Hinduism - An Introduction

"Hinduism" is a "general term" given to a religion which is essentially "a grouping of the ancient religious - beliefs and rituals of India" known as

• Saivam (Saivaism),
• Vainavam (Vaishnavaism),
• Saktham (Sakthism),
• Kanapathiam,
• Kaumaram,
• Vedam (Vedism).

In India the "God Supreme" was given many different forms and names as

• God Siva (Shiva) in Saivaism,
• God Vishnu in Vainavam,
• Goddess Shakthi in Saktham,
• God Kanapathi in Kanapathiyam,
• God Skanda in Kaumaram,
• God Agni in Vedism etc - among the various religious beliefs of Hinduism, and was worshiped by the Hindus from the time immemorial.

The above God Forms never took birth in this world in human forms. Hence they were called by the prefix title (the) "God". However in Vainavam (Vaishnavaism) it was further considered that God Vishnu took ten incarnations in this world among which, are the incarnations as Lord Rama and Lord Krishna.

Jainism and Buddhism preached by Lord Mahaveer and Lord Buddha - being the two other religions of India, upheld the principle of non-existance of God. Sikism recognises the "God Supreme" as the Guru (Preacher) to the mankind.

Among the world religions - the Islamic religion referred to the "God Supreme" - of no specific form or name - as "Allah" and Prophet Mohammad as the Messenger of the "God Supreme". The Christian religion referred to Lord Jesus Christ - as the Son of this "God Supreme" - of no specific form or name. Judaism too recognised the existance of the "God Supreme" - but of no specific form or name. In reality the "God Supreme" of the religions that sprung from India and of the other world religions - "is none but one".

From the early days different Hindu religious beliefs and rituals that sprung from India, were practiced side by side with the patronage of the kings ruling the different regions of then India.

At times the beliefs and rituals that received the preferential patronage from the kings of a particular region, caused much influence over the other beliefs and rituals practised in the same region and undermined them. This to a certain extent caused the fusion of the (Hindu) beliefs and rituals of the preferential religion, with the other religions of that region.
Today Hinduism is a religion that is practised predominantly in India, Nepal, and Bali Islands of Indonesia, and to a great extent in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, in certain regions - of Sumatra & Java of Indonesia, in ceratain regions of Bangaladesh & Pakistan, Thailand, Miyanmar, Andamam & Nicobar Islands, Fiji Islands, Mauritius Islands, South Africa, Re-Union Island, U.S.A, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, to some extent in Germany, France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway, Italy, and to a reasonable extent in few other countries.