Introduction
Hinduism is the
religion of the Hindus. It is the oldest of all living religions. Hinduism is
not a man-made religion. It was not founded by any single person. It is not
based on a set of dogmas preached by a particular set of teachers. It was not
started as a system, like Islam or Christianity. It is the product of the seers
of the Vedas. It was developed from age to age by the teachings of Avatars,
Rishis, Vedas, the Upanishads, the Gita and the Itihasas. It will exist as long
as the world lasts. There is a peculiar, mysterious spiritual force that is
ingrained in the heart of every Hindu. Hinduism is also known by the names
Sanatana Dharma and Vaidika Dharma. Sanatana Dharma means eternal religion, the
Ancient Law. Vaidika Dharma means the religion of the Vedas. The Vedas are the
foundational scriptures of Hinduism.
THE
DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY
A Religion of
Freedom
Hinduism allows
absolute freedom to the rational mind of man. Hinduism never demands any undue
restraint upon the freedom of human reason, the freedom of thought, feeling and
will of man. Hinduism is a religion of freedom. It allows the widest freedom in
matters of faith and worship. It allows absolute freedom to the human reason
and heart with regard to questions such as the nature of God, soul, creation,
form of worship, and goal of life. It does not force anybody to accept
particular dogmas or forms of worship. It allows everybody to reflect,
investigate, enquire and cogitate. Hence, all sorts of religious faiths,
various forms of worship or Sadhana, diverse kinds of rituals and customs, have
found their honorable place side by side within Hinduism, and are cultured and
developed in harmonious relationship with one another. Hinduism, unlike other
religions, does not dogmatically assert that the final emancipation is possible
only through its means and not through any other. It is only a means to an end,
and all means which will ultimately lead to the end are equally approved. The
religious hospitality of Hinduism is proverbial. Hinduism is extremely catholic
and liberal. This is the fundamental feature of Hinduism. Hinduism pays
respects to all religions. It does not revile any other religions. It accepts
and honors truth, wherever it may come from and whatever garb it may put on.
Hindu Mythology
In every religion,
there are three parts, viz., philosophy, mythology and ritual. Philosophy is
the essence of religion. It sets forth its basic principles or fundamental
doctrines or tenets, the goal, and the means of attaining it. Mythology
explains and illustrates philosophy by means of legendary lives of great men or
of supernatural beings. Ritual gives a still more concrete form of philosophy
so that everyone may understand it. Ritual consists of forms and ceremonies.
Mythology is a part of every religion. Mythology is concretized philosophy.
Mythology is the science which investigates myths or fables or legends founded
on remote events, especially those made in the early period of a people's
existence. Mythology inspires the readers through precepts and laudable
examples, and goads them to attain perfection or the highest ideal. The
abstract teachings and subtle ideas are made highly interesting through the
garb of stories, parables, legends, allegories and narratives. The sublime and
abstract philosophical ideas and ideals of Hinduism are taken straight to the
heart of the masses through impressive stories. Mythology is slightly mixed up
with a little history. It is difficult to make a fine distinction between
history and mythology. There are great truths behind the ancient mythology of
Hinduism. You cannot ignore a thing simply because it has a garb of mythology.
Do not argue. Keep your intellect at a reasonable distance when you study
mythology. Intellect is a hindrance. It will delude you. Give up arrogance,
vanity. Cultivate love for imagery. Sit like a child and open your heart
freely. You will comprehend the great truths revealed by mythology. You will
penetrate into the hearts of the Rishis and sages who wrote the mythology. You
will really enjoy mythology now. You study geography through maps. There is no
real country or town in a map, but it helps you to know a great deal about the
different countries. Similar is the case with myths. You can grasp the subtle,
philosophical truths through myths only. The object of myth and legend is
merely to lure the mind to the truths of religion.
Emphasis on Practice
Hinduism is not a
religion of mere theories. It is eminently practical. In no religion will you
find such a variety of Yoga practiced, and such sublime unique philosophy
expounded. Hinduism provides spiritual food and Yoga Sadhana for all sorts of
people to suit their temperaments, capacities, tastes, stages of spiritual
development, and conditions of life. It prescribes Yoga Sadhana even for a scavenger
or a cobbler to attain God-realization, while doing his ordinary avocation in
the world. Hindu Yoga and Vedanta teachers lay great stress on self-restraint,
Tapas, renunciation and practical Sadhana, which are best calculated to control
the mind and the senses and unfold the Divinity within or attain
Self-realization. Religion is the practical aspect of philosophy. Philosophy is
the rational aspect of religion. The philosophy of Hinduism is not armchair
philosophy. It is not meant for intellectual curiosity and vain discussion.
Hindu philosophy is a way of life. The philosopher of Hinduism seriously
reflects after hearing the Srutis (Vedas), does Atma-vichara (enquiry into the
nature of the Self), constantly meditates, and then attains Self-realization or
Atma-sakshatkara. Moksha (liberation from birth and death) is his goal. He
attempts to attain Jivanmukti (liberated being) now and here.
Law of Karma
The Law of Karma is one
of the fundamental doctrines of not only Hinduism, but also of Buddhism and Jainism.
As a man sows, so shall he reap. This is the law of Karma. Desire produces
Karma. You work and exert to acquire the objects of your desire. Karma produces
its fruits as pain and pleasure. You will have to take births after births to
reap the fruits of your Karmas. This is the law of Karma. The doctrine of
reincarnation or transmigration is a fundamental tenet of Hinduism. You will
not cease to exist after death. Before this birth you have passed through
countless lives. The word 'reincarnation' literally means coming again into a
physical body. The individual soul takes again a mortal vehicle. The individual
soul takes again a mortal vehicle. The word 'transmigration' means passing from
one plane to another-passing into a new body. The doctrine of rebirth is a
corollary to the law of Karma. The differences of disposition that are found
between one individual and another must be due to one's respective past
actions. Past action implies past birth. Further, all your Karmas cannot
certainly bear fruit in this birth alone. Therefore, there must be another
birth for enjoying the remaining actions. Each soul has a series of births and
deaths. Births and deaths will continue till you attain knowledge of the Self.
You do not come into the world in total forgetfulness and in utter darkness.
You are born with certain memories and habits acquired in the previous births.
Desires take their origin from previous experiences. We find that none is born
without desire. Every being is born with some desires, which are associated
with the things enjoyed by him in the past life. The desire proves the
existence of his soul in the previous lives. Man contains within himself
infinite possibilities. The magazine of power and wisdom is within him. He has
to unfold the Divinity within. This is the object of living and dying.
Hindu Sects
A foreigner is struck
with astonishment when he hears about the diverse sects and creeds of Hinduism.
But, these varieties are really an ornament to Hinduism. They, certainly, are
not its defects. There are various types of mind and temperament. So, there
should be various faiths also. This is but natural. This is the cardinal tenet
of Hinduism. There is room in Hinduism for all types of souls-from the highest
to the lowest-for their growth and evolution. The term Hinduism is most
elastic. It includes a number of sects and cults, allied, but different in many
important points. Hinduism has, within its fold, various schools of Vedanta,
Saivism, Saktism, Vaishnavism, etc. It has various cults and creeds. It is more
a league of religions than a single religion with a definite creed. It is a
fellowship of faiths. It is a federation of philosophies. It accommodates all
types of men. It prescribes spiritual food for everybody, according to his
qualification and growth. This is the beauty of this magnanimous religion. This
is the glory of Hinduism. Hence there is no conflict among the various cults
and creeds. Sanatana Dharmists, Arya Samajists, Deva Samajists, Jains, Sikhs
and Brahmo Samjists are all Hindus only. Despite all the difference of
metaphysical doctrines, modes of religious discipline, and forms of ritualistic
practices and social habits prevalent in the Hindu society, there is an
essential uniformity in the conception of religion, and in the outlook on life
and the world, among all sections of Hindus.
Glory of Hinduism
Muslim emperors ruled
India for seven hundred years. The British ruled India for two hundred years.
Some joined Islam through force. The Muslim emperors and the British were not
able to convert the whole of India. Still the glory of Hinduism persists. The
culture of Hinduism prevails. Nothing can shake its greatness and root.
Hinduism is neither asceticism nor illusionism, neither polytheism nor
pantheism. It is a synthesis of all types of religious experiences. It is a
whole and complete view of life. It is characterized by wide toleration, deep
humanity and high spiritual purpose. It is free from fanaticism. That is the
reason why it has survived the attacks of the followers of other great
religions of the world. Hinduism is extremely catholic, liberal, tolerant and
elastic. No religion is so very elastic and tolerant like Hinduism. Hinduism is
very stern and rigid regarding the fundamentals. It is very elastic in
readjusting to the externals and non-essentials. That is the reason why it has
succeeded in living through millennia. The foundation of Hinduism has been laid
on the bedrock of spiritual truths. The entire structure of Hindu life is built
on eternal truths, the findings of the Hindu Rishis or seers. That is the
reason why this structure has lasted through scores of centuries. Hinduism
stands unrivaled in the depth and grandeur of its philosophy. Its ethical
teachings are lofty, unique and sublime. It is highly flexible and adapted to
every human need. It is a perfect religion by itself. It is not in need of
anything from any other religion. No other religion has produced so many great
saints, great patriots, great warriors, great Pativratas (chaste women devoted
to their husbands). The more you know of the Hindu religion, the more you will honor
and love it. The more you study it, the more it will enlighten you and satisfy
your heart.