About Hinduism
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ALL ABOUT HINDUISM By SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA SERVE, LOVE, GIVE, PURIFY, MEDITATE, REALIZE Sri Swami Sivananda So Says Founder of Sri Swami Sivananda The Divine Life Society A DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY PUBLICATION First Edition: 1947 Second Edition: 1961 Third Edition: 1977 Fourth Edition: 1988 Fifth Edition: 1993 Sixth Edition: 1997 (Copies 5,000) World Wide Web (WWW) Edition: 1999 WWW site: http://www.rsl.ukans.edu/~pkanagar/divine/ This WWW reprint is for free distribution © The Divine Life Trust Society ISBN 81-7052-047-9 Published By THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY P.O. SHIVANANDANAGAR—249 192 Distt. Tehri-Garhwal, Uttar Pradesh, Himalayas, India. DEDICATED TO ALL THOSE WHO LOVE HINDUISM AND ITS SUBLIME PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTISE ITS TEACHINGS PUBLISHERS’ NOTE Hinduism is veritably the fountain-head of all religions. It contains within itself the seeds of all religions. It includes all religions and excludes none. It is but natural that people all over the world should show increasing interest in a religion with so universal an appeal. “ALL ABOUT HINDUISM” is intended to meet the needs of those who want to be introduced to the various facets of the crystal that is Hinduism. The book, which was first published in 1947, has now been rearranged in a more convenient form, with useful additions here and there, and is now released in its fifth edition. We do hope that all serious students of Hindu Religion and Philosophy will find the book useful and interesting. —THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY. iv THE UNIVERSAL PRAYERS I O Adorable Lord of Mercy and Love! Salutations and prostrations unto Thee. Thou art Existence-Consciousness-Bliss Absolute. Thou art Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient. Thou art the Indweller of all beings. Grant us an understanding heart, Equal vision, balanced mind, Faith, devotion and wisdom. Grant us inner spiritual strength To resist temptations and to control the mind. Free us from egoism, lust, greed, hatred, anger and jealousy. Fill our hearts with divine virtues. Let us behold Thee in till these names and forms. Let us serve Thee in all these names and forms. Let us ever remember Thee. Let us ever sing Thy glories. Let Thy Name be ever on our lips. Let us abide in Thee for ever and ever. —Swami Sivananda II O Thou Invisible One! O Adorable One! O Supreme! Thou permeatest and penetratest this vast universe from the unlimited space down to the tiny blade of grass at my feet. Thou art the basis for all these names and forms. Thou art the apple of my eye, the Prema of my heart, the very Life of my life, the very Soul of my soul, the Illuminator of my intellect and senses, the sweet Anahata music of my heart, and the substance of my physical, mental and causal frames. I recognise Thee alone as the mighty Ruler of this universe and the Inner Controller (Antaryamin) of my three bodies. I prostrate again and again before Thee, my Lord! Thou art my sole refuge! I trust Thee alone, O ocean of mercy and love! Elevate, enlighten, guide and protect me. Remove obstacles from my spiritual path. Lift the veil of ignorance. O Thou Jagadguru! I cannot bear any longer, even for a second, the miseries of this body, this life and this Samsara. Give Darsana quickly. O Prabho! I am pining. I am melting. Listen, listen to my fervent, Antarika prayer. Do not be cruel, my Lord. Thou art Dinabandhu. Thou art Adhama-Uddharaka. Thou art Patita-Pavana (Purifier of the fallen). Om Santi Santi Santih! v III Sarvesham Svasti Bhavatu Sarvesham Santir Bhavatu Sarvesham Purnam Bhavatu Sarvesham Mangalam Bhavatu May auspiciousness be unto all; May peace be unto all; May fullness be unto all; May prosperity be unto all. Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah Sarve Santu Niramayah Sarve Bhadrani Pasyantu Ma Kaschid-Duhkha-Bhag-Bhavet May all be happy; May all be free from disabilities; May all behold what is auspicious; May none suffer from sorrow. Asato Ma Sadgamaya Tamaso Ma Jyotir-Gamaya Mrityor-Ma Amritam Gamaya Om Santi Santi Santih! Lead me from the unreal to the Real; Lead me from darkness to the Light; Lead me from mortality to Immortality. Om Peace! Peace! Peace! vi CONTENTS PUBLISHERS’ NOTE . .iv THE UNIVERSAL PRAYERS . v HINDU RELIGION . 1 Purpose Of Religion . .1 Distinguishing Features Of Hinduism . 1 The Glory Of Vedanta And Yoga. 2 Emphasis On Practice. .3 Who Is A Hindu. 3 Origin And Significance Of The Term . 4 The Spiritual Soil Of India . 5 The Facts Of History . .6 Reasons For Survival Of The Hindu Religion . 6 Its Future . 6 HINDU SCRIPTURES . .7 Sanskrit Literature . 7 The Scriptures. 7 The Secular Writings . 21 Conclusion . 22 HINDU DHARMA. 23 Definition Of Dharma . 23 The Sole Authority Of The Vedas. 24 The Changing Dharma. 24 Dharma In Other Religions . 25 Benefits Of The Practice Of Dharma . 25 Kinds Of Dharma . 25 Sanatana Dharma . 26 Samanya Dharma . 27 Varnasrama Dharma . 30 Yuga Dharma . .37 Conclusion . 38 HINDU ETHICS . 38 Conduct And Character . 38 Ethics Or The Science Of Conduct . 38 Ethics, Spirituality And Religion . 39 Benefits Of The Practice Of Ethics . 39 Ethical Codes In Hinduism . 39 The Foundational Principles Of Hindu Ethics. 40 Service As Worship . 40 Ethical Culture Or The Process Of Purification . 41 Philosophy Of Right And Wrong . 42 Yogic Gardening. 44 Conclusion . 44 vii HINDU TENETS. 45 The Law Of Karma . 45 The Doctrine Of Reincarnation . 49 The Concept Of Avatara. 51 HINDU RITUALS . 52 Sandhyopasana . .52 The Ten Scriptural Samskaras. 56 The Pancha Mahayajnas . 58 Sraaddha And Tarpana . 60 Pitripaksha And Mahalaya Amavasya. 61 Navaratri Or The Nine-Day Worship Of Devi . 63 HINDU WORSHIP. 65 Worship Or Upasana. 65 Benefits Of Worship. .65 Saguna-Upasana And Nirguna-Upasana . 66 The Bhavas In Bhakti Yoga . 67 Puja And Ishta-Devata. 68 The Philosophy And Significance Of Idol-Worship . 69 From Ritualistic Bhakti To Para-Bhakti. 74 The Glory Of Hindu Philosophy And Hindu Mode Of Worship . 75 Conclusion . 76 HINDU YOGA . 77 The Four Paths. 77 Karma Yoga . 77 Bhakti Yoga . 78 Raja Yoga . 79 Jnana Yoga. 81 The Yoga Of Synthesis . 82 HINDU THEOLOGY . 83 Theological Classifications . 83 The Vaishnavas . .84 The Saivas . 87 The Saktas . ..