“O Arjun! Yield not to unmanliness for such an attitude is not worthy of you. Casting aside your weakness of mind, therefore arise, O scorcher of enemies, and get ready for the battle.” – Sri Krishna in the Bhagavat Gita

Sri Ram threatens Ocean with a fire arrow. Painting by Harish Johari.

“To say that the 6th December episode was pre-planned is far from truth. Putting the name of Brahmalen Param Pujya Deoraha Baba in the list of indicted persons by the Liberhan Ayodhya Commission report is an insult to the whole Sant fraternity. His indictment has hurt the entire Sant fraternity and the crores of his followers. This game of naming by the Liberhan Commission is potentially provocative to the Sants and the society. Probably the Commission is provoking the Sants so that they get violent and radical. Mentioning of Atalji as a co-conspirator is also a sign of mental bankruptsy of the Commission.” – Ashok Singhal

VHP International President Ashok Singhal: Is he serious this time?

In order for the reconstruction of a magnificent temple at Sri Rama Janma Bhumi, the Sant fraternity of Bharat and the entire Hindu society and Vishva Hindu Parishad that follow its lead are resolute and geared up to offer any sacrifice. Sri Rama Janma Bhumi is a matter of our national pride and self-esteem and Dharmic certitude, faith and pan-Bharatiya cultural centripetality and integration of the national society. Somnath temple reconstruction was given a go ahead by a cabinet decision under Nehru. Taking a cue from this precedent, all the political parties should now pass a law in Parliament and handover the Sri Rama Janma Bhumi – birthplace of Lord Sri Ram – to Hindus. The Jihadi invaders destroyed thirty-thousand temples in Bharat. The Hindu society has been asking for return of three of them only, viz., Ayodhya, Mathura and Kashi. The objects & entities that stand as riotous statements showcasing our national slavery and disgrace, those symbols of shame and dishonour must be purged and the places reclaimed by the national society as a matter of struggle for cultural freedom. Only the withdrawal of claims of Muslims on these sites and the handing over of these places to Hindus by a law of parliament can ensure strength for real Hindu-Muslim unity.

Maryada Purushottam Bhagwan Sri Ram is a national hero by virtue of the veneration and faith He commands from the national society of Bharat as He was a saviour of the world who liquidated in His age the formidable kingpin of global terrorism, wickedness and sensuousness. Gandhiji’s utopia was “Ram Rajya” where righteousness, nature & environment friendly rural charm combined with urban facilities would be the rule.

It has been substantiated and demonstrated on the bases of Ground Penetrating Radar Survey (GPRS) and archaeological excavations that a pre-existing grand Hindu temple was in evidence at the site before 1528 CE which the Jihadi megalomaniac invader Babur got demolished and then got superimposed with a structure symbolising slavery and humiliation of the indigenous culture. He did not choose to go in for a virgin land, but in accordance with the Jihadi policy, targeted the birthplace of our national hero and cultural icon. The Baburi structure was, therefore, nothing but a political statement by an invader. The Hindu society never ever accepted this symbol of our disgrace and in order to reclaim its religio-cultural freedom went into battle 76 times since to liberate Sri Rama Janma Bhumi and lakhs of our compatriots became martyrs.

That signature structure of national disgrace was deconstructed on 06th December, 1992. Bhagwan Sri Ram Lala (Baby Sri Ram) had been Viraajmaan (sitting) there for long ever since His miraculous appearance at the place which event had brought immense delight & joy to the Hindu society. The Court of Law passed an order allowing prayers and ritual worships to the Viraajmaan Bhagwan at the site. Since then there remained neither any trace of mosque at the site nor was there any Namaz offered there. The site of Sri Rama Janma Bhumi has ever been a Dharmasthan of Hindus and shall ever remain so. The events of 6th December removed a structure that was on its last legs and broadened the avenues for reconstruction of a grand temple befitting the glory of Sri Rama.

The Hindus lodged a case in 1950. The case of the Muslim Waqf Board was lodged in 1962. The case ran for 40 years in the district court. It has been going on for 20 years now in the High Court. But still nowhere appears to be the end of the tunnel. Lifetimes of delay in solving this single case is a classic case of justice delayed is justice denied. Even today the case is being unduly dragged for vested interests. The delay being made by the government under the pretext of the matter being subjudice is again creating annoyance, anger and frustration in the national society. The Hindu society is tolerant, but patience also has its limits.

The passing of a High Court judgment was scheduled prior to 6th December, 1992 in a case concerning the 2.77 acres of surrounding land, excluding Sri Rama Janma Bhumi, acquired by the Uttar Pradesh government in 1991. Justice Raza – one of the members of the three-member bench of Hon’ble High Court – kept his judgment reserved and in abeyance. This act provoked the lakhs of Karsevaks present at that time in Ayodhya and the spontaneous reaction of the pent-up feelings saw the 06th December events happening. It is a moot question as to whose conspiracy it was to have the judgment reserved? Was it possible to do so without a nod from the then central government? Even as the central government has been treating this issue as very sensitive, then how come was there such a lapse on its part? The hearing of the case concerning the 2.77 acres of land, excluding the Sri Rama Janma Bhumi, had concluded on November 04, 1992. If the central government and Justice Raza had willed, the said judgment could have been spelled prior to 06th December, 1992. A timely judgment would have been the right move for a different scenario.

Deoraha Baba

To say that the 6th December episode was pre-planned is far from truth. Putting the name of Brahmalen Param Pujya Deoraha Baba in the list of indicted persons by the Liberhan Ayodhya Commission report is an insult to the whole Sant fraternity. His indictment has hurt the entire Sant fraternity and the crores of his followers. This game of naming by the Liberhan Commission is potentially provocative to the Sants and the society. Probably the Commission is provoking the Sants so that they get violent and radical. Mentioning of Atalji as a co-conspirator is also a sign of mental bankruptsy of the Commission.

We appeal to the Venerable Sants to remain ready to offer leadership to the movement. We appeal to the youth to remain ready for struggles and sacrifices. We would counsel the political parties to declare to trash the Liberhan Ayodhya Commission report and pave the way for re-construction of a grand temple at Sri Rama Janma Bhumi by a law of Parliament, otherwise the Hindu society would be compelled to recommence a huge nationwide movement after a decision to this effect is taken at the forthcoming Haridwar Purna Kumbha.

Proposed Ram temple in Ayodhya. The stones are cut and ready but Hindu leaders still dither and delay and make excuses for doing nothing.

Ashok Singhal, International President, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Sankat Mochan Ashram, Sector-VI, Ramakrishna Puram, New Delhi-110 022
TeleFax (00-91) (011) 2610 3495, 2617 8992; Fax: 00-91-11-2619 5527
Emails: vhpintlhqs@gmail; vishwahindu@gmail; hinduvishwa@gmail

“[The Liberhan Report] is a document of falsehood,” B. Satyanarayana, UP governor in 1992.

“The report is politically motivated and illogical. I have no regrets over the demolition of the desputed structure in Ayodhya,” Kalyan Singh, UP chief minister in 1992.

“The Babri Masjid demolition on Dec. 6, 1992 was a day of national pride,” Kalyan Singh

“Reports like that of the Liberhan Commission come and go. But the Hindu culture that takes pride in its heritage and protects its places of worship has been in place for ages and will remain so forever. Any symbolic structure left by an invader in Bharat is a national shame,” Praveen Togadia, VHP leader.

“Get lost. Are you challenging my character? Get lost from here!” Justice M.S. Liberhan the author of The Liberhan Ayodhya Commission Report.

Yes, Your “Honour”, we are challenging your character AND your credibility. It took 17 long years for you to write a lugubrious, dubious, and politically motivated 1000-page report that has cost the Indian taxpayer 8 crores of rupees. For what? For nothing! And as Indian judges are now revealing their assets, will you reveal how much of those taxpayer’s 8 crores got into your pocket in 17 very prosperous years? – IS

Ram Madhav: Giving the facts.

The Ramjanmabhoomi Movement reached a historic stage after the demolition of the non-mosque in 1992. It was a non-mosque because it was never used by Muslims after 1934. It was never registered as a Waqf property by any of the Sunni or Shia boards anywhere in UP or the country. There was no  Muttawalli/Imam attached to it. In effect, it ceased to be a mosque at least since 1934. And what is more, it was – and still is – a functioning temple at least since 1949.

The real India is waking up to a new, historical reality. This awakening is a result of the unfolding of a mighty creative genius of millions of unknown Indians whose names are not known and whose lives are nothing special to remember otherwise. It is they who can metaphorically be descried as the “Real Bharat”. They are charting a new course for the future of our country. The historic Ramjanmabhoomi Movement is but a symbol of that new awakening – a symbol that reminds the world that India, at last, is becoming alive to its history.

It is not just a movement for a temple. It manifests the innate yearning of people for self-respect and honour, an urge to unshackle themselves from the humiliating history heaped on them. It happens to every country; in fact it has happened several times in the history of several countries.

Russian Eastern Orthodox Cathedral in Warsaw: Demolished by the Roman Catholic Poles in the 1920s.

“As I have been speaking, some vivid visual memories have been flashing up in the mind’s eye. One of these is the picture of the principal square in the Polish city of Warsaw sometime in the late nineteen twenties. In the course of the first Russian occupation of Warsaw (1914-1915), the Russians had built an Eastern Orthodox Christian cathedral on this central spot in the city that had been the capital of the once independent Roman Catholic Christian country Poland. The Russians had done this to give the Poles a continuous ocular demonstration that the Russians were their masters. After re-establishment of Poland’s independence in 1918, the Poles pulled this cathedral down. The demolition had been completed just before the date of my visit. I do not greatly blame the Polish government for having pulled down that Russian church. The purpose for which the Russians had built it had been not religious but political, and the purpose had also been intentionally offensive,” says universally acclaimed
historian Sir Arnold Toynbee.

In Turkey, they turned the Church of Santa Sophia into a mosque. In Nicosia churches were converted into mosques. The Spaniards spent many centuries re-conquering their land from Muslim invaders.

About India this was what Toynbee had to say: “Aurangzeb’s purpose in building those three mosques (Ayodhya, Kashi and Mathura) was the same intentionally offensive political purpose that moved the Russians to build their Orthodox cathedral in the city centre at Warsaw. Those mosques were intended to signify that an Islamic government was reigning supreme, even over Hinduism’s holiest of holy places. I must say that Aurangzeb had a veritable genius for picking out provocative sites. Aurangzeb and Philip II of Spain are a pair. They are incarnations of the gloomily fanatical vein in the Christian-Muslim-Jewish family of religions. Aurangzeb – poor wretched misguided bad man – spent a lifetime of hard labour in raising massive monuments to his own discredit. Perhaps the Poles were really kinder in destroying the Russians’  self-discrediting monument in Warsaw than you have been in sparing Aurangzeb’s mosques.” (One World and India; 1960; pp 59-60).

Medieval Indian history is replete with instances of wanton aggression on its holy places by Muslim hordes. Innumerable instances of defaced Hindu idols and destroyed Hindu/Jain/Buddhist holy places stare at us everywhere. These destructions were not done just for the sake of fun as some eminent Indian (read Marxist) historians would want us to believe. These were deliberate acts of religious vandalism perpetrated by intolerant Islamic invaders.

However, one would be grossly and sadly mistaken if he confuses the present day awakening in the form of the Ramjanmabhoomi Movement to an effort to “avenge the historic wrongs”. Many so-called liberal (euphemism for Marxist) intellectuals spread this canard either deliberately (most probable) or at times out of ignorance (rare).

The movement for the Ramjanmabhoomi is basically a movement for the self-assertion of a civilisation. It is a wounded civilisation trying to re-invent its roots. It has to be understood properly, instead of dismissed with contempt. That is what Sir Vidia Naipaul also says: “If people just acknowledged history, certain deep emotions of shame and defeat would not be driven underground and would not find this rather nasty and violent expression. As people become more secure in India, as a middle and lower middle class begins to grow, they will feel this emotion more and more. And it is in these people that deep things are stirred by what was, clearly, a very bad defeat. The guides who take people around the temples of Belur and Halebid are talking about this all the time. I do not think they were talking about it like that when I was there last, which is about 20 something years ago. So new people come up and they begin to look at their world and from being great acceptors, they have become questioners. And I think we should simply try to understand this passion. It is not an ignoble passion at all. It is men trying to understand themselves. Do not dismiss them. Treat them seriously.” (“The Truth Governs Writing”, an interview by Sadanand Menon, The Hindu, July 5, 1998).

The movement has reached a historic stage after the demolition of the non-mosque in 1992. It was a non-mosque because it was never used by Muslims after 1934. It was never registered as a Waqf property by any of the Sunni or Shia boards anywhere in UP or the country. There was no Muttawalli/Imam attached to it. In effect, it ceased to be a mosque at least since 1934. And what is more, it was-and still is-a functioning temple at least since 1949.

Mir Baqi's victory monument in Ayodhya being demolished on Dec. 6, 1992. The "masjid" was built in 1528 after demolishing a Vishnu temple and is named for the Turkic-Uzbec invader Babur who became India's first Mogul emperor. Babur is buried in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Hence, what was destroyed on December 6, 1992, was a non-mosque and a functioning temple only. The destruction was a result of the pent-up frustration caused by the inordinate delays and insensitive approach of a section of leaders.

The dispute reached the Supreme Court in 1993 when the government of the day referred to it the core question of whether a Hindu temple existed at the disputed site before the construction of the mosque or not. Declining to answer the core question, the five-member Supreme Court bench in its judgment in October 1994 said keeping aside the disputed land of 2.77 acres on which the make-shift Ram Temple stands today, the remaining land of about 67 acres may be returned to its owners if the government thinks such a step would not hamper the legal proceedings on the disputed site.

It is pertinent to note here that there is no dispute about the ownership of this land or its title in any court anywhere. This undisputed land was acquired by the Union government in 1993 along with the disputed land. There was a move by the central government in 2002 to hand over this undisputed land to its original owners including the Ram Janambhoomi Nyas. The Nyas on its part was willing to give an undertaking to the effect that it would provide a corridor to the disputed site as access in case the judgment on that site went the other way. However, a public interest litigation was filed by a Muslim individual acting upon which a three-member Supreme Court bench asked the Government of India to maintain the status quo on the 67 acres.

All that the leaders of the movement are asking at this point in time is that their part of the undisputed site be returned to them. It does in no way affect the judicial proceedings on the disputed site. The Government of India has moved an application in the Supreme Court seeking vacation of the status quo order so that it can implement the 1994 judgment.

While the facts of the matter clearly indicate the demand of the leaders of the movement is fully legal and constitutional – at no point in time are they demanding that the disputed site be handed over to them – a campaign of calumny full of falsehood and insinuation has been unleashed by a section of intellectuals.

It is a tragedy that these intellectuals fail to understand the movement in its entirety. This is what Sir Vidia had to say about them: “Indian intellectuals, who want to be secure in their liberal beliefs, may not understand what is going on, especially if these intellectuals happen to be in the United States. But every other Indian knows precisely what is happening: deep down he knows that a larger response is emerging even if at times this response appears in his eyes to be threatening.”

And this is the advice he has for those intellectuals: “It is not enough to abuse them or to use that fashionable word from Europe: fascism. There is a big, historical development going on in India. Wise men should understand it and ensure that it does not remain in the hands of fanatics. Rather they should use it for the intellectual transformation of India.” (“An Area of Awakening”, interview by Dileep Padgaonkar, The Times of India, July 18, 1993).

So much transformation has taken place in the intellectual world after 1993 that a large section of our intelligentsia understands and appreciates the significance of this movement today.

Let me end by quoting Dr Rajendra Prasad during the renovation of the historic Somnath temple in 1950, which was vandalised by a 11th century Muslim invader, Mohammad Ghazni.

“By rising from its ashes again, this temple of Somnath will proclaim to the world that no man and no power in the world can destroy that for which people have boundless faith and love in their hearts….  Today, our attempt is not to rectify history. Our only aim is to proclaim anew our attachment to the faith, convictions and to the values on which our religion has rested since immemorial ages.”

Just replace Somnath with Ayodhya.

Jai Ram! Jai Hind!

 The ancient Taoist sages who mastered mind and body had many different insights and techniques to have a healthy life and as a plus Self Realization.  It is said that some of the teachings of Taoism originally come from India. This all makes sense if one investigates into the nature of Sanatana Dharma (hinduism) and Taoism. One can see the similarities between them. In particular I want to note is the use of energy in both systems. Not only this but both systems aim at Self Realization.

 With that said breath work has been very instrumental to healthy living and enlightenment in both sciences. Many are familiar with the Yogic use of breath and energy work. The same thing is found in Taoist Yoga. What is deeply interesting to me is the technique of no breath. In Taoism this is called Embryonic Breathing. In Sanatana Dharma and Yogic paths one can achieve such a state in which no breath is necessary and yet the practictioner is able to control energy throughout his or her body and remain healthy and ALIVE!

 In Taoism and in particular the practice of Qi Gong (sometimes spelled as Chi Kung) there is a use of Embryonic Respiration.  It is the breath of no breath. This is possible when both the mind and body are fully relaxed. The mind and body must be relaxed and filled with Qi (Qi is life force, in yoga its called prana).  Focusing on breathing is an easy way to relax not only the body but also the mind. A great method is focusing on the lower abdomen or the dan tian.

 The lower dan tian or abdomon is about three inches below the naval. This is natural respiration. If you observe an infant you will notice that the infant breaths from this region. Overtime due to stress on the body and on the mind we forget this form of breathing. This breathing is very instrumental to good health and also mental clarity.

 In order to begin Embryonic Respiration start breathing naturally. Just let the air come in and out. Watch the rise and fall of the lower dan tien (you dont have to look down). Have your eyes closed gently. You can sit in a chair (preferably on the edge of the chair with feet firmly on the ground and back straight but not rigid). You can sit cross legged if you like just make sure the spine is straight yet not in a rigid way. You are not trying to be a tough guy or woman let it be natural. Your right hand should rest gently on your lap and your left fist gently closes on the thumb of the right hand. This is a special mudra or hand gesture called the yin-yang mudra.

 Let the breath be very natural. Have a few minutes to relax into simply allowing the rise and fall of the lower abdomen. After you have done this for a few minutes begin to visualize Qi (life force or energy) entering your body entirely. Let every part of your body be fused with this life giving Qi. Let no cell be without this Qi. The Qi pervades every part of your body. Every organ, vessel, cell, everything. As you breath out visualize stale Qi leaving your body. Do this set 9 times.

After you have completed the above cycle move on to visualizing Qi entering the upper dan tien or heart area of your body. Allow Qi to pervade the entire heart area of your body. As you breath out imagine this energy or Qi moving down into your lower dan tien or lower abdomen. Let this Qi pervade the lower region. Return again with another inbreath visualizing Qi entering into the heart area, then breath out vizualizing the Qi going down into the lower abdomen. Do this also for 9 times.

After that simply vizualize the Qi in the heart area as you breath in, then imagine the same energy staying inside your body and moving down into the lower abdomen. Then as you breathe in again vizualize that energy in the lower abdomen rising up to the heart region. Do this for 9 sets.

 After the above cycle simply visualize the Qi staying in the abdomen. See it rising up in the abdomen with each in breath. Watch the Qi fall to the lower abdomen with each out breath. Do this 9 times.

Gently as you complete these cycles you will notice your breath getting quiet. It is getting very deep. Deep and slow. Breathing in you know that you are breathing in a long gentle compassionate breath. Breathing out you know you are breathing out a slow breath. Soon the breath will be without effort and you will not even know you are breathing! Don’t panic your still alive just enjoy this simplicit natural embryonic breathing. A gentle peace will definately come over you.

 Never rush this or expect anything. Simply let the Dao or lot God or Emptiness or the Universe do it for you. Don’t let your ego parade over what is happening or what is not happening. Don’t let the ego tell you when you should be experiencing this stillness. When you find that your ego is trying to rush the process simply say to yourself “I will let the Dao do it for me”.  The Dao is the Formless Reality or your Deepest Nature. It is Siva, it is God, it is ULtimate Reality. Allow this life force or the One Life to do it through you. So don’t beat yourself up. In Taoism a let of emphases is on NON EFFORT!

Enjoy be healthy and be love

Peace and love for eternity always

-Juan

NOTE:

 Much of this technique was taken from the book “The Way of Qigong-The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing” by Kenneth S. Cohen a western Taoist. I have worded the technique in my own wording.

“The intolerance of narrow monotheism is written in letters of blood across the history of man from the time when first the tribes of Israel burst into the land of Canaan. The worshippers of the one jealous God are egged on to aggressive wars against people of alien cults. They invoke divine sanction for the cruelties inflicted on the conquered. The spirit of old Israel is inherited by Christianity and Islam.”  – Dr. S. Radhakrishnan in Hindu Way of Life.

“The white man came with the Bible in his hand, gave the Bible to us and took away our lands!” – Jomo Kenyata

Hindus outside Bharat are waking up. They went out of this country about two centuries ago to countries like South Africa as indentured labour. The forefathers of the present-day Indians in those countries were mostly illiterate and they also lost contact with their Motherland soon after they reached the foreign shores. All that they carried with them was some customs and traditions which they learnt from their forefathers. In the midst of poverty, suffering and slavery, they strived to preserve whatever they carried with them. However, many were converted to alien religions by their masters during the period of their slavery. The others preserved, in the midst of all hardship and adverse circumstances, their hoary cultural values which they inherited. Today, their descendants who have seen the light of freedom, enlightenment and human rights, are waking up and have started to realize the glory and greatness of their ancient spiritual civilization and want to proclaim to the world the universal and eternal way of life that they have inherited. Because they are minorities in the lands where they are settled and the religion and culture of those lands do not have the generous vision and universal outlook of Hindu way of life, the Hindus have to struggle hard to protect their religious and spiritual values. Though they belong to different sects and sampradayas of Hinduism, they realize the necessity to rise above their differences and stand together as Hindus first and foremost.

Therefore, today, they have not only formed Hindu councils and other such bodies that unite them under one banner, but also have started celebrating the Hindu religious and cultural festivals jointly, making them occasions to forge stronger bondage of brotherhood among them. This Sadhu’s recent visit to South Africa has revealed the fact that the Hindus in the country are becoming more and more united and want to rise above all sectarian and organizational differences. Spontaneous welcome was accorded to him by various Hindu bodies — Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Gujarati — some of them propagating Saivite, Vaishnava, Shakta and Kaumara ways of worship and some belonging to the modern spiritual movements that have gone from India to that country.  All of them feel it a proud privilege to accord a warm welcome to a sadhu or sannyasi from India, to whichever sampradaya, cult or organization he may belong. This gave an opportunity to this Sadhu to highlight the need for unity and integrity in the Hindu society for the preservation of our hoary culture and heritage from the onslaught of alien cultures and religions which are narrow and fundamentalist.

Contrary to what is happening outside Bharat, the Hindus inside the Motherland, who are in a majority, are proving themselves to be the grave diggers of their own culture and society, knowingly or unknowingly striving to bury all that the Hindu nation has preserved since times immemorial and to destroy the Hindu identity of the future generations of this land. Utter selfishness and materialistic goals have prompted them to be enemies of their own brethren in their own Motherland. The so-called Hindu leaders in our country today are vying with each other to prove themselves to be greater Jayachands than the one who betrayed Prithviraj and invited Mohammad Ghori to invade this land, destroy Hindu nation and all that the Hindus cherished for ever. Even those Hindu political leaders who once stood under a common banner and proclaimed the glory and greatness of Hindutwa and Hindu Rashtra are today divided into rival camps striving to destroy each other. They are prepared to join hands with the avowed enemies of Hindu values and Hindu Nation to destroy their own brethren who till yesterday stood by their side. In the meanwhile, the anti-Hindu forces have forged strong alliances among themselves to take on the Hindus and they revel in the division of the Hindus and the emergence of modern Jayachands among them, whom they want to entice.

At such a juncture, what is the role played by the so-called Hindu religious and spiritual leaders? In their urge for domination, they play all nasty roles to keep their folk away from a larger Hindu sanghatan. They are afraid that if the sheep in their herd get involved in the herds of other shepherds like them they will lose their hold on them and therefore they see to it that their followers do not go to other congregations. They inject into them a strong virus of sectarian fanaticism so that they will look down upon other Hindu congregations as something inferior to their own. The leaders are also afraid of joining hands with leaders of other Hindu organizations and create a strong Hindu unity, because they are afraid that they will lose their importance in such a bigger congregation. They are too proud to work under any other leader of any such big organized set up.

They want to be called “Jagat Gurus” — preceptors of the whole world — and expect every one to fall prostrate at their feet, but they are not prepared to look beyond the interest of their own narrow sect or sampradaya or their organization.  Mahakavi Bharati, in his severe criticism of “nadippu swadeshikal” (pseudo-swadeshis) of his time, sang: “Uppenrum cheeni enrum ulnattu chelaiyenrum cheppi tirivaaradee, solvatariyaarade” — “They will sing salt (salt satyagraha), sugar and home-spun clothes (swadeshi), but they do not know what they are talking about”. Similarly, these “Jagat Gurus” will speak about Vasudaiva kutumbakam – the whole world is one family – which our great ancient Rishis proclaimed, but they will not look beyond their own sects and sampradayas.

Some of the so-called spiritual leaders among the Hindus always sing the song of sarva dharma samabhaava which they translate as equality of all religions. The Christian leaders spit at their face and condemn them as “heathens” and call upon them either to join Christianity to get relieved of their “sins” or get lost in hell. The Muslims call them “kafirs” who should either be converted to Islam or annihilated in a Jihad. However, the fools among these so-called Hindu leaders still say that Hinduism, Christianity and Islam are equal and sit in their mandirs, maths and ashrams and sing, Ishwar-Allah-Jehova-Jesu tera naam. They do not know even the meaning of the words Hindu and Dharma. Hinduism is not a religion, but a highly scientific and spiritual way of life evolved by the great sages and seers in this sub-continent called Bharatavarsha. All those who respect and revere this way of life and adore the land of its origin stretching from River Sindhu in the north to the southern ocean, Sindhu-or-Hindu Maha Sagar, as the land of their forefathers, the punya bhoomi, karma bhoomi, jnaana bhoomi and moksha bhoomi are Hindus. The Hindu way of life allows ample freedom to mankind to worship the nameless, formless Ultimate Reality called God in any name or form so that everyone will realize It in his or her own Self.

Christianity and Islam are not at all religions as they claim themselves to be, but imperialist political forces which have come into existence to subjugate the entire humanity under their rule and they have put on the garb of religion and project prophets and saints only to hoodwink the poor and innocent.  Jomo Kenyata, the great African leader, once declared: “The white man came with the Bible in his hand, gave the Bible to us and took away our lands!” The world-renowned philosopher and former President of India, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan says: “The intolerance of narrow monotheism is written in letters of blood across the history of man from the time when first the tribes of Israel burst into the land of Canaan. The worshippers of the one jealous God are egged on to aggressive wars against people of alien cults. They invoke divine sanction for the cruelties inflicted on the conquered. The spirit of old Israel is inherited by Christianity and Islam.” (Hindu Way of Life, Unwin Books, 1960, P. 40).

However, our stupid pseudo-gurus who get into inter-religious dialogues and go out-of-the-way to call Christianity and Islam as “Dharma” are a curse on Hindu society and nation. The Maha Narayana Upanishad defines the word Dharma as follows: dharmo vishvasya jagatah pratishtitha, loke dharmishtha prajaaupasarpanti, dharmena paapamapanudati, dharme sarvam pratishthitam, tasmaad dharmam paramam vadanti — “Dharma constitutes the foundation of all affairs in the world. People respect those who adhere to Dharma. Dharma insulates (man) against sinful thoughts. Everything in this world is founded on Dharma. Dharma, therefore, is considered supreme.”

Mooji explains the possibility of being without doubt when we realize who we are

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpP7WNxap98

Like pens and words are mightier than swords and missiles at times, books are far more blinding and binding when it comes to subjugation of humans under the guise of religious isms. Almost all the major isms in the world have a central book and its followers are tied down at all levels with the good and bad messages emanating from the single book. Most times the original author (actually a team of authors) is clever enough to assign a divine presence behind the book and its instructions, thus making it infallible, uneditable and even worthy of worship. Any book contains knowledge related to its times and frozen knowledge is nothing but stale, stagnant and senseless. Followers of such blinding books can create only havoc when they confront seekers of true knowledge which can be realized only with open minds. For sure all future wars will be for freedom from such books, if not for drinking water and fresh air.

In broad terms, knowledge can be classified into two categories – occult and open. The essential difference between the two lies in its openness to debate. Occult knowledge is secretive, frozen, known only to its proponents and invariably with hidden agenda. And open knowledge is free, progressive and open to debate and change. Books containing occult or open knowledge are one of the best ways to influence the literate humans. It is this interesting aspect of books that is being effectively utilized by clever religious leaders for enhancing their own ambitions. All successful religious leaders have put in place their own versions of incoherent and incomprehensible texts as words from God in a well planned manner. Most of such religious books contain occult knowledge which is of little or no use for existence and evolution of mankind.

Body of Occult Knowledge

One of the essential objectives of occult knowledge is its dire need to enforce uniformity among its followers. Uniformity is a wonderful attribute when it is present among a group of people with the same objective. This is more so if the common objective is conquering or destroying something by force or by deceptive means. Enforcing uniformed exteriors is only one aspect of achieving uniformity in a group of people. The more difficult part is attaining uniformity in values, thought and action. The only way to capture the minds of humans is through sustained indoctrination by means of injecting occult knowledge. Compiling book(s) containing desires of the leader, preferably in a style that is more symbolic and seldom descriptive, and assigning divinity to them is a proven method to attempt uniformity among followers. And if the initial few generations of questioners and dissenters are suppressed with an iron hand, the success of such books is assured. Many of the central books containing occult knowledge are best examples of such a “uniforming” process.

There are many more proven recipes for ensuring the success of such central books containing occult knowldge. Selection of its language, topics and narrative methods are the most important. A tone of infallibility must be present throughout the text. Hatred for those who doubt the book and assault on any competing ideologies can enhance its chances of success much more. Scope for deceptive interpretation must also be amply provided for development of successive generations of interpreters. And after a few hundred years, the sheer population of those making a living by interpretation of the book will ensure its sustenance at any cost. Different schools of interpretation will emerge but the centrality of the book of obnoxious occult knowledge and its author shall remain unchallenged. The process will continue to vitiate humanity until another set of much more wicked leaders emerge to pen down their own books of occult knowledge.

Body of Open Knowledge

In sharp contrast, the books with open knowledge open a much more refreshing window for anyone in search of freedom and absolute truth. Indians can be truly proud of their civilization that has propounded Sanatana Dharma which contains some of the best examples in this regard. For the ancient Indians, knowledge was equally important as air and water. The innumerable books produced by Indian Rishis contain knowledge that is open in every sense. It is open to questions, debate and changes if needed. Quite unlike other religious civilizations, there is no single central book in the Dharma. How can one believe in the theories of the omnipresent and omnipotent God speaking to prophets who are all from only a particular region in the world and speaking only a particular man-made language? If it is true, then it must be a limited God who knows only that part of the world and its language.

Books containing open knowledge are known for their logic and coherence. Sanatana Dharma does not prescribe any books that contain the authentic and unchangeable words of God. Even the four Vedas that are available now represent only collective bodies of knowledge in specific areas. The openness of Sanatana Dharma is best represented in a stanza in one of its most outstanding books viz. Bhagavad Gita. Chapter-18, Sloka-63 – iti te jnânam âkhyâtam, guhyâd guhyataram mayâ, vimrsyaitad asesena, yathecchasi tathâ kuru (Thus, I have instructed you in knowledge which is more confidential than the secret knowledge of brahma. Reflect on this knowledge properly, and then act as you wish). The ‘act as you wish’ command is proof enough of its openness.

People’s literacy is increasing tremendously in all parts of the world. But a large section is getting literate only in occult knowledge and not in open knowledge. Most of our problems emanates from this single issue. Even completely indoctrinated people with exposure to only occult knowledge want to raise questions when they accidentally breathe the fresh air of open knowledge. But the mortal fear instilled by their leaders silences such a minority for ever. The captive majority in these communities, however, continue to wreck havoc in the world armed with ignorance as their deadliest weapon. They do not see or read any book that tells them that knowledge can never remain frozen in time. It is only values (Dharma) that remain with no beginning and no end (Sanatana) in our world.

Namaste,

So I was reading in Paramahansa Yogananda’s lecture transcriptions from the book “Man’s Eternal Quest-Collected Talks and Essays On Realizing God In Daily Life” and came across something very interesting that I wanted to share.

Paramahansa Yogananda quotes the Gita “Those who are attached to sense pleasures cannot gain the mental equilibrium of meditation; they fail to receive union with God through ecstasy (samadhi).”

Yogananda goes on to say, “Learning to disconnect oneself mentally from the disturbance of sensations brings peace of mind. That man who remains untouched by sensations that come and go, being neutral to their ever-changing stimuli, manifests the soul’s essential changelessnesss; in that unchanging consciousness he becomes one with the Changeless Infinite.” (pg 303)

 This seems to be an indepth teachings that the saints of India realized through introspection, meditation, and other yogic disciplines. Most of the time we seem to be identified with our mind and body. This brings about great suffering in many ways that only manifest more suffering. For an example: If one dwells over their sadness, anger, and so forth they will become identified with that emotion and thus suffer more. We begin to believe we are our emotions.  Since we become identified with the emotions we lose touch with our true nature.

There is nothing inherently wrong with emotions. They are protective barriers for us. So it is not so that we suppress the emotions. Nor do we act in the extreme opposite and identify with them. We can simply observe them arise and see them as insubstantial (they have a beginning and end). Everything is changing so there is no permanent emotion. When we learn to accept things as they are and to dance with Siva or with life, we begun to loosen up and not take our thoughts and emotions so seriously.

If we learn to detach from not only the body but the mind we can get in touch with our True Nature. This True Nature has many different names in the many different traditions. To Mahayana Buddhist it may be our Buddha-nature. We all have the potentials to become buddhas just like Sidhartha Gautama.

In Santana Dharma (hinduism) it may be refferred to as the Soul or the Individualized spirit. In the glossary in “Man’s Eternal Quest” it states that “The Soul is the true and immortal nature of man, and of all living forms of life; it is cloaked only temporarily in the garments of causal, astral, and physical bodies. The nature of the soul is Spirit: ever-existing, ever-conscious, ever-new Joy.”

It is not enough to believe that you have buddha nature, or Soul, or Atma. What is required is practice and perseverance. We need to break the bondage to our minds and our bodies.  Through practice we can realize that we are not our excessive thinking or the aches and pains in this dying body. Our True Nature is Ever One with the One Life that Manifest all Life. This is Ultimate Reality to Buddhist or Brahman of the Hindus. This Reality is said to be possible for even us in this age. We only need to put effort into practice. Continuous meditation, introspection (such as asking yourself “Who Am I”),  and prayer can guide us along to True Understanding.

May we all awaken to our True Nature and let go of our Egoic attachments to the mind and body.

Aum

Why Be A Hindu:

The Advantages of

 the Vedic Path

Written as a short guide to promote and preserve the genuine purpose, values and understanding of Hinduism, the Vedic spiritual process. 

Stephen Knapp

This is a free “e-book,” or electronic booklet. It is published as an “e-book” on the internet to more appropriately reach as many people as possible, and enable anyone to read it and pass it along in as many ways as necessary. You can read it on the internet on my website, or direct other people to do the same, or download it onto a floppy disk, park it on your computer hard drive for later use, email it to others, or print it out to send to friends, or re-typeset it as you see fit and print it in booklets for distribution. It does not matter. I am giving permission to anyone to use it in anyway you want, providing the content remains the same. Anyone who has this booklet can reproduce it in any form you want, as many times you want. In this way, it is a tool you can use for your own inspiration or to send to others, as well as to send to the media or those who need further understanding of what is Hinduism and the Vedic culture, and the advantages that this spiritual path has to offer.

Copies of this booklet can also be acquired as a Microsoft Word document, an Ascii Dos Text file, or an Acrobat Reader .pdf file. I can email it to you. Simply request it by email at:   Srinandan@aol.com.

Stephen Knapp

ISBN: 1-930627-03-3

Published by: THE WORLD RELIEF NETWORK, P. O. Box 15082, Detroit, Michigan, 48215-0082  USA     Email: Srinandan@aol.com

This e-book is found at: http:// www.stephen-knapp.com

The website listed above contains much more information about Stephen’s spiritual work, his books and The World Relief Network. You will also find many additional articles on numerous and important topics that he has written, as well as many photographs of festivals and the holy places of India taken during Stephen’s travels, and links to additional websites for more information and resources.

Other books by Stephen Knapp include:

THE SECRET TEACHINGS OF THE VEDAS * THE UNIVERSAL PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT * THE VEDIC PROPHECIES: A NEW LOOK INTO THE FUTURE * HOW THE UNIVERSE WAS CREATED AND OUR PURPOSE IN IT * TOWARD WORLD PEACE: SEEING THE UNITY BETWEEN US ALL * FACING DEATH: WELCOMING THE AFTERLIFE * PROOF OF VEDIC CULTURE’S GLOBAL EXISTENCE * THE KEY TO REAL HAPPINESS * DESTINED FOR INFINITY * THE HEART OF HINDUISM * THE POWER OF THE DHARMA * REINCARNATION AND KARMA: HOW THEY REALLY AFFECT US * CRIMES AGAINST INDIA: AND THE NEED TO PROTECT ITS ANCIENT VEDIC TRADITIONS

Preface

This book is my response to the fact that sometimes I get a little concerned, as I was when I took my latest tour of India (June, 2001), when I see the efforts of those who try to demean and unnecessarily promote serious misunderstandings about Hinduism, the Vedic culture. This often times is done in the attempt to convince others of the greatness of some of the minority religions there. This is something that is increasingly going on in India. It is also increasing in other parts of the world in what is called “Hindu bashing.” I have also witnessed young Hindus who have moved to the West and sometimes exhibit confusion or disregard in their attitude toward their own culture, some of which is a result of the Western attitudes and misunderstandings toward Hinduism. So this booklet is written in response to that confusion, trouble, and the unnecessary campaigns for conversion. All of this is merely due to a lack of a clear understanding of Vedic culture and what it offers. So I wanted to bring out some simple yet important points, in the form of this booklet, that I thought people should consider in their view of the Vedic spiritual path.

One point to understand while reading this book is that the name Hinduism is, basically, a relatively modern term for the ancient Vedic spiritual path. So when I say “Hindu,” I mean the Vedic philosophy, otherwise known as Sanatana-Dharma, and someone who is following that direction. I know there are many distinctions and specific schools of thought within the umbrella term of “Hinduism.” However, I am writing this for a wide and general audience. So I am using the term in a liberal and collective way to include all people who follow the Vedic process or portions of it.

Hinduism, or Vedic culture, is not merely a religion. It is a spiritual path and way of life. Quite honestly, nothing compares with it. And I know. I grew up in the West as a Christian, studying the Bible from cover to cover due to my own curiosity. However, when I was about 19 years old, I still had many questions that were not and could not be answered within the Christian philosophy. So, I made great studies of the various religions and civilizations throughout the world, finally finding the Vedic culture as perhaps the most profound tradition of all. It is one that offers more insights into life and the purpose of it, especially the spiritual aspects, than any other culture one can find today. In this way, I found the kind of answers I needed in the Vedic literature, especially in the Bhagavad-gita, Bhagavat Purana and others. Only then did things of this world begin to make sense to me. I went on studying the Vedic philosophy and spiritual science and became an initiated disciple of His Divine Grace Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, and was given the spiritual name of Sri Nandanandana dasa. I have continued practicing and studying the principles of Vedic philosophy ever since, as well as researching other religions of the world.

So what’s so great about Vedic culture and its philosophy? This booklet describes some of the elementary details that differentiates Hinduism, the Vedic path, over all others. And I am glad to share this with my fellow human beings who are open-minded enough to consider the various avenues that can help us understand more about our spiritual identities and the purpose of life. This is not an attempt to say that the Vedic path is better than anything else for everyone, but there are distinct advantages worth considering from which a person can benefit. These are just a few of them. 

Why Be A Hindu:

The Advantages of the Vedic Path

Points of Consideration

1. WHAT DOES HINDUISM STAND FOR?

Hinduism is, basically, the modern name for the Vedic way of life, especially the spiritual path usually associated with India. Previously, those who followed the Vedic system were also called Aryans. It is often considered that the Vedic Aryans were a race of people. However, Aryan actually means a standard of living, an ideal. It was the Sanskrit speaking people of thousands of years ago that gave the word arya to signify a gentleman, an ideal person, someone on the path of purity. It was a term meant for those who were on the cutting edge of social evolution. Another way of interpreting the word aryan is that ar also means white or clear. Ya refers to God. Ya also refers to Yadu, or Krishna. Thus, aryan means those who have, or are developing, a clear path or a clear consciousness toward God.

In this way, we can understand that Aryanism, Vedic culture, or modern Hinduism, is a way of life. It is not a race of people or merely a sectarian creed or religion. It belongs to no particular country or race. It is a path that upholds a code of conduct which values peace and happiness and justice for all. Thus, it is a path open for all who want to be trained to be happy with simple living and high thinking, while engaged in proper conduct, a moral life, and selfless service to humanity and God. Therefore, anyone who wants to live in such a manner may be called an Aryan, a member or follower of the Vedic culture, no matter from which race or country a person may come.

So what does it mean to follow this Vedic Aryan path? It generally means to learn the ways of a spiritually progressed person. This includes understanding one’s spiritual identity, knowing that he or she is not the temporary body but is spirit soul, that there is karma or reactions for one’s activities, and rebirth in another life after death in which one reaps the reward or punishment for his or her own good or evil thoughts, words, and deeds. By having a solid understanding of such spiritual knowledge, there is automatically a respect for all others regardless of race, sex, position, or species. This brings a moral and peaceful social behavior in everybody toward everyone. By having respect for everyone’s spiritual identity, this also brings an innate happiness in us all. We can understand that we are only visiting this planet for a short time, and that we are all in this together. In other words, my contribution to your well-being, especially spiritual well-being, will be an automatic contribution to my own existence. In this way, society at large is in a state of constant improvement. Thus, together we all work toward attaining a clean mind and a pure heart. That is the goal of the Vedic Aryan way of life, and all those who seriously follow it.

Not everyone, however, wants to reach this stage of life or follow this path. That is why the Vedic system installs rules for moral behavior and regulatory sacraments and practices beginning from the prenatal stage all the way through death. Of course, many of these moralistic rules are also quite common in other forms of religion and behavior. However, anybody who is unwilling to follow such rules for a balanced moral standard is dubbed a non-Aryan, which simply indicates one who is not so civilized. Such a person is not on the spiritual path of life, regardless of what other standards or principles of etiquette he may follow. So a person who lacks spiritual tendencies and acts on the bodily platform of existence, willing to do whatever he likes, or who thinks he is a white body, or a black body, or from this country or that, and who holds loyalty only to that conception and shows it by criticizing everyone who is not like him, is a non-Aryan. He is one who works against the standards of Hinduism, even he if calls himself a Hindu, or anything else for that matter. In this way, we can see the need to return to the Vedic standards of life through authentic spiritual education.

Therefore, the Sanskrit word Aryan means a way of life that aims at the elevation of everyone in society to a higher level of consciousness, as we find in the broadest foundation within Hinduism. It means to assist ourselves through a disciplined and godly life to understand the purpose of our existence as well as to become a spiritually realized person. It means to recognize the divinity in each of us. It means to perceive the divine energy that permeates the creation, knowing that we and all others are but manifestations of the Divine, the same Supreme Creator, Father of all. It also means that we help every other individual soul understand this, because by helping others we help ourselves. That itself is a natural state of being when we can perceive God as the Supersoul, Paramatma, within everyone. All of this is encouraged by, and increases, a natural faith in an all-pervading Supreme Being. Such faith and focus on the Supreme can elevate us to return to our real spiritual home after death, that one infinite and eternal existence, which is one of the most important goals of the Vedic lifestyle. Once we are relieved of the body, or the bodily concept of life, then there is no longer any question as to what and who we really are. Offering this opportunity to society for reaching that level of understanding is one of the most important purposes of the Vedic path. This is the essence of what Hinduism stands for. Now let’s consider the following points as to the advantages of the Vedic path.
2. HINDUISM IS THE OLDEST LIVING CULTURE IN THE WORLD.

Look around. Do you find any other culture that has lasted as long as the Hindu or Vedic culture? Do you see any other culture that after no less than 5,000 years, if not much longer, is still thriving and dynamic, practicing many of the same traditions as it did from thousands of years ago? Sure, you have other old cultures, like the Egyptian, the Inca, Maya, Aztec, all of which go back about 5,000 years, but none of these are still living cultures. They are all gone, leaving us but remnants and artifacts to figure out what really was their culture.

For the Vedic civilization, it is not something that we really need to decipher from old remnants. The traditions and practices that you presently see have been going on for many thousands of years. Its history is well documented in the Puranas, much of which even historians have not researched as well as they should. Through such study it is obvious that the Vedic society has a prehistoric origin. While most of the “living” cultures that we find today, and the most popular religions, are a modern creation in the sense that they have only come about within the past 1400, 2000, and 2500 years with the advent of the Muslim, Christian, or Buddhist religions. However, the Vedic culture goes back much farther. Many scholars have noted the antiquity of the Vedic civilization. For example, in his Discourse on Sanskrit and Its Literature, given at the College of France, Professor Bournouf states, “We will study India with its philosophy and its myths, its literature, its laws and its language. Nay it is more than India, it is a page of the origin of the world that we will attempt to decipher.”

In this same line of thinking, Mr. Thornton, in his book History of British India, observed, “The Hindus are indisputably entitled to rank among the most ancient of existing nations, as well as among those most early and most rapidly civilized. . . ere yet the Pyramids looked down upon the Valley of the Nile. . . when Greece and Italy, these cradles of modern civilization, housed only the tenants of the wilderness, India was the seat of wealth and grandeur.”

The well-known German philosopher Augustus Schlegel in his book, Wisdom of the Ancient Indians, noted in regard to the divine origin of Vedic civilization, “It cannot be denied that the early Indians possessed a knowledge of the God. All their writings are replete with sentiments and expressions, noble, clear, severely grand, as deeply conceived in any human language in which men have spoken of their God. . .”

Max Mueller further remarked in his India–What It Can Teach Us (Page 21), “Historical records (of the Hindus) extend in some respects so far beyond all records and have been preserved to us in such perfect and legible documents, that we can learn from them lessons which we can learn nowhere else and supply missing links.”

On the antiquity of the Vedic society, we can respect the number of philosophies, outlooks on life, and developments in understanding our purpose in this world that has been imbibed and dealt with during the course of its existence. Through all of this, it has formed a commentary and code on all aspects of life and its value, the likes of which can hardly be found in any other culture today. Thus, with age comes wisdom. And the nature and depth of the Vedic wisdom can hardly be compared with anything else that is presently available. Anyone who has taken a serious look at it will agree. It is universally applicable to all.

3. THE VEDIC LITERATURE IS THE OLDEST AND MOST COMPLETE SCRIPTURES FOUND ANYWHERE.

It is agreed by any scholar of history or religion that the earliest spiritual writings that can be found are the Vedic samhitas, such as the Rig-veda. In History of Ancient Sanskrit Literature (page 557), Max Mueller observed, “In the Rig-veda we shall have before us more real antiquity than in all the inscriptions of Egypt or Ninevah. . . the Veda is the oldest book in existence. . .”

In the same book (page 63) Max Mueller also noted, “The Veda has a two-fold interest: It belongs to the history of the world and to the history of India. In the history of the world the Veda fills a gap which no literary work in any other language could fill. It carries us back to times of which we have no records anywhere.”

The Rig-veda, as old and profound as it, nonetheless, represents only a portion of Vedic thought and wisdom. It was further expanded and explained in numerous other portions of Vedic literature. The whole library of ancient Vedic texts covers a wide range of contemplation, experience and learning in regard to an extraordinarily diverse number of topics.

To explain briefly, we first find the most ancient four Vedic samhitas, namely the Rig, Sama, Yajur, and Atharva Vedas. Then there is the Brahmanas, treatises explaining the techniques of the rituals in the Vedas, and the Aranyakas, further explanations for those renunciants who live in the forest. After this we find hundreds of Upanishads, the foremost of which are 108, out of which eleven are the most famous, such as the Katha, Mundaka, Brihadaranyaka, Shvetashvatara, Prashna, Chandogya, and others. These continue to elaborate on the Vedic spiritual truths. The Vedanta Sutras are also codes that contain the essence of spiritual truths that require fuller explanations by a spiritual teacher.

Beyond these are the Itihasas, or the histories, which are contained in such large volumes as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, of which the famous Bhagavad-gita is a chapter. These contain not only an immense library of stories and moral principles, but some of the loftiest spiritual teachings that anyone can find. Furthermore, they can act as guidebooks for one’s life, as well as explain the step by step processes for achieving one’s own spiritual enlightenment. This is also true of the Puranas, out of which there are 18 greater or Maha Puranas and another 18 lesser or Upa Puranas. There are also many regional or Sthala Puranas. All of these give many stories of the past histories of the world, and even the universe, as well essential spiritual teachings that are universal in nature that everyone could benefit by studying.

We also find additional Sutras, books of codes that explain such things as rules for householders, as in the Griha-Sutras, or codes of duty and other topics. The Vedangas contain the auxiliary sciences, such as phonetics, grammar, astronomy, etc. Then there are the Upavedas, or lesser Vedas, which deal with the arts and sciences such as dancing and music (Gandharva-veda), holistic health (Ayur-veda), or the art of war, and even architecture. Beyond this there are thousands more books that are the books of great spiritual masters and Vedic teachers that are commentaries on the original Vedic texts. All of these are in pursuance of the Vedic path.

In this way, within the Vedic scripture, one can find music, dance, art, biographies on great saints and personalities, and stories that contain every level of emotion. They also exhibit lessons of truth, etiquette, philosophy, and examples of how others have lived and attained the heights of spiritual consciousness and freedom from further material birth.

The most important books for spiritual instruction, as most everyone will agree, are the Bhagavad-gita and Srila Vyasadeva’s own commentary on the Vedic texts, the Bhagavat Purana. He was the original author of the essential Vedic scriptures. These will bring anyone to various levels of spiritual knowledge, the likes of which surpass conventional religious principles. The Bhagavat Purana brought out everything that Vyasadeva neglected to explain in his previous writings. Therefore, anyone who studies Vedic knowledge should not neglect reading the Bhagavat Purana, also called the Srimad-Bhagavatam.

Through this short review of the Vedic texts, one can get an idea of how thorough and comprehensive is this science. These scriptures reveal the form of God, His personality, the loving nature of God, His greatness, mercy and compassion like no other scripture available. It also shows the unique paths to God in ways that are far more detailed and beyond anything that other scriptures present. Everyone, no matter whether they are religionists, philosophers, politicians, artists, celebrities, or renounced swamis, will appreciate and benefit from the continued study of this most ancient, sacred, and most complete of all spiritual literature. Therefore, those who are devoted Hindus and practitioners of the Vedic system never give up the reading and study of the Vedic literature, knowing that newer and loftier levels of understanding and perceptions into the secrets of life are awaiting them.

Naturally, there is wisdom and understanding available through all of the great books and religions. But to fathom the vast depths of Vedic knowledge is to flow through such a grand gallery of realizations and levels of consciousness that a person can merely get a glimpse of the innumerable considerations that have been made within the development of the Vedic lifestyle regarding all aspects of life. It has been said that the Vedic scripture remains ever fresh with newer and newer realizations, insights and wisdom. Thus, it could be advised that a person can spend a lifetime reading and studying the Vedic scripture and never end in finding newer and higher levels of understanding.
4. THE VEDIC PATH HAS A MOST DEVELOPED AND COMPLETE SPIRITUAL PHILOSOPHY.

As we can see from the previous description of the Vedic scripture, the Vedic philosophy is the most extensive you can find anywhere. It covers so many aspects of life, both material and spiritual, that it is more comprehensive than any other philosophy or lifestyle that you can find. So many viewpoints on life, the material manifestation, God, and our spiritual nature have already been thoroughly considered and thought out that there is little, if anything, that the Vedic philosophy has not already dealt with and spoke about. Everything is there, more of which than most people are aware. Because of this it has attracted thinkers and philosophers from all over the world and from all points in time. The West in particular has, and still does, look to India for the loftiest spiritual knowledge, and for what the churches or synagogues have not delivered. This may include practical spiritual guidance in self-discovery, an integrated world view, spiritual and emotional fulfillment, and even true mystical or spiritual experiences. The spiritual processes that are explained in the Vedic teachings go far beyond the conventional idea, as presented by most religions, that people should merely have faith and pray to God for forgiveness of their sins in order to be delivered to heaven. Naturally, we all have to be humble before God. That is what is encouraged and developed. This is especially in the loving devotional path, wherein a person can purify his or her consciousness through the spiritual practices that are fully explained in the Vedic teachings, even though this takes time and serious dedication and sincerity.

The point is that the Vedic process does not discourage one from having his or her own spiritual realizations, which are often minimized, neglected or even criticized in other religions, which often teaches that the church alone is what maintains your connection with God. But in the Vedic system it is taught that we are all spiritual and loving parts of God, and automatically have a relationship with Him. Therefore, such experiences are considered a proof that the process is successful at helping one elevate his or her consciousness. One’s consciousness resonates at various frequencies, depending on the level of one’s thoughts, words, and actions, as well as the images and sounds that one absorbs through contact with objects and activities. By learning how to undergo the proper training, one can include the practices that will bring one’s consciousness to a level in which one can perceive that which is spiritual. The more spiritual you become, the more you can perceive that which is spiritual. The whole idea is to bring one to perceive his or her spiritual identity and relationship with God. Thus, it must be a scientific process, used under the guidance of a spiritual master, for it to be successful. If the process is not complete, or if the student is not serious, then of course the results will not be as expected. Yet, if the proper spiritual process is explained correctly, and the student is sincere in his or her efforts, the effects will be there. This is why for thousands of years philosophers and spiritual seekers from around the world have come to India, or have been influenced by the Vedic system: It gives practical results when properly performed.
5. THE VEDIC LITERATURE OFFERS MORE INFORMATION ON THE SCIENCE OF LIFE AFTER DEATH, KARMA AND REINCARNATION.

Sure, all religions indicate there is life after death. However, they normally offer only the most basic understanding that if you are good and a believer, maybe you will go to heaven. And if you are predominantly bad, you will go to hell. But only the Vedic philosophy offers detailed information on how exactly this works, and how we create our future with every thought, word and deed. And how that future may not only be in a heavenly world or on a hellish planet, but how it can be another life similar to what we are experiencing now on this earthly globe.

After all, we can look around this planet Earth and see that some people live a nice heavenly existence. They may live in beautiful weather and landscapes, in pleasant surroundings, and in a lovely house, with plenty of money, etc. While someone else may live in a country torn by war, with famine and drought all around, dealing with disease and poverty, and so on. Or we can see that even within the same family, someone may be born and become educated, wealthy and accomplished, while a sister or brother may be born blind, deformed, uneducated, and grow to have a hellish life filled with difficulty. Why is there such a difference? The fundamental religions may give only basic answers, like it is the will of God. Yet the Vedic knowledge can go into great details to explain how such occurrences are arranged by nature to provide the necessary facilities for each individual to have what he or she desires and deserves according to their past actions, words and consciousness.
6. THE VEDIC PHILOSOPHY OFFERS A MOST COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF GOD AND THE SPIRITUAL DIMENSION.

In all of the religious books one can gather, you will find nowhere else but in the Vedic texts such a complete description of the Supreme Being and the spiritual dimension. Nowhere else is the understanding given that God is an impersonal force (the Brahman effulgence, in which God displays His potency of existence/eternality), as well as Paramatma, the localized incarnation known as the Supersoul in everyone’s heart (in which God displays His potency of existence and knowledge), and, ultimately, Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality who creates this world and overlooks all things (in which God displays His potencies of existence, knowledge and pleasure pastimes). Nowhere else is there offered such a complete understanding of all aspects of God, from His impersonal characteristics to His individual and supreme nature.

Nowhere else can you find such details of God’s personality, what He looks like, how He lives and sports with His friends, or that He even DOES have friends and sports with them. Nowhere else can you find that God has devotees who play the parts of parents and relatives, but in a perfect spiritual family. Nowhere else but in the Vedic texts, especially in the likes of the Bhagavat and Vishnu Puranas or Mahabharata, can you see how God takes care of His friends and devotees, how He reveals Himself, how He engages in the most loving pastimes with those who love Him most, or even that you CAN engage in loving pastimes with God. Nowhere else is it explained how God, through His causeless mercy, descends into this world to exhibit His pastimes in order to give us a chance to learn how to become attracted to Him.

Furthermore, nowhere else are there such elaborate explanations of the spiritual world and what goes on there, or how we can truly enter that region, and what the areas are that surround the cosmic creation. Also, nowhere else can you find such detailed descriptions of how the universe was created. Often you will find in a scripture a simple allegory for people to believe that gives only the slightest ideas of how the worlds were created. But in the Vedic literature, there are complex explanations of how and when things took place in order to manifest the universe as we see it now. [My book, "How the Universe was Created," gives these details.]

For these reasons, anyone of any religion can study the Vedic scripture to add to whatever spiritual understanding they already have. Or if they don’t have any spiritual understanding, then you just found the mother lode, the main vein of spiritual knowledge of which all others are but portions.
7. HINDUISM AND THE VEDIC LITERATURE HAS MANY DIRECT WORDS AND INSTRUCTIONS FROM GOD.

The Vedic literature is filled with stories and conversations of instruction, and many of those instructions are given directly by God or one of His many incarnations. Other spiritual paths may provide a few commandments that are said to be given by God, or books given by His representatives or prophets. And these certainly can be helpful for the guidance of mankind. However, no where else but in the Vedic scripture do we find such a collection of direct instructions given by Lord Krishna, Lord Vishnu, or the Lord’s other forms that direct us in explicit methods of reaching spiritual realizations and perfection.

No where else can you find such lofty and spiritual advice as that related in books like the Bhagavad-gita, or the Bhagavat Purana and other numerous Vedic texts. No culture or religion has anything that compares, or that go far beyond basic moralistic rules to provide the higher principles of direct spiritual realization. These instructions are a scientific process in which the results are assured to cleanse our minds and purify our hearts, if we sincerely follow the formula. Therein lies the doorway through which we can perceive our own spiritual identity and then the numerous aspects of the Absolute Truth.
8. THE VEDIC PATH OFFERS THE MOST LOVING AND BEAUTIFUL FORMS OF GOD.

Not only does the Vedic literature describe the innumerable aspects of God, but also relates the knowledge of the numerous incarnations and forms of God. In these incarnations He performs innumerable pastimes for multiple purposes. Out of all these, which are completely spiritual in nature, we find such beautiful attributes and forms as Lakshmi and Vishnu, or Sita and Rama, and Sri Sri Radha and Krishna as the most sublime. In fact, the forms of Radha and Krishna have been described at length for Their superb qualities and features of incomparable beauty. Plus, the depth of Lord Krishna’s loving nature and pastimes with His closest associates is like none found elsewhere. There is no other culture or spiritual path that has any such knowledge of God, or that can present such loving and beautiful forms of God who displays such deep and nectar-like pastimes and personality. Therefore, the Vedic process offers the deepest insights into the most confidential forms and loving disposition of the Supreme Lord. These pastimes often cannot be understood by those who view the Supreme as an angry and jealous God, as some religions do. They do not know the more sublime nature of spiritual relations with the Supreme because there is no information about it found elsewhere.
9. THE VEDIC CULTURE HAS SOME OF THE GREATEST SPIRITUAL TEACHERS AND MASTERS THAT YOU CAN FIND.

In any of the authorized sampradayas, or lines of disciplic succession, you can find greatly learned and fully realized spiritual masters. These lines of gurus and disciples include the Brahma, Sri, Shiva or Kumara sampradayas. In these lines, the highest levels of spiritual knowledge has been carefully handed down from person to person, guru to disciple. Therein we have received the blessings and elaborate instructions from such teachers, as well as witnessed their lifestyle and numerous miracles, as some people would call them. The histories and biographies of such saints and teachers show their ability to affect others, and provide examples of how some have entered directly into the spiritual dimension, or even communed with God on a regular basis.

They are the living proof that the Vedic system and spiritual methodology works for anyone who takes it seriously. Whether one is reaching toward attaining the highest levels of love of God, or simply for moksha, liberation, and higher levels of spiritual understanding, the great sages and teachers of the Vedic path have shown how it is indeed possible. They have not only taught by example of what is possible when one attains spiritual perfection in this life, but some have left vast written instructions on how we can do the same. All we have to do is follow in their footsteps.
10. VEDIC CULTURE OFFERS A MOST DIRECT PATH TO PERSONAL SPIRITUAL REALIZATIONS AND ENLIGHTENMENT.

The Vedic process, Sanatana-Dharma, directly teaches what is the spirit soul and what are your spiritual nature and position. Such teachings are easily found in the Bhagavad-gita and other important Vedic scripture. It then provides the system which engages you in the activities that awaken your perception of this. The key is that it prepares your consciousness, through various practices, to operate on higher levels of reality, and ultimately on the spiritual strata. This increases your awareness and allows for the ability to perceive the higher planes of existence that pervade this multidimensional universe. In this way, the more spiritual you become, the more you can detect that which is spiritual. Through this means of continual development, spiritual life no longer remains a mystery, but becomes a reality to experience. This is why Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad-gita that this spiritual knowledge of the Vedic system is the king of education, the most secret of all secrets, and the perfection of religion because it gives direct perception of the Self, the soul, by realization. It is eternal and joyfully performed.
11. BECAUSE HINDUISM IS ONE OF THE MOST EXPRESSIVE PATHS, IT IS ALSO ONE OF THE MOST EMOTIONALLY FULFILLING.

There are some religions that make no hesitation about stifling music and other forms of art because they think that it is too sensual. Others simply may not utilize much of it except in songs. However, the ancient Vedic path incorporates many forms of self-expression. The idea is that it can be used in the service of the Supreme, and, thus, becomes a means for focusing one’s attention and consciousness on God. Thus, it becomes a spiritual energy and a tool for expressing and raising one’s devotion to the Lord.

Prayer for example, has been an integral part of the Vedic system since time immemorial. The Vedic literature is full of devotional and descriptive mantras, verses and prayers. These are not only utilized in one’s daily devotions and meditations, but they are also incorporated into devotional songs. There are all kinds of music within the Vedic culture. Anyone who even begins to listen to the Indian style of music will quickly notice that it is quite different from other forms and is a complete science by itself. Not only are there numerous forms of instruments, but also very different styles of music and devotional songs that are used in worship, dance, drama, or in ceremonies.

There are also numerous forms of expressive ritual and ceremony. Many of these are conducted inside the temples, and many are performed outside or in the open allowing for all to participate. Some are only performed by priests while people watch with great enthusiasm.

Many of these ceremonies have also been moved to include dance. Such dances often utilize old movements and expressions that have been passed down through many generations, while others are based on the artist’s own interpretation of an ancient legend. There are also numerous plays and dramas that involve the stories of the Lord, as taken from the ancient Puranic legends. These are prominently performed over holidays or during festivals. Such plays and dance also use many forms of make up, costumes, and ornaments to better present the emotions, characters, and general performance of the drama. Some of these use a few actors, while others use large acting troupes. There are also numerous festivals in Vedic culture. These vary in expression according to locality, or upon which of God’s forms the festival focuses.

Much can also be said about the art work that is found within Vedic culture. There are not only ornaments, jewelry, but also a wide variety of painting styles that are used in the worship and display of the forms and pastimes of the Lord. Painting and sculpture are like sciences unto themselves in the way such artists are trained. Nonetheless, any artist has full opportunity to express his or her devotion to God through this art. Thus, such art and expression becomes a means for one’s personal spiritual insights, realizations and enlightenment.

In this way, there are numerous forms of expression that are used in Hinduism, making it one of the most emotionally rewarding and expressive spiritual paths that you can find.
12. HINDUISM, VEDIC CULTURE, OFFERS A SCIENTIFIC WAY OF LIFE, FROM DIET, LIFESTYLE, DAILY SCHEDULE, ETC.

With all the topics that are covered in the Vedic scripture, it provides the means for a most well-rounded and balanced lifestyle, both materially and spiritually. For example, in regard to meditation, it recommends that the best time to do so is in the early morning during the brahma-muhurta hour, which is just before sunrise. Why? Because this is best since it is before the business and noise of the day begins. It is just after getting rest, arising during the time when satya-guna, the mode of goodness, is prominent, and before the mind is disturbed by so many thoughts of the day.

Regarding diet, it is recommended that you eat your biggest meal while the fire of digestion is at is peak, which is usually around noon or shortly thereafter. This is also when the sun is at its highest. This helps relieve one from indigestion and associated diseases.

Diet is also further divided not only by different foods at certain times of the day, but also by whether the food is in the mode of goodness (sattvic), passion (rajasic), or darkness (tamasic). Foods in goodness are vegetarian (fruits and vegetables) that promote health, peace of mind, happiness, and enlightenment. Rajasic foods are often based on taste and can be spicy. These lead to mental agitation, passion, and disease. Tamasic foods include those that are old, often of little taste, stale, of little nutritional value, and can lead to delusion, laziness and sleep. So simply by the study of food one can direct the diet toward a happier and more peaceful life.

In regard to the way to divide one’s existence, there are four ashramas of life. We are students in the first part of our life, called the brahmachari ashrama for men. In the second part of our life most people are married householders, called the grihasta-ashrama. After we have associated with our wife and had children that have grown and married, then it is time to take up the retired order of life, the vanaprastha-ashrama, and begin to relieve ourselves of the responsibilities of married life. Then when we are ready, usually before we are too old, it is suggested that we take up the renounced order of life, sannyasa-ashrama, so that we can devote ourselves completely to reaching God after death. In this way, by following these ashramas, or orders of life, we not only have a fulfilling material existence, but also reach spiritual perfection so as to not waste this valuable form of human life.

These are just a few examples of how the Vedic recommended lifestyle and science is meant to help one live a balanced existence for happiness and progress both materially and spiritually.
13. ANYONE IN ANY POSITION CAN BE A HINDU AND PRACTICE AND BENEFIT FROM THE VEDIC TEACHINGS.

It does not matter whether one is in a high class or low class position, wealthy or poor, educated or uneducated, old or young, man or woman, anyone can plug into some portion of the Vedic teachings and participate. This will benefit one in any number of ways. If one wants to be healthier, happier, more peaceful, more enlightened spiritually, a person can find that the Vedic path can do this.

It also does not matter whether one is Indian or a Westerner born outside India, one can still adopt the Vedic teachings or incorporate them into his or her life for so many benefits. There are no limitations in the Vedic teachings regarding who can join in. All that is required is sincerity. Sincerity is the essence of purity. With that one’s progress is assured.

Sanatana-Dharma means the eternal nature of the soul. Each and every being is a soul, so this includes everyone. Thus, each person is entitled to participate in this universal process regardless of whatever their temporary position is at present, and make genuine spiritual progress.
14. THE VEDIC PATH VIEWS ALL RELIGIONS AS TRUTH, OR PORTIONS OF THE ONE TRUTH, AND WAYS OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT.

There is no discrimination toward other religions in Hinduism. Hinduism views all authentic religions with a potential to raise the consciousness of its followers to a higher level of understanding God, themselves, and humanity. This is merely one of the beautiful aspects of Hinduism; that it provides the greatest latitude of diversity in the ways of understanding God. That is why you can mix Hindus with anyone, and they can peacefully coexist, just as you presently have Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs, and others all living together peacefully. But as soon as you mix those of other religions who are dogmatic in their views, there is trouble. The reason is that there is no room for diversity of thought in such people. They think that in the eyes of God no one else is saved. They think they must “save” everyone by making everyone else just like them. And the way that is done is by converting all others to their own dogmatic beliefs. Thus, they give no credence or understanding toward any religion but their own.

The world could be a peaceful place if it were not for the constant attempt by various groups to control and convert. It is on this account that there have been so many years of bloodshed, slaughter and torture to force others to be of only one religion. Such religions cause themselves not to be united with God, but to stand separated from God for not providing the way to see the spiritual nature and Divinity in all beings. Such religions actually create disharmony between man and God because of forcing their followers to focus on our superficial differences rather than our deeper unity and commonality as beings of one common God.

In this way, Sanatana-Dharma is not a religion that stands separate from others. It is not that Hinduism or Vedic culture opposes other spiritual paths. But it represents and provides the means through which anyone can attain the highest spiritual understanding possible. It helps one understand who and what we really are, above and beyond all the superficialities that are often found in the fundamental and materialistic religions. Therefore, once again, anyone, no matter what religion or culture one may be, can still use the Vedic path to increase his or her overall understanding of him or herself, the universe, and God, and awaken our natural spiritual love for one and all.
15. HINDUISM, VEDIC CULTURE, DOES NOT PRESENT GOD AS A HINDU, MUSLIM, CHRISTIAN, OR SIKH GOD.

Since Vedic culture is universal in nature, it does not present a God in a regional theme, or belonging to a “chosen” people. Nor do we find God in the Vedic understanding to prefer a certain people. What you do find is a God who is loving to one and all, and especially to His devotees. What we find is a God who rewards one’s love with love, according to their surrender and loving mood, regardless of region, race, or even species.

It is this sort of God who is truly universal, and not subject to regional ties or local constrictions, but who extends Himself to one and all. It is this kind of God who is found in any and all religions, the understanding of Whom is limited only by the lack of knowledge within any particular religion or people. If all such people could expand their awareness of the greatness of God, then surely such mature persons would see the same God everywhere, in all religions. This fullness of awareness would lead to God as we know Him as described in the Vedic scripture.
16. THIS IS WHY HINDUS, THE FOLLOWERS OF THE VEDIC PATH, CAN LIVE PEACEFULLY WITH THOSE OF OTHER RELIGIONS.

Since Hindus in general, and those with a mature understanding of God as mentioned in the previous point, are more aware of the many different aspects of God, and see the same God in all religions, there is no friction between them and those of other distinct faiths. They can live peacefully with others without the need to feel that everyone else is doomed to hell, or must be converted to be “saved.” Hindus recognize the same God though worshiped in many ways. Thus, what is the difficulty? There is no problem. This is true of sincere worshipers of any religion. A sincere and mature Christian can easily get along with a sincere Hindu, who can easily get along with a sincere and mature Muslim, who can get along with a sincere Sikh, Buddhist, and so on.

This is quite different from those fundamental people who label God according to their faith, or who become defensive when apparent differences arise. This is what causes superficial distinctions and designations that grow into religious differences that for a spiritually mature person do not exist. It is only a lack of spiritual and Godly awareness and understanding that keep people pointing fingers at each other and from cooperating and respecting each other. A true religionist can easily recognize another’s devotion to God without getting caught up in what may seem to be external differences. It is the essence of spiritual life that matters. That is our focus.
17. HINDUISM HAS NO CONCEPT OF JIHAD, HOLY WARS, CRUSADES, OR MARTYRDOM ON ITS BEHALF.

Unlike other religions that tend to be extremists or exceptionally dogmatic in its views, Hinduism, or Vedic culture, has no concepts that relate to being a martyr, as found in Christianity, or the Islamic jihad. These are not ideas that make much sense to the Hindu. Why? Because for Hindus spiritual life is not about fighting others for the supremacy of one religion over another. Hinduism treats all religions with respect because it has its own sense of security and strength in its approach to God, which is the hallmark of a mature spiritual path. Religion and any spiritual process is to help an individual better understand who he is and what is his or her relation to God, and what is his purpose in the universe. If a person is truly trying to progress in this way, then of what purpose is there in participating in a holy war, or to die becoming a martyr for a cause fighting against another religion? This is not the purpose of any spiritual path. This is why there is not much discussion in the Vedic literature to demean other religions, nor is there any campaign against any so-called “false gods” as you find in the more rigid or dogmatic religions.

The reason for this is not that Hinduism is not interested in “saving” people. The reason is that the Vedic culture allows anyone the freedom to undergo whatever may be necessary for their own spiritual development and particular realizations. The Vedic literature, if studied to its fullest depths, supplies all a person needs in order to understand the highest levels of spiritual Truth. Nonetheless, if a person still has different avenues to investigate in spiritual matters, the Vedic culture allows that person to do so, even if the person may risk undergoing a slow process to the highest levels of spiritual realizations. This is a personal choice for everyone. Therefore, forceful conversions or tyrannical religious rule or competition amongst religions make no sense to the Hindu. What makes sense is the freedom for each individual to reach an appreciation of everyone being a spiritual being, all going back to God, but at their own pace. Nonetheless, the Vedic spiritual teachers always try to encourage everyone toward the best use of their time and energies in their spiritual pursuits. That is how people are guided in the Vedic culture, as opposed to forceful conversions or dogmatic regulations.

Religions that view other spiritual paths as competitors will never understand the Vedic path, which is more open. They will only hold on to their fear that makes them think that only their way is the right way, and all other paths lead to hell, as if they need some reassurance that they are correct. Hinduism does not have such fear of being wrong. Followers of the Vedic path acquire their own spiritual realizations that assure them of their own progress. That is the sign of real spiritual advancement when the change of consciousness is directly perceived. That is the difference between the Vedic path and the more fundamental and fear-based religions that depend on mere blind faith in the process, without experiencing any perceptive results in one’s change of awareness and consciousness.

For Christianity, only when they accept the value of other religions, and the right of others to follow the creeds and processes of their choice, can the universal love as taught by Jesus Christ truly illuminate from their churches and pulpits. Then they can get along with those of other religions without the condemnation that all others are going to hell. After all, no truly loving God will cast His children into an eternal hell without the chance of correcting themselves. Therefore, the Vedic culture offers a deeper understanding of the true loving nature of God than the religions that are merely based on fear of God.
18. FOLLOWERS OF VEDIC PHILOSOPHY DO NOT TARGET OTHERS FOR CONVERSION.

Hindus do not take it upon themselves to convert others to Hinduism. They never target a certain religion or faith to be subject to their criticism or attempts to be converted to Hinduism. They feel that the focus of any spiritual path should be on God, not on making or accumulating converts like some network marketing scheme that counts profits in terms of the quantity of followers it has. The effort should be in giving high quality spiritual education and, thus, by purity, inspire others to go toward God. Therefore, they have no motive to spread hate or lies or discord amongst any other community or religion. On the other hand, it is seen that Christians often view Hindus as pagans or heathens, meaning, in essence, that they are Godless and doomed to hell, and must accept God in the form of Christianity in order to be “saved.” Muslims also view Hindus as idolaters or polytheists, and thus damned per the descriptions of the Koran, or so they say. Yet, Hindus are free from any such doctrine or attitude toward Islam or Christianity. Nonetheless, when Hindus begin to react to this constant criticism of their religion by such dogmatists, it is primarily an angry backlash and a defense of their culture rather than an attempt to start friction or trouble with those of other faiths. After all, how long can Hindus continue to be as tolerant as they have been toward those of other religions who are so aggressive in their attempts to make converts and who take advantage of this tolerant attitude? It should be expected that sooner or later Hindus will no longer tolerate this never ending bombardment of propaganda against Hinduism that is used to sway more people toward misunderstanding what Hinduism or Vedic culture is in an effort to make converts.

We should point out that real Hinduism, Vedic culture, is a most broad-minded and gentle way of life, and is not interested in campaigning for making converts. It is not part of the Hindu values to indulge in violence. Hinduism lets anyone choose the path they wish to take. However, we will find more and more cases where Hindus will speak out and react against the deliberate use of lies and demeaning propaganda that is used to spread strong misunderstandings of what the Vedic path really is. If missionaries of other religions are purposely creating harm to Hinduism, then the Hindus have the right to protect themselves and their culture. In India we find that such tensions often take place in the tribal areas more than in the urban areas where access to legal ramifications is easier, and where there is greater scrutiny of public pressure. Ultimately, there would be peace among all religions in India and elsewhere if there was not the constant attempt by certain faiths who continually campaign to convert others to their way of worship.
19. HINDUISM ACCEPTS THAT EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE ONE’S OWN PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT OR SALVATION.

An example of this is the Kumbha Mela festival, which recently took place in Allahabad in January, 2001. There were more than 71 million people attending through its duration, and 5,000 different ashramas or schools of philosophy at the festival, all with similarities with one another, yet with particular distinctions as well. Yet, they all got along and cooperated and respected each other in their participation of this holy festival. You cannot find such a huge gathering amongst those of any other religion.

There are different sects in Islam, and many different denominations in Christianity, all with their differences and criticisms of each other. So much so that wars between two major sects in Christianity (Catholics and Protestants) have been killing each other for hundreds of years. They are highly critical of each other and also get upset when one makes converts from the other side, even though both are Christian paths. However, you will never find this within the ranks and genuine schools of Vedic culture.
20. HINDUISM OFFERS A UNIVERSAL GOD AND CONSCIOUSNESS, BEYOND A MERE LOCAL TRADITION.

Often you find a religion based on the history, background and needs or development of a regional people. But in the Vedic culture we find a universal history not only involving the people of India, but other areas of the world, as well as other planets and different dimensions of the universe. Thus the spiritual teachings that the Vedic philosophy provides are universal, for all living beings.

The Vedic path is not based on blind faith in a regional understanding of God, or the history of a particular people. It is based on the understanding that Vedic philosophy is a part of the natural laws that exist throughout the creation. Thus, they are universal laws and principles that are applicable to all. By following these natural principles, as outlined in the ancient Vedic texts, one can acquire a higher level of understanding and consciousness in which a person can directly perceive the spiritual nature of everyone and all that exists. Through this means, a person can perceive his or her own spiritual identity, and one’s unity with all of creation. Therefore, the Vedic philosophy is a universal approach.

The Vedic doctrine also is beyond merely using and basing its outlook on locality. It is not merely Indian. Even though many of the events, such as those found in the Mahabharata and the Puranas, took place in India, and numerous Vedic personalities and incarnations of God had pastimes in India or live there, many of it’s concerns spread outside India, and even to other planets. However, the teachings and philosophy are based on the science of the soul, which includes us all. Therefore, this knowledge of the soul is not limited to a particular region or locality. It is universal.

This also goes with knowledge of God. The Vedic outlook explains that God is not God for a particular region or area. Or that the people of a certain area must conform to a particular code of conduct or worship. God is not a Jewish God who chooses a special people to be His own. You will not find that in the Vedic tradition. In the Vedic texts you will find God who is a loving God, concerned with everyone, and not just humans, but those on other planets, those existing in the bodies of other species, even those in other universes. It doesn’t matter where you are, or in what body you exist. God is concerned for you and wants you to know that, which is why He appears in this world and sends so many messengers all over the universe.

Furthermore, Hinduism is not based solely on one personality or teacher. It is not like Catholicism which has one pope who is said to be the sole authority over all other Catholics who must obey the dictates of this one man. Hinduism can and does accept the teachings of numerous spiritual guides. Even if a person is initiated by a particular spiritual teacher or guru, it is often seen that the disciples, once having clearly understood the teachings of their own master, may also consider the teachings of other advanced devotees or masters in their sampradaya, or disciplic line of authorities. In fact, it is recommended that to be sure of following the spiritual path correctly, any instructions should be compared to a system of checks and balances. These are guru (the spiritual master), sadhu (other spiritual authorities), and Shastra (the instructions in the Vedic texts). If these all line up with the same instruction, then there is no problem. If any one of them differs, then it should be investigated as to the reason why. If something is off track or not correct, then it should be adjusted. This is how one can always be sure that he or she is following the proper spiritual methods without going too far the wrong way, or without being misguided by a guru who may not be as pure or advanced as people may think. Thus, the Vedic system again provides a means for assuring yourself of the authority and potency of the method and teacher you accept.
21. HINDUISM PROMOTES SEEING GOD IN ALL LIVING BEINGS.

Without a doubt, the Vedic scripture provides descriptions and narrations meant to help one increase his or her awareness of God in all beings. Anyone who studies the essential Vedic texts will soon see a difference in his or her recognition of how God is within everyone, accompanying the jivatma (individual soul) as the paramatma (Supersoul). You will never find anywhere else the information on the Supersoul as we find in the Vedic texts. This information helps us see the Divinity within all living beings and how everyone is a part of the Supreme in spiritual quality. Such an awareness and perception will naturally increase our respect and concern for all living creatures. We will realize that all life is sacred. We will more clearly understand how our love for God will be exhibited by how much we care and cooperate with others.
22. IN HINDUISM YOU CAN ASK ALL THE QUESTIONS YOU WANT WITHOUT BEING CONSIDERED A BLASPHEMER OR A DOUBTING PERSON.

This is something that many of us do not think about. However, in some religions you cannot even ask too many questions without your own faith being called into consideration. In some religions, if you ask too many questions it is thought to be challenging, which means that you doubt the religion. While in Hinduism you can ask all the questions you want because it is considered a part of one’s spiritual process of understanding.

Much of the Vedic literature was written in a question and answer process between student and teacher. Thus, therein we find hundreds of thousands of questions and answers, all of which deal with innumerable topics or various views of understanding and describing the Absolute Truth and the means to perceive it. Having your questions answered is a natural way to increase your spiritual understanding and faith, and eradicate your doubts. However, in some religions asking too many questions is taboo, or improper, partly because it can reveal how little is really understood in a fundamental or elementary religion, and how they still expect blind faith to be the major qualification of their followers. Thus, genuine spiritual understanding in such religions is not increased unless the people look elsewhere for fuller answers to the deeper questions.
23. HINDUISM IS LIKE THE MILLION DOLLAR CULTURE.

The reason why the Vedic philosophy is the million dollar culture is because just as when a millionaire automatically has all his ten dollar problems solved, so one who follows the Vedic philosophy has all his ten dollar questions answered. There are so many cultures and religions in the world, all of which may offer basic moralistic rules if not higher spiritual knowledge. But such paths often deal only with the ten dollar questions, and sometimes with difficulty. The Vedic system, however, goes much more deeply into dealing with more advanced levels of spiritual understanding. Thus, it is like the million dollar philosophy which, because of its depth of awareness and insight, already incorporates all these 10 dollar questions. In this way, it is not necessary to be distracted by 10 dollar religions or philosophies when you already have one worth a million dollars as we find in the Vedic knowledge.

As a Hindu, we do not need to be saved from what is already saving us, from what is already delivering us to a higher level of consciousness, a higher level of spiritual understanding. All we have to do is go deeper into the Vedic path, the Vedic literature, the Vedic system. That will do more for us than comparing Hinduism with other religions, or considering how some other religion will provide us with better material facility or something, while placing God as secondary.
24. THE VEDIC PROCESS OFFERS THE EASIEST PATH BACK TO GOD.

Of course, this point may seem like it is merely a matter of opinion, but if we analyze things we can see that the Vedic system can be very easy and trouble free. It is merely a matter of love. That is the main thing.

Love is the most natural emotional need and longing any of us have. Simply dovetailing and realigning our love toward God is the easiest process for spiritual development. All religions explain this. However, the most personal aspects of the Vedic teachings go into the greatest details of how to develop this loving tendency toward God, and how such an eternal loving relationship with the Supreme Being is manifested and maintained. The Vedic descriptions of the pastimes of the Supreme Lord are like none found anywhere else, along with explanations of His friends and relatives, His personality, His dress and appearance, and so much more, all of which are provided to invoke our loving attraction to this Supreme object of our affection. The easiest part of the Vedic system that helps us accomplish this is through the process of bhakti-yoga (the yoga of awakening our loving devotion to God) and harinam (associating with God through the chanting of the Lord’s holy names). It has been shown many times, and by many great sages, and through the instructions in the Vedic scripture, that our natural and continuous loving propensity, when directed toward God, is not only the means but also the end of the path. Such love becomes the impetus to always think of God, which is the easiest and most constant form of meditation. This is what purifies our heart, delivering us to the freedom from the cycles of repeated birth and death, and to our eternal home in the spiritual sky. The spiritual world is that place wherein our natural spiritual love can manifest to its fullest and most unlimited degree.
25. HINDUISM ADVOCATES A UNIVERSAL RATHER THAN A SELF-CENTERED CONSCIOUSNESS.

As explained earlier, the Vedic philosophy is a universal philosophy. It asserts that every individual is a part of the universe and in microcosm represents the macrocosm. A thorough study of Vedic astronomy will reveal that the universal form is also inside our body, and that the body represents the cosmos in miniature. In such a light, it can also be understood that man cannot be separate from family, society, country, or the universe itself. In other words, he or she is a multidimensional being who is connected in many ways to the multidimensional universe. A universal consciousness means that we perceive this connection, and how we are related to each and every being in some way. Therefore, our actions are connected to those around us, even to the plants and animals. Thus, it is recommended that we act as proper caretakers of all other living entities so that we do not do anything that will wrongly effect or create harm, even unknowingly, to others, which would only be reflected back on ourselves. Therefore, whatever we do will have a direct or no less than subtle effect on all and everything around us. This understanding also promotes the fact that we need to remember that we are all stewards and caretakers of the planet, the land, each other, and all creatures.

In Western countries people are brought up in the idea of consumerism. This is the basis in which people tend to think of themselves and their own happiness first. In Vedic society, people are raised to see things differently, to see that everyone shares in the results of other’s actions, and that everyone shares in looking after the needs of others before considering one’s own. However, this is not as noticeable as it used to be due to the people falling away from the Vedic system and being more attracted to the principle of consumerism of the West.
26. HINDUISM PROMOTES THE CAUSE OF REAL CARE AND CONCERN FOR OTHERS.

By understanding our spiritual nature, and being able to perceive that nature in all other living beings, we naturally care for and are concerned about all others. This does not only mean the material benefits, such as making sure the hungry are fed, or the poor are clothed. But this also extends to the care for the soul. Naturally, it can be difficult to take care of the material or bodily needs of all other living beings. However, the point is that as long as we have these material bodies, there will be a constant drive to care for the problems that our material body will create for us. Therefore, by giving everyone the chance to advance spiritually can also help each person to solve this problem. Once a person has made enough spiritual advancement that they no longer need a material body and become free from any continued rounds of birth and death, then all such problems will naturally be solved. This is the true care and concern of the Vedic system.

Some people may nonetheless criticize Hinduism for what appears to be the issue of the untouchability of the low castes, the disrespect for widows, poverty, etc. However, these issues are not so much the problem or product of the Vedic system in as much as they are social issues that have developed because of society falling away from the Vedic path. To explain briefly, the caste system as we see it today is a perverted remnant from the varnashrama system of the Vedic culture. Varna is a legitimate Vedic system by which a person is recommended for a type of work and social service according to his or her mental and intellectual caliber, ability and tendencies. Thus, if a person showed a proclivity for study and religious pursuits, then he may be trained to be a Brahmin. If he exhibited a talent for business, then he may be trained to be a Vaishya. A child of feeble intellect that preferred performing menial tasks would then be trained in the ways of serving those in the higher varnas, as a Sudra. Nonetheless, his dignity was preserved and he had full rights as any other person.

However, the caste system we see today is that if you are born in the family of a Brahmin, then you are accepted to be a Brahmin. And if you are born in a Sudra family, then that is where you remain. Thus, through the years, the higher castes have shown an attitude of exclusivity above the lower castes. There is no justification for this, since it is clearly taught in the Vedic literature, such as the Bhagavad-gita and Bhagavat Purana that everyone is born in ignorance. Thus, everyone is at first a Sudra until it is determined what mental or intellectual tendencies and abilities a person has. Only then may it be determined what varna or caste a person is likely to belong. In other words, just by being born in the family of a doctor does not mean that you are automatically a doctor. You must be trained, tested and qualified. If you do not become qualified, then you are no doctor, but must be something else. Similarly, if you are born in a Brahmin family, but go out smoking, drinking, eating meat, etc., then you are no Brahmin, but you actually have a low-caste mentality. Furthermore, in the true Vedic varnashrama system, even if you were born in a low-caste family, if you exhibited good intellectual ability, then you were not forced to remain in the low-caste category. You could be trained for other purposes and skills.

These problems would all be resolved if people would actually study more seriously the Vedic literature and regain the spiritual standards that more strictly follow the Vedic path. Then there would certainly be more of the genuine care and concern that the Vedic system promotes. This would naturally be there if we all saw each other as spiritual beings but merely in different types of bodies. With this sort of spiritual perception, we all lose sight of the materialistic distinctions between us and easily become more loving, caring, and cooperative with everyone.
27. WITH OR WITHOUT A CHURCH OR INSTITUTION, HINDUISM SHOWS AND ESTABLISHES THAT EVERYONE HAS A PERSONAL AND INDEPENDENT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, WHICH ONLY NEEDS TO BE REAWAKENED.

This is an important point. There are other religions that teach that your only connection with God is through the church, or the institution, without which you are excommunicated or eternally damned. Unlike this, the Vedic system teaches that everyone is a spiritual being, and, thus, automatically a part of a loving God with an eternal relationship with Him. This relationship only has to be reawakened, which is the purpose of the many instructions given by God in the Vedic texts. It is also the purpose of the spiritual teachers who try to help everyone revive this eternal but dormant relationship. To rejuvenate such a relationship simply depends on one’s sincerity to advance by following these instructions. It is not subject to an institution or a pope who alone claims to be in touch with God and knows the ultimate truth, upon whom we all are dependent, and who can dictate restrictions as he likes. In fact, any spiritual teacher is only as good to the degree in which he is at being a representation of God’s love for us, or at being a transparent medium for the spiritual instructions of God and the previous acharyas or authorities.

The church or institution also is only good to the degree in which it represents the genuine spiritual tradition, as found in the Vedic system. If there is any blockage or ulterior motive in the spiritual teacher or institution in this transference of love and knowledge, then it may actually misrepresent God’s true message and mislead people in their search for God’s love.

In this way, a church or establishment is meant to provide the proper facility and opportunity for people to advance and experience God’s love. Without a connection to a church or organization does not mean that a person is eternally condemned or will never have a chance of revitalizing one’s relationship with God. An organization is not, nor can it ever be, the controller of whether a person has a relation to God, or goes to heaven or hell. This is completely dependent on the individual soul and his or her consciousness or sincerity. The fact is that since we are all spiritual beings, everyone has a personal relationship with God, and no one else can interfere with that. It only needs to be revived, which is the purpose of the Vedic process.
28. IN ESSENCE, HINDUISM, THE VEDIC SYSTEM, OPENS THE DOOR TO THE REAL MEANINGS OF LIFE.

After practicing and living by the principles of the Vedic philosophy, you can bring a perceptive and obvious change in your life, as well as into your own sphere of influence. By beginning to awaken your awareness of your spiritual identity and your relationship with the Supreme, you can easily feel a new level of happiness, peace, and contentment. You will have a clearer understanding of who you are, where you have come from, and your purpose in life. You will have a better focus on why we are here and what needs to done while living in this material world. Little things that you may have taken so seriously, that may have bothered you will no longer have the same affect on you. You will see with a clearer view of what really matters in life, and the superficialities that are not important. You will see that there is only one universal religion, and that is Sanatana-Dharma, awakening the natural proclivity and needs of the soul, and regaining our real spiritual identity and relationship with God. It is merely a matter of learning how to love and serve God. That is the heart of the Vedic path.

(More information is provided at: http:// www.stephen-knapp.com.)

A Brief Introduction to Hinduism
Part I of II

This article was written with the purpose of educating my children on the essence of Hinduism and how it compares with other religions. My forthcoming article will contain a brief comparison of other religions.

Religion has been a part of every society since the beginning of humans. Oral traditions passed on the beliefs and practices of societies that did not have a writing system to record the history of religion. In these early societies, religion played a controlling part in the lives of people, much as some religions do today.

According to Stephen Oppenheimer of Oxford, the journey of humankind started with its roots in Ethiopia over 160,000 years ago (see www.bradshawfoundation.com/journey). It took a considerable amount of time for the human mind to evolve and introduce the concept of religion as it is known today. By most scholarly estimates this may have occurred between 5,000 and 7,000 years ago.

So, how did humankind survive as a society for such a long period of time? It is believed that society could not have survived without Dharma which is ingrained in every living being. Dharma can be defined as “our right to live a truthful and just life,” which implies that we are at liberty to live our lives without encroaching upon the rights of other individuals. This right of Dharma gives freedom to every individual human being to live an independent life. Dharma provides a rational approach to distinguish right from wrong and good from evil. In this philosophy, duties and responsibilities are emphasized more than rights and privileges.

Sanatana Dharma
Even before the advent of organized religion and Gods like Krishna, Moses, or Jesus, and even before the human mind could even comprehend and articulate the concept of religion, Dharma is what helped humanity survive. The root of Dharma is Sanatana Dharma which has existed since time immemorial.

Sanatana denotes that which always is, that which has neither beginning nor end, that which is eternal in its very essence. Dharma is designed to communicate the view that there is an underlying structure of natural law that is inherent in the very intrinsic constitution of Being itself – an essential nature.

Sanatana Dharma comprises spiritual laws which govern human existence. Sanatana Dharma is to human life what natural laws are to physical phenomena. Just as gravitation existed before it was discovered, the spiritual laws of life existed before they were discovered by the ancient sages. Sanatana Dharma declares that something cannot come out of nothing, and therefore, the universe itself is the manifestation of the Divine being.

The universe comes forth from the Divine and therefore all things and beings are sacred and must be treated so in human thought and action. The Divine sleeps in minerals, awakens in plants, walks in animals, and thinks in humans.

Sanatana Dharma recognizes that the Ultimate Reality, which is the ground of infinite potentiality and actualization, cannot be limited by any name or concept. The potential for human wholeness (or in other frames of reference, enlightenment, salvation, liberation, transformation, blessedness, nirvana, moksha) is present in every human being. No race or religion is superior and no color or creed is inferior. All humans are spiritually united like the drops of water in an ocean.

Hinduism
Hinduism appears a strange amalgam of classical literature with gods and goddesses, rituals and festivals, ceremonies and celebrations. The Hindus themselves are confused and confounded by this mixture. Hinduism is not a polytheistic religion. The different forms of worship, the number of superstitions and misleading spiritual practices have all contributed to the wrong impression that the Hindus are polytheistic. The different gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon are mere representatives of the powers and functions of the one Supreme God in the manifested world.

The terms Hindu and Hinduism were created by Persian invaders, sometimes using them as derogatory terms, to refer to the culture of the people on the other side of the Sindhu River. The original term describing the religion of these people predates these terms by thousands of years and is called Sanatana Dharma. The modern religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, all emerged out of Sanatana Dharma.

Sanatana Dharma has existed since time immemorial and therefore Hinduism is not a religion about preaching, but when defined as Sanatana Dharma Hinduism has existed for the existence of life itself. Society has survived because of the ingrained Dharma in every living being and even before the word Hindu was coined by Persians.

Sanatana Dharma teaches that all forms of life are different manifestations of Brahman (the Ultimate Reality or the Ultimate Self, and not to be confused with Brahmin which is a caste). The individual Self is called Atman, and it is identical with Brahman in the sense that our real Self is not different from the ultimate Reality called God (or Brahman). This realization is described in the Hindu Upanishads by the phrase “Tat tvam asi” meaning “Thou art That.”

Sanatana Dharma looks upon a person as a part and parcel of the mighty Whole, but never regards a person as “the Measure of all things.” In the West, “person” is a supreme and final value, while Sanatana Dharma regards person as a part of the Whole, having the same vital essence as all other human and sub-human creatures of the universe. This cosmic view of Hinduism transcends the sectarian or group dogmas and paves a way for the coexistence of all creatures under the Vedic principle of “The Universe is One Family” (Vasudev Kutumbhkam). This principle guides humankind towards universal harmony through acceptance and tolerance.

The three main Hindu Gods who are worshipped, Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva (Shiva), represent the three fundamental powers of nature which are manifested in the universe, namely, creation, maintenance, and destruction, respectively. The word karma literally means “deed or action” but implies the entire cycle of cause and its effects. According to the Law of Karma, every human action—in thought, word, or deed—inevitably leads to results, good or bad, depending upon the moral quality of the action. It adjusts wisely, intelligently and equitably each effect to its cause. But it is also the law of opportunity, which allows an individual to change his past for a better future. If we understand karma as the law of order and opportunity, we will become self-reliant and understand that we cannot and should not escape responsibility. In this sense the law of karma is a law of harmony and equilibrium and not a doctrine that punishes the wicked and rewards the virtuous.

The goal of a Hindu is to realize that God has become this universe and everything in it. Till this goal is realized, an individual goes through a cycle of births and deaths until he achieves the state of moksha, or freedom from limitations where there is no more need for birth or death. And when one prays to God, it should not be, as many do, for personal gain or wealth, but for help in enlightening one’s understanding of the mystery of creation. The traditional Hindu prayer, the Gayatri mantra can be translated as: “O Lord, You are the Light of the World. Please enlighten my understanding. Let me see everything in the right light.” The attitude when praying should be one of thankfulness for what you have, and of seeking guidance to put you on the right path towards your goal in life.

Practical Spirituality
There are many so-called Hindu “worshippers” who give donations to temples and go temple-hopping (like bar-hopping) to curry personal favors from God for their continued professional success and wealth accumulation. These very same worshippers, however, engage in selfish actions and activities based on a question of greed, namely, “What’s in it for me?” This question, though, is not the right one to ask and answer. A fundamental question one must answer is: Are we essentially human with occasional spiritual experiences, or essentially spiritual beings with occasional human experiences? Spiritual seekers of Vedic Dharma believe in the second part of the question.

For a spiritual seeker, there are two practical approaches to life, regardless of which religion he or she follows. The first is to choose actions that bring happiness and success to oneself and to others. By so doing, the fruits of your own karma will be happiness and success. The second is to acknowledge that every human being, including you, has unique talents. You should discover and develop your unique talents and list all the things that you love to do when expressing your unique talents. When you use these unique talents in the service of humanity you create abundance both in your life as well as in the lives of others. Only by being true to your own Self will you be able to open the door to the Divine Self within you (being true to your own Self is how Lord Krishna summarizes the concept of Dharma to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita).

1. Kim Knott, Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press, 1998.
2. Stephen Knapp, The Power of the Dharma: An Introduction to Hinduism and Vedic Culture, iUniverse, 2006.
3. Arun Shanbhag, Prarthana: A Book of Hindu Psalms, 2007, www.ArunsPrarthana.com
4. Stephen Oppenheimer, The Real Eve: Modern Man’s Journey Out of Africa, Basic Books, 2004.

A documentary was made recently on Sri Chandrashekarendra Saraswathi, the 68th Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. Sri Chandrashekarendra Saraswathi was highly revered in India, especially in the south. He lived a hundred years and his life was a shining example of renunciation, humility and sagacity. He was not very well known internationally compared to sages such as Ramana Maharishi or Swami Vevekananda.

The documentary is broken up into 5 parts. It is worth a watch to not only learn about the Shankaracharya, but also to get a deeper glimpse into an India that most people hear about but seldom see. The throngs of devotees, the tolerance ingrained in Sanatana Dharma (popularly known as Hinduism), the cooperation between hindus, muslims and christians in the service of people and God, the evolution of the country in the 20th century, and so on.

The website, IndiaDivine.org, has aggregated all the videos on one page. Videos can be found here
The Sage of Kanchi: Life of Sri Chandrashekarendra Saraswati

UNPUBLISHED

The Editor
The Pioneer
New Delhi

Sir — This refers to the report ‘Pro-LTTE lawyers, police clash leaves judge hurt’ (February 20). The president of Janata Party Subramanian Swamy, in a phone interview with a prominent English news channel, alleged that those protesters who attacked him with eggs in the court where yelling pro-separatist and anti-Brahmin slogans. This again raises the question of condition of Brahmins in Tamil Nadu. Tamil Brahmins are one of the most oppressed castes in the modern India. There have been open discrimination against them on social and economic levels. The ‘Dravidian’ chauvinists who so aggressively show their sympathy on the conditions of Sri Lankan Tamils have treated their own people in a most disrespectful manner.

Bhavya Ketan
Delhi

The Mangeshi Devasthan in Goa is a crown jewel of Konkani Temples. Mangireesh or Manguesh– is the Presiding Diety at one of Goa’s most prominent temples.  The Shiva Linga representing Mangesh, was originally in the ancient temple of Kushastali (Cortalim, Salcete Taluka). When the Portuguese destroyed the original temple in 1561, the linga was relocated across the Zuari River near other konkani temples. The current temple was constructed on land donated by a devotee in the mid- 1800’s and has been renovated several times.

Stages of the temple renovation

After renovation, 1744

After renovation, 1890

After renovation, 1973

Architecturally, the Mangeshi Devasthan is considered highly distinctive of Goan Konkani Style – a mix of several local influences; the Dravidian Vimana, as well as islamic lattices are incorporated. The classically Goan Konkani deep stambha, a seven-storeyed octagonal lamp tower, is very distinctive and observed on many paintings, brochures and travel guides on Goa. Also made famous because this is Lata Mangeshkar’s Kula-devasthan.

The Temple View

Lord Shiva

Inspired by David Letterman’s Top 10 list jokes and Top 10 Signs You’re a Fundamentalist Christian I decided to create my own list – ‘Top 10 signs you are a Hindu fanatic’. I wanted to include some other signs but that would have made the list too long (as if it wasn’t !!) so I decided to put together what I thought would fit the top 10 list better. The numbering of my Top 10 list is random and doesn’t mean any sort of heirarchy. The list is work in progress and I may modify or add to it later however suggestions would be very much appreciated. If I get enough suggestions, I might add to this list to make it a Top 15 or Top 20 list.

Top 10 Signs You Are a Hindu Fanatic

10. You believe anyone who wears even so much as a saffron underwear is a human incarnation of ’Jagat Brahman‘ (God) and address them as “baba”, “swami”, “shri shri” finding the servile pleasure of touching their feet ‘intoxicating’.

9. You defend militantly everything the saffron-clad swamis have to preach, no matter how illogical and ridiculous, and believe that he/she will solve all your problems only if you continue singing bhajans (devotional songs).

8.  You eject out of your chair at the slightest noise of someone uttering the word ‘Hinduism’ accusing the person of ignorance and launching into a lengthy diatribe on why the fool needs to address Hinduism as ‘Sanatana Dharma’.

7. You think all Muslims are “terrorists” and call any person who does not support the ‘Hindutva’ cause as an anti-Hindu, anti-India, pseudo-secular communist.

6. You accuse Muslims of being intolerant and yet become endlessly peeved at the distorted displays of hindu symbols or the use of hindu deities in works of art or movies by non-hindus and take boundless pride in protesting against such distortions or threatening them with dire consequences.

5. You spend hundreds of idle hours trying to find the ‘real’ meaning of different hindu symbols and slokas and take immense pride whenever the western media mentions something remotely Hindu  – convinced that it is an undeniable evidence supporting the ‘greatness’ of  “Hindu civilization”

4. You accuse ‘goras’(whites, but typically means Christians) of being racist when they ridicule Hindus but find no problems cracking Chinese jokes, Sardar jokes or even supporting the caste system by deciding not to marry outside your caste.

3. You find fairy tales of other religions amusing and entertaining but consider the epic fairy tales of Ramayana and Mahabharata as ‘itihaas’ (history).

2. You have no idea what a ‘testable hypothesis’ is but proudly claim that the Vedas are scientific works, distorting slokas and quoting personal opinion of scientists to make your case.

1. You have never read the entire Bhagavad Gita or other hindu religious texts but feel you are competent enough to talk about them loudly just because you read a few Amar Chitra Katha comics when you were a kid.

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