Gods of Hinduism - Free Essay Example

Hinduism is a religion that consists of thirty-three million gods, both male and female deities are worshipped with equal regard. Hindus worshipping gods and goddesses has always been a real enigma for most people, especially westerners that worship only one God. Hinduism is a model of a religion that stands in sharp opposition to Western notions of what constitutes a religion. The religion does not draw a sharp distinction between divine and human beings. This suggests that it is possible for gods to become humans and for human beings to become gods (Olsun 9). The religion of Hinduism has no single founder, creed, teacher, or prophet acknowledged by all Hindus as central to the religion, and no single holy book is universally acclaimed as being of primary importance. Hindus may acknowledge many deities but consider only one to be supreme; or they may consider all gods and goddesses equal, but worship one who is their favorite (Narayanan 6). With that being said, a majority of the Hindu population worship two gods in particular; Vishnu and Shiva. In Hinduism, Vishnu is the second god in the Hindu trimurti. He is known as the god that preserves the universe and that restores order to the world. Gods and goddesses all have their own iconographic characteristics, and every position of the hands or feet, every associated animal, plant, or bird, has a special significance (Narayanan 30). Unlike other gods, Vishnu appears more often in human or animal forms. He has benevolent, mild, world-preserving features. He is commonly drawn out as having one head, four arms, and blue skin. He carries around a lotus flower, mace, conch, and a discus (Michaels 212). Vishnu is portrayed as having a multiplicity of incarnations. It is believed that over the ages he has descended to earth several times in various animal and human forms to overthrow evil and establish dharma, or righteousness (Narayanan 31). Vishnus first descent was a fish that saved Manu, his family, and many animals from a flood. Vishnu was subsequently incarnated as a tortoise, a boar, a creature that was half lion and half man, and a dwarf-being. The four fully human incarnations of Vishnu follow: the warrior Parasurama; Rama; Balarama; and Krishna. It is believed that the tenth incarnation of Vishnu will come at the end of the present world age, which according to some reckonings began ca. 3102 BCE and will last 423,000 years (Narayanan 32). Vaishnavas, followers of Vaishnavism, worship Vishnu in many ways. Vaishnavas worship Vishnu by offering him flowers, food, water, or by chanting a Mukti mantra. Followers also perform puja with water, fruit, and incense sticks or perform meditation. Many believers still go to a temple or nearby holy place in the morning before they eat their first meal. Here, the gods, spirits, and ancestors, including Vishnu, are usually thought of by presenting a part of the rice dish to animals, primarily cows, chickens, crows, and ants (Olsun 240). Not only is Vishnu perceived as one of the most important gods in the religion of Hinduism, but so is Shiva. Shiva is the third god of the Hindu trimurti and is known as the god of destruction. Shiva has a double nature: malicious and destructive as well as kindly and benevolent. Yet in present day India, Shiva is appealed to mostly as a peaceful god for help and assistance (Michaels 216). The manifold aspects of Shivas power are expressed in his often-paradoxical roles: he is both fierce and benevolent, creator and destroyer, exuberant dancer and austere yogi, ascetic and husband of the goddess Parvati. Stories of his powers of salvation present him as granting wisdom and grace to his devotees (Narayanan 31). Shiva is represented with a human body but has a third eye and two to four arms. His skin color is white with his throat dyed blue from drinking poison, but images often portray him having a blue skin color (Michaels 219). In most images, Shiva is seen holding a trident and an hourglass drum with his long hair bound up. He also wears a cobra or a chain of skulls as a necklace. Shiva is said to have been created instantly, meaning he was not born from a human body. However, there are stories that also state that Shiva was created when Brahma and Vishnu were arguing over who was more superior. As Brahma and Vishnu were arguing, a blazing pillar appeared out of nowhere and the gods had to find the start and end of the pillar till they discovered Shiva waiting for them. It made both gods realize that there was another superior power of the universe and it was Shiva (Michaels 218). Like Vishnu, Shiva is also a high god, who gives his name to a collection of theistic trends and sects: Shaivism (Michaels 215). In the epic-Puranic and popular religious Shaivism, Shiva is most often worshipped as linga, a phallus-shaped stone, which can be represented anthropomorphically (Michaels 216). Shaivites hold daily worship in many Shaiva temples, there are periods of time that are considered sacred and other times that are considered dangerous. The latter period falls at night, which symbolizes cosmic darkness, and is generally a period of inactivity. The sacred time begins after midnight and before the predawn hours. Dawn marks a very significant period because it is associated with the initial puja of the day and the awakening of the sleeping deity. This is followed by four additional daytime periods that are intended to flow according to the dynamic nature of the cosmos. These are daybreak (approximately 6:30 to 7:15 am), middle time (7:30 to 9:00 am), mid-morning (10:0 0 am), and noon, which represents the zenith of the daily time periods and ritual observances. The three evening time periods are evening (4:30 to 6:30 pm), junction (7:30 to 9:30 pm), and half-night (9:45 to 10:30 pm). The ritual of the bedchamber, at which time the deity is put to rest, marks the final evening time period, and the ritual day ends. Rituals must be punctually performed during the various appropriate time periods (Michaels 245).

Our Nursing Heritage Essay - 1039 Words

We live in a country of culturally diversity. To provide the highest quality of care to our patients we need to be culturally competent nurses (American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN], 2008,  ¶ 2). Using the Heritage Assessment Tool as a guideline I interviewed three families. The first was my own of Russian heritage, the second a colleague with a strong Chinese heritage, and the third a young single mother with a Hispanic heritage. These interviews gave me an insight into their views on health maintenance, protection and restoration. All three cultures had both similarities and differences. In the interviews with three culturally different families, an assessment was focused on the strength of their heritage and views on†¦show more content†¦My mother said this came from my Russian heritage. My grandmother did not believe in processed foods. She felt if we ate correctly we would stay healthy. That is what she learned as a child in Russia. Our family grew up eating fresh fruits and vegetables that were either grow in our backyard or purchased from local farms. Health protection was promoted in our family. Our parents stressed the importance of vaccinations and disease prevention. In addition they we careful to minimize chemicals in the house and yard. Childhood illness did not result into trips to the doctors. To restore you health it took time. We were taught to be tough, and follow my grandmother’s philosophy of treating the symptoms with fluids and rest. My family has a cultural connection that has been passed down by my grandmother. We have taken on Russian traits of being strong and nutritional eating. The second assessment and interview was with a colleague’s family. They are a young couple from Taiwan, who are now citizens of the United States. This couple has a strong Chinese heritage. The rest of their family is still in Taiwan. Their extended family are members of the Chinese church they attend. This couple described their views health maintenance as; â€Å"to do the right things for body, mind and spirit†. To achieve a spiritual well-being, a focus is placed on a healthy diet and lifestyle. Stress reduction and an optimistic mind set keeps themShow MoreRelatedEssay about Heritage Assessment981 Words   |  4 PagesHeritage Assessment Introduction Over the past 20 years a significant social movement in America has amplified public awareness toward the promotion of health and disease prevention, known as Healthy People 2000 and 2010. It has been beneficial in changing the focus of health care from a reactive standpoint to a proactive one, which endorses national health and prevention of disease (Edelmam Mandle, 2010). However delivery of health care objectives is not enough. 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An Effective Supply Chain Management - 1631 Words

Introduction An effective supply chain management is critical to success in today’s business environment where competition, risk and uncertainty are challenging. Ahenkora and Peasah (2011, p.278) state that ‘the need to deliver on clear strategic choices in today’s hypercompetitive business and uncertain environment is greater than ever’. Electrolux, one of the major players in the home appliances industry, has modified its strategy over the years, adapting its business to new business requirements and customers’ expectations, allowing the company to work towards its vision to be the best appliance company in the world as measured by customers, employees and shareholders. Electrolux sources its supplies from different countries,†¦show more content†¦1 Electrolux group Swedish based, ‘Electrolux has been doing business since 1919. Today, the company is a global leader in home appliances, selling more than 50 million products to customers in 150 markets every year’ (Electroluxgroup.com, 2015). Its business includes the Major Appliances (refrigerators, cookers, dishwashers, washing machines dryers), Small Appliances (Vacuum cleaners accessories) Home Comfort products (air conditioners, water heaters and heat pumps). Electrolux is the main trading brand; however, the range includes Westinghouse, Zanussi, Eureka, Frigidaire, AEG, among others. 2 Description and analysis of Electrolux supply chain and logistic systems Electrolux’s strategy is focus on what gives a differential advantage from its competitors, its â€Å"core business†. To do so, Electrolux changed from producing their own components to outsource the majority of them, moving towards an assembly of the finished products. Without doubt, this has many implications for the supply chain and logistics management, not the least being the challenge of integration and coordination of the flow of materials from a multitude of suppliers from offshore and similarly managing the distribution of the finish goods by way of multiple intermediaries. To put Electrolux logistics system in perspective, please refer to the below picture, where only one part of Electrolux business supply chain: Major appliances, is summarised. Figure 1: Electrolux major appliances

Night by Elie Wiesel Notice and Note Paper free essay sample

My Notice and Note Soiree In using my Notice and Note strategies, I found that my analysis of the book, Night by Elie Wiesel to be far more in depth than it would have been had I done the contrary. For instance, when applying the method of Again and Again I realized that the phrase, Fire, over there! The fire! Listen to me! (Wiesel 24) sequentially appeared in chapter two on pages 24 through 28. The phrase foreshadowed the revealing of the crematoriums on the camp Auschwitz. The phrase made me ponder hether or not the woman saying it was Just mad or if at some time during the story she would be useful, but as it turned out she was actually truthful and no one believed her in time to escape and avoid the crematorium flames. With utilizing Notice and Note once in a while IVe come to find that Ill believe a word or phrase foreshadows or means something entirely different to what it actually comes to be. We will write a custom essay sample on Night by Elie Wiesel Notice and Note Paper or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page A simple example would be when I again was exercising the use of Again and Again I continuously spotted, Kabbalah, (Wiesel 3). I believed the word had a strong significance in the story and would lead to some sort of event later on, however my conclusion was wrong and Kabbalah is Just a term for the Jewish mysticism and mystical thought. When resorting to the use of the Words of the Wiser Notice and Note, it initiated a sense of curiosity and made me ask myself more deeply thought out questions. A paragon of my work with this strategy would be when I noted the advice of an inmate to Wiesel. The inmate said, No youre 18. Fool. Listen to what I say, (Wiesel 30). I inquired, What is the significance of age in Auschwitz? Later, I come to find that age is highly significant when the S. S. soldiers chose who to die during selection. Also when using Words of the Wiser, IVe found that I still have questions unanswered, however taking time to wonder these questions helped my understanding of the memoir. Another wonderful example of my instigating the use of Words of the Wiser would be when I selected to ponder the phrase, Lets stay together, itll make us strong, (Wiesel 71). This was said by Yossi to Elie right before a selection. I couldnt help but ask, Is staying together really going to show the S. S. anything different? Dont they all look like the same person by now? To be honest Im still wondering if that actually made the S. S. feel any different about whether or not to select them. I know that none of them got selected, but did sticking together honestly change that? Although the questions werent answered, using Words of the Wiser over and over again made me curious about what will happen next in the book. Utilizing the strategy of Tough Questions influenced me to deduct my own answers early on, but had me caught off guard when my answers were right or completely satisfied when I was right on the nose. For example, when I came across the question, What if it really was the last day? (Wiesel 66). My answer was, theres no way it could be the last day for Wiesel, but for members of his block probably. Wiesel survived. Using this strategy perked my interest in the book because it became like a huge guessing game. A genuine example of this would be when I took ote of the question, Here or elsewhere, what did it matter? (Wiesel 98). When I noted this question I answered, Nothing really matters when you are in the eyes of death. This answer was quite relevant to Wiesels situation, however didnt really answer anything significant in the book. Every time I crossed questions, Id answer and anxiously wait until I got confirmation or found I was incorrect. Using this strategy made my enjoyment of the memoir far greater than it would have been had I not tried to use Tough Questions.