WHAT IS HINDUISM?
It is the true culture of Indians in India. Many call it A WAY OF LIFE.
It is not an organized religion like Christianity or Islam. It has no
founder. It has no Pope. It has no hierarchy. Just a lot of scriptures.
In Hindu scriptures, you are actually studying about the HISTORY AND CULTURE
OF INDIA, like in 66 books of the Holy Bible you are actually studying
about the CULTURE AND HISTORY OF JEWS.
HINDUISM AND JUDAISM are the mothers of all modern religions in the world.
BUDDHISM, SIKHISM, to some extent JAINISM & ZOROASTRIANISM came from
Hinduism. Of course, Jainism existed during Rig Vedic Period. Statues
of Rishabha, the first Thirthankara and founder of Jainism was found in
the Mohenjadaro, Harappa excavations. ISLAM and CHRISTIANITY came Judaism.
ISLAM and CHRISTIANITY came from Judaism. Judaism, Islam and Christianity
have ABRAHAM as the common father figure. All three have many common prophets.
There is even mention about Jesus Christ many times in the Holy Koran.
Coming back to Hinduism, C.S. Lewis, the great author and theologist wrote,
finally it will come to two religions. Hinduism and Christianity. The
first [Hinduism] will grow absorbing ideas and concepts from every where
and later [Christianity] will keep away from everything that is foreign
to it. What C.S. Lewis wrote is very true.
HINDUISM CANNOT BE DESTROYED, EVEN IF WE BURN EVERY
HINDU SCRIPTURE ON EARTH AND KILL EVERY HINDU THEOLOGIAN ON EARTH. Hinduism
or Hindu Culture is a very dynamic living, breathing Reality. Strength
of Hinduism lies in its most amazing ability to adapt to different circumstances
and different ages while maintaining its very strong continuity with the
past. How does it do that? That is a billion dollar question.
WHO IS THE FOUNDER OF HINDUISM?
No body in particular. It is the research output of countless learned
men called RISHIS who were Christ like masters, through centuries.
WHO IS A HINDU?
I believe anyone who search after truth is a Hindu. There is ONE AND ONLY
GOD and ONE TRUTH. The very first book of Hindus named RIG-VEDA proclaim,
EKAM SAT, VIPRAH BAHUDHA VADANTI (There is only
one truth, only men describe it in different ways). So a Jew or
a Christian or a Moslem who is in search after truth is automatically
a Hindu. . There are about 800 million Hindus in the world. There are
more than 800,000 Hindus in the U.S., and about 160,000 in Canada.
WHAT ATTRACTS ONE TO HINDUISM?
The concepts of UTMOST FREEDOM OF THOUGHTS And ACTIONS. That what attracts
many to Hinduism. Hinduism never forbids any one to question its fundamentals.
One side, in Hinduism, you may come across people worshiping pests like
rats, and still on other side you will come across concepts parallel to
Quantum Physics and Neil's Bohr Theory of nuclear structure and reactions.
On one side ADVAIDA [There is ONLY one ] philosophy is discussed and promoted,
still on other side DWAITA [ two--duality] philosophy is discussed and
promoted. Hinduism never ever banished any one, since he or she wrote
a wrong scripture or did not observe a particular ritual.
There was never a SALMAN RUSHDIE [author of Satanic
Verses] in Hinduism and never will be there one. Mahathma Gandhi wrote,
even atheists can call themselves as Hindus. That is very true. In fact
the CHARVAKA philosophy or NASTIKA philosophy, [existed during the Vedic
period] founded by CHARVAKA rejected the existence of God and considered
religion as an aberration. Voltaire in Essay on Tolerance wrote: I may
disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death, your right
to say it. Hinduism is the symbolic representation of what Voltaire wrote.
WHEN DID HINDUISM TAKE BIRTH?
Nobody knows. If you go by Hindu mythological stories, Hinduism is trillions
of years old. If you go by Max Muller, the German philosopher, it is at
least 8000 to 9000 years old. Hinduism might have started as Dravidian
civilization and later merged with Aryan civilization. Of course, my friend
David Frawley has written a wonderful book, explaining that ARYAN INVASION
OF INDIA never happened and it is a myth.
How ever studying the relics of Mohenjadaro and Harappa excavations, I
conclude, relics of the Indus civilization shows merging of many cultures
and concepts. The Indus Valley was home to the largest of the four ancient
urban civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, India and China. Harappa &
Mohenjodaro were cities in the Indus Valley civilization that flourished
around 2,500 B.C. in the western part of South Asia. The roots of Hinduism
can be traced to this civilization. The language spoken here is believed
to be from Dravidian family, which includes Tamil.
Hinduism has the strange capability to ABSORB AND GROW FROM ALL QUARTERS
and that is why in it you can see relics of all other civilizations like
Egyptian, Celtic, Mayan, Greek, Roman etc. To me it does not matter the
exact date it was born, since nobody can prove or disprove the exact date.
I am more concerned about what it has to give to the world.
WHAT WAS THE ORIGINAL NAME OF HINDUISM?
SANATHANA DHARMA or RIGHTEOUSNESS FOREVER was the original name of Hinduism.
It was Persians who invaded India during 6th century B.C. who gave the
name HINDUISM meaning the RELIGION OF PEOPLE LIVING NEAR RIVER INDUS.
In Persian the letter H and S are pronounced almost the same so they mistook
the word SIND [ Sanskrit name for Indus] to H and then started calling
HINDUS and HINDUISM.
WHAT IS THE LANGUAGE IN WHICH THE HINDU SCRIPTURES
WERE WRITTEN?
SANSKRIT older than Hebrew and Latin. The first words in English language
came from Sanskrit. The word MOTHER came from SANSKRIT word MATA and FATHER
came from SANSKRIT word PITA as per the PBS video THE STORY OF ENGLISH.
Believe it or not the word GEOMETRY came from a SANSKRIT word named GYAAMITI
meaning MEASURING THE EARTH. The word TRIGONOMETRY came from the word
TRIKONAMITI meaning MEASURING TRIANGULAR FORMS. Sanskrit, which literally
means "cultured or refined" was the classical language of India
and is the oldest and the most systematic language in the world. Forbes
Magazine, (July, 1987) wrote: Sanskrit is the mother of all the European
languages and is the most suitable language for the computer software.
HOW WAS HINDUISM STARTED?
According to Hindu scriptures it started as SRUTI---THAT WHICH IS HEARD.
The great seers of ancient times called RISHIS who had perfected themselves
have heard in their hearts, eternal truths and they taught those truths
to disciples by telepathy and later they wrote them in books. VEDAS and
UPANISHADS are known as SRUTI literature rest is called SMRITI- THAT WHAT
IS REMEMBERED literature.
All Hindu scriptures were considered as revealed truths of God. In fact
Hindu scriptures say that ALL HINDU SCRIPTURES WERE WRITTEN BY GOD. According
Christian theologians Holy Bible is considered to be HOLY SPIRIT INSPIRED
BOOK. According to Mimamsa school of thought, all sruti literature existed
all through eternity in the form of sounds. Therefore those sounds of
words of Vedas and Upanishads are very important to Hindus.
WHAT ARE THE SACRED BOOKS OF HINDUISM?
The very first sacred books of Hinduism is called VEDAS. VEDAS means KNOWLEDGE.
There are four VEDAS and they claim to teach men the highest aspects of
truths which can lead them to God. Vedas and Upanishads are SRUTI scriptures.
The word VEDA came from the root word "vid" meaning "to
know". Vedas are the very first scriptures of Hinduism. Vedas as
per scriptures was written by God. Vedas state "SELF REALIZATION"
is one and the goal of human life. Vedas also discuss in detail rituals
and ceremonies to attain self-realization. There are 4 Vedas. The first
Vedas are known as the TRIPLE VEDAS.
They are:
RIG VEDA--------------- KNOWLEDGE OF HYMNS --10589
verses
The Hindu Rig Veda is the foremost book of Hindus. It is the oldest book
in the world. Nobody knows when Rig Veda was written. According to B.G.
Tilak it was written in 5000 BC. German philosopher Max Muller dates 1500
BC. According some it took centuries to write this book from 1500 B.C.
to 500 B.C. Rig Veda is older than GILGAMESH [2500 B.C] and the Old Testament.
The very first Veda, Rig Veda very clearly shows that it was written,
when nomad man first settled down on the banks of rivers like Ganges,
Brahmaputra, Indus etc. That is the reason why, in Rig Veda, you see,
people are worshiping natural powers like lighting, rain, Sun, fire [Agni];
water; air, that effects cultivation It consists of 1028 hymns, comprising
of 10,589 verses in 10 chapters known as MANDALAS. 33 gods are worshiped
in Rig Veda. There are 100 hymns addressed to Soma; 250 addressed to Indra;
200 hymns addressed to Agni; Many addressed to Surya. Few addressed to
USHAS, ADITI, SARASWATHI, VARUNA and ASVINS. Lord Vishnu is a minor god
in Rig Veda.
One of the most important statement came from the Rig Veda is "EKAM
SAT, VIPRAH BAHUDHA VADANTI ---meaning "Truth is one but men describe
it differently". Lord Vishnu has minor importance in Rig Veda. Name
of Lord Siva is mentioned as RUDRA. SOMA in Rig Veda is intoxicating drink
to gods. The word SURA came those who drink an intoxicating drink which
I think is SOMA. The word ASURA came from those who does not drink that
drink. Another word that caught my attention in RIG VEDA is the word RTA
which means some kind of cosmic order. I think the word DHARMA originated
from the word RTA.
One of the most prominent hymns of Rig Veda "Purusa-Sukta ----Purusha
[man] and the Primordial sacrifice of Purusha for the betterment of man
and the world". Another one is "CREATION HYMN".
Caste system started in Rig Vedic period. The Rig Vedic Hymn, known as
PURUSHA-SUKTA (Mandala-x, 19th hymn, 12th verse) states: THE BRAHMIN WAS
PURUSHA'S (cosmic man - the first principle of SANKYA PHILOSOPHY in Hinduism)
MOUTH, THE KSHATRIYA HIS ARMS, THE VAISYA HIS THIGHS, AND SHUDRA HIS FEET.
YAJUR VEDA----------- KNOWLEDGE OF
LITURGY --3988 verses
deals with KNOWLEDGE OF RITES. This Veda is based on Rig Veda. It contains
rules and regulations explaining how to conduct rituals. It consists of
prose as well verse. Sacrifice is one of the most important aspect of
this Veda.
SAMA VEDA------------ KNOWLEDGE OF MUSIC ---1549 verses
deals with the knowledge of chants. Sama means "melody". The
classical Indian music originated from this Veda. This Veda is also based
on Rig Veda. Verses from this Veda is sung when "Soma Sacrifice"
is performed. Sama Veda is similar to Psalms in Christianity.
ATHARVA VEDAC ---KNOWLEDGE GIVEN BY SAGE ATHARVAC6000
verses ---731 hymns contains the knowledge given by sage Athrvana.
Some state that sage Athrvana did not formulate this Veda but was the
chief priest in the ceremonies associated with it. Atharvana who is mentioned
in the Rig Veda was considered as the eldest son of Lord Brahma [God of
creation]. ATHARVA VEDA was non-existent when other 3 Vedas were composed.
AUYRVEDA THE HINDU MEDICINE SCRIPTURE consists
of more than 100,000 verses initially. Still it is considered as a UPA
VEDA of ATHARVA VEDA.
A---SAMHITAS----basic texts for hymns to deities, formulas and chants.
The Sankrit word SAMHITA means "put togther".
B---BRAHMANAS--description as well as directions for performance of rituals.
The word originated from the word Brahmins. Brahmins are the original
Hindu priests and they follow Brahmans to conduct rituals.
C---ARYANAKAS contain Mantras and interpretations of rituals--This book
also known as "the forest books" since book is used by saints
who meditate in the forests.
D---UPANISHADS--texts revealing ultimate truths by different saints. Upanishads
teach men that there is ONE AND ONLY thing and that is BRAHMAN. You and
I just reflections of Brahman. Or we are indeed God... Upanishads teach
us "Tat tvam Asi" CC THAT THOU ART. In fact, the word UPANISHAD
can be broken down as UPA [near] NI [down] SHAD [sit] meaning that teachings
of Upanishads were conveyed from masters to students when students sat
very next to masters and nobody overheard those teachings.
TOTAL 108 UPANISHADS .
Principle ones 13. Some of the Upanishads are named after the sages who
answered all questions. Some as per the first word in the Upanishad. [
I shall write details separately]
1. ISA UPANISHAD- 2. KENA UPANISHAD 3. KATHA UPANISHAD 4. PRASNA UPANISHAD
5. MUNDAKA UPANISHAD 6. MANDUKYA UPANISHAD 7. AITAREYA UPANISHAD 8. TAITTIRYA
UPANISHAD 9. CHANDOGYA UPANISHAD 10. BRIHAD-ARANYAKA UPANISHAD 11 KAUSHITAKI
UPANISHAD 12. SHVETASHVATARA UPANISHAD 13 MAITRI UPANISHAD SMRITI LITERATURE
CONSISTS OF LARGE NUMBER OF BOOKS.
A. VEDANGAS: scriptures attached to Vedas.
1. DHARMA SUTRAS- [Codes of Manu, Yatnyavalkya etc]
2. JYOTHISHA [ astrology and astronomy ]
3. KALPA [rituals and legal matters]
4. SIKSHA [phonetics ]
5. CHHANDAS [measurements]
6. NIRUKTA [Etymology]
7. VYAKARANA [ Sanskrit grammar ]
B-----UPAVEDAS
1. AYURVEDA---Hindu science of health and longevity
2 DHARNUR VEDA---Hindu science of archery & war
3 GANDHARVA VEDA--Hindu science of Music
4 ARTHASHASTRA---Hindu science of governing by Kings
C----- DARSANAS [HINDU JNANA YOGA - PATH OF KNOWLEDGE]:
6 of them
1. NYASA: by sage Gautama wrote Nyaya sutras
2. VAISHESHIKA: by sage Kanada wrote Vaisheshika sutra
3. SAMKHYA: by sage Kapila- Gita starts with this philosophy
4. YOGA: by Pathanjali who wrote PATHANJALI YOGASUTRA
5. MIMAMSA: by sage Jaimini who wrote MIMAMSA SUTRA
6. VEDANTA: by sage Veda Vyasa VEDANTA [AT THE END OF VEDAS] meaning it
started at the end of Vedic age] has two parts.
1. ADVAIDA PHILOSOPHY- ONE ONLY - great exponent ADI SANKARA 2. DWITA
PHILOSOPHY - TWO - almost all Vaishnava saints
D------ ITHIHASAS or EPICS : MYTHOLOGICAL SCRIPTURES
1. RAMAYANA - story of Rama, written by Valmiki. RAMAYANA is the story
of Rama and princess Sita. Valmiki wrote the whole Ramayana as the narration
of a crying dove [who just lost her lover to a hunter's wicked arrow]
to him. This beautiful poem consists of 24,000 couplets. Lord Rama is
one of the avatars of Lord Vishnu and RAMAYANA is a story which projects
HINDU IDEALS OF LIFE. There are many versions of Ramayana. The Hindi version
was written by sage TULASI DAS. The Malayalam version [Kerala state] was
written by Thuncheth Ezuthachan. The original text was written in very
stylish Sanskrit language
2. MAHABHARATA - story of Pandvas & Kauravas 220,000 verses, 18 chapters
BHAGAVAD GITA is part of this scripture. It is lengthier than Homer's
ODYSSEY. It consists of episodes, dialogues, stories, discourses and sermons.
It contains 110,000 couplets or 220,000 lines in 18 PARVAS or sections
or chapters.
They are 1--ADI PARVA 2--SABHA PARVA 3--VANA PARVA 4--VIRATA PARVA 5--UDYOGA
PARVA 6--BHISHMA PARVA 7--DRONA PARVA 8--KARNA PARVA 9--SALYA PARVA 10-SAUPTIKA
PARVA 11-STRI PARVA 12-SHANTI OR SANTI PARVA 13-ANUSASANA PARVA 14-ASVAMEDHIKA
PARVA 15-ASHRAMA PARVA 16-MAUSALA PARVA 17-MAHAPRASTHANIKA PARVA 18-SVARGAROHANA
PARVA
Apart from 18 PARVAS there is a section of poems in the form of an appendix
with 16,375 verses which is known as HARIVAMSA PARVA. So in total there
are 19 Parvas, even though many saints do not consider the last Parva
as an important PARVA. The BHAGAVAD GITA is part and parcel of MAHABHARATA
IS BHAGAVAD GITA the HINDU HOLY BIBLE?
Bhagavad Gita is a part of the epic Mahabharta, appearing in the middle
of the great epic. Hindus do not any such thing as a HOLY BIBLE. Many
consider BHAGAVAD GITA as the most important scripture of Hindus. IF THE
ENTIRE UPANISHADS CAN BE CONSIDERED AS COWS, THEN THE BHAGAVAD GITA CAN
BE CONSIDERED AS MILK. it is the essense of the Vedas.
Bhagavad Gita consists of 18 chapters and 700 verses. It deals with all
type of Yogas, means of self-realization. It is in the form of a very
lively conversation between the warrior-prince Arjuna and his friend and
charioteer Lord Krishna, at the outset of the great MAHABHARTA WAR, in
the middle of the battle field. Just before the beginning of the war,
Arjuna refused to fight, when he found he had to kill thousands of his
own kinsmen to be victorious in the war. Lord Krishna advised him on a
very large variety of subjects in a QUESTION AND ANSWER format. At the
end, Arjuna took Lord Krishna's advice and fought and won a very fierce
war. Gita has an answer to every problem a man face in his life. It never
commands anyone what to do; Instead it discusses pros and cons of every
action and thought. Through out Gita you will not come across any line
starting or ending with THOU SHALT NOT. That is the reason why Gita is
the DARLING OF MILLIONS OF SEEKERS AFTER TRUTH THROUGH OUT THE WORLD
VERSIONS OF GITA
The very first English translation of Gita was done by CHARLES WILKINS
in 1785, with an introduction by Warren Hastings, the British Governor
General of India. One of the most popular translation was done by Sir
Edwin Arnold, under the title THE SONG CELESTIAL. There are many translations
of the Gita and one of most descriptive translation on Gita was done by
Swami Sri Prapupada of International Krishna consciousness. Almost all
saints in India have published their versions of the Bhagavad Gita. Recently
the Self Realization Fellowship, California have published an excellent
translation of the Bhagavad Gita. Most intellectuals in the world go through
Gita at least once in their life time. Aldous Huxley wrote: The Bhagavad
Gita is perhaps the most systematic scriptural statement of the perennial
philosophy" in his introduction of the THE SONG OF THE GOD by Swami
Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood. Gita won the interest and admiration
of great intellectuals such as VON HUMBOLDT of Germany and EMERSON of
America. It has influenced thinkers like HAGEL and SCHOPENHAUER.
ROBERT OPPENHEIMER--FATHER OF ATOM BOMB & Bhagavad Gita
Robert Oppenheimer, the very first Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission
and father of Atom bomb was a great admirer of the Bhagavad Gita. He learnt
Sanskrit during MANHATTAN PROJECT to understand the true meaning of Gita.
He really shocked the world, when he quoted a couplet from Gita [Chapter
11:12] after witnessing the first Atomic Explosion in the state of New
Mexico. Later when he addressed congress regarding ATOM BOMB he said Atom
Bomb remind him of Lord Krishna who said in the Bhagavad Gita, I AM DEATH
DEVOURER OF ALL.
E-----PURANAS - 18 are most important MAHABHAGAVATAM
- is the most read important scripture of ISKCON[HAREKRISHNA ]Puranas
are RELIGIOUS STORIES which expound truths. Just like the parables told
by Jesus Christ, these stories are told to common folk to make them understand
the higher truths of life. According to Jesus Christ MYSTERIES OF THE
UNIVERSE ARE REVEALED TO THOSE WHO ARE SPIRITUALLY AWAKE, BUT TO OTHERS
THOSE MYSTERIES HAVE TO BE EXPLAINED IN PARABLES. On that Puranas are
called the VEDAS of the Common folk, for they present the mysteries through
myth and legend.
SIX puranas addressed to Lord Vishnu are 1-Vishnu Purana 2-Narada Purana
3-Srimad Bhavata Purana 4-Garuda Purna 5-Padma Purana 6-Varaha Purana
Six Puranas --addressed to Lord Siva are 1-Matsya Purana 2-Kurma Purana
3-Linga Purana 4-Vayu Purana 5-Skanda Purana 6-Agni Purana
SIX Puranas addressed to Lord Brahma are 1-Brahma Purana 2-Brahanda Purana
3-Brahma-Vaivasvata Puranaor Brahma-Vaivarta Purana 4-Markandeya Purana
5-Bhavishya Purana 6-Vamana Purana
Apart from that we have 22 minor Puranas They are ADITYA, ASCHARYA, AUSANSA,
BHASKARA, DEVI, SAIVA, DURVASA, KALIKA, KALKI, KAPILA, MAHESVARA, MANAVA,
MARICHI, NANDIKESVARA, NARADA, NARASIMHA, PARASARA, SAMBA, SANATHAKUMARA,
SIVADHARMA, SURYA, SUTA-SAMHITA, USANAS, VARUNA, YUGA, VAYU, VRIHAN
F---AGAMAS ---SECTARIAN SCRIPTURES They are a group scriptures
worshipping God in particular form and they describe detailed courses
of disciple for the devotee. Like Upanishads there are many AGAMAS. They
can be broadly divided into three sets of AGAMAS.
A----VAISHNAVA AGAMAS--worship God as LORD VISHNU
B----SAIVA AGAMAS------worship God as Lord Siva
C----SAKTI AGAMAS------worship God as Mother Goddess
Believe it or not there is no AGAMAS for Lord Brahma [God of creation].
Saivates have 28 Agamas and 108 Upa Agamas [minor agamas]. Saktiates recoganizes
77 agamas. I am not sure about the actual number of the Vaishna Agamas.
Vaishanavates consider PANCHA RATRA AGAMAS as one of the most important
agamas.
Each Agama consists of A--Philosophy B--mental discipline C--Rules for
constructing temples D--Religious practices.
G-- TANTRAS
Started during Vedic age. consists of cosmology, erotic exercises etc
Tantra is very important and very vast. Sanskrit word Tantras means to
EXPAND. Tantrism researched into ASTRONOMY, ASTROLOGY, PALMISTRY, COSMOLOGY.
Chakras and Kundalini power etc are the contributions of Tantras to the
world. Of course Tantras also states SALVATION THROUGH SEX. In any other
religion scriptures like Tantra literature will not be tolerated. In Christianity,
the first person William Tyndall who translated Holy Bible into English
was mercilessly burnt at stake, and copies of his Bible burnt, since church
did not like his version of the Holy Bible!! That is why I take my hats
off to Hinduism.
H--CHARVAKA ---HINDU MATERIALISM
Just like Tantras, Hinduism tolerated Chrvaka philosophy. Its founder
was Charvaka. The most important book was BRIHASPATI SUTRA. I am stating
things in past tense since I am not aware copies of this book is available
in India. According to this world, MATERIAL WORLD ALONE EXISTS AND OUR
KNOWLEDGE COMES FROM SENSE PERCEPTION. This philosophy openly propagated
THERE IS NO GOD...THE LAW OF KARMA HAS NO BASIS...THE VEDAS WERE WRITTEN
BY CLOWNS..It adds " Enjoy life while you can, for once cremated,
you will never return to earth." There are still a lot more scriptures
in Hinduism. I should say that there are more than 1000 scriptures in
Hinduism.......We will now start discussing about each individual scripture....
WHAT IS THE HINDU CONCEPT OF GOD?
Hindus believe in ONE AND ONLY GOD-- BRAHMAN which expresses itself in
trillions of forms. Hindus do not believe God has human form or any other
form. God is nameless and timeless. But there is nothing wrong to worship
a God with name and form [nama-roopa], since man cannot conceive anything
without any name and form. In fact, in the Sruti scriptures of Hinduism,
God or BRAHMAN has been described as SAGUNA BRAHMAN [ God-Brahman with
attributes]; as well as NIRGUNA BRAHMAN [ God-without attributes]. In
the Upanishads, God is described as NETI-NETI [not this-not that] method.
So first Hindus worshiped 33 natural gods in the Rig Veda. Then Hinduism
came to the realization that THERE IS ONE AND ONLY GOD BRAHMAN. Just like
ONE AND ONLY SUN shines over the mountains of Afghanistan, dry deserts
of Saudi Arabia; Penthouse of New York, there is ONE AND ONLY GOD which
present in the Hindu temple, Christian church, Moslem Mosque, Jewish synagogue,
Buddha Vihars, Sikh Gurudwara.
IF THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD, WHY HINDUS WORSHIP MANY GODS? During
the time of Upanishads, when the Hindu Rishis [scientists of that day]
said THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD, BRAHMAN they found out that laymen could not
understand that concept. So they wrote ITHIHASAS [epics] and Puranas [mythological
stories] filled with many gods, with the concept that WHEN YOU WORSHIP
ANY GOD, YOU ARE ACTUALLY WORSHIPING ONE AND ONLY GOD BRAHMAN. Lord Krishna
reiterated that point by saying, " Call me by what ever name you
like; Worship me in any form you like; All that goes to One and Only Supreme
Reality." So a Hindu when worshiping any God, he is actually worshiping
One and Only God Brahman. In Christianity ONE GOD EXPRESSES HIMSELF IN
THREE FORMS; FATHER; SON AND THE HOLY GHOST.
In Hinduism ONE GOD EXPRESSES ITSELF IN TRILLIONS OF FORMS. That is the
reason why Hindus have no problem in calling Jesus and Buddha avatars
[ incarnations] of God, even though Buddha did not reorganize the authority
of Vedas or belief in Brahman.
Believe it or not there is no word TRINITY in the entire Holy Bible and
it originated only after emperor Constantine became a Christian. He did
that to fuse PAGAN ROME to CHRISTIANITY. Only mention of TRINITY concept
of God in the Bible, is in the St. Matthew's account of Christ's last
command to the apostles, GO THEREFORE, AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS,
BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF FATHER, AND THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
[MAT 28:19] According to SCHAFF-HERZOG ENCYCLOPEDIA, TRINITY doctrine
was not established until 363 A.D. It says that TRINITY is the result
of three or four centuries of theological development. The New Catholic
Encyclopedia also states that devotion to Trinity had begun in monasteries
at Aniane and Tours, during 8th century.
WHY HINDUS WORSHIP IDOLS? Show me any person
[except may be Jews], who does not believe in an idol, image, or symbol
and I will show you the greatest liar on earth. All religions have some
concept of God with name and form, but Hindus alone have the courage to
admit that fact.
The Cross in the Christian church, the picture of Jesus Christ, the statue
of Mary, statues of patron saints, are all idols. If anyone bow in front
of any of them, they are breaking laws of Old Testament [LED . . . 26:1,
and EX 20:2-5.] Idol worship is every where and I never ever met a man
who does not worship something or someone. In fact, the first sculpture
of Christ was in the form of a small boy holding on to a sheep. Now, everywhere
in the world, people have pictures of Christ according their culture.
A loving young white man in USA, a tough man looking like a judge in Russia,
a nice black man in Africa and a man looking like a typical man from China
with a sheepish beard in China.
I RESPECT ALL THOSE PICTURES. Believe it or not, ALL OF THEM ARE IDOL
WORSHIPS. Once again, God is spirit...NO WORD OR IMAGE CAN DESCRIBE OR
DEPICT GOD OR CAN ENCOMPASS THE GREATNESS OF GOD. God is neither the father
nor the mother.
Since man cannot conceive anything without NAME AND FORM, man has the
right to worship God with a form. At the same time, every worship leads
to a GOD without any name and form in course of the development of the
seeker in spirituality.
WHAT ARE THE HINDU MORAL CODES?
Hindu moral codes are written a collection of books called DHARMA SUTRAS.
Hindu moral Codes are the integral part of Hinduism and they come under
the big umbrella called DHARMA. it is very difficult to translate the
word DHARMA.. Some of the codes are AHIMSA [NON-KILLING], SATHYA [TRUTH],
DHARMA[DUTY], KARUNA [COMPASSION], VIRYA[FORTITUDE] , DAMA[SELF-RESTRAINT],
SAUCHA[PURITY]
WHAT IS THE NAME OF HINDU HOLY BIBLE?
Hindus actually do not have a Holy Bible like Christians. Hindus have
many scriptures and all of them are equally important. But many consider
the Bhagavad Gita to be the Holy Bible of Hindus. It appears in the middle
of the epic poem MAHABHRATA. Bhagavad Gita has 700 verses in 18 chapters.
It is in the form of a conversation between warrior king Arjuna and Lord
Krishna, in the middle of the battle field at the outset of Mahabharata
war
.
WHAT IS AN AVATAR?
An AVATAR is an incarnation of God. Whenever God come down to earth in
any form then Hindus call that an AVATAR. According to that definition,
Christ can be considered as an AVATAR, even though there is no mention
about Jesus Christ in any of the Hindu scriptures.
WHAT IS SALVATION ACCORDING TO HINDUISM?
Hindu salvation concept is different from Christian salvation concept.
Hindu salvation is known as SELF REALIZATION.
In Hindu salvation a person realizes that HE IS NOT THE BODY, BUT THE
IMMORTAL SOUL [ATMAN] WITHIN. That is the reason why Hindu salvation is
known as SELF REALIZATION or "Realizing that he is the IMMORTAL SELF
and NOT THE PERISHABLE BODY.
In Hindu salvation THE IDENTITY OF THE SOUL IS LOST when it attains salvation.
Hindu salvation can be compared to a pinch of salt trying to find the
bottom of the ocean. The moment the pinch of salt touches the surface
of the mighty ocean, it becomes part and parcel of the Ocean. Similarly,
when a person seeks after God according to Hinduism, becomes ONE WITH
GOD when he attains salvation. Hinduism never ever boasts monopoly on
salvation. In fact, as per Hinduism, any one even an atheist can attain
salvation. A Jew, Christian and Moslem can attain salvation, irrespective
of whether they read any Hindu scriptural book.
WHAT IS THE LAW OF KARMA?
Hindus believe in LIFE AFTER DEATH. They also believe in the Biblical
concept WHATEVER A MAN SOWETH, THAT SHALL HE REAP. That is the basis of
karmic law. Every action and every thought has a result. Hindus believe
that every thought and every action is weighed on the scale of eternal
justice. The law of karma is one of CAUSE AND EFFECT. Nobody can escape
from the KARMIC DEBT. I believe Christ took care of the KARMIC DEBT of
all the apostles so that he can make them FISHERMEN OF MEN.
WHAT HAPPENS TO US WHEN WE DIE?
According to Hinduism, the body alone dies. the soul within the body never
dies, But the path the soul takes is decided upon the past actions which
are known as karmas. So the actions of former body does not die with the
body. past actions are attached to the body and they decide WHAT KIND
OF BODY THE SOUL TAKES IN THE NEXT LIFE. WHAT IS SALVATION IN HINDUISM?
When an individual soul exhausts all its karmas and merges with GOD then
Hindus say that soul has attained salvation.
DOES THAT MEAN ONE HAS TO TAKE MILLIONS OF LIVES TO ACHIEVE SALVATION?
NO, absolutely not. That question is the question many ask. Hindu scriptures,
especially the Bhagavad Gita very clearly says that one can attain salvation
in one life, provided one surrender his will to the will of God 100%.
Lord Krishna said: THOSE WHO SURRENDER ALL ACTIONS TO ME AND REGARD ME
AS THE SUPREME GOAL AND WORSHIP ME WITH WHOLE HEARTED DEVOTION WILL BE
SAVED BY ME FROM REPEATED BIRTHS AND DEATHS."
In another verse, Lord Krishna said: GIVE UP ALL YOUR RIGHTEOUS AND NON-RIGHTEOUS
ACTIONS AND COME TO ME; TAKE REFUGE IN ME. THEN I SHALL FREE YOU FROM
ALL SINS; GRIEVE NOT. That ME who is mentioned is not the Lord Krishna
but the ABSOLUTE SOUL or GOD. Krishna is one of the representations of
that God. That GOD can appear in another form like Christ or without any
form or name at all.
HOW CAN ONE ATTAIN SALVATION?
Through four paths
1 JNANA YOGA----- PATH OF KNOWLEDGE
2 KARMA YOGA----- PATH OF SELFLESS ACTIONS
3 BHAKTI YOGA---- PATH OF DEVOTION
4 RAJA YOGA------PATH OF BREATH CONTROL AND PRANAYAMA
Most of all religious devotees of all religions are BHAKTI YOGIES whether
they believe in Hinduism or not. Very good Christians go to church everyday
and surrender themselves to the deity of Christ are SHAKTI YOGIS. So too
Moslems. Hinduism is the only religion explains the FOUR PATHS very well
WHAT IS AUM [OM]?
It is the HINDU WORD. It is a syllable that stands for ABSOLUTE. It is
uttered in the beginning as well as at the end of all Hindu prayers. To
some extent it is the LOGOS of the Holy Bible.
DO YOU BELIEVE THAT JOHN 1:1 CAME FROM HINDU SCRIPTURES?
YES, I think so. Long before JOHN 1:1 [70 AD] was written, Hindu Vedas
[ at least 5000 BC] wrote the same thing "prajapathi vai agre asset"
IN THE BEGINNING WAS PRAJAPTHI, THE BRAHMAN-THE GOD, "Tasya Vag dvitiya
Aseet" WITH WHOM WAS THE WORD; "Vag vai parama Brahman"
AND THE WORD WAS VERILY THE SUPREME BRAHMAN - THE GOD John 1:1 states:
IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD, AND THE WORD WAS WITH GOD AND THE WORD
WAS GOD.
WHY DO WOMEN WEAR A DOT ON THEIR FOREHEAD?
That dot is supposed to be the meeting point of eye brows. That important
point is called ANGINA CHARA or spiritual eye. Everyone is supposed to
protect that. In fact all saints protect that point with sandalwood paste..But
later women alone started protecting that area.
WHAT IS NAMASTHE? It is the popular Hindu greeting performed by
pressing two hands together and holding them near the heart. the whole
act communicate to the world ' YOU AND I ARE ONE...I SALUTE AND WORSHIP
THE GOD WITHIN YOU, WHICH IS A MIRROR IMAGE OF MYSELF'
DO HINDUS PRACTICE MONOGAMY?
Hindus practice monogamy and Hindus have stopped "child marriages
in India by SAADA ACT [1929] under the British. It is the Moslems in India
who are allowed to marry four wives and Moslem Sariyath law allows child
marriages for Moslems in India.
DO HINDU SCRIPTURES FORBID ABORTION?
Yes they do. Hindu scriptures forbid abortion. From time immemorial, Hindus
consider children as gifts from God. In the code of Manu, Manu forbids
abortion. One of the worst acts described in the scriptures is SIS-HATYA
meaning destruction of the unborn fetus. There are prayers in the Rig
Veda to guard a growing embryo. Only time abortion is allowed is when
the fetus is known to be defective as per SUSRUTA SAMHITA, the Hindu Aurvedic
book.
WHAT IS CASTE SYSTEM?
There is nothing in Hinduism as complex as CASTE SYSTEM. It emerged as
a part of division of labor among people during the days of Rig Veda..The
Rig Vedic Hymn, known as PURUSHA-SUKTA (Mandala-x, 19th hymn, 12th verse)
states: THE BRAHMIN WAS PURUSHA'S (cosmic man - the first principle of
SANKYA PHILOSOPHY in Hinduism) MOUTH, THE KSHATRIYA HIS ARMS, THE VAISYA
HIS THIGHS, AND SHUDRA HIS FEET...The greatest apostle of CASTE SYSTEM,
was Sage Manu. He laid down all provisions governing caste system in Manu-Smriti.
BRAHMINS -- Priests
KSHATRIYAS-- Fighters and warriors
VAISYA--- Business men
SHUDRAS -- helpers of every one
Unlike in the Holy Bible, where Slavery is discussed & accepted even
by St. Paul [ [Holy Bible verses Col. 4:11; Exodus 21:21 1: Lev. XXV:44-
55 Thessalonians 3:22], THERE IS NO STATEMENT IN THE ENTIRE HINDU SCRIPTURES
TO ILL-TREAT LOWER CASTES, except Sage Manu's Code, where punishements
of lower castes are severe comparing to punishments for the higher castes
for the same offense.----THERE IS NO WORD UNTOUCHABLE IN THE ENTIRE HINDU
SCRIPTURES.
Still caste system degenerated in India. It is indeed the GREATEST CURSE
on Hinduism. It attacks the core of Hinduism. It resulted in large scale
conversion of Hindus to other religions. I sincerely pray and hope, caste
system eventually will go away, making a relic of the history.
Hindus should do what Christians did. Even though slavery is mentioned
and accepted as a practice in the Holy Bible, even though during Civil
war many such as Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States
of America quoted from the Bible to support slavery, Christians took it
upon their chin and eliminated slavery completely.
Once upon a time, India had 3,000 castes and 25,000 sub-castes. Even there
were 1,800 Brahmin castes in India. Even different Brahmin castes did
not mingle themselves socially or otherwise, in ancient times. Last of
all, ancient India, persecuted a large group of people called UNTOUCHABLES.
Mahatma Gandhi said: UNTOUCHABILITY IS A CRIME AGAINST GOD AND MEN. Ambedkar
once wrote out of his own experience, TO THE UNTOUCHABLES, HINDUISM IS
A VERITABLE CHAMBER OF HORRORS".
WHY HINDUS PRACTICE SUTTEE [ SATI]?
None of the Hindu scriptures mention about Sati. Suicide of the consort
of Lord Siva, Sati, has nothing to do with Sati or Suttee. Suicide of
queen Madri in the epic Mahabharata has nothing to do with Sati. Sucide
of 16000 wives of Lord Krishna in the Srimad Bhagavatam has nothing to
do with Sati. At the same time Suttee is the most horrendous way of widows
jumping into the funeral pyre of their fallen husbands. It is an ancient
ritual practiced by a warrior race of India called Rajputs. Nobody else
in India, practiced Suttee. Once again, Suttee is never mentioned in any
Hindu religious scripture. There is not even ONE episode of Suttee in
the vast Hindu mythology.
MANY STATE HINDUISM IS VERY COMPLEX AND CONTRADICTORY!
All religions are the result of the works of thousands of thinkers. Hinduism
and Judaism are cultures and they are the mothers of all religions. New
religions like Christianity and Islam took the best aspects of Judaism
and made part of them. So too Buddhism and Jainism took the best aspects
of Hinduism and made part of them. In Christianity, there were several
housecleaning in its 2000 years of history. Hinduism on its part, NEVER
had any HOUSE CLEANING in its history. Since Hinduism never tossed anything
away, in it you will see in it primitive religion as well as very advanced
thoughts. There was never a SALMAN RUSHDIE [author of Satanic Verses]
in Hinduism and never will be there one.
I have repeatedly state that Hinduism has the GOOD, the BAD and the UGLY
aspects in it like any other culture or religion in the world. WE have
to boldly face facts and eradicate the BAD & the UGLY aspects, to
better the lives of millions of Hindus, years to come.
NOBODY EVER WAS EXCOMMUNICATED FROM HINDUISM. NOT EVEN ONE HINDU DIED
BECAUSE HE/SHE WROTE A WRONG SCRIPTURE. .The greatness of Hinduism can
be summerised in few words. "FREEDOM OF THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS."
That what Hinduism stands for.
Ed Viswanathan
edvis9@hotmail.com edvis9@yahoo.com
AM I A HINDU? [ www.amazon.com]
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1879904063/u/002-9144287-3121453
one of the most popular book on Hinduism as per THE AMAZON BOOK DISTRIBUTORS
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