Know about the origin and history of Hinduism

New Delhi: Hinduism is commonly thought to be the oldest religion in the history of human civilization. Historians believe Hinduism originated around 2500 B.C. but Hindu theologists believe the religion had been there since pre-historic period.The word Hindu originated, not as the name of a religion, but as a geographical marker. It is derived from the name of River Indus (known as Sindhu), which flows through northern India. In ancient times the river was called the ‘Sindhu', but the Persians who migrated to India called the river ‘Hindu', the land ‘Hindustan' and its inhabitants ‘Hindus'. Thus the religion followed by the Hindus came to be known as ‘Hinduism'. According to scholars, the evolution of Hinduism may be divided into three periods: the ancient (6500 BCE-1000 AD), the medieval (1000-1800 AD), and the modern (1800 AD to present). More than 800 million Hindus live in India today. In addition to this, there are around 50 million people of Indian Origin live in other countries, of which majority could be Hindus. One of the major attributes of Hinduism is that it is an open religion, almost a way of life rather than a very disciplined formal institution. It emphasizies more on human and spiritual values than formal practices.There is no founder, no distinct theological system, no ethical code (escept Manu Smriti), no centralized organization, no single holy book, nor a rigid code of laws in this religion. It emerges from the river valley civilisation as a continually evolving religious system, welcoming different strands of thoughts and beliefs.The archaeological sites along the Indus have revealed many terra-cotta figures resembling gods and goddesses in the Vedic literature, some of which are still worshipped. Though religious figurines abound, temples inexplicably are absent from the Indus cities. Because the Indus valley script is yet to be deciphered, much of the Dravidian culture and religion remains a mystery.Buddhism was an offshoot of Hinduism, with Gautama Buddha, seeking the truth of life, deciding to launch his own religion. Hinduism is the only major religion lacking an adequate explanation as to its origin. Similarly, Sikh religion founded by Guru Nanak draws most of its ideals, thoughts and beliefs from Hindu scriptures, though it has now a distinct existence of its own, with different mode of worship and the Holy Guuru Granth Sahib as the guru.cholars are able to piece together the earliest Indian religion only through archaeology, clues in the later texts, and by extrapolating from existing traditions. Hindu literature, the Rig Veda, speaks often of “the Creator,” of “the One,” a Great God over all the other gods. He is called Varuna, and is closely related to the Zoroastrian god Ahura Mazdā (“Wise Lord”) and the Greek god Uranus (Ourania). Though an insignificant sea god in the current pantheon, Varuna was a prominent god in the ancient system, and the subject of many hymns in the Rig Veda. Zwemer writes that Varuna is “the most impressive of the Vedic gods. He is the prehistoric Sky-god whose nature and attributes point to a very early monotheistic conception. This god is an ethical god, capable of great wrath or merciful forgiveness of sins. Similar are the cases with Indra (the god of clouds), Agni (the god of fire), and similar numerous gods in the Hindu pantheon. Though Hinduism has two main branches : Shaivism and Vaishnavism, they both belong to the Sanatana Dharma (the perennial religion). Adi Guru Shankaracharya went across the length and breadth of India and established four peethas (seats of learning) - Badrinath, Dwarka, Jagannath Puri and Kanchi. The line of Shankaracharyas is still extant. During the Maha Kumbh festival held at Prayag every 12 years, saints and shankaracharyas from all parts of India congregate to offer their prayers from Makar Sankranti right up till Maha Shiv Ratri.Srimad Bhagavad Gita, as spoken by Lord Krishna to the Maharabharata warrior Arjuna, is considered the holiest of the holy books in Hindu religion.