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The
term "Hindu mythology" is used by modern day scholars for
ancient Indian literature which has historically important
details about people, places, kings, style of living,
deities, incarnations, sages etc. In academic studies, the
term "myth" does not mean fiction or that the narrative is
false. It is essentially a western epithet given to all
non-Judeo-Christian religious literature. The archaeological
evidences point to the veracity of our ancient texts and
therefore, Hindu mythology is essentially Hindu legends and
cherished beliefs of Hinduism.
The various topics of Hinduism contain stories that are
accepted as literal truth by some and as philosophical or
allegorical insights by others. The different topics are :
Swargaloka/Swargalok/Heaven
The concept of Swarga (heaven) is that it is a temporary
place for enjoying the fruits of good actions committed on
Earth. The ultimate goal is "Moksha" (supreme salvation)
that every soul wants. Swarga is said to be inhabited by
Devas (Gods), who are believed to be the children of Rishi
Kashyapa and his wife Aditi.
Indra (the God of thunder and lightning), is the king of
Swarga. The other devas residing there include Varuna (the
God of the oceans), Agni (the God of fire), Kubera (the
treasurer of the Gods), Yamaraja, or Dharma (the lord of
righteousness and death), Surya (the sun God), Chandra (the
moon God), and Kamadeva (the God of love).
Narakloka/Naraklok/Hell
The concept of Naraka is that the souls of people is broght
here to suffer pains and punishments for the sins they
committed on Earth. It is said that Lord Yama rules the
Naraka with a band of emissaries called the Yama duta
Chitragupta acts as the accountant for every deed that has
been committed by the human beings on Earth and based on
that the humans are assigned the privilege of living in
Swarga or confined to Naraka.
Hindu Gods and Goddesses
Hinduism believes in one God who is formless, nameless,
infinite and eternal. Human minds have portrayed God in many
forms with humanistic characteristics like fatherhood,
motherhood, love etc. The one eternal god is called
"Brahman". All Universes is born from God and everything
dies and goes back to him. God is the Creator, Preserver and
Destroyer. Thus, Hinduism believes in one God who has
numerous names and forms.
Hindu Gods
It is said that Hinduism has about 33 crore or 330 million
gods and goddesses. However, ancient scriptures have stated
that Hinduism has "33 Koti Devas" which has been variously
interpreted as 330 million or 33 crore(1 koti = 1 crore)
Gods or 33 categories of Gods since "koti" also means
"category".
Hindu Gods are male forms of the one God - Brahman. Humans
have given different names and forms to the same god. The
most commonly worshiped Gods of Hinduism are:
-
Lord Brahma/Prajapati : The Creator
-
Lord Vishnu/Narayana : The Preserver
-
Lord Shiva/Rudra :
The Destroyer
-
Lord Ganesha
-
Lord Rama
-
Lord Krishna
-
Lord Hanuman
-
Lord Kartikeya
-
Lord Kuber
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