Spiritual Development

Hinduism   Darshanas   Gods & Goddesses   Buddhism   Jainism

The time of the Upanishads and great epics was a very creative period spiritually, intellectually and culturally. Hinduism and non-Vedic systems developed in India and spiritual traditions with common elements were being established across Eurasia. Near the end of the Epic period, non-Vedic systems such as Buddhism and Jainism emerged. It was also during this time that asceticism appeared, where one gives up the worldly life to become a wandering beggar or hermit. Leading an ascetic life was previously unknown to the Vedic cultures. It grew rapidly and is now a prominent characteristic of Hinduism.