During the centuries immediately preceding and following the beginning of the Common Era, the recension of the two great Sanskrit epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, took shape out of existing heroic epic stories, mythology, philosophy, and above all the discussion of the problem of dharma. Much of the material in the epics dates far back into the Vedic period, while the rest continued to be added until well into the medieval period. It is conventional, however, to date the recension of the Sanskrit texts to the period from 300 bce to 300 ce for the Mahabharata and to the period from 200 bce to 200 ce for the Ramayana.
Ravana-the-10-headed-demon-king-detail-from-a-GulerRavana, the 10-headed demon king, detail from a Guler painting of the …[Credits : Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art, Ohio, gift of George P. Bickford]
The-Great-Bath-Mohenjo-daroThe Great Bath, Mohenjo-daro.[Credits : Frederick M. Asher]
Vishnu-with-his-consort-Lakshmi-from-the-temple-dedicated-toVishnu with his consort Lakshmi, from the temple dedicated to Parsvanatha in the eastern temple …[Credits : © Anthony Cassidy]
Surya-Deula-Konarak-Orissa-IndiaSurya Deula, Konarak, Orissa, India.[Credits : Frederick M. Asher]
The-Chariot-Festival-of-the-Jagannatha-temple-Puri-Orissa-IndiaThe Chariot Festival of the Jagannatha temple, Puri, Orissa, India.[Credits : © Dinodia/Dinodia Photo Library]
Rabindranath-TagoreRabindranath Tagore.[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
Mahatma-GandhiMahatma Gandhi.[Credits : Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images]
Surya-stone-image-from-Deo-Barunarak-Bihar-India-9th-centurySurya, stone image from Deo-Barunarak, Bihar, India, 9th century ce.[Credits : Pramod Chandra]
Learn about the origins of Hinduism and its general principles.[Credits : Acquired from Vast Video]
Learn about the basic principles and goals of Hinduism, including reincarnation and karma.[Credits : Acquired from Vast Video]
Hinduism believes that the chains of Karmic law are broken by achieving union with the Divine.[Credits : Acquired from Vast Video]
Learn about the gods of the Hindu religion and their symbolisms.[Credits : Acquired from Vast Video]
Learn about the life and beliefs of Hindu monks.[Credits : Acquired from Vast Video]
Discover the many rituals of Hindu prayer, including breath control and the use of prayer beads.[Credits : Acquired from Vast Video]
Learn about the life and beliefs of Hinduism’s holy men, known as Sahdu.[Credits : Acquired from Vast Video]
Learn about the stages of Hindu life.[Credits : Acquired from Vast Video]
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