Be proud to be a Hindu

Be proud to be a Hindu

I quote Dr. S. Radhakrishnan who said, “Hinduism is more than a religion; it is a way of life”. It is a set of beliefs and practices. Shree Ravishankar describes it as a way of life comprising of various aspects - symbols, rituals, practices, scriptures and traditions each having its own significance. Even the daily practice of puja, chanting, and lighting a lamp along with promoting spiritual values and harmony in the family and society, have a scientific foundation and a deeper meaning. However, it is unfortunate that due to inaccessibility to this understanding, the value systems and these traditions are lost. Hinduism is probably the oldest religion; it is based on the practice of Dharma, the Code of Life and that is why it is referred to as the eternal faith or Sanatana Dharma.

It is not a religion like Christianity or Islam because it is not founded by any one person or does not have an organized controlling body like the Church or the Order. There is no institution or authority governing it.

To anyone who doesn't know about Hinduism, a religion needs to have one Prophet, one Holy book and one God. The mind is so conditioned and rigidly narrowed down to such a notion that anything else is not acceptable.

Through the history of mankind, religions have shown a tendency akin to present day Multi-Level-Marketing Industry that persistently tries to expand its market share by conversion. It is relevant in this context that no wars have been led under the banner of Hinduism nor any forceful conversions to Hinduism done at any time in the history of mankind.

Hinduism professes Non-violence. 'Ahimsa Paramo Dharma' meaning nonviolence is the highest form of duty. In spite of persistent onslaught from numerous foreign forces, over hundreds of years, Hinduism is still surviving because of the inherent strength of its philosophy. One remains a Hindu never by force, but by choice.

Hinduism is fascinatingly diverse. You can believe in one God and be a Hindu. You may believe in multiple deities or may not believe in God at all and still be a Hindu. It is so democratic, broad-minded and free. Each Hindu practises according to his or her need, belief and spiritual leaning. So the fact is Hinduism is a religion of the individual, for the individual and by the individual with its roots in the Vedas and the Bhagavad-Gita. It is all about an individual approaching God in an individual way according to his temperament and inner evolution. It is customized to an individual’s needs.

Hindus believe in the Supreme abstract authority (Para Brahma) as the creator of this universe. Hindus also believe that God is an all-pervasive reality (sarva-vyapak), who resides in all (antaryamin); this is reflected in the opening shloka in the Ishvasya Upnishad, ‘Ishavasyam idam sarvam…’. and the prayer ending includes the Shanti Path ‘Aum dhyau Shanti Antariksha Shanti Prithvi Shanti..’.

This is an awesome mantra of peace, harmony and happiness which when translated means: Aum. May there be peace in the sky and in space. May there be peace on land and in the waters. May herbs and food bring us peace. May all the personifications of God bring us peace. May God bring us peace. May there be peace throughout the world. May God give me such peace.

Ancestors of today's Hindus believed in eternal truths and cosmic laws and these truths are open to anyone who seeks them.

Hindus would thus respect everything living and non-living. This may possibly explain the observance of non-violence and vegetarianism by the Hindus.

The concept or notion of a God, demanding us to worship him or punish us, does not make sense. God is not like an autocratic emperor who wants others to respect him or fear him. Such notions are just fancies of less educated human imagination and fallacies. The entry level Hinduism has some superstitions too but the philosophical side of Hinduism negates all superstitions.

Hinduism has no monopoly on ideas. It is open to all. Hindus believe in one God, expressed in different forms. For them, God is a timeless and a formless entity.

I am a Hindu because it allows independent and objective thinking, without conditioning. I am proud to be a Hindu. Be proud of your religion and who you are.

Jay Shree Krishna. Jay Jalaram

(collated and compiled by Dr. Jayu Morjaria)

Wish you all Jalaram Bapa’s blessings for a blissful year ahead