Hinduism has gone through centuries of change. The most significant change was the when Hinduism changed its belief system from the writings of the Vedas to the writings of the Upanishads. Hinduism changed from polytheism to the belief that god is in all things. They also eliminated many of their very sacred rituals of sacrifice. These changes have forever changed and impacted Hinduism as we know it today.
The Upanishads are roughly a hundred written works that record insights to a specific reality. This time of change was thought to be about individual enlightenment and finding one’s self with less focus on one’s specific group or tribe. Although it seems to be somewhat unknown, it is thought that the word “Upanishads” means “sitting near.” The closer an individual sat to their master the better religious experience, education and knowledge they had. This meaning was very important and even vital, to the change from Vedic to Upanishads. The Vedic believed only priests could be spiritual masters. Upanishad states any person with the necessary experience can become a spiritual master. By discovering one’s inner self, known as atman, was something anyone could achieve.
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The oldest and one of the most important writings are the Rig-Vedas. “The Rig Veda is the first of four collections of which the Vedas are comprised. The other three also contain hymns and scared sounds to be recited while making offerings to the deities by means of sacrificial fire.” P Originally, they were not scriptures at all, but were passed down from generation to generation orally until roughly the 15th to the 5th century BCE. Polytheism was the teachings of the Vedas and that of many gods. This is important in modern Hinduism because even in this day and age, the Vedas are still considered the most scared. The Vedas believed strongly in offerings to the gods to bring good