Portal:Hinduism/Did you know/Archive

This is an archive of Did you knows on the Hinduism Portal. Please add recently archived "Did you knows" to the bottom of this list.

30 November 2005
The word swastika is derived from the Sanskrit स्वस्तिक, swastika, meaning any lucky or auspicious object, and in particular a mark made on persons and things to denote good luck.

The swastika has been found on Indus Valley seals proving that Hinduism flourished during the time of the Indus Valley.

11 December 2005 (for less than an hour)
.... that the Sanskrit lexicon Amarakosha (ca. 450 AD) defines Aryan as: "An Aryan is one who hails from a noble family, of gentle behavior and demeanor, good-natured and of righteous conduct.(mahakula kulinarya sabhya sajjana sadhavah.)"

Arya is also a term that has been used by Indians to refer to themselves. The Sanskrit texts use the word Arya (not Hindu) for Indians. The more common term Hindu (from Sindhu-river), on the other hand, was first used by Persians to designate Indians. Central and North India was at one time called Aryavarta ("land of Aryas").

11 December 2005
.... that in Puranic cosmology, a universe endures for about 4,320,000,000 years (one day of Brahma, the creator or kalpa) and is then destroyed by fire or water elements. At this point, Brahma rests for one night, just as long as the day. This process, named pralaya, repeats for 100 Brahma years (311 trillion human years) that represents Brahma's lifespan. It must be noted that Brahma is the creator but not necessarily regarded as God in Hinduism. He is mostly regarded as a creation of Brahman.

We are currently believed to be in the 51st year of the present Brahma and so about 155 trillion years have elapsed since He was born as Brahma. After Brahma's "death", it is necessary that another 100 Brahma years pass until he is reborn and the whole creation begins anew. This process is repeated again and again, forever.

20 December 2005
.... that Kalki (also rendered by some as Kalkin) is the name of the tenth and final Maha Avatara (Great Avatar) of Vishnu the Preserver, who will come to end the current Kali Yuga, (The Age of Darkness and Destruction). The name Kalki is often a metaphor for Eternity or Time.

As with the messianic prophecies of many traditions there are many diverse beliefs and depictions as to when, how, where and why the Kalki Avatar would appear, and the Divine purpose the descent will aim to fulfill. The most common accounts declare Kalki will come riding upon a white horse, brandishing a flaming comet-like sword, (or wielding a comet like a sword), intent on eradicating the reign of evil on the Earth, vanquishing Yama (Death), reconciling all opposites, renewing the processes of the Dharma (Paths of Virtue), of creation, and establishing a reign of righteousness. The sword is interpreted as a symbol for "discernment", or Wisdom, slicing away the bonds of lies and foulness and liberating souls to greater awareness of truth and beauty.

January 2007

 * ... that the Rigveda contains the oldest texts preserved in any Indo-Iranian language?


 * ...Pamheiba made Hinduism the official religion of Manipur in 1717 CE?

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