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Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world. Hinduism is world’s third largest religion after Christianity and Islam. Hinduism is the dominant religion in India, where Hindus form about 84 per cent of the total population. Hinduism is also known as “Sanatan Dharma” or the everlasting religion. Hindu religion is based on the concept that human and animal spirits come back to earth to live many times in different forms. The Hindus believe that a soul moves up and down hierarchy on the basis of behaviour.
Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world, originating in Central Asia and the Indus Valley, still practiced in the present day. The term Hinduism is what is known as an exonym (a name given by others to a people, place, or concept) and derives from the Persian term Sindus designating those who lived across the Indus River. Adherents of the faith know it as Sanatan Dharma (“eternal order” or “eternal path”) and understand the precepts, as set down in the scriptures known as the Vedas, as having always existed just as Brahman, the Supreme Over Soul from whom all of creation emerges, has always been. Brahman is the one who is said to set all else in motion but is also that which is in motion, that which guides the course of creation, and creation itself.
Accordingly, one may interpret Hinduism as monotheistic (as there is one god), polytheistic (as there are many avatars of the one god), henotheistic (as one may choose to elevate any one of these avatars to supremacy), pantheistic (as the avatars might be interpreted as representing aspects of the natural world), or even atheistic as one might choose to replace the concept of Brahman with one’s self in striving to be the best version of one’s self. This belief system was first set down in writing in the works known as the Vedas during the so-called Vedic Period c. 1500 – c. 500 BCE but the concepts were transmitted orally long before.
The Glory of Vedanta And Yoga
Vedanta, or the philosophy of the Upanishads, is lofty, sublime and unique. The Western philosophers have paid their tribute to the ancient seers of the Upanishads. They have been amazed at the lofty heights scaled by them. Schopenhauer studied the Upanishads and meditated on the thoughts of the Upanishads just before going to bed. He said: “The Upanishads are the solace of my life and they will be solace to me after my death also.”
The Raja-Yoga system of Hinduism is also splendid and unique. The lessons are immensely practical and highly instructive. No system of physical exercise on the surface of the earth can compete with Hatha-Yoga. Kundalini-Yoga is wonderful. Hence the Americans and Europeans are in search of Hindu Sannyasins and Yogins. They visit the Himalayas frequently in quest of Yoga teachers. Some are living under Hindu Yogins as disciples and are practising Yoga. Many Europeans and Americans are even now Hindus by faith and practice, though they are born Christians. They practise Raja-Yoga and Vedanta.
Sarvesham Svasti Bhavatu
Sarvesham Santir Bhavatu
Sarvesham Purnam Bhavatu
Sarvesham Mangalam Bhavatu
May auspiciousness be unto all;
May peace be unto all;
May fullness be unto all;
May prosperity be unto all.
Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah
Sarve Santu Niramayah
Sarve Bhadrani Pasyantu
Ma Kaschid-Duhkha-Bhag-Bhavet
May all be happy;
May all be free from disabilities;
May all behold what is auspicious;
May none suffer from sorrow.
Asato Ma Sadgamaya
Tamaso Ma Jyotir-Gamaya
Mrityor-Ma Amritam Gamaya
Om Santi Santi Santih!
Lead me from the unreal to the Real;
Lead me from darkness to the Light;
Lead me from mortality to Immortality.
Om Peace! Peace! Peace!
Who is a Hindu?
Of the many definitions that define and identify one as a Hindu, we have compiled a few of them:
• The Hindu Maha Sabha has given another definition: “A Hindu is one who believes in a religion which has originated in India.”
• “Those who burn the dead are Hindus.” This is another definition given by some.
• “He who protects the cows and the Brahmins is a Hindu.” This is another definition given by some.
• Some define Hinduism as: “A Hindu is one who regards India as his motherland and the most sacred spot on earth.”
• While the others define it as: “He who calls and considers himself a Hindu is a Hindu.”
• “He who accepts the Vedas, the Smritis, the Puranas and the Tantras as the basis of religion and of the rule of conduct, and believes in one Supreme God (Brahman), in the Law of Karma or retributive justice, and in reincarnation (Punarjanma), is a Hindu.”
• “He who follows the Vedic or Sanatana-Dharma is a Hindu.” This is the definition by some.
• “He who is a follower of the Vedanta is a Hindu.” This is another definition given by some others.
• “He who has perfect faith in the Law of Karma, the law of reincarnation Avatara, ancestor worship, Varnashrama Dharma, Vedas and existence of God, he who practises the instructions given in the Vedas with faith and earnestness, he who does Sandhya, Sraaddha, Pitri-Tarpana and the Pancha-Maha-Yajnas, he who follows the Varnashrama Dharmas, he who worships the Avataras and studies the Vedas, is a Hindu.” This is the definition given by some highly cultured men. This is the only correct and complete definition.
Hinduism & Knowledge
Of all the others, the scribes who wrote the Vedas are said to have been simply recording that which had always existed. This eternal knowledge is known as shruti (“what is heard”) and is set down in the Vedas and their various sections known as the Samhitas, Aranyakas, Brahmanas, and, most famously, the Upanishads, each of which addresses a different aspect of the faith.
These works are complemented by another type known as smritis (“what is remembered”) which relate stories on how one is to practice the faith and include the Puranas, the epics Mahabharata and Ramayana, the Yoga Sutras, and the Bhagavath Gita.
The purpose of life is to recognize the essential oneness of existence, the higher aspect of the individual self (known as the Atman) which is a part of everyone else’s self as well as the Over Soul/Mind and, through adherence to one’s duty in life (dharma) performed with the proper action (karma), to slip the bonds of physical existence and escape from the cycle of rebirth and death (samsara). Once the individual has done so, the Atman joins with Brahman and one has returned home to the primordial oneness. That which keeps one from realizing this oneness is the illusion of duality – the belief that one is separate from others and from one’s Creator – but this misconception (known as maya), encouraged by one’s experience in the physical world, may be overcome by recognizing the essential unity of all existence – how alike one is to others and, finally, to the divine – and attaining the enlighted state of self-actualization.
Krishna’s words were later revised in the work known as Manusmriti (“The Laws of Manu”), written in the 2nd century BCE to the 3rd CE, which claimed a strict caste system had been ordained as part of the Divine Order in which one was destined to remain, for life, in the social class one was born into. The Laws of Manu manuscript is the first expression of this concept as it has now come to be understood.
Spiritual Texts
Manu’s later interference aside, the concept of Eternal Order is made clear through the texts which are regarded as the Hindu scriptures. These works, as noted, fall into two classes:
• Shruti (“what is heard”) – the revelation of the nature of existence as recorded by the scribes who “heard” it and recorded it in the Vedas.
• Smritis (“what is remembered”) – accounts of great heroes of the past and how they lived – or failed to live – in accordance with the precepts of Eternal Order.
The texts associated to Shruti are the Four Vedas:
• Rig Veda – the oldest of the Vedas, a collection of hymns
• Sama Veda – liturgical texts, chants, and songs
• Yajur Veda – ritual formulas, mantras, chants
• Atharva Veda – spells, chants, hymns, prayers
Each of these is further divided into types of text:
• Aranyakas – rituals, observances
• Brahmanas – commentaries on said rituals and observances explaining them
• Samhitas – benedictions, prayers, mantras
• Upanishads – philosophical commentaries on the meaning of life and Vedas
The texts relating Smritis are:
• Puranas – folklore and legend regarding figures of the ancient past
• Ramayana – epic tale of Prince Rama and his journey to self-actualization
• Mahabharata – epic tale of the five Pandavas and their war with the Kauravas.
• Bhagavad Gita – popular tale in which Krishna instructs the prince Arjuna on dharma
• Yoga Sutras – commentary on the different disciplines of yoga and self-liberation
These texts allude to or specifically address numerous deities such as Lord Indra, lord of the cosmic forces, thunderbolts, storms, war, and courage; Vac, goddess of consciousness, speech, and clear communication; Agni, god of fire and illumination; Kali, goddess of death; Ganesh, the elephant-headed god, remover of obstacles; Parvati, goddess of love, fertility, and strength and also the consort of Lord Shiva; and Soma, god of the sea, fertility, illumination, and ecstasy. Among the most important of the deities are those who make up the so-called “Hindu Trinity”:
• Brahma – the creator
• Vishnu – the preserver
• Shiva – the destroyer
All of these gods are manifestations of Brahman, the Ultimate Reality, who can only be understood through aspects of Itself. Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva are both these aspects and individual deities with their own characters, motivations, and desires. They may also be understood through their own avatars – as they themselves are also too overwhelming to be comprehended on their own entirely – and so take the form of other gods, the most famous of which is Krishna, the avatar of Vishnu, who comes to earth periodically to adjust humanity’s understanding and correct errors.
Hinduism & the Caste System
The most well-known and controversial aspect of Hinduism is the caste system, which divides society into four hierarchies of professions. From the second that someone is born, they are assigned a place in society, which dictates where they can work, which social areas they are able to interact in, and with whom they can marry.
People are expected to obey the life set and the duties that have been assigned to their caste. If someone doesn’t follow the rules, then this is considered immoral. The four castes that have been defined in Hinduism are:
• 1st Caste Brahmans – This caste is made up of religious clergyman. They are at the top of the hierarchy.
• 2nd Caste Kshatriya – This is a class of warriors and rulers (kings and princes. Their duty is to protect the clergymen and serve the faithful.
• 3rd Caste Vaishya – Vaishya caste is made up of merchants, and it’s their duty to ensure the economy remains running. In modern times, this is business people and bosses of industry.
• 4th Caste Shudra – This is the labour and servant caste, and their mission is to serve the other three castes.
Bhagavat Gita & Hinduism
In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna appears as the Prince Arjuna’s charioteer because he knows Arjuna will have doubts about fighting against his relatives at the battle of Kurukshetra. He pauses time in order to instruct Arjuna on the nature of dharma and the illusion of the finality of death, elevating his mind above his interpretation of present circumstance, and allowing him to perform his duty as a warrior.
These texts inform the religious observances of adherents of Sanatan Dharma which, generally speaking, have two aspects:
• Puja – worship, ritual, sacrifice, and prayer either at a personal shrine or temple.
• Darshan – direct visual contact with the statue of a deity
Darshan is vital to worship and communion in that the god is seeking the adherent as earnestly as the adherent seeks the deity and they meet through the eyes. This is the reason why Hindu temples are adorned with figures of the many gods both inside and externally. The statue is thought to embody the deity itself and one receives blessings and comfort through eye contact just as one would in a meeting with a friend.
One may worship the Divine at one’s home, a personal shrine, or a temple. In the temple, the clergy will assist an individual and their family by interceding on their behalf with the deity by instruction, chants, songs, and prayers. Song, dance, and general movement in expressing one’s self before God often characterize a religious service. An important element of this is visual contact with the eyes of the deity as represented by a statue or figurine.
