HINDUISM

                                         (Sanathana  Dharma)

                                                           A.C.Sekhar                                         , October, 8, 2003

                 Hinduism is not a religion, but only an ethnical  way of life. The word ‘Hinduism’ has its origin from the river ‘Indus’ then known as ‘Sindhu’ and pronounced as‘Hindu’  around which  the religion of  Sanathana Dharma was thriving well. Hindu way of life has evolved from interpretations, commentaries, and discourses of very ancient literature, known asVedas .and other religious scriptures  like  Mahabharata, Ramayana the  Bhagawad Gita, and Puranas which are all fables and stories built around the activities attributed to various historic and non-historic personalities who are sometimes even depicted as  Hindu Deities. It is mainly for this reason Hindu way of life has become very adaptable and adjustable to various geographic, climatic. socio-economic conditions  existing with people at different places, and  at different times.

            Sanathana Dharma,  means  ‘Eternal Religion’  Unlike many other religions based on single person’s dictates on God, on  creation of this Universe, and on righteous living, Hinduism is an outcome of the enlightenment of many wise sages of the past in India, It is emphasized in Upanishads, the last phases of Vedas, that each person   should aim to realize himself the  Truth of Nature  based on his own knowledge  and experiences. While such a philosophy could have evolved from the time man started wondering and discussing about Nature even when no writing was in vogue, the literary aspect of the religion must have started only when Sanskrit became a popular and common  language for normal exchange of views and thoughts. Also most of the literature is in poetic and lyric forms for easy and pleasant communication orally. For this reason Sanathana Dharma is estimated as more than 5000 years old. .

        In the philosophy that evolved, it is strongly emphasized that there is only one ‘God’ who is all pervading both in animate and inanimate objects, who is formless, called Brahman, or Universal Self, but ‘He’ can be conceived as existing in many forms, both in animate and inanimate shapes, and  even as absolute abstract form.  Hence to convince the common people, the great sages of ancient India, conceived the Infinite should be explained in Finite forms. They conceived the best such forms are human figures endowed with such qualities and powers as may be needed for achievement of specific activities in this world. Accordingly, even though God is one  Infinity, He is shown as deities in human forms each with the highest of power and qualities expected of human beings for specific activity.   Hence the often criticized belief that Hinduism consists of several Gods is a misconception. By whichever name ‘God’ is  known , realized, and prayed, ‘He’ is considered as the source of Supreme Power,  responsible for all  activities in Nature,  and in all parts of Creation including  those of human beings. Also several stories have been built around such forms of Deities to explain to the common man how such Powers  have been used for the benefit of mankind . Several poems and hymns have come up to describe the powers of those Deities which have become symbols of Hindu thoughts on God.  Various types of rituals and religious ceremonies were also developed to propitiate such powers for the required benefits and boons to mankind.. These were continuously altered according to the times and changing circumstances in the Hindu way of life .Also some modern scholars are gradually discovering that various discoveries of Science regarding Universe are already suggested in Vedas if only they can be interpreted correctly. Hence Hinduism is considered neither static nor dogmatic but dynamic and flexible that goes on changing with times, with socio-economic conditions of the society and geographical conditions where communities live, but preserving the  traditional values and basic focal issues . Thus it has withstood and well preserved even against all odds faced by humanity over thousands of years..

      All religions virtually teach the same for righteous living but some major issues which distinguishes Sanathana Dharma from other religions and carved out a way of life for the Hindus  and known by the name Hinduism, mention may be made of

 (1) belief in re-incarnation of soul after death,

 (2) practicing the creed of non-violence to achieve the desired goals (Ahimsa Paramo Dharmaha),

(3) recognizing godliness in everything and in all  human beings, particularly in teachers & parents, and    (4) developing a balance  of mind and body at various specified stages of life (Brahmacharya, Grihastha,

     Vanaraprashtha, and Sanyasa) for an integral growth, by material and spiritual exercises, and achieve

      Moksha, the final Bliss.’ 

.(5) A distinct philosophy that emerged is Advita philosophy which theorizes that Creator and Creation are

       one the same and inter convertible like Matter and Energy  

(6) The rituals in Hinduism end generally with a phrase “Sarva Jano Sukhino Bhavanthu Om Shanti, Om

      Shanti, Om Shanti”  which means  all people,  irrespective of their faith  or origin, should live in

      complete Peace. and Harmony