Practicing Hindu and proud
When I used to study for exams at uni I often kept a copy of the Gita on the table with me. I’d read a page or two now and again, for example during breaks, and straight away would begin to feel more focused and positive. The Gita certainly was a great companion for me through my exam periods.Noticing that I kept a copy of the Gita, a bunch of friends (all of whom were themselves Hindus) found it comical and said something along the lines of, “Raj man, what’s this, you turning into a priest or something?” It was neither the first nor the last time that I got funny comments like this.
May 31st, 2007 at 1:33 am
Bhagavad Gita is a practical guide for all age and all time. Those who realised this, like Raj, benefiting from this Eternal philosophic guidance. Those who make jokes or funs, are real ingorants. I myself faced such jokes. A fellow Hindu friend of mine told, how can I read Bhagavad Gita everyday, its like reading the same email again and again. Such is the level of ignorance, I just pray to Bhagavan Krishna to give them sat-buddhi. I benefitted and continuously benefitting by reading Bhagavad Gita everyday. It motivates me, concentrates my mind, invigorates my energy and above keep me in right path. Om tat sat!
May 31st, 2007 at 2:48 am
I get mocked by my family all the time for being a proud Hindu. Here and there I do go to campus with the Sacred Ash on my forehead, and my family are always telling me to stop being so conspicuious. I dont care, there are Muslims who go to campus with their skull caps and a full grown beard and they walk without harrasment. I as a Hindu should be able to do the same thing, and I will be doing so despite what anyone says be they Hindu or Non-Hindu. The knowledge I have got about Hinduism, her history, culture and philosophy is no thanks to anyone from my family.
-Muski
May 31st, 2007 at 3:19 am
It’s very sad that some Hindus are displaying such level of ignorance about one the the most enlightened books of all times - the Bhagavad Gita.
The Bhagavad Gita guides the reader to live a truthful life. Truth is God and God is Truth. The essence of the Gita brings out the absolute beauty of Truthfulness. One doesn’t have to be a Hindu to see the pronound sense that the verses in this holy book make. In fact, many great scholars who are studying this book are non-Hindus.
Continue to read the Bhagavad Gita Raj and see what a difference it makes in your life. It will help to mould you in the best person you can aspire to be.
As for your friends, they need to engage in some self-introspect analysis and start respecting the teachings of the Gita. Remember the Mahatma, his life was a reflection of the teachings of the Gita.
May 31st, 2007 at 5:04 am
Raj… Just follow the “law of attraction” Do good, good comes to you always,Do bad ,Bad falls on you like a Rock. By reading The Bhagavad Gita again and again,(he/she) knows you are talking about him always.As a child you might not know the words,as an adult that same word in a prefect time will change into a blossom flower that glows you to glory…… .Ignore the rest and follow GOD’s part to glory….. He awaits you .
May 31st, 2007 at 5:11 am
It is really shameful to see Hindus react negatively on the Gita. I am not a religious Hindu person myself but I really like the Gita. It gives me comfort during hard times. I feel as if Lord Krisna himself is speaking to me and giving me spirit. Lord Krisna told Arjun at the end of the conversation, mentioning that The Gita is only to be given to people that really seeks whole heartedly the truth and wisdom of it. The Gita is never to be given to people that has the tendency to argue or questioning. Those people who likes to argue should just become a politician or host a talk show.
May 31st, 2007 at 8:00 am
Rajesh,
it is not their fault. this attitude comes from india itself. under the disguise of “secularism”, hinduism is systimatically killed. On the other hand christianity & islam are agressively promoting themselves.
it is really sad that reading gita is seen as “backword”. what is even sad is there no institution which will try to promote true teaching of gita.
May 31st, 2007 at 8:31 am
Bravo!!!
Believe me the problem persists here in South Africa as well.
Mosques and Churches are full of the devout. The Hindu has to secretly visit a Temple less he is condemned by fellow Hindus for “having too much time on his hands” or “he has’nt anything better to do”. Incidently the Muslims admire a Hindu who regularly prays and often confirms that we have a wonderful set of principles and how proud we should be of our Hindu heritage.
Long live Hinduism!
May 31st, 2007 at 8:39 am
It is about time that we as Hindus understand our religion and where our forefathers have come from. What I have observed is that we have taken to shine towards the western attitude. You can see around us that Western people are now more interested in our religion (I am Jain) and want to to know how we can be at peace and let others live in peace. Reading of jain religion gives us immense strength in time of need.
We Hindus should be proud of our religion and encourage others to follow it. Hindu colleagues who put us down should be ashamed of themselves
May 31st, 2007 at 8:45 am
Raju
Very good article describing the true state of play with young Hindu’s. I suppose all we can do is persevere, little by little, a change the way people think. Just as Mother Terresa did a little each day towards her cause of helping others, we can do a little each day to enlighten, inform, and inspire other hindus and non-hindus to clarify their (mis)understanding.
May 31st, 2007 at 9:34 am
Our Hindu religion is the only one that doesn’t force anyone to be a believer, it simply provides all the facts in the Holy book, The GITA. Anyone that takes the time to read it clearly finds different pieces of relevant information at different times, hence the reason why the Gita needs to be read over & over time & again.
Those that mock are usually the very people that are disappointed that they did not think of it first. Don’t blame them, in fact offer them the chance to read bits of the Gita for they are also seeking a direction too.
Always remember, knowledge is fantastic, but to be able to share it is DIVINE!!! It’s said, if someone slaps you then offer them the other cheek. If anyone does try to belittle you, its right not to get into a argument about it. And anyway people always say the wrong things in a crowd just to appear to look COOL, whereas later,on their own, they deeply regret their actions.
Enjoy the wonderful words of truth & wisdom, and openly embrace the teachings that unfortunately parents appear to be unable to as they are apparently too busy socialising and getting recognition, things that have no relevance later in life when they are on their own!
God Bless You All.
May 31st, 2007 at 9:55 am
i know how you feel Raj. but sometimes its even religious hindu’s that look at you funny when you try to be a good Hindu. i don’t go to the temple everyday or even every week but when i do go, people question me “what you doing here?” in a sarcastic way. and many of the elders just look at you as if you have two heads or something. it seems we can only be a “militant” Hindu or a complete rebel not in between.
May 31st, 2007 at 10:01 am
An interesting piece; many thanks to Rajesh for sharing this.
For me, one of the main things I get from my reading of the Gita (which ironically enough, I was discussing just last night) is that it gives the strength to do what one knows is right, regardless of how it may be viewed by others. It realigns one’s priorities, reminds me of what is really important and what actually matters. If keeping a copy of the Gita with you at all times, or wearing a tilak, or doing any of those blatantly ‘Hindu’ things makes you feel good, best of luck to you.
At the same time, I believe that religiosity is a deeply personal thing and I am frequently amazed by the strength of religious conviction I find in people who I had assumed have no interest; Hindus will often have absolutely no outwardly, public signs that they are remotely interested in religion, but will be privately very religious, keeping a small mandir in their room, doing their own small puja each morning and night, and so on. This I feel is a real strength in Hinduism - it’s not about show, it’s not about what’s on the outside or what people think of you, it’s about what comes from within.
May 31st, 2007 at 11:32 am
Priya Raj Congratulations for being bold.That is the reason though I too was an NRI,I had prayed to shivji please do not let that day come when I have to leave Bharatbhumi again.
35 years ago a European guy had called my friend ‘kully.I asked my father why are we humiliated.He said we hindus deserve this.Do something ,do not cry.
He was the only person doing active work for Hindus there.2 years before dying in Canada,he had with that same Gita’s help achieved realization.With the will to leave his body on makarsakranti he left by dhyaanyog.What else will a hindu want? Even animals beget children,feed them.Is there an end to comforts.Are all happy when they are comfotable?
Don’t worry,we hindus will find the way out from this type of behaviour very soon.
May 31st, 2007 at 12:54 pm
I was at my mandir yesterday attending the Shri Satyanarayan Katha, but as it was a weekday I wasnt expecting many people at all but as soon as I arrived at the mandir the carpark was totally, given we are not a huge mandir but about 30 cars parked up meant it was a good turnout…I was one of only a handful of males under 25…most were elders men and even more women…but I dont care, I had it in my mind to go mandir that day and I did, it felt great. Even saw some friends who were in the Puja itself.
May 31st, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Well done Raj for speaking about this issue. I have experienced something similar, however im fortunate that i have support from my family. It is truly important for me to learn about hinduism and to use the philosophies on a day to day basis. I also carry the Gita with me and do get people looking at me oddly, however i seek great comfort knowing it is protecting and educating me, so i chose not to give into ignorance. Hinduism is a way of life, so learning about it should also be a way of life. Wish you all the best.
May 31st, 2007 at 1:46 pm
this is our problem. we have lost respect for our values, scriptures, though we have a lot to offer the world.
we respect ourselves and the world will respect us.
come on hindus wake up and be proud and know your faith.
bhagvad gita is my soul.
me, as a young student in america in 60’s , many american students wanted to know about the holy book. i did not know anything and was ashamed. immediatley bought shree gita ji and was shocked at the divine message there.
so hindus be proud of our contribution to the world
May 31st, 2007 at 2:00 pm
Lord Krishna said: When one is completely free from all desires of
the mind and is satisfied with the Supreme Being by the joy of
Supreme Being, then one is called an enlightened person, O Arjuna.
May 31st, 2007 at 4:20 pm
My maximum respect to Raj for being true to himself and his religion.
May 31st, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Its a natural thing to have doubts about who you are. And frankly speaking, this is more in Bharat itself. However, times are changing. We must also realise that it HAS been MADE a fashion to denigrate Hinduism. For exaMPLE MOVIES LIKE ‘RAM TERI GANGE MAILI’, amongst others are proof of this great conspiracy that is alive and kicking in our motherland. Why is it so? Simply because if Hindus get organised, then many other communities who are feeding off Hindus will have to face the music. Everyone knows what I am talking about. However, when you see Krishna Das and numerous other white westerners being Hindu and being produly so, one can erase all doubts in one’s head. One more thing…being a hindu is a PRIVILEGE, not a right. You can join any other religion, but to be a Hindu, you have to be born one. Now that’s something that makes you & me special. And now the whole world is also realising this. Namaskar brtohers and sisters in Hinduism. I send my Pranams to you.
May 31st, 2007 at 5:51 pm
wonderful article. so true.
May 31st, 2007 at 5:55 pm
Making outward expressions of Hinduism, if someone decides to do so, should not be looked on as weird, coz its not.
May 31st, 2007 at 9:06 pm
Great subject. Even I heard such comments, one frequent one is “You are not that old for these stuff”. Also I found most of them who passes such comments are those who drink a lot or have lot of filth in the mind or lot of them are just have THAMASVIC nature. So they feel guilty about such stuff. So just avoid them. We are in the path of purification which is SATHVIC. Lets not care for their comments and eventually we are the one they seek and find dependable when they need most.
One great lesson I learned from Hinduism is, it is not a religion of hypocracy, if you connect to hinduism you are part of it and you become one with its teaching. So don’t worry those who are not getting this relegion.
Just like it says Hinduism is an eternal religion which always exist…we are all lucky to be part of it.
May 31st, 2007 at 10:54 pm
Making a mockery on Hinduism was a old fashion in early 1980’s and 1990’s in India.
Now falunting that you are a Hindu is a fashion.
One need not be apologetic of being a Hindu. Once my manager long back in 1996 asked me have you read Quran to pull my legs , he knew that i was a staunch Hindu. I told him , i dont have time for My Gita, would i care for some Quran or Gita. In tunr i asked him have you rad gita. This gentleman was in mid 40’s he replied sarcasticaly that he has ” reserved gita for his retirement”.
I replied him back stating that what use would that be , now itself you dont have stamina to do any thing at that age if you get inspired and even want to do some thing your weak body and mind would not allow you to do.
Whether you are practicing or not you should be proud to be a hindu, the apologetic hindus are the one who are succeptibe for conversion.
Be a proud hindu. Try to protect dharma. Dharma protects the one who protects it.
Dharmasya hatho hanthi Dahrmo rakshathi rakshithaa.
June 1st, 2007 at 1:06 am
hinduism is a great religion , even though i have the sacred books of other religion , i have found for sure hinduism is the most pragmatic religion . let us unitedly utter in the strongest and loudest voice that i and we are extremely proud to call us hindu and sons and daughter of bharat mata and gayatri mata .
June 1st, 2007 at 10:08 am
i agree with you absolutely! an unfortunate situation exists where some of us find ourselves being taken for a joke for being religious. And some parents do find it uneasy if their child becomes religious -
i think the changes for the better have to start from within (i.e. the person and their family) - people need to start practicing the religion - it takes a loooooong time to realise God and truth - reading books like Gita helps a lot.
June 1st, 2007 at 2:10 pm
you spoke the minds of many of us young Hindus!
June 1st, 2007 at 4:21 pm
Bravo for your open appreciation of the Gita!
I first read an english translation of the Gita in 1970 (I am an anglo-Canadian) and it was my first introduction to the notion of the Atman (Self). Just reading about the Self was a great liberation for me. It removed much confusion from my mind and brought me a wave of peace. I have been a devotee of the Gita every since, as well as an ardent student of Indian philosophy, particularly the Vedanta-Yoga. Of any single inspired text of any religion (Scripture or otherwise) none can compare to the Gita, in my humble estimation.
It is sad that many Hindus have such low self-esteem that they hide their Hindu identity or, even more pathetic, laugh at those whose sense of self-worth is such that they have no problem saying, ‘I am Hindu’. From my point of view, these deniers and deriders are cowards and imitators.
Duart Maclean
June 1st, 2007 at 4:42 pm
Usually Hindus in India abstain from declaring their religion or Gods in public, especially famous personalities. When asked in interviews about their religious beliefs all Hindu VIPs will never say I worship Krishna or Shiva Or Lakshimi. They all say they believe in some super power. But ask the same question to Christian or Muslims personalities they will definitely declare that their God is Jesus or Allah. Maybe Hindus understand secularism in a perverted way.
June 1st, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Excellent article, well presented, Raj.
Hope our youngsters get to read it and act as truely proud Hindus.
Gita has no comparison in its spiritual science, a masterpiece!
We have an active Gita study group in Wellingborough Mandir.
You are all welcome to enjoy the interactive experience here.
June 1st, 2007 at 9:14 pm
Well written article straight from the heart.These Hindu parents are at fault for bringing up their kids to be ashamed to be Hindus but then they cry when their daughters end up running off..
June 1st, 2007 at 9:58 pm
You have written and expressed your observation about today’s modern Hindus well. It is sad that we have lost the value of our religous belief and have become experts in following others. It pleases me to see that a young man like you still cares about his faith. Keep it up and you will become a leader soon and others will follow you. When you have time, I want you and others to visit a website - www.vikramsambat.org where you will find useful links and other information to practice Hinduism on a daily basis. It was designed by my 23 year old son - Albert Aditya Varma. I like to receive comments and suggestions from good people like you. God bless you.
June 2nd, 2007 at 5:41 am
A very good piece of writing. It is a shame that today’s generation does not realise the greatness of the hindu way of living. If they can assimilate atleast a part of hinduism priniciples, they will find a lot of solace from the present day stress ful and tension oriented life. Reading a few stanzas of Bhagavad Gita or reciting Vishnu Sahasranam gives a lot of peace of mind and confidence. The greatness of Hinduism is such that nowhere in any of its writings they preach the division of human beings into religious segments. The only distinction is based on the type of work . We can only feel sorry for those who laugh at our faith as they do not know what they are missing.
June 2nd, 2007 at 8:40 am
Nice article, inspiring for the people whom reading our scriptures is synonym of preist hood. Those people should thing, the person who recite Gita (Lord Sri Krishna) in battlefeilds himself was a warrior, not a preist, and due to his message Arjun was inspired to do “Karma”
Aum Shanit
June 2nd, 2007 at 9:23 pm
Hi Raj
Well done! Many Hindus should get inspiration from your article. People need to put Hinduism into practice.
Let us unite and put Hinduism back to the place where it should be!
With regards
June 3rd, 2007 at 10:09 am
hi i strongly agree with raj and that hinduism does provide the basis of our community and i dunt think many people realize this and this article has helpped me to know that there are still people out there who are passionate about our religion. but i think the problem is that the younger generation for example people of my age like the 15 to 18 year olds are just not being told what they need to know abt out religion by their perants and im sure if they did know then they themselves will relize that their is more to life then just having fun. for example some of my hindu friends comment on me because i go temple every week but they dunt say anythink to the musilms who pray 5 times a day.you are absouletly right that their a acceptance that musilms are able to show that they are religiouse without any stupid remarks and i think that is because of all the talk about all the holy war they keep going on about and what we are shown on the t.v about all these people killing themselves in the name of god i mean which religion would say u should kill your selves and others to be a god person.
well i just want to end by saying that hinduism holds the key to our lifes.
Jay Patel
June 3rd, 2007 at 2:43 pm
I’m in total agreement with you. I experience the same problem as you with regards to being religious, but also due to my strict vegetarianism. If my muslim acquaintances are strict on where they eat (only in halal places or only in places where alcohol isn’t served) then it’s fine, but if i enquire as to whether a dish contains eggs or is vegetarian then i’m fussy. My Hindu acquaintances also find it strange i don’t drink alchohol. Alot of Hindu people i know brown nose muslims but laugh at their own. Think its stupid and it’s about time Hindu’s started following a stricter more self controlled life.
June 5th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Gita is not only for Hindus. Unlike bible & koran which mentions, that its only for either christians & muslims, Gita has no such words as its for only Hindus. There is no such word as Hindu in Gita, as its for all humankind.
June 6th, 2007 at 7:29 am
No action is possible without knowledge. It is the preliminary. And, for knowledge, learning is the first step. If one did not have knowledge, how would one act or follow and practice Dharma? One, who follows, is called a follower; and one who believes, is called a believer. The tragedy is we do not care to know – or even want to know - our Dharma. In fact, most of us think it as something aberrant, something useless and un-needed for our present day modern life and modern age.
But you are on the right track. What you are doing will metamorphoses you. Believe me; this would bring true humanity, nay, super-human traits in you. May others follow suit and join you! Well done - and well written. Thanks.
June 7th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
Good article - reminds of when I was at school & Uni when I always carried with me the holy Gita and still do to this day.
June 8th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Respect to this Brother for being a Proud Hindu, more people should stand up and identify with their faith.
June 8th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Right on bratha (brother) Rajesh!!!
Your consciousness is absolutely necessary to enlighten the so many youths that either are too “westernized in their ways”, whether forced into the behavor or not, or just lost their way thinking anything and everything “Western” is better than our Vedic culture.
Yes, we are away from bharat mata, but our hearts is still where our essence and roots are, especially our Vedic Religion and Culture!
Many of these so called religion would come as they have, and like so many, they would also go but as the Valmiki’s Ramayan says, the Ramayan would continue to flow (be sung) for as long as the mountains exist.
June 13th, 2007 at 4:17 am
Hi all ,
Just to add some added value to our Discussion, Got this message from the Net,its worth reading.
Why do we read the Bhagawad Gita ?
Something really nice…..this goes for all our efforts that we may think is not doing any good to us
Why do we read Geetha, even if we can’t understand a Sanskrit word????
This is beautiful story :
An old Farmer lived on a farm in the mountains with his young
grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen
table reading his Bhagavath Geetha. His grandson wanted to be just
like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.
One day the grandson asked, “Grandpa! I try to read the Bhagavath
Geetha just like you but I don’t understand it, and what I do
understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does
reading the Bhagavath Geetha do?”
The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and
replied, “Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a
basket of water.”
The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he
got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, “You’ll have
to move a little faster next time,” and sent him back to the river
with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again
the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told
his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket,
and he went to get a bucket instead.
The old man said, “I don’t want a bucket of water; I want a basket of
water. You’re just not trying hard enough,” and he went out the door
to watch the boy try again.
At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show
his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water
would leak out before he got back to the house.
The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he
reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he
said,”See Grandpa, it’s useless!”
“So you think it is useless?” The old man said, “Look at the basket.”
The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the
basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal
basket and was now clean, inside and out.
“Son, that’s what happens when you read the Bhagawad Gita ”
WONDERFUL AND INSPIRING.
June 15th, 2007 at 7:20 am
Raj, well done and well said. Many people carry religious book without knowing what it contains. For Hindu students understading Geeta and living by it is essential part of living a clean , healthier and honest life. Amongst all the religious books in the world only Geeta provides a process by which one can progress with religiocity at heart. This process is for remaining in touch ervery minute and uniting (yoga)with our creator. For students acquiring knowledge (gyana yoga) through their studies is one of the four yogas of this process. Other yogas being Bhakti yoga (devotion), Dhyana yoga (meditation) and Karma yoga (action yoga). So acquiring knowledge (gyana), as Geeta says, is a duty boundover for all of us. No other religion has such process mentioned in their holy books. I hope other Hindu students will follow your example.
June 17th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
I think these responses are fantastic, Hindus are finally begining to find their lost wealth of knowledge again.
Parents should educated children about their wonderful religion but it looks like are own parents have been brainwashed into thinking our religion is worthless over the years.
It’s high time that we start to educate our selves about our glorious religion (which no single religion in this world can stand against) and teach it to our parents too!
June 18th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
It is good to be proud of Hinduism. However the other perspective does have a basis: since most people learn about hinduism as a case in the category of religions, and that category is populated with christianity and islam, there is a clear reason to think that religions are bunk and people waste their time studying it. Frankly there is a lot of bunk in religious thinking - termed largely as superstition, martyrdom, …. So the other perspective does have a base.
I had submitted a solution before but it appears to have been mediated out. So I’ll let you all come up with that solution - why should a secular non-believer in hinduism think that hinduism is different from the insanity in the christo-islamic religions?
hariaum
June 19th, 2007 at 7:57 am
Good article raj. I think the Gita is a great book.The words contained in it are very inspirational.I believe that while delivering Gita, Krishna embodies the all prevading Brahman(the hidden force behind everything in this universe;personally think Brahman is similiar to energy in modern Science, like Brahman it is unseen).I am glad that Hindus are beginning to understand themselves.I have’nt been to Hindu sites before.This is good.The other I went through was atributetohinduism.com.It is a good site as well.
June 19th, 2007 at 7:59 am
Navin,
The question you have raised is very in keeping with the present market and consumer oriented atmosphere we live in. Nobody is bothered about religion or God and cares for it. ‘I am all right Jack’ has become the motto. One would say nothing wrong with it, but it is personal and selfish. Such people always think of God when something goes wrong, e.g. loss of job, life threatening accident, death in family, etc, etc. Yet, this is natural according to Hinduism. That doesn’t mean things will happen anyway. Because, Hinduism, if conducted and followed properly, builds one to think before acting, which at least reduces the pain.
Hinduism is very different from other religions and is the oldest formulated religion in the world. Other religions have evolved from it. Hinduism, the Sanatan Vedic Dharma is based on eternal Vedic teachings. They are eternal because nobody has claimed their authorship and the manner in which they are written they are for the maintenance of the Universe and the human race.
One can easily detect evolution of other religions from Hinduism, in their scriptures. Jewish expectancy of Messiah in human form as their Saviour has come from Geeta in which Krishna promises to take birth on this Earth over and over again to save Dharma; Jesus’s birth story in the Bible is identical to Krishna’s birth story .
For Hindus the Creator’s name has been mentioned as ‘Brahama’ in the Vedas. He is defined as a spirit and that this Universe is his ‘principle’. In one stanza he is described as Nirvikalpa (for ever), Nirakar (shapeless), Vibhu (all pervading) including in our five senses, yet he is equal to all, has no limitation of Nirvana (incarnation) and he is Shiva. Can there be any better definition of this Holy Spirit, the God? In this Brahama’s principle, ‘Brahama Tatwa’, there will always be Sun as energy, Earth will go around it for ever, rain will fall from the sky, wind will blow and carry sounds, anything that goes up will always fall back on Earth, His human, animal and vegetable kingdom will survive for ever and He will keep on inventing for the survival of His Principle, ‘Brahama Tatwa’. This is why Hinduism can neither be politicised nor be used as a political instrument and nor be changed. While other religions will have to be changed, used as political instrument, hate other religions and keep on killing humans for their survival. Because they are ‘man made’.
Got it?
June 19th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
My wife reminded me that in the above definition I forgot to mention after, …no limitaion to Nirvana, it says He is in the form of truth and happiness in every soul. Also most importantly the verse itself (the definition ) starts with word ‘aham’, meaning ‘I am’.
I hope it is more clear now.
June 20th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
It’s an interesting question raised above by Navin - what’s so great about Hinduism as compared with any other religion?
June 22nd, 2007 at 6:11 am
Satya,
I thought, in my previous comment, I have answerred Navin’s question about Hinduism. Have you read it?
Hinduism (Sanatan Vedic Dharma) is fundamentally different from other religions, and I find Navin’s question more of a political nature than about Hinduism itself.
Hinduism is always mentioned as a ‘way of life’ recommended by the Vedas and if a certain path is to be followed, it has to have a purpose and a goal. And the purpose is to live on this Earth by remaining constantly in touch with our creator and goal is to ultimately uniting with Him, Nirvana.
The beauty of Hinduism is, it knows who the God or this ultimate entity is.
Other religions do not know and are still struggling to find out by various means. And these means have to be political because they are ‘man made’. I have always said, if Karl Marx had attached God to his political theory of Socialism, Communism would have been still with us, that was his mistake. In the medieval times Christianity told us God was like a ‘Holy Ghost’. Then in this century it said He was father in heven without knowing where this heven was. Now it is openely said He is a ‘holy spirit’, without any definition and that human race is Abraham’s children. Now they are comming very close to admitting that name Abraham is anogram of Brahama. Islam pronounced Him as Ibrahim. But when Hindus told the world that Brahama is the ‘holy spirit’ with a definition and an ultimate entity they were, now for some two thousand years, were persecuted as ‘pagans’. It has taken them two thousand years to come to Hindu understanding of God ‘our creator’. Islam went further, they accepeted Christianity in principle but when Mohammad found out Christianity had no name for the creator he named him as ‘Alla’. The name he had heard from his Hindu uncle whose family, like the rest of the Arabs of the region, worshipped the local goddess ‘Alla’. So there!
My advice to all young and old Hindus would be to follow the religion correctly and help their fellow Hindus to achieve the same goal. There is logic in Hinduism. Other religions may take two more ceturies to come to Hindu way of thinking, in the mean time question for Hindus is how to survive without politicising the relgion or becoming as fanatical as the other religons.
June 24th, 2007 at 8:23 pm
Yes, Kumarji; ‘Hinduism’, in a way, can be called ‘a way of life’ also; and
as written rightly, it has to be in accordance with what has been ‘recommended by the Vedas’.
Timeless Shastras have also taught: Dharma is ‘born of Aachar’ (Aachaar-prabhavo Dharmah’). About ‘Aachar’ they say, it is our actions, our behaviour or conduct in daily life as per our stage (that is, our Ashrama). Hence, it can be said to be synomynous with ‘aacharan’. Being based on the Vedaadi ‘Sad’ Sadshastras, it has been termed ‘Sadaachaar’ also.
Its importance can be gauged easily from the fact that it has been designated as ‘Param’ or Supreme Dharma (Aachaarah Paramo Dharmah). Why; because, it is as per the Vedic Shastras (Shrutyukt Smaart Eva Ch).
In the beginning of the creation, the Creator Brahma taught it to His primordial offspring, our ancestors the Ten Rishis, and commanded: Being an eternal sacred tradition, it is to be followed and passed on to posterity.
June 25th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Kumar, I think perhaps you misunderstand.
The question I raised as to the uniqueness of hinduism can not be a political one as it is actually a personal one, then a social/nomenclature one.
If a rationalist looks at modern history and finds the doubling of life expectancy and the improvement in (apparent) human freedoms through a philosophical outlook of secular scientific reasoning, and then that rationalist looks at an elephant headed man/boy, a dead guy rising from the deat, and a psychotic hallucinating that he is transcribing on behalf of god, shouldn’t that rationalist see hinduism as just like all the other religions and thus bunk.
Further, to be the mother of all religions or a way of life are meaningless. Do you mean the historical mother, then give historical proof that is objective and the christo-islamic/rationalist will accept. Is not Americanism a way of life, as is tribalism, or globalism, or whatever other way of life is out there?
Don’t get me wrong, I do not disagree with your perspective. I too am proud of my “hinduness.” I simply ask how is a rational secular mind is to grasp the uniqueness of hinduism and its place in the context of the human experience. For example: science is the study of empirical measurable reality. Christianity is the belief that without a belief in Jesus as the christ you are doomed to hell. Islam is the belief that the Koran was given by God as a last testement. Buddhism is the belief that the Buddha set the wheel of dharma spinning where it had once stalled. Metaphysics is the study of the nature of things - Even if I am not of these beliefs these explanations clarify what I mean by the word christian, buddhist…
hariaum
June 26th, 2007 at 7:41 am
Dr Ranjeet,
You are right in stressing the importance of aacharan. But Hinduism is not about just keeping good or bad aacharna according to Vedas or any other book which has dictated what is right and what is wrong. It is about associating oneself with aacharan to more enlightened reincarnation of one’s own soul within. And no human common sence will deny oneself a better life back on Earth in next reincarnation. To be a Hindu one has to have strong belief in reincarnation, then and then one would feel responsible for one’s own actions, aacharan. Reincarnation is not just a wise theory, there are people living today who remember what sort of life they had in their previous incarnation. That is why Hiduism cannot be dismissed as another theory or a bunk, as Navin has suggested.
June 27th, 2007 at 6:10 am
Navin,
Hinduism is unique because it is not man man. No ‘mans’ experience has gone in writing Vedas or Upanishads. Vedas provide knowledge about the Creator, our universe, about physics, mathematics, medicine, human soul, body function and it’s nature, common moods of humans in 24 hours and six ragas attached to it, etc, etc, and most importantantly ‘freedom’. Like other religions there are no threats and punishments. The onus of improving, enlightening one’s own soul within is on the individual, man or woman. It makes one to use the God given intelligence which is unlike others is not static. That is why Hinduism is unique.
Hinduism is mother of all religions because Veds are thousands of years and Geeta is 4500 years.
Americanism, tribalism, globalization cannot be religious way of life leading to God. With the same token one should be able sit on the toilet all one’s life and claim to be living a ‘way of life’ leading to God, heven, etc.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
It is an unfortunate fact that it is very easy to compare the best of one religion, faith, culture, civilisation, etc. with the worst of another. It is also highly tempting to judge religions, etc., whether one’s own or another, according to one’s own perceptions of how that religion, or whatever, ought to be, rather than how it actually is..
June 27th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
Raj, i must say, you article is a great inspiration. I have began reading the Gita, i began a few weeks ago, yet i only read it a bit, it takes a lot of time. Your right Raj, for a Muslim to carry a copy of the Quran is purely natural, for us to carry a Gita we get treated like we want to be a highly active Hindu extreamist. I have such expirances as that, but on differnt issues. I have given my word to those people, Hinduism is my religon, and no matter what they say, its my dharma, or responsibility to fufil my expectations of being a Hindu youth. As a youth, I find you comments truely honest and fair. Yes its true, many of us youths totally abandon our relgion, and beliefs, only because it isn’t taught at school, or because it isnt widely known, and widely acknowledged? A Muslim prays, they get no grief, yet we simply carry the Gita, or say a couple of extracts from the Gita that purely makes sense, and people laugh at you as though you just told them dah you wet your pants or something.
Let this be a lesson to you Hindu Youth who DONT and let me repeat DONT are for our dharma, don’t say your a Hindu until you fufil the Responsibilty of being a true Youth. That means, dont cally uorself a Hindu if you laugh at innocent yert true and pure at heart youths like Raj who prefers to get involved in his Darma. your options remain, be true, or be none.
HINDU HINDU EK RAHE
VISHWA DHARMA KI JAI
BHARAT MATA KI JAI
JAI HIND
June 27th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
Kumar,
I appreciate your insight and largely agree with what you are saying. But the question is why should a rational non-hindu believe it.
You’ve modified way of life to religious way of life. OK so now we are saying that in this regard Hinduism is like Taoism (Dao being “the way”). Rationalism is certainly also a way of life, as is materialism that would not be “religious.” But what of people who say that their religious way of life allows them to suppress women or infidels. What then distinguishes the Hindu religious way of life from the Muslim religious way of life or the christian or the Hopi, or the Jewish (note the common term secular Jew).
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think Ganesha is bunk. But I can certainly understand a reasonable person who might think so. I can also understand a reasonable person who might say that the Koran was dictated by God, and that the Bible was by God, and that the Book of Mormon was directly from god. Now such a reasonable person would conclude that all religions claim the same origin in the supreme being Yet they all claim that the other religions are making it up. So a reasonable person would say, this is opinion and baseless except for belief. Such a person would be legitimate in concluding that people without the ability to critically and rationally understand reality are “religious” while rational critical thinkers are more enlightened.
What’s the response.
Hariaum
June 29th, 2007 at 8:02 am
Navin,
Now let me explain to you step by step.
Here we are talking about Hinduism and how to live a Hindu life. Once we accept we are guided by the Vedas and Geeta, there is a dictum in the Rigveda that every human should try to bring ‘religiocity ‘ in his heart and life. The dictum is, ‘Brahama chara, atithi devo bhava, satyam vada’. It means think of and act for Brahama, treat your visitor or friend like God, always speak the truth. This dictum is from our transcedental creator and not from any Prophet.
Our mindset has developed a nasty habit of associating religion with some dictatorial, dogmatic and doctrinal book. Vedic religion is about using common sense, God given inteligence and working towards your own Nirvana. Ofcourse there is nothing wrong in an aethist living a honest life and enjoying himself. But can anyone guarantee such aethist would not think of God when he or she is posed with life threatening situation? The best example is of the atom bomb inventor Openheimer, a Jewish (by his admission) an aethist, who when he saw the results of his invention quoted Geeta by saying ‘Now that I have become a demon’. I am sure there are millions in the world living a normal and rational (what is rational?) life without believing existance of God, but wouldn’t their lives be more meaningful if they live with religiocity in their hearts? For a Hindu it is a process leading to Brahama. This is Hinduism. So enlightenment is not just about acquiring knowledge by reading books after books, by passing exams after exams, by doing things with your hands, by being a goody-goody, but living with understanding of your relationship with the Creator which will automatically achieve true enlightenment.
June 29th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
That is a wonderful exposition, thanks. I would suggest that religion deserves the nasty association with dictatorial, dogmatic, doctrinal books/people/way of life. But I am sure you know hindus that demand that the Gita is the final source of dogma/doctrine. As you yourself used the Vedas to justify your position by siting them as of divine origin.
Our scriptures tell you that there are many types of simple religious thinking which helps the simple person but are only paths to one truth. Simple religious thinking tells you there is only one path. Ours tells you there is only one truth and many paths. You refer to this in your exposition. The traditional representation of this is Bhakti, Gyana, and Karma Yogs.
Each simple religion has these three elements, and the fourth, Raja Yoga, is an abstraction of the process of self relationship to truth. Further, each simple religion is defined by the elements of these dimensions.
Krishna also refers to Satvic, Rajasic, and Tamasic religions (here I’m paraphrasing from memory so if its different let me know). Here He refers to the way humans are religious - what kinds of action they perform.
You’ll not find such expositions in other religions. Why, because they are simplistic. Thus for the christo-islamic set and some hindu sects scientific reasoning, or any reasoning that differs from the scriptures is wrong out right - evolution… They can not give up the control of truth, the simple religions, in effect, tell truth/God what it must be.
Now the truth is not so - simplistic nor simply compliant to our wishes. Thus Hinduism, within its scriptures, tells one to look for a personal relationship to Brahman beyond categories. Even beyond Bhakti, Gyana, Karma, for all of these are truly ego-centric. It is I who performs (ahamkara) the bhakti, acquires the gyana, and performs the yagya. Where the simple religions say I will get into heaven for these things, ours says, I will gain and lose but I will not be done until I am united with the supreme and in doing so surrender my I.
This then, is my belief: that Hinduism is a transcendental perspective on religion. Religion, as it is commonly used in the west, refers to what Krishna refers to as a yoga. God, as it is commonly used in the west, is what we refer to as deva. Thus hinduism is not a religion, as an western word, just as the Brahman is not a deva. One needs an ishvara so long as the atman is ego driven, so one needs a religion so long as the mind is ego driven. But TatSat, as you point out, is “living with understanding of your relationship with [Brahman]”- (I don’t believe we really focus on the creator as much in a system that transcends time.) I conclude that Hinduism is not well represented in the words of the west. Indeed I use the term metareligion for what hinduism is. Not the metareligion referring to a large group of religions but referring to an understanding of the what/why/how of religions. There are, as far as I know, no other “religions” that would qualify for this title.
This a reasonable person can grasp. And this, I think, is not well discussed in our understanding of hinduism, so people think that hinduism is just another religion with just another set of dicatates, dogma, and doctrines belonging to an ancient primitive past; worthy of ridicule. Indeed a disservice is done to mankind when such an obvious love and affection for truth (anada, cit, sat) is dismissed by placing it with the superstitions of what is in this world called a religion.
- If you agree, be proud of being a hindu not because of its past, but because of the immediate need for such an understanding in an age when the destruction of Earth is just one (or two) intolerant belief(s) away from being realized.
hariaum
June 30th, 2007 at 6:21 am
Mr.kumarji!!!!
This was not surprise. But gradually if accepted by all religious friends then this is the nice way… Because the EGOIS