Echoes of Eternity

By Apolo Mantecon

This book is a quick guide, easy to read, about Hinduism, the different types of gods and goddesses that exist in it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Apolo Mantecon
• Release date: Feb 18, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224798803

Book preview

Who is Apolo Mantecón?

Apolo Mantecon has written several books. The most well-known ones are I am part of you, a book that talks about the philosophy of yoga for beginners, another known book is Spiritual Path that answers a series of questions that we can all ask ourselves when starting on the evolutionary spiritual path. There is also a book called The Art of Sacred Union, a book that explains the true philosophy of tantra. All of them are a handy guide for anyone to start their journey, their own spirituality, and their own evolutionary path.

This book is a quick guide, easy to read, about Hinduism, the different types of gods and goddesses that exist in it.

What is Hinduism?

What does it mean to be Hindu? What gods and goddesses are worshipped in this ancient and rich religious tradition? How do they relate to each other and to the supreme reality that transcends them? How is Hinduism expressed in the daily life, art, ethics, philosophy, and spirituality of its followers?

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These are some of the questions we will try to answer in this book, which aims to be an accessible and enjoyable introduction to the history of Hinduism and its gods. Through a chronological and thematic journey, we will explore the origins, development, diversity, and vitality of this fascinating religion, which spans over four thousand years of history and more than a billion people worldwide.

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Hinduism is not just a religion, but a way of seeing and living reality, based on respect, tolerance, harmony, and the pursuit of liberation. Hinduism is a religion that invites us to know and experience the presence of the sacred in everything that exists, from the most sublime gods and goddesses to the humblest beings and things. Hinduism is a religion that teaches us to celebrate life and transcend suffering, through knowledge, action, devotion, and meditation.

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We invite you to join us on this journey through Hinduism and its gods, which we hope will be of interest to you and help you better understand this wonderful religious and cultural tradition.

The history of Hinduism is very complex and diverse, as it spans thousands of years and different cultures and traditions.

There is no founder or date of origin of Hinduism, but it is considered a synthesis of various Indian religions that developed over time.

Some of the most important periods of Hinduism’s history are:

•  The pre-Vedic period (until 1750 BC), which includes the Indus Valley civilization and the local prehistoric religions, which had elements of nature worship, rituals and sacrifices.

•  The Vedic period (c. 1500 - c. 500 BC), which is characterized by the arrival of the Indo-Aryan peoples to the Indian subcontinent and the composition of the Vedas, the oldest sacred scriptures of Hinduism, which contain hymns, formulas and speculations about the origin of the universe and the role of the gods.

•  The early epic and Puranic period (c. 200 BC - c. 500 AD), which coincides with the Golden Age of Hinduism and the Gupta Empire, and which saw the evolution of the six schools of Hindu philosophy: Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mīmāṃsā and Vedanta. The Epics and the first Puranas were also composed, which narrate the stories of the heroes and the avatars of the gods, especially Vishnu and Shiva.

•  The medieval period (c. 500 - c. 1500), which is characterized by the decline of Buddhism and the rise of the monotheistic sects of Shaivism and Vaishnavism, which emphasize personal devotion (bhakti) to a supreme god. Other traditions such as Tantrism, Shaktism, Jainism and Sikhism also developed.

•  The modern period (from