Cited by 2Indian and Buddhist StudiesCultural and Mythological StudiesStudy and Philosophy of Religion

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 10 of the 10 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; none of the 33 sources its claims cite is checked for support yet.

A systematic understanding of the evolution of Hindu deities in the development of the concept of avatara

Open access
Sukdaven, M·2012·Nederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif

Abstract

Within the primary and secondary Hindu scriptures, especially the Vedas, Epics and Puranas, many gods are mentioned. At times a hierarchy of deities is distinguishable, and at other times these deities assume each others’ names and functions. Then there are some deities that manifest themselves in other forms such as a bird, an animal, a human, or both animal and human. These manifestations are at times clearly construed as avataras. To determine the transformation (metamorphosis), progression and/or regression of Hindu deities from the Vedas through to the Puranas, the researcher applied the systematic literature review methodology. He argued that this evolution of Hindu deities is the result of changes in the specific needs of the community in their quest for immortality. Accompanying this metamorphosis of Hindu deities is the notion of avatara which gained significant prominence in the Bhagavad Gita and the Puranas, although there are indications that the notion of avatara can be read into the Vedas. Considering these complexities, the researcher defined the term avatara and traced the origins and evolution of these Hindu deities through the various Hindu scriptures. This study consolidated this process systematically, resulting in sufficient proof that there was a decline in certain Vedic deities, a rise to prominence of other ‘unimportant’ deities and the appearance of other deities not mentioned in the Vedas.

Overview

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.5952/53-1-130

Cites

10 of 10 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Verification

Claims the paper makes

26 Sources not found · 23 Own interpretation · 21 No basis given · 3 Not checked yet · 2 No full text of the sources · 2 Own result · 1 Own method

Show all 14 claims

  • Probably not a substantial claim. 52
  • It may state two separate claims as one. 40
64 of 64
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    A consolidation of the manifestations as recorded through the history of Hindu scriptures, the understanding of the concept of avataras, and the reasons for the gods of the different Hindu scriptures seemingly undergoing metamorphosis has not yet been systematically and comprehensively documented.

    “Much has been written about avataras and their purpose for manifestations in different forms through the different epochs of the Hindu religion; yet a consolidation of these manifestations as recorded through the history of Hindu scriptures, the understanding of the concept of avataras and the reasons for the gods of the different Hindu scriptures seemingly undergoing metamorphosis, has yet to be”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The Hindu scriptures (Vedas, Epics, Puranas) can be ordered chronologically and read as evidence of the evolution of Hindu deities.

    “The intention in investigating the origin and evolution of the Hindu deities and the eventual manifestations of these deities as avataras, is so that a fine thread can be weaved through the different periods of Hinduism indicating that, from the Vedic period through to the modern period, there is a link to avataras.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The Ramayana is older than the Mahabharata.

    “Attention is given to the Ramayana first as it is understood to be the older of the two known epics.”
3 of 3

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

2 of 2

Citations

Cites

Show all 9 references

Research works printed but not linked: 5

  1. [6]6. De Gruchy, WJ, Prozesky, M (eds). 1991. A South African Guide to World Religions. Cape Town: David Phillip Flood, G. 2005. An Introduction to Hinduism. Cambridge: University Press
  2. [14]14. Parrinder, G. 1975. Upanishads Gita and Bible. A Comparative study of Hindu and Christian Scriptures. London: Sheldon Press
  3. [15]15. Parrinder, G. 1997. Avatar and Incarnation. The Divine in Human Form in the World's Religions. Oxford: One World
  4. [19]19. Rodrigues, P H. 2006. Introducing Hinduism. New York: Routledge
  5. [21]21. Shattuck, C. 1999. Hinduism. London: Routledge

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Metadata

Authors
Sukdaven, M.
Affiliations
University of the Free State (ZA)
Corresponding author
Sukdaven, M
Venue
Nederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif
Published
2012-01-26
Volume
53
Issue
1&2
ISSN
  • 0028-2006 (ISSN-L)
  • 2226-2385
OpenAlex
W1556864027
Cited by
2
References
9
Citations by year
2023: 1 · 2021: 1
FWCI
0.00
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
Nederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Religious studies › Indian and Buddhist Studies
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › General Arts and Humanities › Cultural and Mythological Studies
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Study and Philosophy of Religion
Keywords
Hindu deities, avatara, divine incarnation, Vedic deities, Puranas, Bhagavad Gita, Hindu scripture, immortality

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