Hinduism: A Polytheistic Religion

Hinduism is a polytheistic religion with countless Gods and Deities, that is now the third most followed religion in the world, after Christianity and Islam. The word “hindu” originated from the Sanskrit word “Sindhu” which is a historical name of the longest river in Asia, northwest of India. Hinduism is unique, the only religion without a founder, no one scripture, and it is without a specific set of rules and expectations. It is often described as being a way of life, unlike other religions, and is said to be an assortment of different religious, philosophical ideas, and cultural practices that began in India. While it doesn’t have specific teachings, it does have sacred texts, the Sanatana Dharma, otherwise known as “The Eternal Teaching”.

Dharma is a key concept with several meanings in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, and among these religions there is still not a single interpretation of the word Dharma. Hindus think of their religion as timeless, as if it has always existed. This, many think, is why many of the traditions in themselves are so unique. For example, wearing the Talik in between our eyebrows is believed to inhibit the loss of energy. The red ‘kumkum’ between the eyebrows is to retain energy in the human body,as well as to help control various levels of concentration.