Hinduism Explained

Summary

This script offers an insightful exploration of Hinduism, the world's oldest active religion, emphasizing its core beliefs like the Universal Soul, individual soul (Atman), karma, and Moksha. It delves into the sacred texts, including the Vedas and Upanishads, and discusses the caste system's evolution and its modern implications. The script provides a comprehensive yet accessible introduction to Hinduism's rich philosophical underpinnings and its impact on the lives of over a billion people.

Takeaways

• 🌏 Hinduism is considered the world's oldest active religion, deeply intertwined with the concept of India, sharing origins from the ancient Indus Valley civilization.
• 🙏 Hindus refer to their faith as Sanātana Dharma, emphasizing it as an eternal tradition and way of life rather than a religion in the conventional sense.
• 🔮 The core beliefs of Hinduism include the belief in a Universal Soul (Brahman), individual souls (Atman), karma, Moksha, the Vedas, cyclical time, and dharma.
• 📚 The Vedas are the sacred texts of Hinduism, comprising four parts: Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, and Atharva Veda, each with distinct themes and purposes.
• 🤔 The Upanishads are philosophical texts that delve into the nature of the soul (Atman) and reality, emphasizing that the soul is the true self, beyond the physical and ego.
• 📖 Other important texts include the Puranas, Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and Mahabharata, which provide a rich tapestry of Hindu beliefs, stories, and philosophies.
• 🧘 The four goals of a Hindu life are dharma (righteousness), artha (prosperity), kama (pleasure), and moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth).
• 👨‍🦲 Hindus worship a multitude of gods and goddesses, including the Trimurti—Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer)—who play pivotal roles in the cosmos.
• 🏰 The caste system, although historically rigid and criticized for social stratification, is based on the division of labor and societal functions, with modern changes aiming to break down traditional barriers.
• 🔄 Avatars in Hinduism are divine interventions where deities descend to Earth to restore dharma, exemplified by figures like Rama and Krishna.
• 🌐 Hinduism encompasses diverse denominations such as Vaishnavas, Shaivas, Smartas, and Shaktas, each with distinct practices but sharing a common foundation in core beliefs.

Q & A

What is the term Hindus use to refer to their religion, and what does it mean?

Hindus refer to their religion as 'Sanātana Dharma,' which means the eternal tradition.

How is Hinduism considered in relation to its age and the concept of India?

Hinduism is considered the world's oldest active religion and is so deeply intertwined with the concept of India that the two are inseparable. The term 'Hindu' and 'India' even share the same etymological root, originating from the Sanskrit word 'Sindhu' for the Indus River.

What are the 7 core beliefs of Hinduism mentioned in the script?

The 7 core beliefs are: 1) Belief in a One Universal Soul (Brahman), 2) Belief in an immortal individual soul (Atman), 3) Belief in karma, 4) Belief in Moksha (liberation from the cycle of life and death), 5) Belief in the Vedas (sacred texts), 6) Belief in cyclical time, and 7) Belief in dharma (proper behavior or duty).

What is the significance of the concept of Atman in Hinduism?

Atman represents the individual soul in Hinduism. It is believed to be immortal, with actions in one life affecting its next life through the concept of transmigration and karma.

What is the ultimate goal in Hindu life according to the script?

The ultimate goal in Hindu life is to achieve Moksha, which is the liberation from the cycle of life and death and a return to the Universal Soul, Brahman.

What are the four Vedas and what do they generally cover?

The four Vedas are the sacred texts of Hinduism: 1) Rig Veda (hymns and discussions on gods, truth, reality, and rituals), 2) Yajur Veda (sacrificial rites and rituals), 3) Sama Veda (musical hymns dedicated to gods), and 4) Atharva Veda (various charms, curses, and practical knowledge).

What is the Bhagavad Gita and why is it significant in Hinduism?

The Bhagavad Gita, often referred to as the Gita, is a significant text in Hinduism that takes place on a battlefield and discusses dharma and life's purpose through a conversation between Arjuna and Lord Krishna.

What are the four major denominations within Hinduism?

The four major denominations within Hinduism are Vaishnavas (worshipers of Vishnu), Shaivas (worshipers of Shiva), Smartas (followers of sacred texts like the Puranas and epics), and Shaktas (worshipers of the goddess Devi).

What is the caste system in Hinduism and how has it evolved over time?

The caste system in Hinduism is a social stratification based on four main castes: Brahmin (priests), Kshatriya (warriors), Vaishya (traders), and Shudra (laborers). Originally based on abilities and functions, it later became rigid and hereditary, leading to social inequalities, especially with the emergence of the 'untouchables' or those outside the caste system.

What is an avatar in Hinduism and why do avatars descend to Earth?

An avatar in Hinduism is a divine incarnation or descent of a deity to Earth. Avatars descend to restore dharma and maintain balance in the universe whenever it is threatened.

How does the script describe the Hindu concept of dharma and its importance?

Dharma in Hinduism is described as 'proper behavior' or duty that maintains balance in the universe. It is crucial for every being to follow their dharma to ensure harmony and prevent chaos.

Outlines

00:00

🌏 Introduction to Hinduism

Hinduism, the religion of over a billion people, is the world's oldest and often the most confusing to non-Hindus. Known as Sanātana Dharma or the eternal tradition by its followers, Hinduism's roots trace back to the merging of the ancient Indus Valley civilization and nomads around 1500 BC. The term 'Hindu' comes from 'Sindhu,' the Sanskrit name for the Indus River, which ancient Persians modified. Hinduism's history is deeply intertwined with India, and its ancient language is Sanskrit. The religion is ancient, with beliefs and traditions that have evolved over thousands of years.

05:03

📜 Core Beliefs of Hinduism

Hinduism is diverse, with followers ranging from strict devotees to those who follow its philosophy without belief in gods. The seven core beliefs include: 1) Brahman, the formless, universal soul; 2) Atman, the immortal individual soul; 3) Karma, actions that affect one's future; 4) Moksha, liberation from the cycle of rebirth; 5) The Vedas, sacred texts; 6) Cyclical time, with no beginnings or endings; 7) Dharma, the proper behavior maintaining universal balance. Each being has a specific dharma, and adherence to it ensures cosmic order.

10:07

📚 Sacred Texts of Hinduism

Hinduism lacks a single prophet or central text. The four Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva) are the primary sacred texts. The Upanishads, written between 800 BC and 500 BC, offer philosophical insights and challenge Vedic ideas. Other important texts include the Puranas, the Bhagavad Gita, and the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. These texts cover a wide range of topics from philosophy and religion to daily life and ethics, shaping the diverse practices and beliefs within Hinduism.

15:07

🕉️ Hindu Deities and Practices

Hindus worship a multitude of gods, with Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer) forming the Hindu Trinity. Each has unique attributes, consorts, and symbols. For example, Vishnu has avatars like Krishna and Rama. Hindu worship includes various denominations such as Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Smartism, and Shaktism. Despite differences, core beliefs remain consistent, emphasizing dharma and the cyclic nature of time. The concept of avatars, divine beings descending to restore dharma, is central to Hindu belief.

🏛️ The Caste System

The caste system, often associated with Hinduism, categorizes people into four main castes: Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (traders), and Shudras (laborers). Originating from the Rig Veda and Bhagavad Gita, it was meant to organize society based on abilities. However, over time, it became rigid due to texts like the Manu Smriti, leading to social hierarchies and discrimination. Modern India sees more social mobility and mixed interactions, but caste-based distinctions persist, especially in marriage.

🙏 Conclusion: The Depth of Hinduism

Hinduism's rich and diverse traditions, beliefs, and practices cannot be fully covered in a single video. It is a complex and ancient religion that means different things to different people. Understanding even the basics offers insight into the worldview of over a billion people. The video's aim is to provide a foundational understanding and appreciation of Hinduism's depth and diversity, encouraging further exploration and learning.

Keywords

💡Hinduism

Hinduism is the world's oldest active religion, deeply rooted in the history and culture of India. It is referred to as Sanātana Dharma by its followers, meaning the 'eternal tradition'. The video script explores Hinduism's core beliefs, its rich tapestry of deities, and its impact on the lives of over a billion people. The theme of the video is to demystify Hinduism, showing it as a complex yet unified system of beliefs and practices.

💡Sanātana Dharma

Sanātana Dharma is a term used by Hindus to describe their religion, emphasizing its timeless and eternal nature. It reflects the belief that Hinduism is not just a religion but a way of life that has been followed since time immemorial. The script uses this term to highlight the unique perspective Hindus have on their spiritual tradition.

💡Brahman

Brahman is a fundamental concept in Hinduism, representing the ultimate reality, a formless, genderless, and infinite source of all existence. The script describes it as an ocean from which all else emanates, like drops of water, and to which they will eventually return. It is central to understanding the Hindu concept of the one universal soul.

💡Atman

Atman refers to the individual soul in Hindu philosophy. The script explains that the Atman is subject to the law of karma, with actions in one life affecting the next in a cycle of transmigration. The concept of Atman is integral to the Hindu belief in the immortality of the soul and its journey towards Moksha.

💡Karma

Karma is the law of cause and effect that governs the spiritual consequences of actions in Hinduism. The script illustrates how karma impacts an individual's soul, determining the conditions of their future lives. It is a keystone of the Hindu belief system, linking actions to their karmic outcomes.

💡Moksha

Moksha is the ultimate goal in Hinduism, representing liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The script describes it as a state of being where the individual soul realizes its oneness with Brahman, thus achieving eternal peace. Moksha exemplifies the spiritual aspiration of Hindus to transcend the material world.

💡Vedas

The Vedas are the ancient and sacred texts of Hinduism, considered to be divinely revealed knowledge. The script mentions four Vedas: Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, and Atharva Veda, each with its unique focus and significance. They form the scriptural foundation of Hindu beliefs and practices.

💡Dharma

Dharma in Hinduism is a multifaceted concept that can be translated as 'duty', 'moral order', or 'cosmic law'. The script explains it as the proper behavior that maintains balance in the universe. Dharma is context-dependent, varying by age, caste, and individual roles, and is crucial for societal harmony and individual spiritual progress.

💡Yuga

Yuga refers to the cyclical ages of time in Hindu cosmology. The script outlines four yugas: Krita, Treta, Dwapara, and Kali, each with decreasing moral values and increasing difficulties. The concept of yuga illustrates the belief in the cyclical nature of existence and the current age's challenges.

💡Avatar

An avatar in Hinduism is the descent of a deity to Earth in a visible form. The script describes avatars as divine interventions to restore dharma when the balance of the universe is threatened. Examples given include Vishnu's avatars like Rama and Krishna, who played pivotal roles in upholding dharma.

💡Caste System

The caste system is a social stratification found traditionally in Hindu society, divided into four main castes: Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra. The script explains the historical evolution of the caste system from a fluid arrangement based on ability to a rigid, birth-based hierarchy, which has had profound social implications.

Highlights

Hinduism is considered the world's oldest active religion, deeply intertwined with the concept of India.

The term 'Hindu' originates from the Sanskrit name for the Indus River, 'Sindhu', modified by ancient Persians and Greeks.

Hinduism encompasses a wide range of beliefs, from strict devotion to a philosophy without belief in deities.

Seven core beliefs form the foundation of Hinduism, including the concept of a Universal Soul, Brahman.

The individual soul, or Atman, is believed to be immortal, with actions affecting its future lives through transmigration.

Karma plays a central role in Hinduism, influencing the soul's future based on its past and present actions.

Moksha represents the ultimate goal for Hindus, the liberation from the cycle of life and death by reuniting with Brahman.

The Vedas are the sacred texts of Hinduism, believed to be divinely revealed to ancient sages.

Hinduism views time as cyclical, consisting of four ages or yugas within a cycle that lasts approximately 4.32 million years.

Dharma is a crucial concept, referring to proper behavior that maintains balance in the universe.

The Atharva Veda is noted for its diverse content, including curses, herbal medicine, and warfare.

The Upanishads offer philosophical insights, emphasizing that the soul, Atman, is the true self, beyond the physical and ego.

The Puranas serve as comprehensive encyclopedias of Hindu beliefs, covering a wide array of topics.

The Bhagavad Gita is a pivotal text, illustrating the importance of fulfilling one's dharma, even in the face of adversity.

The epics Ramayana and Mahabharata emphasize the necessity of adhering to dharma for societal order.

Hinduism identifies four major denominations, each with distinct practices and deities of focus.

Avatars in Hinduism are divine interventions, where gods descend to Earth to restore dharma.

The caste system, while historically oppressive, is evolving in modern times, with changes in social interaction and marriage preferences.

Hinduism's diversity and depth offer a rich understanding of the worldview of over a billion people.

Transcripts

Hinduism, the religion of over a billion people, is the world’s oldest religion and the most

confusing one to non-Hindus. Some say it isn’t even a religion, more a way of life. Hindus

themselves call it Sanātana Dharma, the eternal tradition. So what is Hinduism, does YOLO

apply to them, and who is this elephant guy? Well, Let’s Find Out.

Hinduism is the world's oldest active religion. It's the result of the merging of the ancient

Indus Valley civilsation and nomads that came into India around 1500BC. Some scholars say

it could even go back many more thousands of years....but we won't delve too deep into

dates. As dates in Hinduism are very controversial. But one thing is certain. Hinduism is old.

Like, at least, 36 Betty White's. Hinduism has been around so long that it and the concept

of India are inseparable. Hindu and India even come for the same word.

Sanskrit was the ancient language of the Hindus, and the Sanskrit name for the Indus River

is Sindhu. The Ancient Persians who sat across the Indus tended to switch S's to H's. So

Sindhu became Hindu. So people the living across the river became Hindus. The Persians

told the Greeks who dropped that not very Greek like H, stuck a very Greek like "ia"

to the end and boom, India.

Hinduism has a long long history. But today we'll be focusing just on the core beliefs

of Hindus because I don't have the willpower to animate a 3 hour video.

Hindus are a diverse group. Some are strict, dedicating their lives to prayer. While others

don't believe in any gods but follow Hindu philosophy.

To make things easier to understand let's break Hinduism down into 7 core beliefs. So

here's my rap about the 7 Hindu beliefs.......please don’t do the rap, you’re better than this

man......fine. Here's the regular version.

1. Belief in a One Universal Soul: Hindus believe in a Universal Soul know as Brahman.

A formless, genderless, source of all reality. Brahman is the universe and the material that

makes up the universe. It's a trippy concept. Think of Brahman as an ocean and everything

else as drops propelling out of that ocean. Seperate for a time, but still the same thing.

2. Belief in an immortal individual soul. In Hinduism souls are known as Atman. Actions

of the soul while in a body have effects on that soul's next life. When you die your soul

moves to another new body. This is called transmigration. The kind of body the soul

inhabits next is determined by karma.

3. Belief in karma: Karma is action, usually good or bad actions that affect society. For

Hindus karmic actions in the past affect us today and our actions today affect our soul's

future.

4. Belief in Moksha: The goal in Hindu life is to somehow get back to Brahman. If a Hindu

can do this they will be freed from cycle of life and death. This is called moksha.

You can achieve moksha by realising your oneness with Brahman. How you realise this is up to

you. For this reason, Hindus pray “Lead me from the unreal to the real.”

5. Belief in the Vedas: The Vedas are Hindu sacred books of knowledge. There are four

Vedas. Hindus believe that all four were divinely revealed to ancient Hindu sages. We'll take

a look at them in a while.

6. Belief in cyclical time: For Hindus there are no beginnings or endings. Time is series

of cycles. With each cycle containing four ages or yugas: Krita, Treta, Dwapara, and

Kali. Added together, the four yugas total about 4.32 million years. At the end of each

cycle, declining human morality lead to total destruction of reality. Hindus believe were

are in the 4th and final yuga, Kali.

7. Belief in dharma: Dharma is a difficult word to translate to English. “Proper Behavior”

is the best I could come up with. Dharma maintains balance in the universe. As long as everything

in the universe like animals, plants, and humans follow their dharma, then everything

will be fine. If they break from their dharma, things will to super not fine. Each being

has its own dharma. A lion's dharma is to kill and eat antelope. A King's dharma is

to rule well. A subscriber's dharma is to smash that like button and ring the notification

bell. For humans their specific dharma is usually based on their age and caste. A old

priest will have a different dharma than a young merchant for example.

So those are the 7 core beliefs of Hinduism. With them you can understand the Hindu mindset.

Unlike Christianity or Islam, Hinduism is a non-prophet organisation. There is no Jesus

or Mohammed for Hindus. There is no Bible, Koran, or Torah. Instead they have a bunch

and I mean a bunch of sacred texts.

The 4 Vedas form the basis of Hindu faith. So let's take a look at them.

1. Rig Veda:

The Rig Veda is a collection of songs that praise the gods and discusses ideas like Truth,

Reality, and The Universe. Along with discussion on war, weddings, and rituals.

2. Yajur Veda:

The Yajur Veda covers stuff such sacrificial rites and rituals.

3. The Sama Veda:

Sama literally means “sweet song that destroys sorrow.” It is mostly songs dedicated to

praising gods. It’s different than the rest because it is set to music.

4. Atharva Veda:

The Atharva Veda is my favourite one! Do you want to curse your enemies and charm that

special someone? Maybe learn to invoke rain or discover herbal medicine along with tips

on warfare. Like how to make poison arrows!.

Along with a bunch of charms and curses. It even has a curse against cursers: "Avoid us,

O curse, as a burning fire avoids a lake! Strike here him that curses us, as the lightning

of heaven the tree!"

A link to the Atharva Veda is in the description just in case you need a spell get a wife or

another to banish pigeons from your presence.

After the Vedas come the Upanishads which are like a sequel that makes the original

make much more sense. They were probably written down between 800BC and 500BC. During a time

when some Hindus started to question the Vedas. Their ideas became the Upanishads.

The Upanishads are books on philosophy. Like we would expect for Plato or Aristotle.

They're all about questioning, doubt, debate, and finding the answers to life's difficult

questions.

A theme in the Uphanishads is that people are not their minds, or bodies, or egos but

their Atman. Your soul is you, everything else is unreal and temporary.

After the holy texts like the Vedas and Upanishads are other less divine but still important

texts. These include the stuff like the Puranas, Bhagavad Gita, and the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

The Puranas are like encyclopedias of Hindu beliefs.

There are 18 well-known puranas. The Puranas cover things from yoga, to army organisation,

to taxation, the caste system, hell, gods and everything in between.

The Bhagavad Gita, Gita for short, is one of Hinduism most important texts.

The Gita takes place on a battlefield where Arjuna a great warrior refuses to fight. Lord

Krishna steps in to urge Arjuna to fight and their discussion covers things such as dharma

and how to live your best life.

Arjuna eventually fought after Lord Krishna taught him the truth about dharma. As a member

of the warrior caste, Arjuna's dharma was to fight against evil. The lesson of the Gita

is that everyone faces difficult choices but they must act on them according to their dharma.

No matter how unpleasant.

Along with all these philosophical texts Hinduism also has two action packed epics.

The Ramayana and Mahabharata:

Ramayana, the earlier of the two epics, tells the story of Prince Rama. In the epic, you

find out about his 14-year exile, the abduction his wife Sita, his battle with the demon Ravana,

and his awesome monkey sidekick Hanuman.

The second epic, the Mahabharata is the longest poem in the world. 5 times the length of the

Bible and 8 times the length of the Iliad and Odyssey combined. It rivals any soap opera

you've seen when it comes to drama. Murder, betrayal, love, love-murder, and giant battles.

The Mahabharata has it all.

The theme running throughout the Ramayana and Mahabharata is that dharma must be followed

for society to function.

In Hinduism, there a 4 goals a person should aim for to have a good life. The first of

these is dharma. Followed by artha, the pursuit of prosperity and good reputation. Kama, pleasure

both in body and mind. And moksha the release for the cycles of rebirth. Hindus should practice

artha and kama with dharma in order to attain moksha.

There are also six temptations Hindus should try hard to avoid.

Kama: Lust and materialism. This kama is different from the good kama mentioned above.

Krodha: Anger

Lobha: Greed

Moha: Unrealistic attachment to things, people, and power

Mada: Pride

Matsarya: Jealousy

By following their dharma and avoiding these six temptations a Hindu can break the cycle

of rebirth and have their soul merge back into Brahman. Like a drop of water merging

back into the ocean.

But even though everything comes from Brahman who is the One real thing in Hinduism, Hindus

do have thousands of gods. So let's take a look at some of them.

There is Brahma, the creator. He created everything in the universe but he is not the universe

itself. Because that's Brahman. They aren't the same thing. That last letter changes a

lot.

He has four heads. The heads face each of the four directions, to represent the four

Vedas which he created and the four yugas. He also holds a book, which represents knowledge.

Oh and he rides a giant swan, because he's just that fancy.

His consort is Saraswati, the goddess of learning.

Vishnu, the Preserver is the second member of the Hindu Trinity. He preserves the world

created by Brahma until it is destroyed by Shiva. He holds a discus, which he uses to

cut down anyone that's tries to mess with dharma. Along with a conch, which symbolizes

victory and the five elements. Vishnu has many avatars, such a Krishna or Rama, who

he uses to defend dharma on Earth.

and he rides the giant eagle Garuda.

Vishnu has two consorts: the goddesses Lakshmi and Bhu Devi. Bhu Devi is the earth goddess

and Lakshmi is the goddess of good fortune and wealth.

Shiva, the Destroyer, is the third member of the Hindu Trinity. It's his job to destroy

the universe in order to prepare for its renewal at the end of each cycle of time.

The most identifiable of his features is his third eye, which he almost always keeps closed.

If it does open and you're in front of it you will have you face melted off.

When not unmaking existence Shiva enjoys rides on his bull named Nandi.

At the end of the Kali Yuga, the fourth age of the world, Shiva performs a dance that

destroys the universe. People have told me that my dance moves make them wish the world

ended, so me and Shiva have quite a bit in common.

Parvati and Sati are Shiva’s consorts.

Shiva also has two sons: Ganesha and Murugan. Ganesha is worshipped as the remover of obstacles

and Murugan is the god of war.

Ganesha holds a special place in the hearts of Hindus, due to him being the remover of

obstacles. The elephant head is the obvious clue to identifying him. He was born with

a human head but after Shiva cut that one off he had to make due with an elephant one.

If you're Christian or Muslim you're aware that your religion has a bunch of different

denominations. Like Catholics and Protestants. Sunni and Shia. Hinduism has these too.

Hindus developed four major denominations, some of which have their own subdivisions:

Vaishnavas primarily worship Vishnu and Shaivas primarily worship Shiva and his sons.

Smartas follow sacred texts, like the Puranas and the Ramayana and Mahabharata rather than

the Vedas. They worship five gods and goddesses: Ganesha, Durga, Surya, Shiva, and a preferred

avatar of Vishnu.

Finally, Shaktas worship the goddess Devi.

Shaktas see Devi as the ultimate and eternal reality. Like a feminine Brahman.

Even though there are all these variations and more, the core beliefs remain mostly the

same.

Hindus believe that dharma keeps the balance in the universe. If the scales between good

and evil start tipping towards evil then something needs to intervene to fix the universe's dharma.

This divine intervention is known as an avatar.

The literal meaning of the word avatar is “descent,”. Avatars are gods that descend

to earth to intervene whenever help is needed to restore dharma.

For example when the Earth was dragged underneath the ocean Vishnu descended to Earth as the

avatar Varaha, a boar, and dragged the Earth back out.

In other cases Vishnu was born on Earth as an avatar, like Rama or Krishna. Where he

spent his avatar's life fixing dharma.

So.....The caste system. If you know only one thing about Hinduism this is probably

it. People see it as an oppressive system that locks people in place based on their

birth and for a huge part of history that is what it has been, unfortunately.

Let's do a quick explanation of what the caste system is. In Hinduism there are 4 castes

or classes that you can be born into.

Brahmin, the Priests

Kshatriyas, the Warriors

Vaishyas, the Traders

and Shudras, the Manual labourers

The main basis for the caste system can be found in the Bhagavad Gita and Rig Veda. Krishna

says in the Gita "I have created a fourfold system in order to distinguish among one’s

qualities and functions."

The Rig Veda also refers to the four castes. It says humans were created from parts of

the god Purusha. The brahmin from his face, the kshatriya his arms, the vaishya his thighs,

and the shudra his feet.

This system was supposed to assign people functions based on their abilities. Not birth.

If someone had to qualities of a Brahmin or Vaishya they could fill those roles.

The Gita didn't restrict movement among castes and the caste system functioned as intended

for a while. Until a document known as the “laws of Manu” came about around the fifth

century BC. Popularly referred to as the Manu Smrti, they created hard rules for Hindu life.

Two rules presented in it contributed to the way the caste system turned out.

Manu states that the Brahmin were the lords of all castes.

and he forbid moving among the castes. The caste you’re born into is the caste you’re

stuck in.

If you give humans a hierarchy they'll exploit it and things go sour pretty quickly.

As time passed, Hindus began thinking in terms of upper and lower castes. Soon cleaning toilets,

tanning leather, and dealing with meat products were thought to be “impure”. The people

doing those jobs became untouchables, the lowest of the low, a people without caste.

The rest is history.

The modern world has brought changes though. Now Hindus mix freely, while working together

in the same businesses, attending the same schools, and generally just living together.

But when it comes to marriage many Hindus still stick to their own caste. But this too

is changing and on Hindu dating websites you can see people list a non-preference for caste.

So those are the basics of Hinduism. It isn't even close to covering everything. One video

simply can't do it. Hinduism is too diverse, too deep, and means too many different things

to different people. But learning even the basics of this fascinating and ancient religion

gives us an insight into the worldview of over a billion people and I hope you enjoyed

it :D

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