A Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism Klaus K Klostermaie

H
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 Ÿraddha
(1963), Dharma (1965) and Vrata
(1973), and brought out a monograph
on Prahläda (1959).
Haihaya (1)
Prince of the lunar dynasty, greatgrandson
of Yadu. (See also YÄDAVA.)
Haihaya (2)
Descendants of Haihaya (1), according
to the VIÆŒU PURÄŒA.
hair
Many Hindu rituals concern the cutting
of hair. Part of the UPANAYANA (initiation)
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 DÏKÆÄ includes the shaving
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 epithet
of Kø•æa.
hala (‘ploughshare’)
Symbol of BALADEVA, also called Halabhøt,
‘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 swallowed
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 figure
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.