The VedasThe Vedas are the earliest known scriptures in Hinduism. The Sanskrit word "Veda" means knowledge. It is believed that the Vedas are the eternal truths that were heard and then written down by holy witnesses. The Vedas established several current Hindu concepts such as reincarnation, karma, samsara, and dharma. The Vedas were initially passes down orally but were then written in an early form of writing called Sanskrit. The Rig Veda, being the oldest and largest of the Vedas, is a collection of 1,028 hymns which contain the mythology of the Hindu Gods. The Rig Veda was written by Aryans in the Indus Valley region, towards the end of the Harappan Civilization, around 1300 and 1000 BCE. The Rig Veda also contributed to the rise of the caste system. Three other important
Vedas are the Sama Veda, the Yajur-Veda, and the Atharva
Veda.
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Hinduism is known as the oldest religion in the world, and for an approximate 5,000 years, it has not undergone any major changes or transitions. Unlike most religions, Hinduism does not have a definite starting point or a single founder. Rather, it is a collection of the beliefs of the Indian people. Hinduism originated in the Indus River Valley area with the arrival of the Aryans. Archaeologists can infer that Aryan Vedism intermingled with the polytheistic beliefs of the indigenous people to create Hinduism.
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The Upanishads The Upanishads are sacred texts that finalize the unknown, mystical chapter of Hindu religious thought. The multiple writings were created soon after the Vedas and are written in Sanskrit. The Upanishads added a mystical element to Hinduism and they reveal the knowledge of the rebirth cycle and the ultimate path to moksha. The collection of works emphasizes the importance of Brahman (the universal spirit) and Atman (one's self). In addition to the idea of life after death, the Upanishads reflect a more religious approach to nature and state that cows and monkeys are sacred animals. Also, the Upanishads say that that contemplation of the divine spirit is just as important as regular, worldly concerns. The Upanishads created an ethical system, as well as the Lawbook of Manu, the most famous early legal code, which states that the caste system is divinely ordained. It also emphasizes the superiority of men in Indian culture, but it didn't restrict women as much as in other cultures. The Upanishads essentially completed the caste system and Hinduism.
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