Hinduism is not a monolithic religion but rather a diverse collection of religious traditions and philosophies. This section explores the major denominations within Hinduism, their distinctive beliefs, practices, and historical developments.
Major Denominations
- Vaishnavism - Focused on the worship of Vishnu and his avatars
- Shaivism - Centered on the worship of Shiva
- Shaktism - Devoted to the worship of the divine feminine (Shakti)
- Smartism - Liberal tradition that worships multiple deities equally
Comparison of Major Denominations
| Denomination | Primary Deity | Key Texts | Major Philosophers | Predominant Regions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vaishnavism | Vishnu (and avatars like Krishna, Rama) | Vishnu Purana, Bhagavata Purana | Ramanuja, Madhva | North India, Bengal |
| Shaivism | Shiva | Shiva Purana, Agamas | Abhinavagupta, Lakulisha | South India, Kashmir |
| Shaktism | Goddess (Durga, Kali, etc.) | Devi Mahatmya, Tantras | Abhinavagupta | Bengal, Assam, Nepal |
| Smartism | Panchayatana (five deities equally) | Diverse texts from various traditions | Adi Shankaracharya | Pan-Indian |
Important Sub-traditions
Within Vaishnavism
- Gaudiya Vaishnavism - Founded by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, focused on Krishna
- Sri Vaishnavism - Founded by Ramanuja, prominent in South India
- Vallabha Sampradaya - Founded by Vallabhacharya, focused on Krishna worship
- Nimbarka Sampradaya - Founded by Nimbarka, worships Radha-Krishna
Within Shaivism
- Kashmir Shaivism - Non-dualistic tradition from Kashmir
- Shaiva Siddhanta - Dualistic school prominent in South India
- Lingayatism (Virashaivism) - Reform movement rejecting caste distinctions
- Pashupata Shaivism - Ancient ascetic tradition
Within Shaktism
- Tantric Shaktism - Esoteric traditions involving rituals and mantras
- Shakta Folk Traditions - Local and regional goddess worship
- Sri Vidya - Tradition focusing on the worship of Lalita Tripurasundari
Within Smartism
- Advaita Vedanta - Non-dualistic philosophy established by Adi Shankaracharya
Reform and Modern Movements
- Arya Samaj - Founded by Swami Dayananda Saraswati
- Brahmo Samaj - Founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy
- Ramakrishna Mission - Founded by Swami Vivekananda
- ISKCON (Hare Krishna Movement) - Founded by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Folk and Regional Traditions
- Regional Hindu Traditions - Local and regional variations
- Tribal Religious Traditions - Indigenous beliefs incorporated into Hinduism
Comparative Analysis
- Philosophical Differences - Comparing the core philosophies across denominations
- Ritual Variations - How practices differ among various traditions
- Denominational Relations - Historical interactions and modern dialogue
Historical Development
- Evolution of Hindu Denominations - How these traditions emerged and developed
- Influential Teachers and Saints - Figures who shaped denominational identities