Hinduism: Founders, Guru- Shishya Tradition, and Symbols
Hinduism is an ancient religion, probably 5000–6000 years old. Who is the founder of this religion? For example., Islam was founded by Prophet Mohammed, Christianity by Jesus Christ, or Buddhism by Siddhartha (Gautama Buddha). But it is very difficult to trace the founder of Hinduism. In this article, we will discuss the founders of Hinduism. Also, we will see how does this wonderful ancient religion transmits the teachings and experiences to the next generation? At the end of this article, we will discuss some of the important symbols of Hinduism.
Hinduism is an experiential religion(more of experience than faith) and hence there are many founders to count. Every century produces some giant which can talk about this religion from their own personal experience amalgamated with ideas and views prevailing at that time of the society. The generic term which Hinduism has given to its founder is “Rishi”. Rishi ( ऋषि) is the Sanskrit word which means “seer”, “the one who sees”. They are the great sages of ancient India, in deep states of meditation discovered the underlying, fundamental truth of the universe, and whose teachings formed the basis of the ancient Vedic civilization. These teachings were based on their own personal experience passed down to the next generation through Guru Shishya Parampara.
Guru Shishya Parampara
Guru (गुरु) is a Sanskrit word which means “one who destroys ignorance”, “the one who leads us from the path of darkness to light and the answers to the fundamental truth of the existence and universe”. Guru is used so loosely these days as a teacher or a subject matter expert. In Sanskrit literature, there are different words used for a teacher.
1. The teacher who gives you information is called Adhyapaka
2. The one who imparts knowledge combined with information is called Updadhaya
3.The one who imparts the skill is called Acharya
4. The one who can give a deep insight into a subject is called Pundit
5. The one who awakens the wisdom in you, leading you from darkness to light is called Guru
The Shishya (disciple) in turn should adopt three methodologies to inherit the wisdom of the Guru which is also very much relevant in today’s world, namely Pranama (show respect not necessarily to the individual, but the knowledge), Prasna (Asking the relevant question related to subject) and Shraddha (Faith in the words of Guru). Therefore to be a fit disciple needs lots of discipline, purity, and submissiveness. It is considered that this relationship, based on the genuineness of the guru, and the respect commitment, devotion, and obedience of the disciple, is the best way for subtle or advanced knowledge to be conveyed. The student eventually masters the knowledge that the guru embodies. The famous examples of this tradition are Krishna-Arjun, Swami Vivekananda-Ramkrishna Paramhansa.
Symbols of Hinduism and it’s the significance
Symbols such as gestures, signs, objects, signals, and words help people to understand and connect better with the outside world. Similarly, the symbol of religion is a connection between consciousness (seer) and the world (seen). Generally, there is one symbol for most of the religion, but Hinduism has many and that represents the vastness of this religion. I have highlighted the popular three.
- OM(ॐ): It is the most famous symbol of Hinduism. Almost all the important prayers either start with Om or ends with Om. In the deepest of the meditation, the whole universe is felt nothing but vibration and the closest utterable human approximation of this vibrational sound is Om. At the very root of the universe is the creative energy, identified as Om. Also, a detailed explanation of this word is found in Mandukya Upanishad which states that the three letters that make up the word OM (A-U-M) represent a corresponding psychological state of waking, dreaming, and dreamless sleep [three main states of consciousness].
- Lotus: It is also one of the most popular symbols of Hinduism. You can find famous deities Lord Brahma, Goddess Saraswati, and Goddess Lakshmi sitting on the lotus. While there are many dimensions to this symbol, the one which I like is “ Purity expressing itself through chaos”. Even though the lotus grows in very muddy places, lotus blossoms with perfection. So the idea of this religion is even though we find ourselves in the middle of difficult circumstances, people, surrounding, and place, there is something very pure within us trying to manifest like Lotus :)
- Swastika: The word Swastika (स्वस्तिक), is derived from the root word called स्वस्ति means “well being”. The idea is, to bring the well-being from all the corners of the world, hence it has four arms. Unfortunately, it was used as stolen by Hitler in WWII and became the symbol of Nazis. The only way to distinguish between both is the color. The Hindu Swastika is Red/Orange while the Nazis Swastika is black.
While these are the basics facts about Hinduism, the deeper concepts like Maya, Karma, Rebirth, God with or without form will be covered in the subsequent articles.
