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 !