Investigating Hinduism: Research Important Vedic Deities

INVESTIGATING HINDUISM ESSAY
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Introduction
Hinduism is a religion with a lot of history and particular practices and beliefs like the caste system (Sri Aurobindo Kapali Shastry Institute of Vedic Culture). They have various Vedic deities that they invoke upon in their prayers whenever they need them and this essay gives examples of a few. In India, there exists a Christian community that have some similarities with the practice of Hinduism (Hinduism-Gods and Goddess in the Veda, 2015). All these will be discussed and analysed in the essay.
Describe important Vedic deities, their history of development, and their functions
The Veda deities are supremacies which form a chain of command with the spiritual sun, Surya (Hinduism-Gods and Goddess in the Veda, 2015). According to the hymns of Rigveda, various Vedic deities are called upon through the dedications by people praying to them for aid (Sri Aurobindo Kapali Shastry Institute of Vedic Culture). Examples include:
Indra
Indra is the god of all heavens. He is dominant, well known, and is the lord of the blue sky. His recognition came from the battles he won, showing the significance of gods by driving away demons, killing Vratasura-this was a major accomplishment, abolishing the enemies’ cities and slaying the demon of dark skies (cloud), to release the cows that were held captive. He is portrayed with four arms or riding in a white elephant (Hinduism-Gods and Goddess in the Veda, 2015). He enjoys soma-drinking. His functions were; giving light to increase yields, destroyer of enemies, and protector of wealth (Sri Aurobindo Kapali Shastry Institute of Vedic Culture).
Agni
Agni is recognized as the priest, the one who bestows affluence and dissipates darkness. He makes sure that sacrifices go to the lord. People call upon his presence when making sacrifices. Agni developed as one of the earliest seer, Angiras, he had a holy decree, and afterwards, gave rise to Maruts with the magnificent spears. He is destructive, sets forests on fire, and orders the winds to gush along the forests (Hinduism-Gods and Goddess in the Veda, 2015). He is portrayed with a pair of head, seven hands, flowing hair, four horns, three legs and three pair of eyes. He is besought in conjunction with Indra as they are soma-drinkers and invoked with Maruts to cease forest fires. He acts as Gods messenger on sacrificial functions (Sri Aurobindo Kapali Shastry Institute of Vedic Culture).
Make an analysis of how the caste system might function in the life of a particular Hindu individual.
The caste`s system main idea established by Manu, was a split of all people into four categories; the Sudras-labourers, servants; Vaisyas-skilled workers, business men; Kshatriyas-warriors, rulers; and Bhamins-intelligent, wisdom and spiritual people like priests (Quinn, 2014). It is intended to direct an individual’s life from birth to death (Deshpande, 2010).
Social status
Caste system manifests itself in an individual’s life; it determines ones social status even before conception. Power, affluence does not affect an individual so one eludes greed of wealth and power and is fixated on oneâ€&tr...