Hacker, Paul (1913–79)

Eminent Indologist. He taught at Bonn

and Münster. His main contribution

was the study of early ADVAITA, where

he attempted to develop criteria to

establish the authentic writings of

ŸA¢KARA(2). In a number of papers he

examined larger concepts such as Ÿrad-

dha (1963), Dharma (1965) and Vrata

(1973), and brought out a monograph

on Prahläda (1959).

Haihaya (1)

Prince of the lunar dynasty, great-

grandson of Yadu. (See also YÄDAVA.)

Haihaya (2)

Descendants of Haihaya (1), according

to the VIÆŒUPURÄŒA.

hair

Many Hindu rituals concern the cutting

of hair. Part of the UPANAYANA(initia-

tion) ceremony is the shaving of the

head, with the exception of the ŸIKHA,

and it remains a religious obligation for

brahmins to shave their heads every

fortnight. When a man becomes a

SAMNYÄSI, the DÏKÆÄincludes the shav-

ing of all hair of the body, including the

ÿikha. Similarly, a dead man’s hair is to

be shaved before cremation. In the

famous temple of TIRUPATI pilgrims

offer their hair to the deity in fulfilment

of vows. Keÿin, ‘the hairy one’, is an epi-

thet of Kø•æa.

hala (‘ploughshare’)

Symbol of BALADEVA, also called Hala-

bhøt, ‘bearing a plough’ and ‘Haläyudha’,

‘having a ploughshare for a weapon’.

halähalä

The fiery poison that emerged as the

first product from the CHURNING OF THE

OCEAN by gods and demons at the

beginning of the world. It threatened to

engulf the world, whereupon Ÿiva swal-

lowed it. Its power darkened Ÿiva’s

throat, and he is since known as NÏLA-

KAŒfiHA, ‘the one with the blue throat’.

Halebid

Famous temple city in Karæätaka, built

by the HOYŸALAS.

Haƒsa avatära

Vi•æu’s descent in the form of a swan.

Hanuman(t)

Celebrated chief of monkeys, son of

Pavana (wind) and Anjanä, a major fig-

ure in the RÄMÄYAŒA. He aided RÄMA

in the conquest of Ÿrï Laöka, RÄVANA’s

capital. His worship is very popular and

many temples were built for him. He is

also known as a great scholar and

author of a grammar.

H

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