Download HINDUISM FOR EVERY DAY LIFE

HINDUISM FOR EVERY DAY LIFE
INTRODUCTION
At the outset, it is essential to understand that HINDUISM is not confined to any book, Guru,
Sect, Country or to any specific “Avtar” (Incarnation) of God. The whole of Humanity can take
advantage of the Thoughts (Mantra) of several seers to achieve the ultimate goal of Human Life.
The literature comprises of Four Vedas, Four UpVedas (Including Ayurved) Six Darshans, 120
Upnishads, 20 Samrities, 18 Purans, Ramayan and Mahabharat - including “Gita”, “Vidur
Niti”and Shanti Path of “Bhisham”. It does not stop at that “ALONE”. Buddha, Mahavir, Guru
Nanak and 9 Gurus, Dayanand, Rama Krishna, Vivekanand, Osho etc have all been providing
thoughts and guidelines, and the process is on going. Christ and Mohammed can also be included
if we do not confine ourselves to the “Bible” Or the “Quran & Sharia” alone. The most revered
“Mantra” of Hinduism is Gayatri Mantra. In this Mantra we pray to All Almighty to Elevate our
(of all Human beings) intellect toward the level God. Thus Hinduism provides scope for each
Human being to continuously remain in the mode of learning, acquiring knowledge and skills for
the benefit of Humanity. Hinduism is not organized to function under some fixed authority or rule
book. We envisage complete freedom of perception and thoughts for each human being.
Therefore, when any believer of “Monotheism”(who believe in only one incarnation of God)
start thinking out of the “The sacred book or Rule book” of their religion, he/she becomes a
Hindu. We can observe around us that each “Hindu” creates and revere his own God. When a
Hindu leader said, “I am a Hindu, Muslim and Christian at the same time”, a top Muslim leader
commented, “Only a Hindu can say that”.
The tenets of Hinduism are very vast, deep, abstract, and set no limits to raising the level of
learning and intellect. Hinduism is beyond the comprehension of majority of people. As Einstein
said, “ If you start teaching Trigonometry and Calculus to a child, he cannot understand it and
will loose interest to learn it, you have to start by teaching about numbers, additions / subtractions
etc and then slowly bring him to the level of higher mathematics”. Similar is the case of Hindus,
majority is at lower stage of learning and they have their own image of God. There is no
cohesiveness amongst Hindus because, Hinduism gives freedom to each person to set our own
path and to choose our own deity. This is the reason that millions of “Avtars (The Incarnations of
God)” are revered in Hindu society. Certain virtues are attributed to each Avtar, and an idol is
created to be worshiped. A Hindu has no problem in accepting “Mohammed or Christ” as one
amongst many Avtars. He remains a Hindu as long as he keeps his mind and thoughts open,
beyond the confines of “Quran or Bible”. He can selectively pick up good thoughts and practices,
rejecting the illogical and unfair thoughts and practices from any where. Sikh Panth (the path)
envisages that a person should always be a learner. The meaning of “Sikh” is a “Student”. A
Hindu is not bound to believe any thing, he is free to ponder over any thought or practice and
make his own judgment before accepting it. We can find people with totally opposite views and
following different practices and still both call themselves as Hindus.
With this introduction I shall try to explain about my perception of Hinduism. As I confessed that
it is not possible for an ordinary person to comprehend the vast ocean of knowledge existing in
Hindu Literature. I am conscious that most people may not agree with my perception. However I
think it is important to get a broader picture of Hinduism.
Basics:
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The basic and ultimate goal of life (of each human being) is to attain “Moksha” (The Salvation).
Moksha as defined in “Sankhya Darshan” is to achieve freedom from “Dhukha” (Miseries of
life), which are classified into three categories, “Adhyatmic” (arising from mind & Soul),
“Bhoutic” (arising from body and materials) and “Daivic” (arising from Nature and
Environments).
Dhukhas depict the state of mind, the feelings and emotions of misery. The feelings of mind are
influenced by both, the Body and Soul. (“Jadha” – the Body & “Chetan” the soul) The Human
Endeavour comprise of the work (or profession) to fulfill the material requirements (needs) for a
Healthy Body and training (or disciplining of attitude, perception and thought process) for
Healthy Mind. “Daivic Dhukhas” are beyond the scope of normal human efforts, however they
can be minimized by elevating the perception & thought process, through knowledge, adaptation
and understanding of “Daivic” influences.
In our journey for Moksha, the Key inspiration can be had from the Prefix given to one of the
most revered Avtar Ram, He is called “Maryada Purushotam Ram”. Maryada is limits.
Our Existence is classified into two broad Categories.
Prakriti – the changing aspect – the transcendent “Nature”, and Purush – the omni-present and
immanent Governing Force “GOD”.
Each individual has to understand and develop a clear perception of “Maryada” the limits of all
our activities, thoughts, speech, material requirements, foods etc every thing we think, say or do,
so that we give due care and attention to all the aspects of life, ignoring None.
ISA UPNISHAD, as translated by Juan Mascaro, says
Quote “Into the deep darkness fall those who follow action. Into the deeper darkness fall those
who follow knowledge. First is the outcome of knowledge and second is the out come of action.
He who knows both knowledge and action, with action overcomes death and with knowledge
reaches immortality.” Unquote
Knowledge and action are complementary to each other.
Quote “Into the deep darkness fall those who follow the immanent. Into the deeper darkness fall
those who follow the transcendent. First is the outcome of the transcendent and second is the out
come of the immanent. He who knows both the transcendent and the immanent, with the
immanent overcomes death and with the transcendent reaches immortality.” Unquote
Thus the principle guidelines of Hinduism, is to have a balanced approach to all the aspects of
life.
The existence of Human Beings is by combination of “Body” and “Soul”. Human Beings cease to
exist by the absence of any of the two. We cannot ignore either of the two, in our Endeavour for
Moksha.
The steps for Moksha are
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1.
Healthy Body.
2.
Healthy & Progressive Mind.
3.
Regular Enhancement of Knowledge.
4.
Training of mind to Enhance our Intellectual Level and improve our perception of what we
learn, till Eternity (till our mind & soul achieves a stage, when we get freedom from “Dhukhas”).
Healthy Body
Yog Darshan and Ayurved provide us the guidelines for a healthy body.
A balanced & frugal every day diet is at the base of keeping good health. We have to take all the
essential ingredients of food, limited to the daily requirements of our body. Fats, Carbohydrates,
Minerals, Proteins, Vitamins, Fiber, Water etc every thing is required by the body up to certain
limit, beyond which the same food is toxic. Our food should include all the tastes and flavours i.e.
Sweet, Salt, bitter, pungent, teekha (Hot) etc. This is vast subject and beyond the scope of this
paper.
Next comes the cleanliness and balanced way of exercise and rest (sleep). Swami Ram Dev is
doing a great service to Humanity by giving extensive training of Yogic Asanas and Pranayam,
imparting knowledge and guidance about diets and medicines as per the guidelines of Yoga and
Ayurveda, to the masses.
Healthy Mind For a healthy mind, we have to understand the factors that disturb our mind. As
written in “Sankhya Darshan”, there are four aspects of mind.
1. “Chit” is the learning and registering the knowledge, aspect of mind. Our attitude
and perception to get at the correct comprehension of any situation, event or communication,
depends upon the maturity of the “Chit”. Yog Darshan provides the guidelines to elevate the level
of the Chit above biases, fear, ego and to get the true knowledge. The imbedded images of our
learning, experiences and knowledge form our “Sanskar”, the base for our future learning, action
and comprehension. Memory is also a part of this aspect mind.
2.
“Buddhi” is the analytical aspect of our mind. The strategies of our actions originate from
this aspect of mind. Buddhi works to set up co relation between the information from chit and
current experiences and observations. This is the active aspect of our mind. The work of thinking
pertains to this aspect. The motivation for action originates from Buddhi. In fact the crux of
Hindu Prayer with “Gayatri Matra” is to elevate the Intellectual level of all human beings towards
complete neutrality, complete knowledge, free of biases, ego and fear as that of GOD. In our
daily profession & work, a feeling of stagnation (Tamo Gun) starts developing, if we get
entangled in the whirlpool of daily routine of repetitive work. Unrest, un-satisfaction and
depression start griping our Mana.
3.
“Mana” is the emotional aspect of our mind. The emotions of Joy, Sorrow, anger, love, hate
etc are all attributed to Mana. Our daily activities trigger our emotions. Expression is the solace of
our emotions. We yearn to share our Joys and sorrows, love or hate, fear, anger etc. The art of
expression requires extensive training and discipline. Yoga preaches “Ahinsa and truth” as the
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key words for expression. The purpose of expression is to give vent to our emotions and not to
hurt feelings of others. Expression should impart awareness, build goodwill, share knowledge and
ideas for the benefit of humanity. Expressions used to swindle or for treachery will rebound.
Expressions used to boost our own ego or to establish our superiority, indirectly hurt other’s ego
and raise anger. Suppressed emotions impair our thinking and can lead to wrong actions. We need
trusted companions with empathy to share and reciprocate the emotions without offense. The art
of writing is another trusted medium of expression.
4.
“Aham” - the feeling of Identity, recognition and ego are attributed to this aspect of mind.
Recognition is the basic need of every person. Pride is indulgence which impairs our thinking.
Correct recognition is a great motivator. Flattery, with the intent of treachery will boomerang.
Feeling of security, security of existence, financial and social security are all attributed to Aham.
An insecure mind affects the perception (Vriti) and true functioning of Intellect. The fear of
insecurity is “Abhinivesh” one of five “Kleshas” (described later). The social & political system
plays a crucial role for providing due recognition to every person. “Aham” plays an extremely
important role in every person’s life. Guru Nanak says, “Aham is a serious disease and the cure
also lies in itself. Ego is also termed as “Asmita”, one of the five “Kleshas”. The true
understanding of “Asmita”, the soul (Chetan), the force of life, is a step for attaining “Moksha”.
Conscience is the elevated aspect of Aham. Pride and Ego are the degenerated aspects of Aham.
The base for a healthy mind is the regular & balanced participation of all the four aspects of
mind. Our daily activities, professional or otherwise, which involve all the aspects of our mind,
will help us enhance our knowledge and elevate our soul.
The feelings of unrest arise if any aspect of mind is ignored. Balanced way of life includes
balanced use of mind.
This will provide base for a Healthy Mind
Healthy body and healthy mind, form the base for the intellectual progress of humanity.
The five guidelines given by Yog Darshan for daily work are
1.
Shouch- i.e. Cleanliness & Orderliness. The modern practice of 5S can be attributed to
Shouch. It means, to purge out all used up and undesirable materials and maintain cleanliness &
orderliness for efficient performance.
2.
Santosh – i.e. – is to have patience and develop right perception of events.
3.
Tapa – implies acquisition of knowledge, development of skill and performance of
Intellectual & physical action for whatever work or profession we take up.
4.
Swadhyaya – implies
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Self Observation & review of our performance, the thoughts and emotions attached to it and
develop the correct understanding of our performance and self. It is self appraisal and self study,
in the processes of acquiring true knowledge.
It is to understand the limits of our needs for normal life.
It is to study the environments and circumstances, to acquire more information and knowledge for
regular improvement of our performance. Swadhyaya has to be a life long activity because it is
the complementary part of all our activities. Observing our breath is also a part of Pranayam
training of Yoga.
5.
Ishwar Pranidhan :- All the endeavors of life are having certain direction to achieve a goal.
The result of our endeavor is governed by several other factors, in addition to our efforts, which
are beyond the scope of any individual’s efforts. Those factors may be circumstances, social
environments, physical environments and the list of other governing factors would be endless.
We may call them the factors, in the hands of God. Therefore, as guided by “Gita”, we should
perform as a service to humanity or to God and detach our mind from our expectations. That does
not imply that we stop our endeavor for thinking and performing. The man who knows the
relation between the forces of nature and actions, sees how some forces of nature work upon
other forces of nature, and becomes not their slave, is the wise person, who does not bind his
mind with his efforts. “Offer to God (implies to Humanity also) thy works and rest thy mind
on the supreme. Be free from vain hopes and selfish thoughts and with inner peace fight
thou thy fight” (Chapter3, verse 30 Gita)
All the above five aspects of human efforts are entwined with each other. They become
ineffective if any of them are performed in isolation or any of them is ignored. Just as the
combination of Body and soul are essential for the existence of life. Similarly, as guided by
“Gita”, “Satva Guna” is the balanced way of our life. Our efforts should be balanced to include
all the above five aspects of our action.
Yog Darshan says that Buddhi must be regularly used for “Swadhyaya” self study of our actions
and the emotions arising thereof. Our Buddhi must be utilized to acquire the fresh knowledge and
innovations pertaining to our work. It is the process of learning & thinking through self study,
which guides us for our continuous progress. The Base of Science, that is, “Experiment,
Observation and Inference” is same as the initial guideline of Yoga. Experiment is part of
“Tap”, Observation and Inference is “Swadayaya”. The Inference, derived out of
experiment and observation, provides guidelines for further action and / or further
experiment, thus forms the cycle of innovation, invention, development and growth. This is
the approach provided by “Gayatri Matra” and “Gita”, that is to use the intellect, analyze the
acquired knowledge, prepare the plan for further action and go ahead with further action, without
the emotional binding. We should keep striving to get at the Truth through learning without any
prejudices and Biases. Our effort should be free from Ego and Fear. Yog Darshan says that our
cycle of “Tap and Swadhayaya”, should not be under the influence of any of five “Kleshas”.
1.“Avidya” is Ignorance or incorrect understanding of knowledge. It is untruth or wrong
comprehension of knowledge.
2. “Asmita” The Ego
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3. “Raga” The bias in favour of some ideas, things or person. It is the sense of emotional
attachment and possessiveness. It is a sense of blind faith.
4. “Dwesh” It is feeling of dislike, a bias against some ideas, things or person. It is a thoughtless
hatred.
5 “Abhinivesh” It is fear of existence, a fear of isolation. It is a feeling of insecurity.
All or any of the above Kleshas, will give wrong direction to our thought process. Instead of
elevating, Kleshas degenerate our intellect (Buddhi). We can identify and get rid of Kleshas by
observing the path of Yoga. Some aspects of Yoga have been explained above. Yoga is very deep
and vast, and Yoga is just one of the Vast literature of Hinduism.
Yoga Darshan further provides guidelines to distinguish between the qualities required to lead our
actions in the right direction for the peace of mind.
Ahinsa, Satya, Asteya, Bhrahamacharya, Aparhigraha are the five tests, to check the right
direction of our balanced approach to the activities of life.
The balanced way of our professional, social and personal life, as guided by Hindu scripture,
forms the base for further elevation of our intellect and soul through right knowledge and training
of mind.
To acquire the right knowledge, we need the right and mature perception.
To acquire the maturity for correct perception, our mind has to undergo training and regular
practice to perform our actions with detached mind.
“Astato ma Sadgamaya, Tamso ma Jyotirgamaya, Mrityur ma Amritgamaya”.
This is also one of the very important Mantra, as a guide for Hinduism.
It is prayer to “lead us from untruth to truth”, “lead us from darkness of ignorance, and false
knowledge to light of awareness, enlightenment and true Knowledge” and “lead us from death to
eternity”.
Thus there is great stress for learning.
Thus, if we keep on studying and understanding the Hindu Scripture, some f it is listed in the
beginning of this write up, we can get further guidelines on how to move towards the ultimate
goal of “MOKSHA” for all human beings.
Swami Dayanand tried to consolidate the basic tenets of Hinduism as follows
1.
Always strive to gain true knowledge and education, and be aware that God is the source of
true knowledge. Rotary Club has adopted quite similar first check for testing the things we think,
say or do, to make sure that it is truth.
2.
Every human being must be always eager to leave the untruth and adopt the truth.
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3. We must always strive to elevate our intellect to have correct perception and comprehension
of things and events that we encounter in life. Our endeavor to gain true knowledge is for the
whole life. “To Learn, to Observe, to Think, to Strive, to Seek, to Find and not to Yield”.
4.
All our thoughts, words and actions should conform with the truth and for the betterment of
Physical, spiritual and social life of the Humanity including self. This is the prime duty of Hindus
(read- all human beings). The other three tests adopted by Rotary Club are also similar. They are;
Is it fair to all concerned; Will it build Goodwill and better friendship and Will it be beneficial for
all concerned.
5.
Our speech and behavior, as our sacred duty, should be to remain polite, giving due
recognition and respect to the fellow human beings.
6.
We should constantly endeavor for the better health of body, improve social systems and
make spiritual progress by constant elevation of intellect though education and learning.
7.
This endeavor for physical, social and spiritual progress should be for the whole humanity.
Our individual progress lies in the progress of the humanity.
8.
God is Truth, Spirit (the driving force of life), Joy of peace, Formless, Fearless,
Omnipresent, Ever existent (above the cycle of birth and death), Pure, Fearless, Creator of
Universe etc many other virtues are attributed to God.
In this way all the literature, as listed above, and/or any other literature, which can provide
guidelines for physical, intellectual, economical and social progress are open for adoption by
Hindus (read human beings). Hindus (read human beings) have total freedom to follow any path
for universal progress. Every body can have his own believe and faith for the peace of mind.
Therefore different pockets of faith and believe are prevalent in Hindu Society.
IDOL WORSHIP
The prime Hindu literature (Vaidic Literature) is extremely vast, deep and abstract. It is far
beyond the comprehension of people with average intellect. People in Hindu society have created
their own images of God in the form of Idols. Different human virtues are attributed to their
“Created Images of God”. Every body tries to find solace by worshiping their own images of
God. This practice is not supported by any Vaidic literature, however people accept it, because
every body enjoys total freedom for his own believe and faith. Many Hindus easily accept Islam,
Christianity or any other system of faith, because of the unlimited freedom prevailing in
Hinduism, without realizing that their freedom of thought will be confined to Quran/ Sharia and
Bible. The scope for believe and faith diminishes as people start understanding the Truth by
elevating their intellect for better comprehension of Vaidic Philosophy.
VARNA SYSTEM (WRONGLY INTERPRETED AS CASTE SYSTEM)
The original “Varna Vyavastha (System of Classification)” as envisaged by the originator Sage
Manu, was based on Hindu philosophy of “Rebirth” of living beings.
Samskar – the unconscious images keep building in every person’s soul. They are carried from
one birth to the next. They are the base of inborn Intelligence, aptitude and talents of every
human being. We start building further skills depending upon the sum total of “carried over
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Samskar” from the previous birth and build further Samskar through our education, training and
profession, in the present birth.
\Manu classified these “aptitude and talent” in to four categories. If a person takes up the
profession, commensurate with the talent and skills developed by that person, the contribution of
his performance shall be far better and beneficial for society. IT DID NOT IMPLY ANY SORT
OF INHERITANCE. Human aptitude, talents and skill are not inherited. They have to be built
through our own “Tap & Swadhyaya” – efforts of education, learning, training and regular
practice. The original guidelines of Manu were distorted and mis-interpreted. The vested interests
converted the idea for progress into inheritance to grab the benefits of excellence and efficiency.
Foreign invaders used it as a tool to divide and rule. The poison has spread and taken deep roots
in the Hindu Society. Successive Governments are using it as vote politics and further poisoning
the society. USA has been using Manu’s idea, and has been sucking human talent from all over
the Globe, providing them favorable atmosphere for taking best use of the talent.
The above information about Hinduism, as understood by me, is just a drop from the vast ocean
of Wisdom and thoughts provided in the Hindu literature.
I am unable to understand which part of Hinduism is “not secularism”. Ignorant reporters of
English media of and politicians of India never miss a chance to call Hinduism as “Communal”.
Further I do not understand how a true Muslim can be secular. Islamic clergy, unambiguously
declare that any thoughts, practices, social or political system must strictly conform to the tenets
of Islam. Muhemmed was the ONLY messenger of Allah (God). “Freedom of Thought or
practices”, outside the tenets of Islam, irrespective of logic or truth, is blasphemy and liable for
swear punishment. Every Muslim is duty bound to punish “Kafirs”. This is the cause of
aggression and terrorism followed by so called true Muslims. Muslims of India, who have
accepted Democracy and are accepting the truths outside the tenets of Islam, are in practice
Hindus, without admitting it. They call themselves secular, and are scared of being labeled as
Hindus.
Similar is the case of Christians. Their priests unambiguously declare that any body who do not
believe in Christ, are sinners. I read a large banner outside a church saying, “Do not think, just
believe in Christ, because you are incapable of thinking at the level of Christ. Christ is the ONLY
messenger of God.” Christian had to cut a sorry figure, when it was scientifically proved that
earth is round and not Flat as written in their holy literature. Reluctantly, the priests had to modify
the holy literature, although it was not permissible. Christians are duty bound to relieve the souls
of Sinners (Non believers in Christ), by converting them to Christian by whatever means.
Conversion to Christianity, logical or illogical, is service to Christ. All means, used for
conversion, lure, fear, force etc are all justified, because they are for a good cause of curbing free
thinking of Human beings, and to bring them to the confines of Christianity. Christians have to be
proactive and aggressive for conversion, still claim to be peaceful. I do not understand how this
logic is secular and Hindus, who stand for freedom of thought and practices are communal.
Satish Kapoor, Row House # 23, Omega Residency,
Baner-Mhalunge Road, Baner, PUNE – 411045, INDIA
[email protected]
Mob +91 9823090201
Tel +91 20 66205223
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