INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF

SYSTEMS
Module 8

Activity:
1. Illustrate and explain the story of creation in Rig Veda.
Few cultures are as difficult to comprehend as India's. This can also be seen in its ancient sources
when it comes to theories about the existence of the earth. Base from the poet of one of the
hymns in the Rig Veda, a series of hymns, ponders the question of whether anything can be first,
i.e., whether there can have been any development at all.

Activity:
1. List the different gods and goddesses and their personifications or functions based on the Rig
Veda of Hinduism.
The Vedas are considered supreme in Hinduism. They are used to verify spiritual truths as a
standard testimony. The following information about Vedic gods and goddesses is culled from
the Vedas only, especially from the hymns of the Rigveda, which is the mother of the other three
Vedas. Hinduism underwent many changes in its long history. The gods who once ruled the
Vedic minds and cornered the major offerings during sacrificial ceremonies were gradually
replaced and relegated into a subordinate position by subsequent developments which heralded
the emergence of its principal traditions, namely Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism and
Smaraism. In this, the ruling classes from all parts of India, as patrons of priestly families, played
a significant role, in addition to many foreign rulers like Kushanas, Sakas, and Pahlavas. What
survived from the Vedic religion were the priestly traditions and practices and their philosophical
base. Therefore, those who do not know or understand the transformational nature of Hinduism
and its metamorphosis in the post Vedic period may find this information unfamiliar or
unknown. There is an argument of colonial days in Hinduism according to which the Vedic
religion and culture overwhelmed and dominated the Indian subcontinent and native cultures.
The truth is Vedic religion was submerged into Hinduism and became a significant part of it
along with several other native traditions. Their combined strength makes Hinduism uniquely
and significantly different from the dogmatic and regimented religions of the world. Jayaram V

Activity:
1. For a Hindu, how does one attain moksha?
It is achieved by overcoming ignorance and desires. It is a paradox in the sense that overcoming
desires also includes overcoming the desire for moksha itself. It can be achieved both in this life
and after death.

Activity:
1. Identify the benefits that can be reaped by practicing the four yogas.

increased flexibility.

increased muscle strength and tone.

improved respiration, energy and vitality.

maintaining a balanced metabolism.

weight reduction.

cardio and circulatory health.

improved athletic performance.

protection from injury.

2. Simulate a particular yoga and write a reflection paper on your insights on Hinduism.
Yoga, in Indian traditions, is more than just a physical workout; it also has a meditative and
spiritual aspect. Yoga is one of Hinduism's six main orthodox schools, with its own
epistemology, ontology, and metaphysics, and is closely related to Hindu Samkhya philosophy.

Submitted By: Luck