The Mystic India and its Major Religion - Hinduism, a brief introduction.
Posted: Thursday, January 17, 2008
by TRS Iyengar
TRS Iyengar
Every religion has its plus and minus point. No religion can be termed superior or inferior. However, tolerance is the most important thing and the main Essence of Hinduism. That's why; despite differences, many religions co-exist and survive in India.
Sarve Janaas sukhino bhavanthu. Lokaas samasthaas sukhino bhavanthu.
Sarve badraani pasyanthu. Samastha sanmangalaani santhu.
OMM Saanthi, Saanthi, Saanthi :
These are the main planks of Hinduism as it is given in Sanskrit.
The rough translation runs thus: "Let all the people be happy. Let the entire world be happy. Let every Dharma grow and glow. Let there be every good thing happen to one and all. Let peace prevail everywhere. These are the key words of the Veda. In short, let all the people, irrespective of caste, creed, Religion & faith in harmony and happily."
In India there are seven major religions viz. Hindus, Muslim. Christian, Sikh, Jain, Parsees and Buddhists. All have co-existed from time immemorial. May be of late the tolerance capacity has reduced, but still it has not fully faded away.
Hinduism in general is a multiplicity of several faiths and there are three major divisions viz. Vaishnavites, Shaivites and commons, who worship Lord Vishnu - the preserver, Lord Shiva - the destroyer and Lord Brahma - the creator, respectively. Again, there are innumerable sub divisions among each sect and faith. One may wonder, how such tiny sects can be formed and followed!
Over and above, this Religion gives freedom to one and all, to chose their form of worship and that too without any compulsions. Here, one is free to adhere to his faith or free himself from the religious routines. It is left to an individual to accept any faith or belief he needs or reject it in Toto. Does any other religion give you this much of freedom? In India, one creates his own God and worships Him too. That much of freedom one enjoys here!
Dharma and Karma the two issues works wonderful things in a day-to-day life. God fearing is one most of the Hindus possess in mind. This keeps them in doing any unlawful or moving against nature of law. Thus the entire human community is protected with justice. Hinduism preaches non-violence in general. It considers even trees and plants are worth worshipping because of its cherished value it passes to the human kind.
Hindus worship, apart from God and Nature, Cows also. A cow is considered most sacred for Hindus. In the form of Gomata or mother cow, gives multiple benefit to the society. Even its urine is consumed in small quantities, to purify one's body. Some of the researchers even found that it is a preventive medicine for many ill healths. And particularly it even cures kidney ailments. According to a report appeared in the Indian Express of Mumbai edition (read the following news clipping published on the January 14, 2000), states that Gomutra (gomutram) or the Cow's Urine highly beneficial in the treatment of Asthma, headache and tooth problems too!
For Hindus, every river is Sacred and a gift from the God; there are five major rivers that are considered by Indians in general and Hindus in particular as Divine. The most sacred river on the earth is The Ganges, known as Ganga to the Indians. The most surprising and intriguing factor is, the River Ganges has a self-purifying system, with the natural oxygen available within its riverbeds and beneath! Well, according to the National Public Radio's website, Washington DC , there are many facts and figures that are listed about the Divine River Ganges' glory. You'll get a lot more facts about the River Ganges at above website. Despite the man-made unnatural pollutions, the River Ganga still stands tall among other rivers, in purifying the soul and mind of millions of Indians. Yes, during Makara Sankaranthi, a festival that take places every year on or about 14 th /15 th January; during the Sun's transition to tropical Capricorn, millions of Hindus take a holy bath at this river which is considered most auspicious time to cleanse one's body and mind.
The Brahmins used to consume Panchacavya (panchakavyam) (i.e. a mixture of five items, namely Cow dung, Cow's Urine, Cow's milk, Curd and Ghee made of Cow's milk) during thread wearing ceremony and also whenever they perform any orthodox rituals. This is done to purify one's body from any sins and make him fit for the rituals. Even today it is widely accepted and performed. The reality is, whatever the Hindus considered sacred and divine with their practices, that are proved scientifically correct and accepted practical by many westerners & researchers today!
During Vedic Era, there were no castes but people were assigned jobs. Based on their profession they were divided in to groups Such as the Ruler or King as Kshatriya, the Carpenter, Goldsmith & Ironsmiths and the businessmen as Vaisyas, and the persons who served the Kingdom as Sudras. The Brahmins were considered as most learned people, who with their rigorous and strict adherence to their daily routines with orthodox principle, advised the Ruler and general public and guided them in their day-to-day life. Additionally the Brahmins used to propagate the teachings of Vedic Science and performed daily prayers and Puja at all the temples.
Although the topographic, climatic and linguistic differences are there from State to State, the worship, name and fame of the Gods are the same everywhere. This can be seen right from Southern end of Kanyakumari to the Northern end of Kashmir.
Hindus worshipped the Nature in the form of five basic elements namely Earth, Water, Air, Sky and Fire. Later, many of these gave way to new altars. You name a subject; you will find a God in that form in one or other corner of the land called Bharat that is India!
India is very rich in its traditions and civilization. Hinduism is considered as the oldest Religion in the World dating back to 6000 years. Yet, Hinduism survived the onslaught of every invader. In addition,
it continues to hold majority of Indians in its fold, because of the firm belief and the fact is, Hindus or born, they are not made. This in itself is the proof of its strength and value.
One can go on and on in praise of Hinduism. But the most important and vital ones are briefed here. Hope this article gives a fair picture of Hinduism concisely. The rationale behind Hinduism, Srivaishnavam are the most valuable one. Every ritual has a very rich meaning and that concern and covers every issue that covers their entire life span. That's the value!
Here goes the Part of The 4th Chapter of Srimad Bhagavad-Gita, it is stated:
"karmany akarma yah pasyed
akarmani ca karama yah
sa buddhiman manushyesu
sa yuktah krishna-karma-krit "
The rough translation is:
He who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction,
Is intelligent among men, He is a yogi and a doer of all action.
In the same Chapter, the Bhagavad-Gita also states.
Sarve Janaas sukhino bhavanthu. Lokaas samasthaas sukhino bhavanthu.
Sarve badraani pasyanthu. Samastha sanmangalaani santhu.
OMM Saanthi, Saanthi, Saanthi :
These are the main planks of Hinduism as it is given in Sanskrit.
The rough translation runs thus: "Let all the people be happy. Let the entire world be happy. Let every Dharma grow and glow. Let there be every good thing happen to one and all. Let peace prevail everywhere. These are the key words of the Veda. In short, let all the people, irrespective of caste, creed, Religion & faith in harmony and happily."
In India there are seven major religions viz. Hindus, Muslim. Christian, Sikh, Jain, Parsees and Buddhists. All have co-existed from time immemorial. May be of late the tolerance capacity has reduced, but still it has not fully faded away.
Hinduism in general is a multiplicity of several faiths and there are three major divisions viz. Vaishnavites, Shaivites and commons, who worship Lord Vishnu - the preserver, Lord Shiva - the destroyer and Lord Brahma - the creator, respectively. Again, there are innumerable sub divisions among each sect and faith. One may wonder, how such tiny sects can be formed and followed!
Over and above, this Religion gives freedom to one and all, to chose their form of worship and that too without any compulsions. Here, one is free to adhere to his faith or free himself from the religious routines. It is left to an individual to accept any faith or belief he needs or reject it in Toto. Does any other religion give you this much of freedom? In India, one creates his own God and worships Him too. That much of freedom one enjoys here!
Dharma and Karma the two issues works wonderful things in a day-to-day life. God fearing is one most of the Hindus possess in mind. This keeps them in doing any unlawful or moving against nature of law. Thus the entire human community is protected with justice. Hinduism preaches non-violence in general. It considers even trees and plants are worth worshipping because of its cherished value it passes to the human kind.
Hindus worship, apart from God and Nature, Cows also. A cow is considered most sacred for Hindus. In the form of Gomata or mother cow, gives multiple benefit to the society. Even its urine is consumed in small quantities, to purify one's body. Some of the researchers even found that it is a preventive medicine for many ill healths. And particularly it even cures kidney ailments. According to a report appeared in the Indian Express of Mumbai edition (read the following news clipping published on the January 14, 2000), states that Gomutra (gomutram) or the Cow's Urine highly beneficial in the treatment of Asthma, headache and tooth problems too!
For Hindus, every river is Sacred and a gift from the God; there are five major rivers that are considered by Indians in general and Hindus in particular as Divine. The most sacred river on the earth is The Ganges, known as Ganga to the Indians. The most surprising and intriguing factor is, the River Ganges has a self-purifying system, with the natural oxygen available within its riverbeds and beneath! Well, according to the National Public Radio's website, Washington DC , there are many facts and figures that are listed about the Divine River Ganges' glory. You'll get a lot more facts about the River Ganges at above website. Despite the man-made unnatural pollutions, the River Ganga still stands tall among other rivers, in purifying the soul and mind of millions of Indians. Yes, during Makara Sankaranthi, a festival that take places every year on or about 14 th /15 th January; during the Sun's transition to tropical Capricorn, millions of Hindus take a holy bath at this river which is considered most auspicious time to cleanse one's body and mind.
The Brahmins used to consume Panchacavya (panchakavyam) (i.e. a mixture of five items, namely Cow dung, Cow's Urine, Cow's milk, Curd and Ghee made of Cow's milk) during thread wearing ceremony and also whenever they perform any orthodox rituals. This is done to purify one's body from any sins and make him fit for the rituals. Even today it is widely accepted and performed. The reality is, whatever the Hindus considered sacred and divine with their practices, that are proved scientifically correct and accepted practical by many westerners & researchers today!
During Vedic Era, there were no castes but people were assigned jobs. Based on their profession they were divided in to groups Such as the Ruler or King as Kshatriya, the Carpenter, Goldsmith & Ironsmiths and the businessmen as Vaisyas, and the persons who served the Kingdom as Sudras. The Brahmins were considered as most learned people, who with their rigorous and strict adherence to their daily routines with orthodox principle, advised the Ruler and general public and guided them in their day-to-day life. Additionally the Brahmins used to propagate the teachings of Vedic Science and performed daily prayers and Puja at all the temples.
Although the topographic, climatic and linguistic differences are there from State to State, the worship, name and fame of the Gods are the same everywhere. This can be seen right from Southern end of Kanyakumari to the Northern end of Kashmir.
Hindus worshipped the Nature in the form of five basic elements namely Earth, Water, Air, Sky and Fire. Later, many of these gave way to new altars. You name a subject; you will find a God in that form in one or other corner of the land called Bharat that is India!
India is very rich in its traditions and civilization. Hinduism is considered as the oldest Religion in the World dating back to 6000 years. Yet, Hinduism survived the onslaught of every invader. In addition,
it continues to hold majority of Indians in its fold, because of the firm belief and the fact is, Hindus or born, they are not made. This in itself is the proof of its strength and value.
One can go on and on in praise of Hinduism. But the most important and vital ones are briefed here. Hope this article gives a fair picture of Hinduism concisely. The rationale behind Hinduism, Srivaishnavam are the most valuable one. Every ritual has a very rich meaning and that concern and covers every issue that covers their entire life span. That's the value!
Here goes the Part of The 4th Chapter of Srimad Bhagavad-Gita, it is stated:
"karmany akarma yah pasyed
akarmani ca karama yah
sa buddhiman manushyesu
sa yuktah krishna-karma-krit "
The rough translation is:
He who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction,
Is intelligent among men, He is a yogi and a doer of all action.
In the same Chapter, the Bhagavad-Gita also states.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Superior! Thank you.
Really, India is a great country with a lot more spiritual guidance available through its vast resources named Veda. I admire it!
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