The devotional cults of Shiva and Vishnu
Hinduism gained popularity from the growth and popularity of devotional colts and because of the downfall of buddhism. Shiva was able to bring life and take it away once the seasons passed. Vishnu was the preserver of the world. Was known as the god who observed the earth from the heavens who sometimes entered the world in human form to resist humans from evil. The devotional cults became very popular in southern india where the people gave up drinks and food to the two gods and then meditated on the qualities in the attempt to achieve union with the gods. The cults became very influential and influenced philosophy in India and major philosophers such as Shankara and Ramanuja. Shankara hypothesised that the physical world was an illusion and that you could not see the real world with only your senses. Ramanuja on the other hand thought that the ultimate reality as less important but union with the gods was important and this is still is the main idea of hinduism today.
College Board themes
- Development and Interactions of Cultures
- Develop & Transformation of Social Structure
The social structure changed and became almost irrelivent and this was because of the hinduism. The religion teached equality and this made people try to be similer and close the economy gap.