Hinduism - The Eternal Religion

Hinduism is said to be the oldest religion of the world. It is at least 8000 to 9000 years old. It is said that Hinduism might have started as Dravidian civilization and later merged with Aryan civilization. Hinduism started as Shruti - that which is heard.  The great seers of ancient times called Rishis who had perfected themselves have heard in their hearts, eternal truths and they taught those truths to disciples by telepathy and later they wrote them in books. Vedas and Upanishads are known as Shruti literature. Rest is called Smriti - that which is remembered -  literature.
All Hindu scriptures were considered as revealed truths of God. In fact, Hindu scriptures say that all Hindu Scriptures were written by God. The very first sacred books of Hinduism are called Vedas. Vedas means knowledge. There are four Vedas and they claim to teach men the highest aspects of truths which can lead them to God. Vedas and Upanishads are Shruti scriptures. The word Veda came from the root word "vid" meaning "to know". Vedas are the very first scriptures of Hinduism. Vedas as per scriptures was written by God. Vedas state "Self Ralization" is one and the goal of human life. Vedas also discuss in detail rituals and ceremonies to attain self-realization. There are 4 Vedas. They are:
1.    Rig Veda - Knowledge of Hymns - 10589 verses,
2.    Yajur Veda - Knowledge of Liturgy - 3988 verses
3.    Sama Veda - Knowledge of Music - 1549 verses
4.    Atharva Veda - Knowledge given by Sage Athrvana - 6000 Verses

Ayurveda is considered to be a Upa Veda of Atharva Veda. It is the Hindu Medicine Scripture, which consists of more than 100,000 verses initially.
Hinduism is said to be not merely a religion, but a commonwealth of religions. It is more a way of life than a form of thought. The theist and the atheist, the skeptic and the agnostic may all be Hindus if they accept the Hindu system of culture and life.  Hinduism insists not on religious conformity but on a spiritual and ethical outlook of life. Hinduism is not a sect but a fellowship of all who accept the law of right and earnestly seek for the truth. Hinduism is not bound up with a creed or a book, a prophet or a founder, but is persistent search for truth on the basis of a continuously renewed experience. Hinduism is human thought about God in continuous evolution.
Hinduism represents an effort at comprehension and cooperation. It recognizes the diversity in man’s approach towards, and realization of, the one Supreme Reality. For it the essence of religion consists in man’s hold on what is eternal and immanent in all being.
Thus, it is said, Hinduism is not just a faith. It is the union of reason and intuition that cannot be defined but is only to be experienced. Evil and error are not ultimate. There is no Hell, for that means there is a place where God is not, and there are sins which exceed his love. In the history of the world, Hinduism is the only religion, that exhibits a complete independence and freedom of the human mind, its full confidence in its own powers. Hinduism is freedom, especially the freedom in thinking about God.


Jai Shree Ram !
Blessed Be !

Beautiful Facts About Hinduism

Hinduism is not just a faith. It is the union of reason and intuition that cannot be defined but is only to be experienced. Evil and error are not ultimate. There is no Hell, for that means there is a place where God is not, and there are sins which exceed his love. In the history of the world, Hinduism is the only religion, that exhibits a complete independence and freedom of the human mind, its full confidence in its own powers. Hinduism is freedom, especially the freedom in thinking about God.Hinduism recognizes that each religion is inextricably bound up with its culture and can grow organically. While it is aware that all religions have not attained to the same level of truth and goodness, it insists that they all have a right to express themselves. Religions reform themselves by interpretations and adjustments to one another. The Hindu attitude is one of positive fellowship not negative tolerance.

According to the Bhagavad Gita, even those who worship other gods (anyadevatah), ancestral deities, elemental powers, if they do so with faith, then their faith is justified, for the Divine accepts every form conceived by the worshiper.
Hinduism is not bound up with a creed or a book, a prophet or a founder, but is persistent search for truth on the basis of a continuously renewed experience. Hinduism is human thought about God in continuous evolution. Hinduism represents the spirit, the spirit that has such extraordinary vitality as to survive political and social changes. From the beginning of recorded history, Hinduism has borne witness to the sacred flame of spirit, which must remain for ever, even while our dynasties crash and empires tumble into ruins. It alone can give our civilization a soul, and men and women a principle to live by. Hinduism is an inheritance of thought and aspiration, living and moving with the movement of life itself.




Om Namo Naraynaya !
Blessed Be !
                                                                                            
                                                                                               Source : Swami Vivekananda, S Radhakrisnan

Beware of so called Gurus, issuing twisted and ugly diktats about Hinduism

Of late, I have seen comments and links like " Don't waste your time in worshiping Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha " and focus only on Lord Krishna. I want to tell all such people that this is a very narrow, twisted and self-centered explanation of Hinduism and its very soul. This is starting a dangerous trend, and hurting to Hindus and Hinduism.
Lord Shiva is worshiped even by Lord Vishnu. There are instances when Lord Rama and Lord Krishna worshiped Lord Shiva. Similarly, Lord Ganesha has to be worshiped before each and every puja, otherwise the puja is not considered to be successful. Even if someone wants to worship Lord Krishna, he has to start it with worshiping Lord Ganesha. Ultimately, they all are revered, and are one.

Please don't believe in such narrow explanation and diktats of various so called Gurus about Hinduism, who tell you to worship one God and avoid and insult others. All the Gods are equal and one. There is no place for extremism in Hinduism. If someone wants to practice Hinduism, they have to accept it on a whole, as it is. They can't have a tailor made Hinduism for them.
Please raise your voice whenever you come across any misleading piece of information about Hinduism.


Om Namah Shivay !
Blessed Be !

Vijaya Dashami – Triumph of Good Over Evil

India is unique in its culture and civilization. This is a land of fun filled fairs and festivals, forever pulsating with life and exuberance.
Navratri culminates in Dussehra and Vijaya Dashami is an occasion to celebrate Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana. It is also the right time to worship the Gods and Goddesses who represent “ Shakti “
The word Dussehra might have its origin in the words ‘dus’ ( the ten faces of Ravana ) and ‘har’ ( defeat ) – the defeat of the one with ten faces.
On Dussehra, it is also a custom to make use of the new harvest only after offering it to the Gods and Goddesses. So, ten cobs of green maize are first offered to the local deities. Hence, the name ‘dus’ ( ten ) and ‘hard’ ( green maize ).

According to Hindu mythology, once Ravana was worshipping Lord Shiva at Elephanta Caves – an islamd near present day Mumbai. Ten big idols were made for the purpose. Ravana cut his head off ten times and offered it to Lord Shiva, but every time his head was restored by the Lord. Thus, Ravana got another name ‘dus-hara’.
On this day, the effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarna and Meghnad are burnt as a symbol of triumph of Good over Evil.

Jai Shree Ram !
Blessed Be !

Hinduism And It’s Divine Spirituality

Hinduism promotes peace universally. Hinduism says that believers of all faiths go to heaven. It also states that gods of all the religions are true. Hinduism is the religion which says that all paths lead to that ultimate One. An important Hindu prayer is "Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu" which means let the whole world be happy !
Hinduism respects all living beings. Hindus believe that there is divinity in every one. The Hindu salutation 'Namaskar' or 'Namaste' means that I bow to the divinity in you.
Hinduism worships the feminine form. It has high standards for women, and Hindus worship feminine goddesses like Durga, Kali, Lakshmi , Radha and Sita. Hindu women have a high place in the Hindu society.
Hindu mythology and scriptures are divine and pearls of wisdom. The Vedas , The Upnishadas, The Gita, The Ramayana, The Mahabharata, The Srimadbhagvatam, all teach us good morals; and help us in every walk of  life.

Hinduism also promotes good mental and physical health. It is not only a religion but also a way of life. The practice of getting up early in the morning and taking bath, and then practicing Yoga keeps one in good stead. Hinduism promotes vegetarianism, thus not eating meat keeps us healthy.
Hinduism is a celebration of life. The fun and frolic associated with Hindu festivals can be seen only in Hindu religion. The Festival of Light or Deepavali or Diwali, gives us the message of victory over the evil. It gives us renewed faith and hope in life. The Festival of colors or Holi, also gives us the same message – victory of good over the evil. It fills our lives with colors and promotes peace and brotherhood, as on this day, all the enmity is forgotten and people become friends again.


Jai Shree Krishna !
Blessed Be...!

Saptashloki Durga

 

This Sapta Shloki Durga Stotra is in Sanskrit and it is told to Bhagwan Shiva by Durga Mata herself. Shiva asked Durga “tell me what your devotees should do to achieve success in their endeavor easily and without any troubles?”

Durga Mata told him that my devotees may worship me by reciting 7 slokas with faith, devotion and concentration. By doing this they will receive all my blessings and will be successful in there every endeavor. Besides they will receive wealth, health, good memory, knowledge, success, good family life and victory. All their troubles, fear, sorrow and poverty will be removed from their life.

Many Durga devotees read Durga Sapta shati on many occasions in a year. However all devotees can’t read it since it is very difficult and is of 700 stanzas. It takes about 4 to 5 hours to complete it. So for such devotees this Sapta Shloki Durga Stotra is an alternate. These 7 shlokas of the stotra are from Durga Sapta Shati only. They can recite this stotra daily with faith, devotion and concentration.


Jai Maa Durga !
Blessed Be !