The Origins of Hinduism

Source of the word “Hindu”

• No such word as “Hindu” in Sanskrit• Western boundary of India was the Indus River

(in ancient times the Sindhu River)• First Westerners to the Sindhu (Indus) Valley

were Persians• Persians at the time had no sound in their

language equivalent to “s” and called the inhabitants of this area Hindus.

• Greeks and others copied the Persians

Indus Valley Civilization • Dates vary but likely

started around 3000 BCE

• Many images of cows/bulls were found

• Main deities were female

• Pools have been found adjacent to temples– Ritual bathing?

• Shiva seems to come from this area.

Aryans

• Arrived around 1500 BCE from the North-West• Sanskrit language• Primarily male gods• Wrote Vedas and other scripture• Introduced new ideas:– Samsara: Endless cycle of rebirth– Karma: The totality of one’s actions– Dharma: Religious or moral duty– Atman: Human soul, part of the Universal soul

• Developed the caste system

Indus Valley Civilization video