Hindu Defined: The Identifiers of Hindu, Hinduism, Hindu Religions, Hindu Monotheism and Polytheism

by Kiran Atma, Jai Krishna Ponnappan

It is widely acknowledged that Hinduism is one of the world's major religious traditions. Yet, this is only partially true. Although while it is one of the most widespread religions, Hinduism really encompasses a wide range of traditions that all have origins in the Indian sub-continent. Hinduism requires a disclaimer because, although being a single worldwide religion, it is really a conglomeration of several systems that share certain characteristics. These religions also go by the identities Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and Shaktism among others. This book seeks to re-examine the evolving meanings of commonly used identifiers associated with Hindu believers, followers, and practitioners while defining exactly what a Hindu religion encompasses.

29 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 8, 2023

About the author

Kiran Atma was born a Hindu and has been a practicing Pagan and Witch since hitting puberty. Kiran continues to research, study, and analyze the history and contemporary practices associated with his faith and craft as seen worldwide while sharing the same with the wider community.

Kiran's body of work hopes to help you broaden your awareness and deepen your understanding of these rich areas of knowledge, spirituality and cultural diversity that he has found so fascinating.

When not writing, Kiran loves to read, and spend time traveling and exploring works of art, literature, live theater, foreign cultures and cuisines, and classical and contemporary music performances around the globe. As a creative Artist, Kiran is actively involved in performance art and film production.

To learn more, please do check out all of Kiran's books, and publications at www.KiranAtma.com.

Reviews

[no.stache.nietzsche · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, to the point tract on what exactly is a Hindu- namely a devotee of traditional Indian ontology and ethics, while the combination and denotation under the term "Hinduism" remains something of a western projection onto and demand for conformity to conceptual continuity by Indians.

Hindu traditions agree that there is only one underlying reality- the one ultimate reality, but also that there are many various gods and goddesses that embody distinct but related thoughtforms. But despite this higher ontological unity, there is hardly any other notable "allegiances" between sects of people

Despite its short length, Atma is clearly attempting to offer a cooperation within the larger Hindu network of amateurs, dabblers and the like.