Hinduism

By History And Culture Media

1/4/2026

Hinduism: Origins, Beliefs, Practices, and Global Influence of the World’s Oldest Religion

Hinduism is the world’s oldest living religion, with over 1 billion followers worldwide, primarily in India and Nepal. Known as Sanatana Dharma (the "eternal way"), Hinduism is not a single doctrine but a diverse set of philosophies, rituals, and cultural traditions that have evolved over more than 4,000 years. It profoundly influences spirituality, art, law, and society across South Asia and beyond.

Origins and Historical Development of Hinduism

Hinduism has no single founder and emerged from the fusion of Indus Valley religious practices (c. 2500 BCE) and the Vedic traditions (c. 1500 BCE). Its development is marked by several key phases:

Indus Valley Religion (c. 2500–1500 BCE): Early worship of fertility symbols and proto-Shiva figures.
Vedic Period (c. 1500–500 BCE): Composition of the Vedas, the oldest sacred texts, and establishment of ritual-based religion.
Epic and Puranic Period (c. 500 BCE–500 CE): Creation of epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana and rise of devotional (bhakti) worship.
Medieval to Modern Hinduism (500 CE–present): Growth of temple culture, philosophical schools, and expansion beyond India.

Core Beliefs of Hinduism

1. Dharma (Righteous Duty)

Dharma refers to the ethical and moral duties that sustain order in the universe and society.

2. Karma (Cause and Effect)

Karma is the belief that one’s actions—good or bad—determine future experiences and rebirths.

3. Samsara (Reincarnation)

Hindus believe in the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, influenced by karma.

4. Moksha (Liberation)

The ultimate goal of Hinduism is moksha, liberation from the cycle of samsara and union with the divine.

Major Deities in Hinduism

Hinduism is henotheistic, allowing worship of many gods while recognizing a supreme reality, Brahman. Key deities include:

Brahma: The creator.
Vishnu: The preserver, known through avatars like Krishna and Rama.
Shiva: The destroyer and transformer.
Devi (Goddess): The divine feminine in forms like Durga, Kali, and Lakshmi.

Sacred Texts of Hinduism

Hindu scriptures are divided into:

Shruti (Heard Texts): Includes the Vedas and Upanishads.
Smriti (Remembered Texts): Includes the Mahabharata (with the Bhagavad Gita), Ramayana, and Puranas.

Rituals and Practices

Hinduism encompasses diverse practices, such as:

Puja (Worship): Daily rituals at home or temples.
Yoga and Meditation: Spiritual disciplines for inner realization.
Festivals: Vibrant celebrations like Diwali (Festival of Lights), Holi (Festival of Colors), and Navaratri.
Pilgrimage: Visits to sacred sites such as Varanasi, Rameswaram, and the Ganges River.

Schools of Hindu Philosophy

Hindu thought includes six classical schools: Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimamsa, and Vedanta. These explore metaphysics, ethics, and spiritual liberation.

Global Influence of Hinduism

Today, Hinduism extends far beyond South Asia, shaping yoga, meditation, vegetarianism, and holistic living worldwide. Its inclusive nature and philosophical depth make it a significant contributor to global spirituality.

Conclusion

Hinduism is not just a religion but a way of life, blending spiritual practice, philosophy, and cultural tradition. Its teachings on karma, dharma, and moksha continue to guide millions, offering timeless wisdom in an ever-changing world.

The Vedas

The Vedas are the oldest sacred scriptures of ancient India, composed in Vedic Sanskrit between roughly 1500 and 500 BCE, and form the foundation of Hindu religious and philosophical tradition. Consisting of four primary texts—the Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda—the Vedas preserve hymns, rituals, liturgies, and cosmological reflections central to early Indo-Aryan culture. As core sources for ancient Indian religion, ritual practice, linguistics, and philosophy, the Vedas are essential for understanding the development of Hinduism, early metaphysical thought, and South Asian civilization.

Upanishads

The Upanishads are a collection of ancient Indian philosophical works composed between roughly 800 and 300 BCE, forming the concluding portion of the Vedic tradition. Written in Sanskrit, the Upanishads explore profound metaphysical concepts such as Brahman (ultimate reality), Atman (the self), karma, samsara, and moksha, shifting religious thought from ritual practice toward inner knowledge and spiritual liberation. As foundational texts of Hindu philosophy and Indian metaphysics, the Upanishads have deeply influenced Vedanta, yoga traditions, and global philosophical discourse.

Mahabharata

The Mahabharata is one of the longest and most influential epic poems in world literature, composed in Sanskrit between roughly 400 BCE and 400 CE and traditionally attributed to Vyasa. Centered on the great conflict between the Pandavas and Kauravas, the epic weaves together mythology, history, philosophy, and moral inquiry, including the renowned Bhagavad Gita. As a foundational text of Indian literature, Hindu philosophy, and dharma (righteous duty), the Mahabharata is essential for understanding ancient Indian society, ethics, kingship, and spiritual thought.

Ramayana

The Ramayana is one of the two great epics of ancient Indian literature, composed in Sanskrit between roughly 500 BCE and 100 BCE and traditionally attributed to the sage Valmiki. The epic narrates the life of Rama, focusing on his exile, the abduction of Sita, and the battle against Ravana, while emphasizing ideals of dharma, devotion, kingship, and moral virtue. As a foundational text of Hindu tradition, Indian ethics, and epic poetry, the Ramayana has profoundly shaped religious practice, art, and cultural identity across South and Southeast Asia.

Puranas

The Puranas are a vast genre of ancient Indian religious and mythological literature composed primarily between roughly 300 and 1000 CE in Sanskrit. Traditionally numbering eighteen major texts (Mahāpurāṇas) along with numerous minor Purāṇas, they preserve narratives of cosmology, creation and destruction, genealogies of gods and kings, legends of Vishnu, Shiva, and Devi, and cycles of time (yugas). As essential sources for Hindu mythology, devotional traditions (bhakti), and cultural history, the Purāṇas played a central role in shaping popular Hindu practice, temple culture, and religious storytelling across the Indian subcontinent.