Fundamental Concepts of Hinduism My Salutations to all Devas-Rishis-Pithrus OM DEDICATED TO LORD YAMA, MARKANDEYA, NACHIKETAS, SAVITRI AND NANDI, THE ETERNAL ATTENDANT OF LORD SIVA, WHO HAVE ALL UNRAVELLED THE MYSTERIES OF THE LIFE BEYOND DEATH OM "Hinduism is not just a faith. It is the union of reason and intuition that cannot be defined but is only to be experienced” - Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1888-1975) ॐ अञानतिमिरा्ध्य ञाना्जनशलाकया । चषुु्िीमलिं यॳन ि्िॴ रीगरवॳु निः ॥ om ajnana-timirandasya jnananjnana salakaya caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri gurave namah “I offer my most humble obeisance to my spiritual master who has opened my eyes which were blinded by ignorance with the light of knowledge.: [FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION] 1 INTRODUCTION The Information on this article “Fundamental Concepts of Hinduism” furnished here in is compiled from various mail friends, internet sites and elders who have knowledge on this subject. The documents referred in the net sites are quoted as told but not gone through by me for their authencity. Every effort has been taken not to leave essential points but to make the reading informative and interesting. Since the subject matter is lengthy and it could not be confined in one or two postings - it may appear lengthy. Hindu Dharma says, “To lead a peaceful life, one must follow the Sastras which are the rules of the almighty that cannot be changed by passage of time(i.e.kruta,thretha,dwapara&kali yuga).The almighty says, “Shruthi smrithi mamaivaagya yaasthaam ullangya varthathe | Aagya chhedi mamadhrrohi math bhaktopi na vaishnavahah||” Which means,vedas and sastras are my commands and one who surpasses these rules have breaken my laws and cannot be considered as my bhakta or a vaishnava. So everybody who seek the grace of lord must follow the smrithis(dharma sastras) in order to get rid of sins and to attain purity of mind. It is said that so many sastras which binds every humanbeing in this world is meant for purifying the mind(chitta shuddhi).Aadi shankara in his viveka-choodamani says, “ CHITTA SUDDHAYE KARMA NA TU VASTHU UPALABDAYE| VASHTHU SIDDHIRVICHARAENA NA KINCHITH KARMAKOTIBIHI:||” Which means, rituals are meant only to purify the mind and not attain almighty but he can be known only through vichara(introspection) &not by doing a crore of rituals. Even if a person attains the knowledge of the almighty’s by his grace he should perform karma(rituals) for the sake of loka sangharah:(welfare of the world). Lord krishna in shri bhagavath geeta says, “yath yath aacharathi shrestahah thath thataeva etharo janahah:| Saha yath pramanam kuruthae lokahah thath anuvarthathe||” i.e.the general public is used to follow whatever the elite(jnani= self-realised) does.for e.g. if he doesn’t perform karma ,others stop doing karma. So,in order to safeguard the world Lord Krishna orders the elite to be an ideal for other people by doing karma. It is said in Mahabhashyam that “Brahmanaena nishkarano dharmahahshadango vedhadhyeyo gayyashcha” – Patanjala Mahabashyam Which means without asking reasons &questioning a brahmin must study the vedas with its six angas(parts) and follow the dharma sastras. We should follow the sastras without asking reasons. Should do the karmas like japas and poojas as said by the guru. With all Great Respect to my Guruji Raojie – Humble disciple A V Ramakrishnan . [FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION] 2 Overview of Hindu Theology Almost all Hindus believe that the real self (atman) is distinct from the temporary body made of matter (Prakriti). The eternal soul identifies with matter and is entrapped by Maya (illusion). Impelled by lust, greed, anger, etc., he undergoes samsara (the cycle of repeated birth and death). Each soul creates its unique destiny according to the law of karma (the universal law of action and reaction). Under the influence of eternal time and the three Gunas (material qualities) he moves throughout the creation, sometimes going to higher planets, sometimes moving in human society, and at other times entering the lower species. The goal of most Hindus is moksha, liberation from this perpetual cycle, through re-identification with the eternal brahman (Supreme). Hinduism accepts different paths towards this common goal (union with God). Nonetheless, it stresses strict adherence to universal principles through the practice of one's dharma (ordained duty) as revealed through authorised holy books and usually received through the guru (spiritual mentor). Men in their normal life are caught up in the unreal, feel dull and clouded, threatened by death and torn with anxiety and sorrow. The popular Upanishadic prayer ॐ असि८ िा स्गिय । Om Asato Maa Sad-Gamaya | ििस८ िा ्य८तिगगिय । Tamaso Maa Jyotir-Gamaya | ि्य८िागृ अििंृ गिय । Mrtyor-Maa Amrtam Gamaya | ॐ शान्िः शान्िः शान्िः ॥ Om Shaantihi Shaantihi Shaantihi || [बहदार्यकृ उपतनषद] [Brihadaranyaka Upanishad] Meaning: 1: Om, (O Lord) Keep me not in the Unreality (of the bondage of the Phenomenal World), but lead me towards the Reality (of the Eternal Self), 2: (O Lord) Keep me not in the Darkness (of Ignorance), but lead me towards the Light (of Spiritual Knowledge), 3: (O Lord) Keep me not in the (Fear of) Death (due to the bondage of the Mortal World), but lead me towards the Immortality (gained by the Knowledge of the Immortal Self beyond Death), 4: Om, (May there be) Peace, Peace, Peace (at the three levels - Adidaivika, Adibhautika and Adhyatmika). --seeks divine help for its comforting treatment of the subject. Upanishads talk all the time about how to get free, to become deathless to get rid of impurities, to overcome confusion. In God's creation, human body represents his Microcosm of creation, while the Universe his Macrocosm. They both obey the same laws of nature. There is orderliness in their systematic creation and dissolution. Human body is called as Pindaanda and the Universe Brahmaanda emerging out of Hiranyagarbha (Brahma). Human body gets its gross body by a process called Pancheekarana, when the subtle elements called Tanmatras turn out gross elements called five elements (Pancha Bhoothas). These five elements are worshipped in the form of Lingas in the five famous temples of South India being the basic creations. These are: Element - Special Temple Space or Sky (expansion) (Aakaash) : Sri Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram [FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION] 3 Air (movement) (Vaayu) : Sri Kalahasthi Temple Fire (energy) (Agni / Tejas) : Thiruvannamalai Temple Water (liquidity) (Jala / Aapah) : Sri Jambukeswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikkaval Earth (solidity) –(Prithvi / Bhoomi) : Sri Ekambareswarar Temple, Kancheepuram Physical body of the human being constitutes all these five elements. All objects in nature also arise by the mixture of the same gross elements. When Hiranyagarbha (life and mind of Macrocosm) dies, it merges into God and becomes one with him. At the death or liberation of Hiranyagarbha, the world undergoes dissolution, which is called Praakritha Pralaya. It is also possible for the subtle bodies after casting off the physical body constituting five gross elements to merge with God if it is mature enough. But caught up in the whirlpool of Samsaara (earthly desires), it takes several births before it could make final correction and merge with God. The physical body is just an outer gross shell for the soul (subtle and casual bodies) and at the time of death, physical body is cast off which process we call "death". In fact, there is nothing to mourn about as the soul has started its upward journey to readjust itself and return to earth by reincarnation. It may even cast off its subtle body based on its experience, cast off its casual body and merge with God culminating its long journey or stay for long there with its casual body enjoying bliss delaying merger with the Supreme. Nobody mourns the death of a true Sanyasi (liberated soul) for everybody knows that it is his final journey before merging with the Supreme. It is therefore a common practice to celebrate the death anniversary of a saint and not his birthday as it is the most sacred day of his liberation. When Hiranyagarbha (life and mind of Macrocosm) dies, it merges into God. (Information Assembled From Various Sources) Before discussing the subject “Sraadha”, we should understand the basic things of Religion. “Religion without science is blind and science without religion is lame” – Albert Einstein. Religion is a fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a group of people. These set of beliefs concern the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, and involve devotional and ritual observances. They also often contain a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. For centuries, humankind has sought to understand and explain the “meaning of life.” Many philosophers believe this contemplation and the desire to understand our place in the universe are what differentiate humankind from other species. Religion, in one form or another, has been found in all human societies since human societies first appeared. Archaeological digs have revealed ancient ritual objects, ceremonial burial sites, and other religious artifacts. Much social conflict and even wars have resulted from religious disputes Some people may ask, “Aren’t all religions the same?” No. Every religion is different. Many preachers, mainly Hindu preachers who have vested interest of building their empires propagate the idea that all religions are the same. So any religions will give the same result. But this is not the fact. Hindus respect other religions. It is not difficult for them to see various levels of spiritual truth in other spiritual paths. However, all religions take their practitioners to different levels of philosophical understanding, spiritual knowledge, levels of consciousness, and different abilities to perceive spiritual Truth.