Rajput Religon: Hindu Polytheism
Major Gods worshipped by Rajputs:
Brahma-Creator and Enlightened
Vishnu-Preserver
Ganesha-God of Luck
Shiva-Destroyer
Kali-Goddess of Death
Indra- God of Lightning
Yamaha-God of Death/Hell
Durga-Goddess of War
Parvithi-Godess of Weapons
The Rajputs believe that the worls was created by Bhrmaha the Enlightend One. The world is being presevred by Vishnu and that eventually the world will be destroyed by Shiva when his third eye is opened.
The Rajputs believe in a continual cycle of reincranation that one keeps being reborn. Thy can be reborn either as human or animal it depends upon the action of their past life. If they have done good they will be reborn better. If they have done evil they will be reborn lesser. This cycle continues until atman or enlightment is achieved and then one goes to Heaven.
The Rajputs worship Parvathi, Shiva, Yamaha, Durga, and Kali before going into battle. These gods are worshipped through statues and the weapons are worshipped as well. They believe this shall win them favor during battles. They believe that the spilling of blood will appease Kali the Goddes of Death and Yamaha.
The Rajputs beleieve very deeply in honor and loyalty. They believe that if their honor is tarnished or they are disloyal in some way they will go to Hell where they shall suffer eternally from Yamaha.
As a result when Rajput armies are defeated on the field of battle they will commit jauhar. This is when all the armies have been killed and the capture of a besiged city is subsuquent.
1.A defending Rajput army being besieged inside a fortification;
2.The realization by the defenders that defeat was certain;
3.The immolation, en masse, of women, children and the elderly, to avoid molestation at the hands of the victorious invading army;
4.The riding out, into open battle and certain death, of the menfolk, there to die on the field of war
The enitre pouplation which is unable to fight shall commit ritual sucide and burn themselves to death, throw themselves off the battlemats, impale themselves or kill themselves in some other fashion. The surviving male warriors will either resist until death or to atone for their failure they will also commit jaughar.
However jaughar for male warriors differs from jaughar from the rest of the pouplation. The warrior takes up a short sword or dagger pluges it into his abdomen, making a left to right cut then a second slightly upward stroke to spill out the intesteins. Then if he had made a serious error he would slowly and painfully let himself bleed to death. Or a nearby friend could be requested to chop his head off as a final act of friendship.
The Rajputs believe it is their utmost duty to conquer all and spread their Empire to every corner of the world as well as their religon. The Rajputs believe they are the light in a world of darkness and must show the rest of the world their light.
Sayings in the Bhagava Gita
2.39. But those who reject Faith and belief Our Signs, they shall be companions of the Fires of Hell; they shall abide therein.
3.151 Soon shall We cast terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers
4.14. But those who disobey the Gods and transgress their limits will be admitted to a Fire, to abide therein: And they shall have a painful punishment.
4.101. For the Unbelievers are unto you open enemies.
5.33. The punishment of those who wage war against the Rajputs, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, and torture, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter;
9.5. fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and follow the Empire, then open the way for them:
8.16. If any do turn his back to them on such a day - unless it be in a stratagem of war, or to retreat to a troop (of his own)- he draws on himself the wrath of the Gods, and his abode is Hell,- an evil refuge (indeed)!
47.4. Therefore, when ye meet the Unbelievers (in fight), smite at their necks; At length, when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly (on them): thereafter (is the time for) either generosity or ransom: Until the war lays down its burdens. Thus (are ye commanded): but if it had been the gods Will, they could certainly have exacted retribution from them ; but (they lets you fight) in order to test you, some with others. But those who are slain in the Way of the Gods,- They will never let their deeds be lost.
33.123. O ye who believe! fight the unbelievers who gird you about, and let them find firmness in you: and know that the Gods is with those who fear them.
Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves. You may also buy some of the temporary residents living among you and members of their clans born in your country, and they will become your property. You can will them to your children as inherited property and can make them slaves for life
:9 When the Gods delivers it [the city] into your hand, put to the sword all the men in it. As for the women, the children, the livestock and everything else in the city, you may take these as plunder [slaves] for yourselves. And you may use the plunder the Gods gives you from your enemies.
1:2 When you march up to attack a city, make its people an offer of peace. If they accept and open their gates, all the people in it shall be subject to forced labor and shall work for you. If they refuse to make peace and they engage you in battle, lay siege to that city. When the Gods delivers it into your hand, put to the sword all the men in it. As for the women, the children, the livestock and everything else in the city, you may take these as plunder for yourselves. And you may use the plunder the Gods gives you from your enemies. This is how you are to treat all the cities that are at a distance from you and do not belong to the nations nearby. However, in the cities of the nations the Gods is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes.
3:4 Otherwise, they will teach you to follow all the detestable things they do in worshiping their gods, and you will sin against the Gods.
5:6 When the Gods delivers it [the city] into your hand, put to the sword all the men in it. As for the women, the children, the livestock and everything else in the city, you may take these as plunder [slaves] for yourselves. And you may use the plunder the Gods gives you from your enemies.
7:8 Whoever is captured will be thrust through; all who are caught will fall by the sword. Their infants will be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses will be looted and their wives ravished.
9:10 Your bows will strike down the young men; they will have no mercy on infants nor will they look with compassion on children
11:12 When a warrior has failed it is his duty to fight to the death or commit jaughar lest he be shamed
13:14 If the enemy comes leave no one alive for them to take it is thy duty
15:16 Obey your father, mother, and your King above all
17:18 It is your duty to go to battle and smite thy enemy
19:20 Remeber honor and loyalty above all