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 • 7d 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/BowlerIntrepid4545 • 4h ago
Radhe Radhe, everyone. ❤️
I made this portrait of our little Kanha, our Krishna, our beloved Laddu Gopal. I thought I’d share it with all of you, so please have His darshan and let me know how you liked it.
And I’m sorry for the big watermark. I had to add it because a lot of people copy and steal the artwork.
Sorry for this, and Radhe Radhe. 🙏✨
r/hinduism • u/Jalbwakkolnaji4756 • 5h ago
Folklore says that once upon a time Tripurari, along with one crore Gods and Goddesses, was on the way to Kashi. He asked other travelers to take a short night break in Unakoti, Tripura but cautioned them to wake up before sunrise. None of them woke up on time. Lord Shiva embarked on His onward journey while those fast asleep were transformed into stones. Huge stone images in Tripura are present to this day.
r/hinduism • u/JaganMitthya • 6h ago
I think the Asuras’ fear of women began with the Samudra Manthan.
The deal was simple. Devas and Asuras would churn the ocean together for Amrit. But Bhagwan Vishnu had already assured the Devas that the nectar would ultimately be theirs. When Dhanvantari emerged with the Amrit, the Asuras snatched it. Vishnu then appeared as Mohini, an irresistibly beautiful woman, convinced the Asuras to let her distribute it, and served the Amrit to the Devas instead and decapitated Rahu-Ketu in the process.
Imagine that trauma. You do all the hard work, finally get your hands on immortality, then a beautiful woman appears and five minutes later your enemies are immortal.
Asur samaj aaj tak us sadme se ubar nahi paya hai.
Many Kalpas later, they see a woman at the Eiffel Tower and the ancestral trauma kicks in.
Baba ji ka langot itna dheela? 🙆🏻
BAPS ko Naga sadhus se kuch indriya niyantran seekh leni chahiye samay rahte.
r/hinduism • u/Maximum-Conflict-488 • 1h ago
r/hinduism • u/Budget-Attorney8597 • 1h ago
"श्रीमद् भगवद्गीता यथारूप 18.38
विषयेन्द्रियसंयोगाद्यत्तदग्रेऽमृतोपमम् ।
परिणामे विषमिव तत्सुखं राजसं स्मृतम् ॥ १८.३८ ॥
Translation
जो सुख इन्द्रियों द्वारा उनके विषयों के संसर्ग से प्राप्त होता हैऔर प्रारम्भ में अमृततुल्य तथा अन्त में विषतुल्य लगता है, वह रजोगुणी कहलाता है |
_____________
English Translation
Bhagavad Gita As It Is 18.38
viṣayendriya-saṁyogād
yat tad agre ’mṛtopamam
pariṇāme viṣam iva
tat sukhaṁ rājasaṁ smṛtam
Translation
That happiness which is derived from contact of the senses with their objects and which appears like nectar at first but poison at the end is said to be of the nature of passion.
r/hinduism • u/Pretend-Classic8186 • 18h ago
Sharing this year’s Laddu Gopal Janmashtami sringaar with you guys here. This year I just had a thought that kanha would look beautiful in a white dress idk why and then forgot about it. Cut to till the last day , we couldn’t find any poshak that me and mother would like until we stumbled upon these white poshaks on the night before admist so much crowd at a shop close by my place.
And the poshak was not only white but we got matching for both too!
I can’t explain my happiness and love and but to everyone who reads this and can resonate with my emotion - I hope he blesses you with everything you want , he is truly divine.
r/hinduism • u/toastwithjamx1 • 12h ago
I have a theory:
Before artificial lights were a thing, it may have been really difficult to view an idol of a deity in its full glory, so at first aarathi was just the archaka holding a flame as a source of light to the idol so people can view the idol fully . Over time, I think people considered the flame of aarathi sacred and blessed, as it I think " captures te essence ??? " Of the deity which we then take blessings from.
Again, my theory may be way far off and there may be mentions of these rituals in texts, but let me know.
r/hinduism • u/noname4737 • 3h ago
First of all, sorry, I don’t know where I should post about this, but I thought someone here might help me.
So the thing is, a few years ago when I was 12-14 years old, I had gone to my maternal grandmother’s house. As a kid you are quite dumb and you end up doing random unnecessary things. I was just searching through some old rooms for stuff when I found this old game there.
I showed it to everyone and then asked about its rules. Actually, this is not exactly the Chausar from the Mahabharata because it is played with cowrie shells (kodiyan), and when I asked, they told me the name of this game is Chopath.
Now I have renovated it a bit. The cowrie shells that came with it were the small ones, so I bought new ones from the fair that is held in my city, Rajkot located in Gujarat🇮🇳.
And right now I have also placed an order to get wooden long dice made.
Although I am still confused about which wood to use. I have heard that some woods give a nice fragrance, so if I make the dice from those, the fragrance will come while playing. So currently I am looking at which wood to use — white sandalwood (safed chandan), red sandalwood (laal chandan), deodar, or sukhad, or agarwood.
Now comes the main point for which I made this post.
As I told you, the game I found is not Chausar; it is played as Chopath. I wanted to learn the Mahabharata-style Chausar, so first I searched on YouTube, but I couldn’t find any proper video that teaches complete Chausar. And whatever videos I did find, all of them had different rules Like, some people say this game is played with two dice, some say it is played with three dice. Then, some have four-sided dice where the four sides are 1, 3, 4, 6, and some have four sides as 1, 2, 5, 6 (although personally the 1-2-5-6 one seems correct to me mathematically). And some people even play with normal dice.
Then, in one video the starting position is shown one way, in another video it is shown differently. Like, in one video your 4 pieces (kukri) are all in your own area, in another video out of your four pieces two are in your area and two are in the opponent’s area. And in one video it was the same way I play Chopath — that first, like in Ludo, you need the equivalent of a six (whatever that is in Chausar) to get a lap and bring your piece onto the board.
There is a lot of confusion.
And I realized that we don’t even have a single proper “HOW TO PLAY” video for such a good game of our own.
Whereas from this same Chausar, many games were later derived, like the famous Ludo, Pachisi, and American Parcheesi.
It is really sad to see that we don’t have even one series to teach Hindus about what great ancient games our ancestors used to play, which are the ancestors of many of today’s modern board games.
Like Chaturanga from which Chess came, Chausar from which Ludo, American Parcheesi came, Moksha Patam from which Snakes & Ladders came, and Carom from which Carrom came.
So the main point is — can someone start such a series through which we can tell normal people about these games?
Although this work should actually be done by the Indian Ministry of Culture — they should put videos of these games on their official website and promote them.
But that’s not the case, so at least can someone tell me the rules of this game so that I can play it at my home?
r/hinduism • u/OkaTeluguAbbayi • 1d ago
r/hinduism • u/Rahulgraphite • 1d ago
Shipped to france 🇫🇷
Size: A3
r/hinduism • u/Budget-Attorney8597 • 1d ago
श्रीमद् भगवद्गीता यथारूप 18.37
यत्तदग्रे विषमिव परिणामेऽमृतोपमम् ।
तत्सुखं सात्त्विकं प्रोक्तमात्मबुद्धिप्रसादजम् ॥ १८.३७ ॥
Translation
हे भरतश्रेष्ठ! अब मुझसे तीन प्रकार के सुखों के विषय में सुनों,जिनके द्वारा बद्धजीव भोग करता है और जिसके द्वारा कभी-कभी दुखों का अन्त हो जाताहै |जो प्रारम्भ में विष जैसा लगता है, लेकिन अन्त में अमृत के समान है औरजो मनुष्य में आत्म-साक्षात्कार जगाता है, वह सात्त्विक सुख कहलाता है |
_______________________________________
In English
Bhagavad Gita As It Is 18.37
yat tad agre viṣam iva
pariṇāme ’mṛtopamam
tat sukhaṁ sāttvikaṁ proktam
ātma-buddhi-prasāda-jam
Translation
That which in the beginning may be just like poison but at the end is just like nectar and which awakens one to self-realization is said to be happiness in the mode of goodness.
r/hinduism • u/Unlikely_Excuse6981 • 1d ago
# A request to kindly give this post a read! 🙏🏼
Yesterday evening, I watched Hanuman Ansh in a packed theatre.
And honestly ... I walked out carrying a thought that has stayed with me ever since.
What do we actually ask from God?
The film made me look at Neem Karoli Baba Maharaj's life through this question.
Before becoming Neem Karoli Baba, he was known as Lakshman Sharma. After his mother's passing, he believed she was with Lord Ram.
His desire was incredibly simple ...
He wanted to meet Ram Ji, so that he could be with his mother again.
And how does one reach Ram Ji?
For him, the answer was Hanuman Ji.
As the Hanuman Chalisa says:
*“Tumhare bhajan Ram ko paave.”*
So he simply chanted the names of Hanuman Ji and Ram Ji ... throughout the day.
No asking for money.
No asking for success.
No asking for health.
No asking for miracles.
Nothing for himself.
Just one desire ...
To meet Ram Ji.
There's another scene in the film that stayed with me.
When Baba Ji leaves Neeb Karori village, some landowners claim that because the temple was built on their land, the temple belonged to them. They were in Benaras and refused to participate in the bhandara.
And Baba Ji's response was essentially ...
“You keep the temple. I will keep Hanuman Ji in my heart.”
That line says so much.
He could let go of a temple ...
Because the temple wasn't where Hanuman Ji belonged.
Hanuman Ji belonged in his heart.
And suddenly, I started thinking about my own prayers.
How different are they?
We ask God for money.
For promotions.
For health.
For success.
For our problems to disappear.
For our wishes to come true.
Our prayers can become almost transactional ...
“I ask ... You give.”
But how often do we simply say:
“God, I don't want anything. I just want You.”
That thought really stayed with me.
The film also touched upon the deeper spiritual journey described in yogic traditions ... Kundalini and the chakras.
In this tradition, Kundalini is described as a dormant spiritual energy within us. Through deep meditation, devotion and disciplined practice, it is believed to awaken and move through the subtle energy centres known as chakras.
As consciousness evolves, the practitioner is traditionally believed to develop greater awareness, detachment, compassion and spiritual wisdom.
Advanced practitioners are described as Siddhapurushas, and yogic traditions speak of extraordinary abilities or siddhis that may arise with profound spiritual realisation.
But perhaps the most important lesson is this ...
The miracles are not the destination.
God is.
We are fascinated by miracles.
But what if the real spiritual achievement is reaching a state where you don't want anything from God anymore?
Where the only prayer left is ...
*“Ram Ji ... bas aap mil jao.”*
Maybe devotion isn't about asking God to change our circumstances.
Maybe it's about asking God to change us.
I went to the theatre yesterday to watch a movie about Baba Ji ...
and came back questioning the way I pray.
And perhaps that's the greatest gift this film gave me.
For me, this experience feels like more than a coincidence ...
Baba Ji's chamatkar ... and Hanuman Ji's blessings.
Sita Ram.
Jai Hanuman. ❤️
r/hinduism • u/MissGlamika • 23h ago
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Does Santoshi Mata exist, and is she mentioned in any scriptures?
r/hinduism • u/BrendanATX • 1m ago
Hello, I hope that this topic doesn't enrage anyone too badly.
I come to this topic with sensitivity and care. I'm genuinely curious and want to learn, I'm not pushing any narrative.
I am curious what hindus globally or even hindu in India specifically believe and feel about Graham Hancock?
Graham Hancock has said there was an ancient civilization or civilizations that were destroyed by catastrophe approximately 12 ,000 years ago if I remember correctly. He used geological evidence to estimate this time period.
Hinduism as I understand it had cycles of civilization and destruction. Which fits with Graham Hancock. As well the flood in Nepal reminded me of the floods that impacted the globe. I live in the USA and in utah there were massive glacier floods that according to Graham Hancock could have destroyed a civilization.
I think this is possible and that the Nepal Flood was a mini glimpse into the scale of destruction that impacted these civilizations in the past. Could these catastrophes been linked to manmade climate change or war in the past as well? I think it is possible.
What do hindu people feel about Graham Hancock or this concept of a catastrophe that destroyed civilizations on earth?
r/hinduism • u/Exporinglife2050 • 31m ago
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Hanuman Ansh entering 100 crs club with just limited budget.
Found this old clip of Julia Roberts praising Neem Karoli baba and Hinduism.
HANUMAN ANSH making big and giving very tough time to other movies
The wave is real.
r/hinduism • u/Key-Cup-9203 • 1d ago
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his Hrishikesha form this sacred day offers spiritual purification and removes deep karmic burdens. Its significance connects directly to the legendary King Harishchandra.
The story begins when Sage Vishwamitra tested the king's righteousness. Appearing in Harishchandra's dream, the sage accepted the gift of his entire empire. Upon waking, the king honored that dream promise as absolute truth and handed over his throne. To pay the required Dakshina, Harishchandra went to Kashi. There he sold his wife Queen Taramati and son Rohitashva into domestic servitude, then sold himself to a cremation ground keeper named Kalu. Tasked with collecting taxes for every body burned, the former king endured years of poverty and humiliation while staying completely faithful to his duty.
Deeply distressed by his grief, Harishchandra met Sage Gautama who advised him to observe the upcoming Aja Ekadashi fast. The king followed the instructions carefully, fasting strictly and keeping anJagran in prayer to Lord Vishnu. Soon after, his son died of a snakebite and Queen Taramati brought the child's body to the cremation ground. Harishchandra recognized his family but refused to waive the tax without payment, forcing the penniless queen to offer half of her worn saree.
Impressed by his truthfulness and the spiritual merit of his Aja Ekadashi fast, Lord Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva appeared alongside Sage Vishwamitra. They restored his son's life, returned his kingdom, and granted his family Moksha.
r/hinduism • u/PoIyPumpkin • 1d ago
Namskaram to all Astikas!,
‘’
Disciple : Is a Guru necessary for one who desires mokṣa (liberation)?
Acharyal : Very much.
D: What is the chief characteristic of a Guru?
A: Guru should be a jñānin (one who has realised the Truth). Further, he should be interested in the well-being of his disciple.
D: Nowadays, many pose as sages. Such being the case, how is one to identify a real Guru?
A: No specific rules exist regarding this. If we are very sincere, Īśvara Himself will lead us to a Guru. We can see for ourselves whether the person whom we wish to have as a Guru is a jñānin and desires our well-being. Though it is difficult to conclude whether one is a jñānin or not, we can use the description of a jñānin contained in the Bhagavadgītā as a yardstick. However, while doing this, it should be remembered that the description was not given to select jñānin-s.
– From 𝘌𝘹𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘌𝘭𝘶𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴
Note: The characteristics described by the Jagadguru of a Guru are exactly the same as what Sri Shankara Bhagavatpada has enunciated, in Prashnottara Ratnamalika. Bhagavatpada puts forward a question and answers it:
को गुरुः?
Who is a Guru?
अधिगततत्वः शिष्यहितायोद्यतः सततम्॥
The one who has realized the Supreme Reality and is constantly striving for the interests of the pupil.
‘’
Svasti
Namaḥ Pārvatīpataye Hara Hara Mahādeva
Govinda Govinda
Balaṁ guroḥ pravardhatām!
🪷🙏😌🙏🪷
r/hinduism • u/cicilia77 • 1d ago
This is the pic of hindu god goddess idols i have taken while exploring nepal
r/hinduism • u/Good-Cartoonist6922 • 6h ago
Maybe with a commentary on bhagwad gita
r/hinduism • u/Alive-Day-8587 • 15h ago
I am Brazilian, I am 26 years old and I live in South Korea. I am on a spiritual quest, I want to find my path. I feel like that's something missing in my life. I've been researching various religions for a few months now, and Hinduism is what attracted me. It encompassed everything I believe in. I went to the Catholic church because I liked feeling that Mary was taking care of me; I feel I need a mother in my life, not a father. And when I read that there are goddesses in Hinduism, it all made sense to me. I started reading Bhagavad-Gita And I'm enjoying it, it's truly a gem. But then I started reading How to Become a Hindu and now I'm quite discouraged. I live in Korea and there are no Hindu temples here, and the book says I need to visit them. I don't want to have a new name; I don't believe that a woman's role is to follow her husband around, serve food, and not draw attention to herself. Is all of this really true? And it also mentions finding a guide, I don't know if I'll be able to do that either. I felt like I had found my way, but now I don't know anymore.
r/hinduism • u/Mmeooowww • 14h ago
Pls suggest. I'm a Brahmin girl, if it matters. I'm 23 and live alone in my place. I usually do Pooja everyday and chant Hanuman chalisa twice a day. But the thing is I'm still afraid.
r/hinduism • u/Frequent_Fold_801 • 1d ago
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r/hinduism • u/lettersmash • 13h ago
I listen to shlokas on YouTube all the time but I get self concious when I try to recite them as well. I'm european, so I know nothing about sanskrit pronounciation and I just sound awkward and weird.
There's also some shlokas I really like with an english translation, but no video to accompany it. I'm just scared of doing something wrong and don't know where to start.
