Introduction to the human values celebrated in Hindu Literature.

Purohit welcomes you to present the human values of Hindu Literature. The word Hindu has derived from the Indus Valley civilization. This is one of the oldest civilization in the world that goes back at least 5,000 years.

At present India's religious groups are divided like Hindu's 81.3%, Muslims 12%, Christians 2.3%, Sikhs 1.9%, other groups including Buddhists, Jains,Parsis 2.5% (2000). Sanskrit was the original language of India. There are about 24 main languages and also other languages those are used in India. Hindi is a national language whereas English is an official language in many states. India's population is 1,029,991,145 (July 2001 est.), which is the second largest in the world.

A study of Hindu literature provides an understanding of mankind cycle right from the birth to the death of the individuals. There are different 16 rituals that one has to follow. This explains the socio-economic relations in the society. Hindu religion is known as "Sanatan Dharma" because it is prevailing since last 5,000 years. This religion believes about the existence of 3,30,000,000 Gods and Goddesses, which is nothing but dignifying every soul on the earth. This includes Vedic Deities, Planet Deities, and Animal Deities. In other words it believes the existence of God or Goddess in mankind as well as in every creature on the earth. This is also one of the contributory factor that Hindus are vegetarians because of "Ahimsa" (non violence) towards the animals. Vedas are collection of chants and ritual hails. Vedas were not available in writing for a long time, hence it was preserved in phenomenal memory disciple through oral instructions.

Vedas are divided in four parts like Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda. Vedas explain religious rituals and economic aspects of living. Vedas explain to follow the sixteen religious rituals from the birth of a child to the death. There are 108 Upnishads available today. These are also called as Vedanta. This explains philosophical, spiritual, and essence of Veda philosophy. Purans are the deeper truths of the scriptures of Hinduism and it is very difficult for common people to understand this literature. These Purans are 18 in numbers. The sages of India created this literature and presented them in an interesting and easily understanding manner. This is presented in the form of stories and parables.

Human values are explained in the great epics of India. "Dharma" (moral duty) is explained in "Ramayana". The story of "Ramayana" tells that "Rama" was ordered by his father king "Dasharath" to stay away in the jungle for fourteen years so that "Rama"s younger brother "Bharat" can become the king of the "Auodhya" kingdom. "Rama" obeyed his father's order and stayed in jungle for fourteen years. During the stay in jungle "Rama"s wife "Sita" was kidnapped by "Ravana" the demon king of "Lanka". However, "Sita" did not surrendered to "Ravana"s evil demands and later on with monkies' help releases "Sita" from "Ravana". This explains obeying moral duties like "Rama" obeys his father's order. Also, "Sita" did not surrender to "Ravana" in "Lanka". This can only happen when one has great foundation of good moral understanding.

"Mahabharat" is one of the longest epics ever written on the world. "Mahabharat" is a story between "Satya" (truth) and "Asatya" (wickedness) of the lives. There is fight amongst two groups of grandchildren of king "Shantnu". One group of "Pandavas" and the other group of "Kauvravas". "Pandavas" were only five children of king "Pandu" having a God "Shri Krishna" and "Satya" with them. "Kauvravas" were one hundred children of king "Dhrutrashtra" having a big army and "Asatya" with them. "Pandavas" and "Kauvravas" were cousin brothers. For getting the kingdom of "Hastinapur" (a place nearby Delhi) "Kauvravas" implemented all wicked ways prevailing in the society but they could not get success. Subsequently "Kauvravas" forced "Pandvas" to fight against them. At that time God "Shri Krishna" offered himself with one of the parties and the whole army with the other party. So with both of the party's mutual understanding God "Shri Krishna" stayed with "Pandavas" and the whole army was with "Kauvravas". They fought the great battle in "Hastinapur", which is said to be the ever biggest war fought on the world. It is always true that "Satya mev Jayate", which means the truth always wins. The outcome of this war also ended up with the victory of "Pandavas" since "Satya" and God "Shri Krishna" were with "Pandavas".

"Bhagvad-Gita" explains the philosophy of the life. At the time of battle of "Pandavas" and "Kauvravas" God "Shri Krishna" was driving "Arjun"s chariot (a member of "Pandavas"). Both the parties were in front of each other to fight a battle. At that time "Arjun" says to God "Shri Krishna" that he can't fight against his teacher, senior relatives, in-law family members, and all his cousins. "Arjun" was affectionate to all his enemies in front of him and told "Shri Krishna" that he can't kill the enemies. At that time "Shri Krishna" explained the philosophy of the life to "Arjun", which is known as "Bhagvad-Gita". "Shri Krishna" explains "Arjun" that all the individuals in front of "Arjun" were already dead individuals. "Arjun" will be only the cause as the killer of those individuals who have already been died so not to get affectionate with those individuals. Later on "Shri Krishna" shows "Arjun" his "Virat Svarup" (original enchanting vision of God) and inspires "Arjun" to perform his "Karma" (Duty) for fighting against enemies. "Shri Krishna" explains soul's recarnation (birth and rebirth) theory. "Bhagvad-Gita) is a part of "Mahabharat" and has been explained in eighteen chapters of which "Karma-Yog" is the base of an epic. "Shri Krishna" says "Yog" (luck) plus "Karma" (duty) is Success of any event. Subsequently "Arjun" was ready to fight the battle and "Pandavas" won the battle. This is considered as one of the most holy book of Hindu religion. As on today also it is Indian court's procedure that if accused individuals are Hindu then they have to swear in the name of "Bhagvad-Gita".