Hinduism

Hinduism is the main religion of the Indian subcontinent. In Toaru Majutsu no Index, Hinduism and Hindu mythology are used as a base for Magic, primarily by Indian cabals.

Principles
Called the oldest religion in the world, Hinduism encompasses a wide range of beliefs and is not bound by a single doctrine. So it is difficult for the entirety of Hindu beliefs be summarized, as it is easily the most complex religion in the history of the world. For example, there is no one leader of the religion, equivalent to the Pope or the, so there are different sects and schools of thought of the religion with different dogmas. But generally, followers of the Sanātana Dharma (the Sanskrit name for Hinduism, literally "the eternal tradition" or the "eternal way") believe in ' (the cycle of birth, death and rebirth) and ' (liberation from that cycle), and all regard the four (collections of rituals, and rules of life and society), the  (commentaries on the Vedas), the  (stories akin to the legends of Greek Mythology and Norse Mythology), and the  (historical accounts) as sacred texts of their religion.

Contrary to popular Western belief, most modern Hindus will attest that it is monotheistic, not polytheistic. In the same way Christianity has the concept of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit being different forms of the same God, Hinduism has a similar belief: Vishnu, Lakshmi, Indra, Lord Shiva, Bramha, Agni, Hanuman, etc. are all different forms (or Avatars, lit. "Manifestations of Will") of one God, known variously as Brahma, Ishvara, or other names. So, though Hindu Mythology contains a vast pantheon of gods and beings, they are all recognized to be part of the same Ishvara or "All-Being", i.e, God. This is not set in stone, and debates on whether Hinduism is polytheistic or monotheistic have occurred for centuries. The pantheon includes the Great Trinity, more popularly known as the Trimurti, consisting of Brahma (The Creator of the universe), Vishnu (The Preserver of the universe), and Shiva (The Destroyer of the universe), and a number of younger gods apart from the Trimurti called .

Background
Hinduism's roots can be traced back to Iron Age India, and as such it is believed to be the oldest living religion in the world.

Toaru Majutsu no Index: Road to Endymion
The Hindu-based magic cabal Gate of the Gods Come from the Heavens was involved in an incident which transpired shortly after the opening of Endymion.

Uses of Hinduism and Hindu Mythology in the story

 * Amaravati: The capital of Svarga, one of seven planes in Hindu mythology and a paradise where the righteous live before their next incarnation.
 * Amaravati is one of the Phases.
 * Astra: Supernatural weapons associated with Hindu deities.
 * The Gate of the Gods Come from the Heavens make use of downsized versions of the Astras.
 * Ganesha: God of New Beginnings, Success and Wisdom.
 * One of the souvenirs that Kamijou Touya acquired.
 * Garuda: A mythical bird, appearing in both Hindu and Buddhist mythologies, the mount of Vishnu.
 * A spiritual item based on the Garuda is used by members of Gate of the Gods Come from the Heavens for reconnaissance.
 * Kali: Consort of Shiva, a goddess of time and destruction
 * Aleister Crowley refers to Kali while inspecting the female body of an alternative possibility of himself.
 * Aleister made use of aspects of Kali in a spell primarily based around Babalon.
 * Shakti: A of a primordial universal energy embodying creative power and personified in feminine form.
 * A name given to a certain infant, considered by a Hindu sect to be their priestess, is derived from the concept.
 * The method which Coronzon used to strengthen its secondary avatar, A. O. Francisca, was described as like an instant version of a Shakti master.
 * Shiva: The supreme deity of Shaivism, and part of the Trimurti together with Brahma and Vishnu, representing destruction.
 * Agni's Festival Fire used the symbolism of Shiva, being the Hindu god ruling over everything that flows, in its communication structure.
 * Nics Everblind's Shiva Imitation is a prosthetic based on Shiva's eye.
 * Vetala: A ghost-like being from Hindu mythology, which inhabits corpses and.
 * Vetala Sorcery is referenced by Index.
 * Vishnu: The supreme deity of Vaishnavism, and part of the Trimurti together with Brahma and Shiva, representing preservation.
 * Marian Slingeneyer uses Dáinsleif to summon Vishnu Avatara, an amalgamation of Vishnu's avatars, by cutting away the Amaravati Phase.

Users of Hindu-based Magic

 * Laksha
 * Harisha
 * Gate of the Gods Come from the Heavens