What is Hindu Dharma?
One of the major living religious traditions of the world, Hinduism is also recognized as the most ancient. It is different from others because it was not started by any single individual, seer or prophet, and its origins cannot be traced to a particular period of human history.
It is not based on one single book or a set of dogmas; on the contrary, it allows a great deal of freedom of thought, faith and worship. Hinduism is not a single religious faith system because it does not insist on any fixed set of doctrines. There are a variety of religious sects or traditions in Hinduism. However, in spite of this diversity, there is unity among all the doctrines and schools of thought because their basic principles are based on the 'eternal laws of nature' which can be rightly defined as 'Sanatana (eternal) Dharma (Laws of Nature). The knowledge of the universe and the laws contained in the Vedas and in the Scriptures is considered to be applicable at all times and places. As these laws bind the universe and its components together, it is called 'Dharma', i.e that which keeps altogether.
'Dharma' is one of the most intractable terms used in the Hindu philosophy and is derived from the root 'dhru', meaning to uphold, sustain or support. Hindu Dharma comprises a medium, an instrument or an integrated scheme of life or a value system. The word 'Religion' is used for the lack of a better synonym for 'Dharma' in English language.
Hinduism describes Dharma as the natural universal laws whose observance enables humans to be contended and happy, and to save themselves from degradation and suffering. Dharma is the moral law combined with spiritual discipline that guides one's life. Hindus consider Dharma the very foundation of life. Atharva Veda describes Dharma symbolically: Prithivim Dharmana Dhritam, that is, "this world is upheld by Dharma."
Anything that helpshuman beings to reach god is DHARMA and anything that hinders human beings from reaching God is ADHARMA.For instance, in the epic poem Maha Bharata, the Pandavas represent DHARMA in life and the Kauravas represent Adharma. According to the Bhagavat Purana, righteous living or life on a dharmic path has four aspects: austerity (tap), purity (shauch), compassion (daya), and truthfulness (satya); and adharmic or unrighteous life has three vices: pride (ahankar), contact (sang), and intoxication (madya).
Manusmriti written by the ancient sage Manu prescribes ten essential rules for the observance of DHARMA: Patience (dhriti), foregiveness (ksham), piety or self-control (dama), honesty (asteya), sanctity (shauch), control of senses (indriya-nigraha), reason (dhi), knowledge or learning (vidya), truthfulness (satya) and absence of anger (krodha). Manu further writes, "Nonviolence, truth, non-coveting, purity of body and mind, control of senses are the essence of DHARMA. Therefore dharmic laws govern not only the individual but all in the society.
The purpose of DHARMA is not only to attain a union of the soul with the supreme reality; it also suggests a code of conduct that is intended to secure both worldly joys and supreme happiness. Hinduism is the religion that suggests methods for the attainment of the highest ideal and etrenal bliss here and now on earth and not somewhere in heaven.
In essence Hinduism is a way of life and culture in which several religious practices are harmoniously blended and bound by the common bond of DHARMA. In the words of a Hindu scholar and writer, Ram Swarup, "it is in the name of one religion or one truth lived at hundred points in hundred ways by people of different capacities and preparedness. Unity of Hinduism is not external and geographical; it is deep, subtle, spiritual; it has multiple expressions' it lives in them all; it also exceeds them."
THE word 'Hindu'
History is mostly guessing; the rest is prejudice. - Will Durant
The word 'Hindu' has its origin in Sanskrit literature. In the Rig Veda, Bharat is referred to as the the country of "Sapta Sindhu", i.e. the country of seven great rivers. The word "Sindhu" refers to rivers and sea and not merely to the specific river called "Sindhu." In Vedic Sanskrit, according to ancient dictionaries, 'sa' was pronounced as 'ha'. Thus 'Sapta Sindhu' was pronounced as 'Hapta Hindu.' This is how the word 'Hindu' came into being. The ancient Persians also0 referred to Bharat as 'Hapta Hind', as recorded in their ancient classic 'Bem Riyadh.' That is why some scholars came to believe that the word 'Hindu' had its origin in Persia. The Greeks, who invaded Bharat under Alexander, dropped 'H' and used the name Indoos or Indus, which later led to the formation of the word 'India".
PRATHAMASYA OM MANTHRAHA!!
(This is not an original writing of the blogger and if not mistaken, the whole article must have been sourced from Wikipedia.)
Anything that helpshuman beings to reach god is DHARMA and anything that hinders human beings from reaching God is ADHARMA.For instance, in the epic poem Maha Bharata, the Pandavas represent DHARMA in life and the Kauravas represent Adharma. According to the Bhagavat Purana, righteous living or life on a dharmic path has four aspects: austerity (tap), purity (shauch), compassion (daya), and truthfulness (satya); and adharmic or unrighteous life has three vices: pride (ahankar), contact (sang), and intoxication (madya).
Manusmriti written by the ancient sage Manu prescribes ten essential rules for the observance of DHARMA: Patience (dhriti), foregiveness (ksham), piety or self-control (dama), honesty (asteya), sanctity (shauch), control of senses (indriya-nigraha), reason (dhi), knowledge or learning (vidya), truthfulness (satya) and absence of anger (krodha). Manu further writes, "Nonviolence, truth, non-coveting, purity of body and mind, control of senses are the essence of DHARMA. Therefore dharmic laws govern not only the individual but all in the society.
The purpose of DHARMA is not only to attain a union of the soul with the supreme reality; it also suggests a code of conduct that is intended to secure both worldly joys and supreme happiness. Hinduism is the religion that suggests methods for the attainment of the highest ideal and etrenal bliss here and now on earth and not somewhere in heaven.
In essence Hinduism is a way of life and culture in which several religious practices are harmoniously blended and bound by the common bond of DHARMA. In the words of a Hindu scholar and writer, Ram Swarup, "it is in the name of one religion or one truth lived at hundred points in hundred ways by people of different capacities and preparedness. Unity of Hinduism is not external and geographical; it is deep, subtle, spiritual; it has multiple expressions' it lives in them all; it also exceeds them."
THE word 'Hindu'
History is mostly guessing; the rest is prejudice. - Will Durant
The word 'Hindu' has its origin in Sanskrit literature. In the Rig Veda, Bharat is referred to as the the country of "Sapta Sindhu", i.e. the country of seven great rivers. The word "Sindhu" refers to rivers and sea and not merely to the specific river called "Sindhu." In Vedic Sanskrit, according to ancient dictionaries, 'sa' was pronounced as 'ha'. Thus 'Sapta Sindhu' was pronounced as 'Hapta Hindu.' This is how the word 'Hindu' came into being. The ancient Persians also0 referred to Bharat as 'Hapta Hind', as recorded in their ancient classic 'Bem Riyadh.' That is why some scholars came to believe that the word 'Hindu' had its origin in Persia. The Greeks, who invaded Bharat under Alexander, dropped 'H' and used the name Indoos or Indus, which later led to the formation of the word 'India".
PRATHAMASYA OM MANTHRAHA!!
(This is not an original writing of the blogger and if not mistaken, the whole article must have been sourced from Wikipedia.)
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