Om (Aum) – the most important Hindu symbol, often used as the emblem of Hinduism (see above).

• It consists of three syllables — a-u-m — which are considered to symbolize the three states of consciousness – waking, dreaming, and deep sleep. Aum is the most important mantra and is thus chanted at the beginning of many prayers, mantras, and rituals.

Hands in prayer – a sign of respect for the sacred, that which is dear to the heart (see above).

• Hindu people greet each other by placing their two hands together and slightly bowing the head, whilst saying namaste or a similar phrase. They adopt the same posture when greeting the temple deity or a holy person. Thus when greeting another person, a Hindu is offering respect to the soul within (atman) and also to God within the heart (Paramatman).

• Lotus (padma) – symbol of purity/transcendence. Growing out of the mud, it is beautiful, and though resting on water, it does not touch it.

• Conch shell – one of the four symbols of Vishnu. The others are the lotus, club and disc.

• Swastika – an ancient solar sign considered to invoke auspiciousnes.

• Trident (trishul) – the symbol of Shiva.• Kalasha – coconut circled by mango leaves on a pot.

Often used in rituals such as the fire sacrifice. • Cow – symbol of purity, motherhood and non-violence. • Lotus feet (of guru or deity) – touching the feet of

superiors shows an attitude of submission and service. • Dipa/lamp – symbol of light.

• A Hindu bride just prior to the wedding ceremony. Her jewelry is made of 22-carat gold. After marriage, Hindu ladies should wear the bindi in between the eyebrows.

• Filigreed patterns painted on the bride's palms with henna paste. The feet are similarly decorated. The paste is made from the powdered, dried leaves of the henna plant.

• Ancient Sanskrit texts laid down the concept of sola singar, the sixteen items with which every woman should adorn herself. They are: the bindi, necklaces, earrings, flowers in the hair, rings, bangles, armlets (for the upper arm), waistbands, ankle-bells, kohl (or kajal – mascara), toe rings, henna, perfume, sandalwood paste, the upper garment, and the lower garment. Though modern life makes wearing all of these impractical, many women will dress up in most or all sixteen items for weddings, festivals, and other special occasions.

• Hindu jewelry and ornaments are now popular amongst non-Hindus. The nose-ring, or nose-pin, traditionally represented purity and was often adopted when a girl reached marriageable age. The word "bindi" derives from the Sanskrit word "bindu," meaning "point" or "dot." It is placed on the agya-chakra, often termed "the third eye." In some traditions, the bindi is the sign of a married lady. Customarily it is made from kum-kum — vermilion, but as a fashion item it now comes in many shapes and colours.

Similar Words

Brahman – the supreme god, present in all people and things, parts of whom include:

• Other gods

• Atman (people’s souls)

• Nature

Brahma – the creator

Brahmin – priestly caste

Gods

Brahma – the creator – depicted with four heads and four sets of arms.

Vishnu – the preserver, who enters the world when evil threatens to overcome good. Vishnu has “avatars,” or different forms, that include the popular gods Krishna and Rama.

Shiva – the destroyer; but he also creates. He crushes evil so good can follow. Also called “Lord of the Dance.”

Sacred Texts of Hindus

Vedas – oldest, written in Sanskrit, contain hymns and stories.

Upanishads – very old teachings.

Ramayana – epic poem about Rama and Sita.

Mahabharata – longest epic poem in the world – contains Bhagavad-Gita, about Krishna’s advice to Arjuna.

Four Stages of Life

Hinduism teaches that the ideal life has four stages:

• Student

• Family man

• Thinker, contemplating spiritual things

• Wandering monk; has given up family life

Types of Yoga

• Jhana Yoga – yoga of knowledge and analysis of one’s mind; to achieve an understanding of what is real or illusory.

• Bhakti Yoga – yoga of love and devotion to god, as present in all people and things

• Karma Yoga – yoga of right action• Hatha Yoga – yoga of perfecting the body

through postures and breathing exercises.

Types of Yoga (cont’d)

• Raja Yoga – yoga of meditation.• Mantra Yoga – yoga of mantras, of repeating

words or sounds during meditation.• Kundalini Yoga – yoga of channeling energy

through the body’s chakras (energy centers), from the lowest to the highest chakra, to achieve self-realization.

Ganesha Riding His

Rat

Lord Ganesha: the lord of beginnings and wisdom

Saatphere (Traditional Hindu Marriage Scene)

A Divine Musical Concert at Vrindavan

Shri Hari's Lila is the Boat to Cross Over the Ocean of Mundane Existence

Krishna and

Radha

Gajendra Moksha

Goddess

Gayatri

Shri Rama and Sita in Exile

The Five Powers

of Lord Hanuman

The Gopis Celebrate the Appearance of Krishna

Procession at the Taj Mahal

A painting of Radha and Krishna in the distinctive Kangra style

Goddess Sarasvati: with two hands she strums the vina, and with another holds a book. Her fourth hand fingers prayer beads, symbolising the need for spirituality in both academic and artistic endeavours.

Krishna sets the example of how to receive a respectable guest. Here, in a story from the Bhagavata-Purana, he washes the feet of an impoverished Brahana.

He is seated on a skin of a tiger, a number of cobras all around his neck, his long matted hair into a mop atop of his head, the crescent that he wears on the mop of his hair, the sacred river Ganga falling from his head and flowing by his side who was brought down from heavens by Bhagiratha, the trident (trishula), the symbol of his power, the sacred bull and mendicant’s bowl.