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India has a rich religious and cultural heritage, extending about 5,000 years into the past. The population of India is multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-lingual. This populace lives within extremely diverse geographical conditions. Equally diverse has been their history, due to invasions by various races-dating back to Huns & Greeks in the 2nd and 3rd centuries A.D. (Panikkar, 1955).
For this diverse population. Indian religion provides a common base. Indian religion, 'Dharma', is not a narrow term in the Western sense, but is an all encompassing way of life.
More than 80% of the population are Hindus, and the rest belong to major religion like Christianity (2.5) Islam (12%) and Jainism (2%) Christians and Moslims of India are converts from Hinduism. Hence, they follow most of the socio-religious beliefs and practices of Hinduism.
Nature and beliefs in Hindusism
Hinduism is polytheistic in nature. It also believes in the existence of God in humans, animals, and natural forces. It believes that God exists in the soul of the individual, which ultimately merges into a universal cosmic force called 'Paramatma' meaning 'Universal Soul'.
These beliefs about the nature of God and human beings, was earlier put into writing in the Sanskrit language, through the Vedas, the Smritis and the Dharma Shastras. They were further vividly illustrated in the two most important epics of Indian mythology -- the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. From the 10th century onwards these works were reinterpreted and translated into the vernacular by saints of the Bhakti movement and other preachers. They spread these beliefs among the masses through the media of story, drama, dance, Ballads and hymns, and even sculpture.
Polytheistic beliefs were practised through idol worship, the idols, being in human, animal or 'natural' (eg. the Sun God) forms. Each of these idols have a symbolism, representing knowledge, wealth, strength etc.
Every Hindu is believed to be born with Godly and demonic qualities innate in him. The demonaic qualities are six in all Lust, Greed, Anger, Temptation, Jealousy and Arroganace -- and are the real enemies of each individual. He must tight with these inner enemies by following the Hindu Dharma. If he is successful in minimising or killing all these 'enemies', each individual can reach Godhood - 'Mahatma', Great Soul, in this...