Indian God Names

Bhuvaneswari

The concept of Goddess Bhuvaneswari as the supreme goddess emerged in historical religious literature as a term to define the powerful and influential nature of female deities in India. Throughout history, goddesses have been portrayed as the mother of the universe, through whose powers the universe is created and destroyed. The gradual changes in belief through time shape the concept of Bhuvaneswari and express how the different Goddesses, though very different in personality, all carry the power of the universe on their shoulders.She is almighty.

Sri Lakshmi

Lakshmi, also called Sri or Sri Lakshmi is an important goddess of Hindus. Lakshmi is the epitome of everything good and prosperous in the world. She as the power behind Lord Vishnu, aids in the preservation of the world. Lakshmi like Vishnu has many incarnation the most important ones being: Sita and Radha.

Parvati

In Sanskrit language, Parvati means a daughter of the mountains, the Himalayas. Goddess Parvati is the wife of Shiva, one of the three main gods of the Hindus. If she is shown seated by the side of Shiva, she has two arms. If she comes alone, she has four arms. She rides on a tiger or a lion.

Saraswati

Saraswati is the goddess of speech and learning. Vedas tells about her. Her image shows that she has four arms. In her hands, she holds a book, a rosary, a pot of water, and a lute.

In ancient time there was also a river nahiimed Saraswati River. The river dried up long ago. This river is also considered a goddess.

Sita is one of the most popular goddesses of Hindus. Hindus of north India especially worship her. She is an avatar of Lakshmi. She was married to Rama, an avatar ofVishnu. Hindu scriptures say that Vishnu and Laxmi are husband and wife.

Radha

The word Radha means riches and success. Her name comes with the name of Krishna, another avatar of Vishnu. Some Hindu scriptures describe her as a form or avatar of goddess Lakshmi.

Durga

Durga is one of the most powerful goddesses of Hindus. Hindu scriptures say that Durga came to kill the asuras, that is, the demons. Male gods had failed to control asuras and she was created. She had the powers of all the male gods combined.

Kali

Kali is one of the main goddesses of Hindus. She is a very powerful goddess. Sometimes she is also called Chandi. Durga and Kali together killed many asuras (demons) who used to disturb human beings.

Kali is a form of Durga that sprang from her head during Durga's battle with the demon Raktabeeja (who represents the power of thoughts, the power which constantly and unceasingly reproduce in the mind) whose blood when touch to the earth generated another Raktabeeja. To end this battle between Raktabeeja and Durga, Kali consumed every drop of blood until Raktabeeja Bled out. Kali is the highest form of the Supreme. Kali's name has two meanings; the first meaning is "dark" which means she represents the Void(brahman. The second meaning is "Time" which is the Destroyer of Everything.

India Life

Every region in India has its own characteristics and traditions, like the palm-leaf houses in the south are nothing similar to the stone houses of the Himalayas or the houseboats of Kashmir. Every state has its own identity which is respected by people all around India and also the world. Family life is equally varied in Indian states. India is a country with many states in which people from different cultures, religions, castes, etc. live. The language, clothings, customs, and traditions of people are influenced by the respective regions they reside in.

Most of the families in India are extended families, wherein every member has his/her own role, often influenced by age and gender. Children are cherished and considered as gifts from God. Children can look forward to continual family support throughout their lives, unlike in other countries. However, they are expected to respect their elders and parents, their wishes and family ties. The family structure in India is typical, wherein there are many wedding customs, which have to be strongly followed by people. Religion, caste, traditional practices, and regional differences influence family structures. Indians are more emotionally attached to the members of their family. Husbands and wives are not allowed to openly display their affection for one another.

Buddhism India

Buddhism is the fourth largest religion of the world and has its origin in India. Siddhartha Gautama, a warrior prince who lived from 566 to 480 B.C founded Buddhism. Gautama was tired and weary of his luxurious life. He renounced his princely life to seek the truth about life. He spent many years of hard penance under a Bodhi tree in search of liberation from material values of life. After many years of penance he achieved an epiphany and came to be known as "Buddha". Buddha means the "Enlightened One". After the enlightenment, he traveled around India imparting the wise knowledge he had achieved. Gradually, his teachings spread to the South Asian countries. Today, Buddhism is a popular religion practiced by many around the globe. 

Hinduism India

It was the Greek and the Persian travelers to the Indus Valley in the 16th century who coined the term "Hinduism". It is a fact that nobody knows anything about the central authority or founder of Hinduism. Historians believe, over the centuries, Hinduism had adopted many spiritual traditions and practices, which are seen even today in the homes of many Hindus. It is not easy to generalize the beliefs of Hinduism because the practices vary widely among the believers of this religion. 

Historians believe Hinduism was the religion followed by the people of the Indus Valley Civilization. This civilization existed between 3200 BC and 1600 BC, on the banks of the River Indus. However, many of the events and the incidents that had taken place between 1500 BC and 1400 BC have not been documented. Hence there is an ongoing debate about the exact date of the beginning of the Hinduism.

However, the historians believe Vedic scriptures were introduced sometime in 1000 BC. The Vedic scriptures are known as the "Vedas"; and Rig Veda was the first Hindu scripture. The Vedas are the basic foundation of Hindu philosophy. There are four Vedas - Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. Each of these Vedas were written in the form of hymns in Sanskrit language and served four different purposes. You would also find a scripture on medicines known as Ayurveda. 

Upanishads are religious texts within the Vedas and they deal with the metaphysical nature of the universe and human soul. The essence of Hinduism as a religion unfolds through the great epics "Ramayana" and "Mahabharata", and also other religious scriptures such as "Manu Smriti", "Vedanta" and "Srutis". 

Judaism India

Christianity World Map

Jain Religion India

Jainism is one of the oldest religions of world. It believes in a universe without beginning, without end and without creator. Rishabhdev, the first Tirthankar, is mentioned in Rig Veda, the oldest scripture of Hinduism believed to be at least 5000 years old. The last of the 24 Tirthankars of this cycle of time was Lord Mahavira. Jainism became prominent religion in India at the time of Mahavira , who was born in about 599 B.C. in the town of Vyshali , (in the present day Bihar ) in a royal family Around 80 A. D. the Jainism was divided into two sects. The Svetambara or "white clad" and The Digambara or "sky clad". The Svetambara are more liberal in their interpretation of Mahavirals teaching regarding nudity and allow their monks to wear a white garment. Women are also allowed in their religion and monasteries accepting the possibility that they may find salvation. The Digambara are more traditionalists. They adhere to the old ideals that require their monks to go about naked. The Digambara sect believes that women have no chance of achieving salvation until they are reborn as men. Ahimsa (Non-violence) is the basic philosophy of Jainism. Anekantvad (Non-absolutism) Syadvad (Relativity of truth) and Karma theory form the basis of Jain philosophy. The scriptures of Jainism are Agana (precepts) or Siddhantas- (treatises). Jain code of conduct includes: Ahimsa (non violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Aparigraha (non-possessiveness), and Brahmacharya (chastity). These are very similar to the Buddhist code of conduct. Jains believe that animals and plants, as well as human beings, contain living souls. Each of these souls, whatever species it may be in, is considered of equal value and should be treated with respect and compassion. Jainism does not believe in God as the creator of universe. The objective of Jainism is to make every effort for Moksha or Liberation from unending cycles of birth, death and re-birth and become a 'Jina'. For Jains the Jina is God. Every human being and every living being has the potential to become Jina or God. Jainism never became a dominant religion in India but always had a peaceful co-existence with Hinduism and Buddhism.

Christian Religion India

The population is overwhelmingly Hindu and Muslim, therefore there is no official celebration of Christmas. Since there are many communities that celebrate Christmas, this being a diversified state, its interesting to see how a wide variety of people come together to join in the festivities. And yet 25th December is the one day that is largely celebrated by Indians and everyone across the world, as Christmas Day! The Christians in India, are also divided into various sects, and depending on where they reside, there is an interesting mix of function and goodies that tag along with the Christmas Season. The Christians in India observe Christmas as a religious holiday when families will go to church and then gather for a Christmas dinner. Christmas decorations are found inside the home, but there are no lights decorating the yards.

There seems to be a large congregation of people, dressed impeccably, leaving the Church after the mid-night mass. The interesting thing is that they maintain their sense of style even in the wee hours of the morning. Like any other Christian community, they all have the mutual sharing of Gifts and love. What follows is an interesting gathering of people, who visit their relatives and what even intriguing if you'd ever visit the streets in Goa, an essentially Christian dominated place in India, is the sheer mix of colors that's splashed into the air. There are cookies of all kinds and mouth watering cakes, mostly plum and lots of wine.

Religion Ancient India

A few days ago, I re-published (in: ‘The Inexorable Radiation of Waaqeffannaa, the Oromo Religion’ - http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/60798) an excellent paper written by one of Oromia’s foremost intellectuals, Mr. Getachew Chamadaa Nadhabaasaa, a theological analysis of Waaqeffannaa, the historical Oromo religion (under the title Waaqeffannaa - Testimony of an Indigenous Religion of the African Past and Present). 

As I intended to extensively comment on that text that serves as a founding text for a new phase of Waaqeffannaa, as written religion, I encrusted numbers in the text. Two parts of the commentary have already been published (‘Ancient Egyptian and Kushitic Religions and Waaqeffannaa Oromo Religion’ / http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/61419 and Waaqeffannaa Oromo Religion and the Unavoidable Death of Fake ‘Ethiopia’ / http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/63090). I will continue in the present article. My present comments relate to the numerated points in Mr. Nadhabaasaa’s text (as above). 

Commentary 

33. The author is probably acquainted with Islamic extremist literature on Islam, and all modern currents of Islamic theology derived from Wahhabism and Ibn Taimiya. In this, he is as wrong as all the Western Evangelicals and others who depict Islam through the words and the analyses of the deformers of Islam, namely the sheikhs who promise to stick to the tradition and, in doing so, they idealize the form and they deplete the contents. This view of the after death life was not shared by the great Islamic philosophers of the Golden Era of Islam, who were much closer to the theoretical approach of the Ancient Egyptians. The ‘reward’ concept reflects typically polytheistic and idolatrous approaches, and in this regard Ibn Hanbal and Ibn Taimiya did the greatest harm to Islam; if one goes through pages of Mohyieldin Ibn al Arabi and Ibn Hazm, one realizes that there was a ‘function’ concept (in contrast with the ‘reward’ concept) among Islamic philosophers. 

34. This is very wrong; it does not make honour to an Oromo theologian to misinterpret terms of another religion. Behind this expression is hidden a misinterpretation of the name of ‘Islam’; it does not mean ‘slavery’ but ‘submission’. It makes a vast difference! In fact, there is no great disparity between Waaqeffannaa and Islam in this regard; what is considered as righteous and peaceful path for the Man to follow in life in Waaqeffannaa is called Islam (submission to God) within the context of Islam. Different names for the same concept. In fact, both religions demand of their followers to engage in the path of personal peace and integrity; slavery is totally impermissible in Islam. Malpractices of rulers rejected by the majority of Muslims in their times cannot be opportunistically used by a theologian of another religion because the act in itself reveals dishonesty. There is a vast difference between asserting that one religion has been the object of malpractice and using unrepresentative moments and denounced practices and persons to portentously denigrate the religion in question. 

Religion India Map

Different Religions India

India, the world’s second most populous country and the largest democracy has a few other identifying points too. It is predominantly Hindu. Predominantly means there are a number of other religions practiced in the country and but for politicians, have existed side by side for centuries. Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Zorastrianism, Bah’ism, some of the significant minorities, have had roots in the country for centuries now. India has always been a breeding ground for spirituality, right from the (alleged) world’s oldest city, Kashi, or Varanasi, where Lord Shiva seems to come for a visit once in a while.

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 is actually made up of thousands of different religious groups and sects that have evolved in India over the last 5000 years ore more. Hinduism is generally regarded as the world's oldest organized religion.

Hinduism has grown to become the world's third largest religion, after Christianity and Islam. It claims about 762 million followers - 13% of the world's population. It is the dominant religion in India, Nepal, and among some the Tamils in Sri Lanka. According to the "Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches," there were about 1.1 million Hindus in the U.S. while the "American Religious Identification Survey" estimate about 766,000 Hindus in 2001. Statistics Canada estimates that there are about 157,015 Hindus in Canada. 

But what is this religion? Supposed to be the world’s oldest practiced faith, Hinduism is actually not a religion at all. It does not have a single God concept and it has no rules laid down. Religions that recognize the existence of multiple deities have traditionally been among the world's most religiously tolerant. Hinduism remains arguably one of the most tolerant of such religions. One does not have to take frequent visits to the temple in order to be a part of the community (indeed there is no community to speak of), and unlike Christianity, the priest is not the shepherd of his flock. The Hindu priest is merely the go between, connecting a man to his faith, blind or otherwise. He merely chants the required mantras (Sanskrit connotations to the forces of Nature that are ultimately what Gods are in Hinduism). They do not guide the Hindus to the path of righteousness, that job is left to swamis and Gurus. The priests merely collect money and disperse blessings on behalf of God. But we are going too fast.

Hindus worship a whole pantheon of Gods, their Kingdom of heaven is not where goodness resides, it is where an entire city of Gods reside, and they are ruled by Indra, a cunning, politically oriented king. Of course, his being the king does not make him superior to the Celestial Trinity, the Creator, The Keeper and the Destroyer, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Again, very opportunistic trends are observed here. The Creator, elderly Brahma with a flowing beard, three heads and Saraswati, the Goddess of learning as his consort, is not worshipped very much. He just IS. The Keeper, Vishnu, the dark skinned handsome God, with the celestial discus rotating on his little finger, reclining on the plush lotus bed with his consort Lakshmi , the Goddess of Wealth by his side, is the most incarnated God. He has steadily been making appearances on earth in the form of incarnations - principled warrior kings like Rama or political economists like Krishna. He is supposed to have taken nine incarnations in the existing era system, one for each Yuga(era). The last incarnation was Buddha, by far the most intellectual and gentle of all the incarnations, and he chose to start his own religion, Buddhism, today followed by a vast number of Asians (indeed, some pockets of Hollywood too). His consort, Lakshmi, is the most widely worshipped deity in terms of the populist votes, after all, she is identified as wealth. Accordingly, the daughter or the daughter-in-law of the house is referred to as Lakshmi, to invite wealth and prosperity.

Religion Taj Mahal

Here we are supposed to discuss an art form that comes from a rich culture, which has been the inspiration for many. It is a form of art that follows certain rules and regulations that were imposed by the religion. No art has ever been beautiful when restricted but Islamic Art proves to be an exception. According to the Islamic faith, art could not depict living beings and therefore Islamic Art seldom has any human or animal depictions but has arabesque, calligraphy, ceramics and floral designs. For Muslims depiction of living forms through art is audacity and challenge towards God who created humans with the help of his creative powers and it is only in his power to create such perfect shapes. No human should ever endeavor to imitate God’s work. Art and religion are intertwined and art reflects the strong belief of people in their religious teaching and its implementation in daily life.

Islamic art does not only refer to art that has been created in Islamic countries but also the lands that they ruled and influenced the art of that land, for example India which reflects a very healthy combination of Indian and Islamic Art. Islamic art has a very unique characteristic wherein the art is beyond temporality as a result of which people from and past and present both relate to it which adds to its popularity in every century.

Religion India

What is religion? It is the belief that we have in a faith which leads us to worship gods or is a set of rituals and observations that explain the reason for the existence of the universe. It involves devotional rituals and observances that followers need to live by and prescribes a moral code that should conduct the affairs of the believer. As long as there have been human beings, there has been some sort of religion. Voltaire once reflected on this when said, "If there were no God, it would have been necessary to invent him. There are different creation stories for different religions, but it is difficult to say with certainty which is the oldest religion as there are no written records that support claims.

All world religions claim to be the oldest religions of the world, as all religions have a creation story of how the world began. Technically animism should be considered as the oldest among the different types of religions but since it is a primitive religion which has been replaced by more formal religions, it is hardly practiced anymore. Animism is the belief that every natural object and the universe has a soul and this soul is to be worshiped. Animal worship is also a faith that has survived for many years now. In fact in 2006, a carved statue of a python was excavated in Botswana that has been dated to be at least 70,000 years old. Another unorganized form of religion that has been around for several centuries is Paganism which is the belief in worship of Mother Earth and reverence of forms of Earth.

Gold India

Love India

The other day, I was talking to some friends about the movie, Rang de Basanti, and as I was talking about it, I realized that it was path-breaking movie in terms of the subject matter, and the way in which the subject matter was dealt with. I remembered this one dialogue from the movie, which had stayed with me, much after the movie had ended: "Koi bhi desh perfect nahin hota... Use perfect banana padta hai", meaning, no country is perfect, it has to be made perfect. The dialogue echoes of the famous words of John F. Kennedy: "Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country." It set me thinking...

Do you remember The Indian Pledge, the one which we used to recite in school, too young to understand its significance? Let me jog your memory.

"India is my country, and all Indians are my brothers and sisters.
I love my country, and I am proud of its rich and varied heritage.
I shall always strive to be worthy of it.
I shall give my parents, teachers and all elders, respect,
And treat everyone with courtesy.
To my country and my people, I pledge my devotion.
In their well being and prosperity alone, lies my happiness."

I didn't even remember the pledge completely. As bad as it may sound, I had to Google it! I didn't even remember the last time I had thought about it! But, as I read it today, my heart is filled with a strange sense of heaviness. Have we stood by our oath or have we buried it along with a host of other things we prefer to forget? Has it become just another inconvenient truth for us? What happened to us? We have forgotten how much our freedom fighters have struggled to give us our freedom, which we not only take for granted, but abuse, today. When did we become what we have become - selfish, self-centered, self-serving, uncaring... How did we get here? When our forefathers handed our country over to us, they must have had such hopes and dreams for our country, for us. They had given us the most precious gift of all - our freedom. Freedom to spread our wings, to grow, to prosper... And what did we do? We curtailed our own freedom, we set boundaries, we divided ourselves into regions, we segregated ourselves with our castes, creeds, and religions. "With freedom comes great responsibility" said Jawaharlal Nehru in his historical Independence speech. Here are some excerpts from that speech.

Christianity India

In South India, little clay lamps are lit in homes. Their wicks are twisted so the flame lasts longer, and these tiny lamps decorate the walls and houses of the clean, green countryside as well as urban centers.
Kerala does it with more religious fervor, the most favorite tourist destination for foreigners to the country, this coastal state, popularly known as God’s own country, is believed to be the cradle of Christian civilization in the country, ever since a number of centuries ago, when St Thomas made it his land of missionary zeal. There are a number of old, wealthy, Christian communities there, and Christmas in Kerala is serious business, more faith than mere celebrations.

Even though the Christmas lunch menu is roast duck, sometimes pork and mince pies, there is a decided presence of stew and appams (pancakes made of a batter of rice flour and coconut milk, to be enjoyed with mutton stew, a very typical South Indian delicacy) too, the spirit of Christmas is present like nowhere else. There is avial, in other south Indian states, murukku (a fried pretzel made of lentil and rice flour), and athirasam gracing the table alongside the Christmas pudding. Sweets like rose cookies, doughnuts and diamond cuts are usually home made like cookies in the western countries.

Tropical plants, children in gaily colored dresses, devout believers attending the midnight or morning Mass, drums and hymns accompany the December 25th celebrations. Santa Clauses in all shapes and sizes but duly attired in their large red dresses and snow white beards give out sweets to children from street corners, shops and even schools. For days in advance, Christmas Carols are sung in Christian households, and a large star is hung up in the front of the house. Gifts are exchanged, tips are given around, and many a Hindu couple ends up spending more on Christmas gifts to each other than they would for a Hindu festival. This is the spirit of Christmas in India.

Bible India

Who frames our concepts about dating? Most of the dating concepts that have been formed in our minds is by what we see in the movies, talk shows, soaps, etc. However, it's up to us to choose to be squeezed into the world's mold. Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." So how can we apply this verse to dating? It's very simple, do we allow the world, the media, the people around us, etc. to tell us by what standards we are to live or do we allow the Holy Bible to guide us?

The Bible is the 'Word of God' which has all the information we need during our life time. Are we willing to allow God to guide us in this area of dating? Though the Bible does not specifically list down a set of Christian dating rules, there are various guidelines given for us that will help us in this area.