Hinduism in Nutshell

HINDUISM IN NUTSHELL

Hinduism now connoted as a religion is in fact not at all a religion. It pertains to Vedic way of life. Word religion has no equivalent word in Sanskrit or even in Hindi. Commonly referred word ‘Dharma’ means only duty. For example menstruation is called ‘Stree dharma’. When foreigners crossed Khebar pass and reached an obstacle called Sindhu river, which was pronounced by tribals living in its vicinity as Hindu nadi.  ‘S’ was pronounced as ‘H’. I learnt this when in 1946 a worker from this area introduced his real sister to my father ‘yah meri hagi hagai bahen he’. Though amusing it opened my mind. Foreigners named the inhabitants living across the river as Hindus and the country as Hindustan. An Arabic word like Afghanistan, Balochistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan etc. They were not aware of Bharat Varsh.

Vedic period began about 4000 years ago.  Its way of living continues till today as ‘Sanatan’ dharma though with little aberrations here and thither.  Intellectuals called Rishies understood that inherent nature of human beings would never change with time. They had to propound to humanity the ways of living a fruitful life. They understood that God had given body to humanity without their asking for it. They made serious attempts to know ‘What is the purpose of life’, ‘Is there a mission in life’, ‘Is life an empty and meaningless incident’.  But they observed that this body was needed and had to be maintained for doing anything. Towards this end people had to be advised. Since the art of writing was not evolved, message was given in the form of ‘shloks’ ‘verses’ like hymns or ‘samhitas’ which could be memorised easily. These were later compiled by Maharshi Ved Vyas in four Veds—Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva Veds. The word ‘Ved’ is from the root ’Vid’ meaning to know. Thus Ved means ‘Knowledge’.  Veds satisfy the needs of the body, mind and intellect. For keeping the body fit, Yoga and Ayurved have been dealt with exhaustively. Veds enumerate rituals / brahamanas to be performed by common men to keep their minds satisfied and occupied. Bodies had to be fully functional to perform. Veds deal with needs of intellectuals through ‘Aranyakas’ or ‘Upnishads’ which contain philosophy in life. In Ved enquiry is into the very nature of Reality (Brahm, Paramatma). The Veds suggest techniques and hypothesis which the seeker may adopt. For better understanding of philosophical life by the common man need was felt for simple narrative stories describing complex matters. Hence several ‘Purans’ giving chronological narratives explaining the wisdom of Upnishads were written. Only a few were major ones. Hundreds were of frivolous nature dealing with mundane matters. However Purans were and are the way for spreading Vedic knowledge among the masses.

During this era Vedic society developed democratic values. Almighty shared His powers including that of reincarnation with a trinity comprising of gods Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiv) for creation, sustenance and death to maintain balance in society. Their spouses, Goddesses Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati, took on themselves to provide learning, and prosperity to masses and punishment to the evil doers. Later Shiv-Parvati’s son Ganesh began mitigating the suffering of humanity. Vishnu’s incarnation of Shri Ram strengthened the value system (Maryada) in society. For a decaying society Vishnu’s incarnation as Shri Krishna later in Dwapar Yug provided practical reasonability for eradication of evil. He expounded the knowledge of Veds and suggested that while performing ones duties one can lead a fruitful joyous life.

Ved Vyas wrote Adi Puran which narrates stories based on Ved’s wisdom. This was the most authentic and knowledgeable Puran. Later several Purans were written based on Adi Puran. Ramayan and Mahabharat came out of Adi Puran. Gita as narrated by Shri Krishna in Kurukshetra was part of Mahabharat. These Holy books, accessible to common man show the Vedic way of living a meaningful life.

Essence of Upnishads

Hinduism symbolizes spirituality. Hindus pursue spiritualism. Self-realisation leads to detachment. One realizes that that the imperishable bodiless soul is lodged in a perishable body. The soul is divine in origin, pure and immortal. Hindus through wisdom seek the relation between individual soul to the Supreme Spirit (Paramatma). Supreme spirit manifests and is immanent in everything living or nonliving. On realization that your soul becomes one with the Supreme-being you attain the greatest bliss. Joy and happiness comes when your selfishness, desires and attachments disappear from your mind unawares. Your all actions then become godly. (Refer Kathopnishpad)

After death only body perishes and the immortal soul just moves into another body depending on the quality of your deeds both good and evil during this life. One should not neglect ones assigned duties towards society but discipline his mind and control his senses. Bad deeds and good deeds cling to your soul and the cycles of death and rebirth  continue till one secures ’Moksha’, i.e. passing after death to immortality, through self-realisation and attaining enlightenment. (Refer Isawasyopanishad)

Essence of Gita

Compiled by Maharshi Vyas, Gita, like other Vedic scriptures, follows the traditional way  of teacher – disciple discussions to remove all doubts and misgivings  in the mind of seeker. Arjun the disciple freely expresses dissent when doubts engulf him. Gita is essence of all cherished values of Vedic ages. It has the main ingredients of all upnishdic philosophies.

Shri Krishna enunciates three basic principles (Sankhya) truths of life.
1. Soul/Spirit is eternal, deathless and indivisible.
2. Body is transient. It perishes.
3. Swadharm (one’s natural vocation or assigned duty towards society, e.g. Kshatry’s dharm to fight and destroy evil) is essential and inescapable. It cannot be thrust aside. Life is to be lived for the fulfillment of swadharm.

Shri Krishna then tells us how to bring these truths into practice to attain godliness (enlightenment). Gita’s skill lies in providing practical suggestions to follow. For this Karma, Gyan and Bhakti have to be united (Yog). Gita tells us to act and perform without expecting the fruit. Leave the fruit to God. One must meditate on God with knowledge (Gyan), Sagun (worship God with form) Bhakti, or Nirgun (worship God without form) Bhakti. When a stage comes that Karm is performed whole heartedly and mind is fully absorbed with work without caring for the result, work becomes ‘Vikarm’. When mind and body act in unison in the performance of swadharm it becomes ‘Akarm’, i.e. one has achieved inaction in action. One does not know he is performing. In a state of perfection one becomes a Sanyasi. Finally even a Nishkam Bhakt (Devotion without interest, selfish desires and attachments) has to totally surrender himself to God. In effect he merges with God and all his acts become godly. Your life becomes blissful and joyous.