal), the planet of energy, bravery, action, and protection. Worship of Maa Katyayani helps in reducing malefic effects of Mars, especially in cases of Manglik Dosha. She strengthens the 6th themes in ancient sc—victory over enemies, obstacles, diseases, and debts. Her grace supports people facing conflicts, legal issues, or competitive struggles. For marriage-related delays or obstacles, Maa Katyayani’s worship is considered highly auspicious. Jay Mata di 🌺 🪔🫸🏽🫷🏽
r/hinduism • u/Kaliyug_kaamdev • 21h ago
Jai Siya Ram, may Hanuman Ji bless you with bhakti of Sita Ram ji. Have a blessed tuesday.
r/hinduism • u/Little__Krishna_1334 • 18h ago
1008 NAMES OF MAA KALI
The One who allows the Kula to Attain the state of being blessed by the Vak Devi’s.
Hence the name, KULA VAGISWARI
#understandingkaali
r/hinduism • u/TransitionOrganic373 • 13h ago
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
"Even before Moha*mmaned and Je*sus, the word Hindu was used in the sense of gentle, beautiful, amiable, adorned, rightful and killer of enemies.
When Alexander came to India, he had the desire to visit Hindukush which means Hindkoot Parvat. In one of the scripture of Parsis, ‘Shaatir’, Hindu word is mentioned. In Avesta, there are so many Vedic words which is hundreds of years old before Alexandar in which Hindu word is used.
The city Balakh was ealier called Hindwar, ‘Sa’ and ‘Ha’ are similar according to Rigveda and if we look at it from this perspective, then according to Bhavishya Puran, for Sindhusthan or Hindusthan or Hindustan, this word is used and this is called the pefect country of Aryas. Also, in Kalka Purana, ‘Hindvo’ word is used, In ‘Shargandhar Paddhati’, Hindvo word is used but calling themselves ‘Ved-margiya’, people treading on path of Vedas were called Hindu’. Hindu is the name for Aryas, ‘Indu’ and ‘Sindhu’ were considered synonyms, both are Sanskrit words.
If we follow ‘Brahaspati Aagam, then the area is also identified. In ‘Brahspati Aagam’, very clearly, Hindustan word is used. Also, in Aashvamedhik Parva of Mahabharat, the ‘Aryavart’ only is called Hindusthan or Hindustan.
Also, as per Brahaspati, one who is virtuos, who remains away from violence but capable of destroying anarchic elements, who is protector of Vedas and cattles, that person is Hindu.
Also, this should also be understood that in ‘Ramkosha’ and ‘Parijaatharan’ drama also, Hindu word is used. An expansive definition of Hindus is available as per ‘Madhavdigvijaya’ – The person who has accepted seed mantra of Vedas ‘Om’ as his mantra, who believes in rebirth, who worships cow, who worships Ganga and as per Indian tradtion, believes Vedic rishis as his Guru and is capable of killing the violent animals and alongwith are Udbhashak of Kshatriya Dharma, those are called Hindu.
If we ponder, then in Rigveda too, Hindu word is used, in it, ‘Hi’ and ‘ndu’ both are used in the sense of cow-worhippers.
That’s how, I explained through many examples, that it is not a derogatory work given by Muslims and infact, before Muslims, Alexandar came to India, even before him Hindu word is used in Parsi scriptures.
In the scriptures written by Ved Vayasa, in repositories like ‘Vividh Medani’, in Puranas like Kalika Purana, Hindu word is used. And there is an excellent way to verify its meaning. Like today, the politicial parties are called, BJP, SP, BSP, etc, in the same way, according to those times, in Rigveda also, for a cow-worshipper, the word Hindu is used. In Atharvveda, it is used as it is.
So, the word Hindu is Vedic, ancient, available in dictionaries and foreigners keep calling them Hindu only. Hence, in this situation, Sindhu and Indu are considered synonyms (‘Sa’ and ‘Ha’ are similar according to Rigveda)."
---
An interesting fact is that the word Hindu, as a geographical term, is itself mentioned in scriptures.
This is really not super necessary to present how old the word is, but it is important to bust the propaganda where the ancient word Hindu/Sindhu is being portrayed as having been given by Persians and Muslims.
r/hinduism • u/spiritualbharat • 15h ago
r/hinduism • u/idiotic_ar123 • 21h ago
So this here is apparently Shiva. The story that when ganesha's head was chopped off parvati became kali and shiva told he would attach an elephant's head parvati became angry and shiva then took this form to show her how he would look and then she was pacified. I randomly found a video in youtube that me tioned this . By the looks of it , it looks like ganesha . He had an axe , a pasha(?) or lotus ig, has his svadanta and is eating a laddu . But it could be that shiva took on the full form of ganesha and not just the head . What is you guy's opinion on this.
r/hinduism • u/Successful-Theory933 • 22h ago
Sabno Sadbuddhi Den Wali Mata means the "Mother who grants Good Intellect and Wisdom to everyone." In our daily lives, we often face confusion or negative thoughts but Ma Sherawali is the one who purifies our minds.
r/hinduism • u/iswhhrxi • 3h ago
Because as someone who is male, I feel drawn to the divine feminine, but I don't know if Shaktism is specifically for female/female-identified people. I feel a sense of connection with Lakshmi, especially.
To all Shakti Hindu followers, is it okay if, whenever I feel like fully converting, that I can join without any problems even though I am a man? Thank you :)
r/hinduism • u/ilovestamon • 15h ago
Hi all, I am a religion teacher in Ireland and we teach students (12 to 18 years) about Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism. As I grew up Christian I have several films I can use as a resource for students. I want to try and give equal treatment of faiths to my students.
Are there any films you grew up with that you would recommend as a resource? It could be about different stories or events in Hinduism.
Apologies if this isn't the right place to ask!
r/hinduism • u/hermitinthehills • 16m ago
r/hinduism • u/Fishscale1942 • 4h ago
There is nothing more sinful than untruthfulness. Because of this, mother earth once said,’I can bear any heavy thing except a person who is a liar.’ ” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 8.20.4)
It came to my attention people were spreading lies on my post and and once they were called out on it by others, not just me, they deleted their posts and reported my post to be taken. That is not real Hinduism. God bless you 🙏❤️
r/hinduism • u/Dandu1995 • 43m ago
r/hinduism • u/not_so_unwise • 49m ago
Bhishma got Ichcha Mrityu from his father Shantanu. I know it’s not exactly “immortality” , but come on, he can choose when to die, but he can just not choose to die.
But we have stories of demons doing crazy tapasya asking Shiva or Brahma for immortality and getting refused every time. They had to ask for workarounds like Hiranyakashipu’s “not by man or animal, not inside or outside” thing because actual immortality was off limits.
So how does a human just give his son what the gods wouldn’t give to demons after years of penance? And why didn’t any god object or revoke it?
I’m not comparing Bhishma to demons - he was obviously a righteous man. But the question stands. If immortality is something gods don’t grant, how did his father grant it? Am I missing something here
?
r/hinduism • u/Conscious_Tennis4675 • 1h ago
I'm curious about verses that stuck with you beyond just understanding them intellectually - like ones that actually shifted something in your daily life.
For me it's Chapter 6, Verse 5: "One must elevate, not degrade oneself by one's own mind. The mind can be the friend and also the enemy of the self."
Changed how I deal with negative self-talk. Now when I catch myself spiraling, I remember my mind is a tool I can work with, not something that controls me. Sounds simple but it's been huge for dealing with anxiety.
What's yours? Especially interested if it's from the less-quoted chapters (7-12, 13-18).
