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belief that the soul
is indestructible (reincarnation) |
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ahimsa (non-violence
to living creatures, particularly cows) |
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most (but not all) Hindus are vegetarians |
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worship of many gods
and goddesses while at the same time belief in a unifying supreme
spirit |
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Brahmā (the creator) |
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Visnu (the preserver):
several avatars (manifestations or incarnations), Rama, Krishna,
etc. |
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Mahābhārata. [Great India] Attributed to Vyasa and dating to approximately the fourth century BCE, but describing events from the past. Describes the conflict between two branches of the Kuru clan (the Kauravas and Pandavas) for control of Hastinapura after a disagreement over ascention. The core of the epic is the Battle of Kurukshetra, which the Pandavas win, but at a horrific cost. One particularly important passage is the Bhagavad Gita (700 verses), delivered to the Pandava Arjuna by his charioteer, Krishna. |
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Rāmāyana. [Rama's Journey] Attributed to Valmiki and dating to approximately the fourth century BCE. Again, a dispute over royal ascention forces Rama and his wife Sita into exile for fourtheen years. His brother Laksman accompanies them. Bharata, the brother who has been place on the throne refuses to rule; but Rama convinces him to take the throne as regent. While in the forest in exile, the demon king of Sri Lanka, Ravana abducts Sita. Rama and Laksman, with the assistance of Hanuman and others, defeat Ravana in a protracted battle. |
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Siva (the destroyer) |
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Mātajī (śakti): Sarasvati, Parvati, Durga, Sri, etc. |
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