Essay on Hinduism

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Vinshu the preserver

Is the second member of the hindu trinity. He maintains the order and harmony of the universe. Along with Shiva, Vinshu is one of the most worshipped gods. Vinsho is wearing yellow clothes. It represents life on earth, fighting for justice and destroying the evil. Vinshu is married to laksmi the goddess for wealth.

Shiva, the destroyer

The third member of the hindu trinity. Shiva has to destroy the universe to prepare for it´s renewal at the end of each cycle of time. Shiva makes the renewal possible. The most important physical sign of Shiva, is his vertical eye. Also called the third eye. He has cobras around his neck and although he is surrounded by death, he is the power of death.

- Who are the gurus and the sadhus?

A guru is a person who has reached a high level of spiritual knowledge and is for that reason capable of guiding sadhus to which path they should follow. A sadhu is a religious individual on a spiritual search and they always need a guru to guide them. You can easily recognize them because they usually wander around half-naked covered with dust with their hair and beard tangled. A sadhu is often someone who has a completely normal business and family life, but decides to throw everything aside because they think that they have reached their natural conclusion and that it is time to go out on a spiritual search.

- Why, do think, are many Westerners attracted to Hinduism?

Many Westerners find India very fascinating. They are interested in their culture, society and especially religion. In the West, we mostly believe in only one God and have a lot of different traditions compared to India. Hindus are polytheists and believe in reincarnation, karma, dharma etc. This is very far away from our own world and apprehension of religion. We think that’s why we are so attracted to Hinduism. We all seek the same truth and are fascinated by how others find it. If you understand other religions, you may be closer to understand your own.