The Aryan conquerors who occupied the territory of India propagated the Brahmanic religion or Brahmanism. Historically, this religion is the ancient version of Hinduism. Its sacred books are the Vedas, which date from 1500 to 800 BC. C. It is a polytheistic religion where the various forces of nature are also idolized. Priests are known as brahmins.
Its main deities are Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva
Brahma is the main deity and essence of everything that exists in the universe . At the same time, he is the father of all gods. According to Vedic accounts, in their origin, the gods were mortal, but Brahma made them immortal.
Vishnu is the god who symbolizes goodness and the preservation of the indestructible within a changing world. In the Vedas, it is stated that the highest state of consciousness in human beings is inspired by the presence of Vishnu. Brahmanism
Shiva is the deity associated with the order of nature. At the same time, it is she who governs supernatural forces that go beyond human reason. With its strength it marks the course of time and destroys everything so that it can be reborn again. It is the god of knowledge who inspires the great masters of Hinduism.
beliefs and values
Practitioners of this religion promoted love and respect for any form of life. They rejected aggression and violence in any of its forms. Although they accepted divorce and polygamy, they did not approve of adultery. His followers led a humble life where the most important was respect for the elderly and the sick.
Brahmins promoted strict ethical values and for this reason gambling, profit and cruelty to animals were prohibited . Likewise, drunkenness, suicide, greed and aggressive behavior were frowned upon. Many followers of Brahmanism practiced an asceticism based on fasting, chastity and austere living. Among them, physical self-punishment and the practice of yoga were common. Brahmanism
Karma and the vision of the soul
In Brahmanism, it was deeply believed in the existence of karma. In this sense, karma works as a law that governs all actions. So, if we do good, we will receive good things and if we do bad, negative things will happen. In other words, positive karma creates happiness and peace, and negative karma causes pain and suffering. Consequently, the only way to achieve happiness is to do good and avoid evil.
Likewise, in Brahmanism, it is believed in the reincarnation of the human soul. Thus, the soul is in a permanent learning process and if we perform good deeds we will reincarnate in a superior being. Brahmanism
On the contrary, if we lead a life inspired by negative karma, the spirit’s next reincarnation will be in a lower body (for example, an animal). Your vision of the soul is connected with the caste system , because through the good or bad actions performed during life it is possible to rise or fall in social category in a next reincarnation.
