Personal Article 3: Beauty of Hinduism

Beauty of Hinduism that makes it different from other religions

It’s probably a great fate to be born in a Brahmin lineage and a Hindu sect. I have got many opportunities to learn the nature of Truth on a timely basis from my parents, old grandma, my spiritual teacher, religious texts, and experience & observations. I might have been ignorant and rude at times, but I have always been guided by my elders to follow the right direction, or atleast not do anything improper or anything that hurt others. I have been taught about the actions that lead one to the state of blessedness or difficulty. I have been taught about the ways of obtaining grace and compassion from the Lord, the method of balancing the past sins, and the way of reaching Godhead again. Although I am not a strict follower, I endure and respect everything I have learnt.

Times are changing. We have almost forgotten who we really are, who were our ancestors, and why are we here on this Earth; what is our life goal and how can we fulfil that; why is there sufferings everywhere and what caused them; why are we living in poverty and pain, and how to end them. People love what belongs to them, but have no regards for others. People discriminate between each other’s faith. They quarrel in the name of religion never trying to see from another's perspective. The sense of love is declining from people’s heart. Slaughtering of animals and subsisting on their flesh is what makes people satisfied. People consume intoxicants in the name of religion. People deceive others in the name of tradition. They forcefully try to convert people of one kind of faith towards their own. People think their way is only the right way of reaching Godhead and everything else is false. Where has God mentioned to compel others to change their religion? As far as I know, God has only advised to teach the ignorants, or who lacks right knowledge, but not the one who is already in the right path.

Just for an instance, if I need to go from my house to the hospital, then there are many paths to reach there. I may choose one of them, but it doesn’t mean that the route I chose is only the right route, and other routes doesn’t take there. Any routes can be chosen. It only depends upon whether I am going through local bus, or my own private vehicle, or by walking. Also, one route might be straight but long, and another might be twisted but short. It all depends upon what mood I have at that particular time and what accommodation I have got. It also depends upon how hurried I am, and many other factors. I choose one path doesn’t mean everyone should follow the same path, and so on. Same is the religion (and faith). God is the goal, but how we reach Him depends upon our own choice. Our own faith can make us reach Him (as long as we are truly following our ancestral footsteps). We don’t need to follow others. But it doesn’t mean that we don’t have to learn anything from others. We can share our knowledge. But it doesn’t happen. People think religion is the goal, but in reality, it is only a path. People think there is only one path - their own, but in reality there are many. People don’t understand this and develop enmity towards each other. People are too narrowed in their own. Yes, it's a good thing to love one’s own faith, but disgracing others is what people choose to do rather than delighting in their own.

Its 3rd February 2018, and these thoughts hovered my mind all day. From the next day onwards, I isolated myself in a single lonely room in order to remember past experiences and learnings without any disturbances. Even in the free time I got from my work environment, I was summing up my thoughts. This process continued for 1 week.

Finally, the writing was over. I then thought of sharing my knowledge with others or who desires to learn. These are not just my own thoughts, but what everyone, whose faith matches with mine, have been learning in their daily life. This is what one can learn in Hinduism. This is what every true Brahmin knows and follows. Here, I have presented before you an article describing my faith and thought about God and His laws (being based on the knowledge of Hinduism and Brahmanism).

What is Hinduism?

Hinduism is originally called Vedic Dharma or Sanatana Dharma. Vedic Dharma means set of rules prescribed by the Vedas (the first scriptures known to man), and Sanatana Dharma means set of duties which have been running since time immemorial, i.e. which dates back to the creation of Universe and Time. The name Hindu was given by British (in middle-ages) to distinguish the type of people holding Vedic culture, living in the bank of Indus River (with Himalayan range on the north), for easy identification. And later, it came to be known as Hinduism (culture of Hindu). And the term 'Dharma' in Hinduism is defined as the set of duties as per the attributes and nature of each matter, thing and being, and not as the set of philosophies preached by some particular prophet. Dharma applies for everything in the Universe (from micro organisms to macro beings, spirits, demiGods and Souls). It is the Dharma of cloud to bear rain, crops to bear food, and humans to perform right conduct being established upon the 3 modes of nature. Thus, Hinduism is the modern term given to identify Vedic Culture, and it is the set of principles of Truth, Life and God.

Hinduism is not a mere theoritical religion, rather it's a way of life. Apart from its difficult-to-prove doctrines, it also deals with the knowledge of a wellbeing. It deals with all the knowledge and happiness one can obtain in his life, along with the ultimate destiny one needs to fulfil.

It deals with the knowledge and practices that lead to a healthier body (through different Yogic postures, Asanas & Pranayamas, Ayurveda and Yogic lifestyles), peace and sound mind (through meditation), purity of the heart (through selfless service) along with the faith in the Supreme.

It deals with the knowledge to be a good king, father/mother, son/daughter, friend, brother/sister, husband/wife, along with a good citizen in the society.

It teaches the manner of respect, love, trust, bravery, morality, compassion, and forgiveness.

The knowledge of how to achieve perfection in any field, like the skill of archery, warcraft, Yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, music, poetry, astronomy, mathematics, etc are the parts of its teachings.

The knowledge of selfless service, charity, equality of mind in dualities along with their importance; the knowledge of sacrifice, devotion along with how they lead us to perfection, are all the parts of its teachings.

The art of performing action without causing any bondage, the art of loving without causing any bondage, is found only in Hinduism.

The knowledge of the actions that lead one to the realm of heavenly or hellish kingdoms, or the realm of God, is found only in Hinduism.

It deals with the rules and practices that makes the demiGods shower prosperity upon the living beings. It also deals with knowledge that creates peace and harmony in the Universe.

These all makes Hinduism a way of life - a way of being a perfect human, rather than just a religion.

"Help ever, hurt never, have faith in God". These are the three things that matters primarily in Hinduism (in spite of having so many branches/laws) to take a person a leap towards perfection. Everything else is one’s will.

God in Hinduism

Hinduism believes in ONE God, either in the form of Supreme attributeless energy, or in various unique forms (having attributes).

God takes forms (incarnations) according to the time and situation.

The different forms (physical manifestations) of God have their own name and attributes, and they were taken for specific purposes.

God has no name, no caste, and no gender in reality, but through own Maya (power) He manifests Himself in varied colors.

God is the creator of the Universe. He is beyond past, present and future because He is the creator of the time itself. Therefore, everything that exists in the Universe, whether it be a planet, star, heaven, hell, creatures, demi-Gods, demons, etc., all have come into existence only because of Him. He is the creator of all. He is the controller of all. He is the composer of the Vedas and the cause behind its laws. It is because of Him that Vedic hymns work. He is the giver of all the powers to the Devas and Danavas. And it is by His will only that their powers have an effect.

Since God is considered to be the creator of the Universe, He is also referred as the Mother of the Universe. And that Mother is worshipped in feminine form.

In Hinduism, God (actually His manifestations) is portrayed and worshipped in various physiques like of a child, youth, adult and old forms.

God has taken infinite masculine and feminine forms, and exists as so along with His own eternal Supreme form. It is said in the scriptures that God has taken 33 Koti (primary) manifestations and extended into infinite sub-manifestations. But only the principal manifestations along with some other forms are worshipped in daily life.

The principal masculine (Purusha) forms of God in Hinduism are Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, which were taken for three different purposes of creation, preservation and destruction of the Universe. And the principal feminine (Prakriti) forms of God are Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati respectively, which were taken to serve as the power to the previous masculine forms. These masculine and feminine forms are interconnected, so there is no difference between them. For example, there is no difference between God Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, as Goddess Lakshmi is the power of God Vishnu, and so on. Again, Shiva and Vishnu, etc. are the extensions of the same God, so there is no difference between them (in core) as well, but only in form, attributes, and purpose of that incarnation.

Among the incarnations of Vishnu, Lord Krishna (Who is also called Achyuta, the infallible One), and Lord Rama (Who is also called Maryada Purushottama, the Righteous and Perfect Man) are the most revered. Among the incarnations of Lord Shiva, Hanuman is mostly worshipped.

[Note: Lord Krishna and Lord Rama are the incarnations of Lord Vishnu {remember that there is no difference between Rama, Krishna and Vishnu in other way than in form and purpose of that incarnation - the same energy manifesting in different forms for performing different leelas; however, of all the forms of God, only Lord Krishna has all the 64 Supreme transcendental qualities in total completion (that's why he is also called Poornaavatara, or complete form of God), while every other forms possess only some percentage of these attributes} who took birth on Earth, in their respective Yugas (although they are ever existent as Supreme Energy). Even borning upon as a physical body, Lord Krishna always remained as a God (rather than a human). He always used His cleverity and Supreme powers to abolish the evils. He appeared as the spiritual guidance to Arjuna to whom He showed His Supreme eternal form. He had the most beautiful complexion (among all the incarnations) and the most perfect divine qualities in complete extent. From His early childhood age, He displayed His superhuman abilities, protected the villagers from the raged anger of demiGod Indra (and destroyed Indra's pride), killed terrific demons with ease, appeared Himself everywhere where He used to be loved and prayed upon, freed many demiGods from their curse, removed the pride of even Lord Brahma, etc. He is the only God Who is worshipped in butter-eating infant form, trouble-giving child form to His loving mother, flute-player, cowherd and the divine lover of pure-hearted Gopinis in His young form, the spiritual teacher to Arjuna and Rishi Munis in His adult form, and the Supreme Energy (cosmic form). Therefore, Lord Krishna is one of the most revered and beloved incarnation of God in Hinduism.

On the other hand, Lord Rama lived like a normal human. Instead of using His Supreme powers, He used His knowledge and skills gained through His human Gurus (in respective fields) and perfectly utilized those skills to attain Siddhis and abolish the evils. Although He Himself is the Supreme God (both omnipresent and omniscient), he never displayed his divine ability. Rather He used the help of Hanuman to cross the great ocean and to kill the demons. He also ruled His own kingdom for thousands of years (as a perfect king and a ruler). To teach the humanity that one can attain perfection by properly following his own duty, Lord Rama always lived like a man, a perfect man, being a guidance to the world. So, Lord Rama is the most beloved human incarnation of God in Hinduism.]

And among the incarnations of the Supreme Goddess, Goddess Durga is the most revered. She is considered as the incarnation of Goddess Parvati. She is the single personification of every attributes of every Goddess-incarnations of the Supreme. She is also called 'the Goddess beyond reach'. Whereas Vishwaroopa form (Universal form) is considered as the Supreme form of Lord Vishnu/Krishna. Vishwaroopa form is the personification of every attributes of every God-incarnations of the Supreme. Durga and Vishwaroopa forms are the most auspicious forms of the Supreme that even the Devas (and enlightened Rishis) are always eager to see them (or cannot see them at their will). These forms are so divine and beautiful that even the Devas are filled with tears of joy if they got to see them by chance; what then of the mortals?

These different forms have again subdivided into many other forms. And these subdivisions are considered to be the descendants (and avataras or incarnations) of the main forms. For example, incarnations like Rama, Krishna, Hanuman, etc, descendants like Ganesha, Kumara, Narada, etc, and demiGods like Sun, Air, Water, Indra, etc. Among the descendants, Ganesha is the primary one, and among the demiGods, Sun.

The most beautiful thing about Gods, demi-Gods and Goddesses in Hinduism is, every incarnation of the God respect the other. For example, Lord Vishnu respects Lord Shiva and vice versa. Sun God respects Air God and vice versa. Lord Vishnu respects Goddess Lakshmi and vice versa. Goddess Lakshmi respects Goddess Parvati and vice versa, and so on. But in order to maintain the law created by His own will, they (actually the incarnations of the same God) sometimes need to stand against each other (actually they don't battle, but pretend to do so). This is not due to enmity among those forms, but to keep the dignity of the blessings they bestow to their devotees. Because once the God (in certain form) blesses His devotee with protection, He has to fulfill it (in that form) by any means (this is the law of Nature created by His own will). But the Supreme God is so clever that if that devotee starts pursuing demoniac paths and if he needs to be destroyed for the welfare of the world, then He will accomplish it by any means, still maintaining the dignity of His given blessings.

Each attribute of God has its own representation. For example, Wealth and Happiness attribute of God is represented in the form of Lakshmi (wealth doesn’t only refer to money), Knowledge attribute of God is represented in the form of Saraswati, and Protection (from evils, obstacles, etc.) and Motherhood attribute of God is represented in the form of Parvati. Similarly, Creation attribute is represented as Brahma, Preservation attribute is represented as Vishnu, and Destruction (for new creation) attribute is represented as Shiva. Sun God is worshipped for knowledge and removing sins, Kubera is worshipped for gaining wealth, Hanuman is worshipped for protection, strength and valor, Ganesha is worshipped for knowledge, wealth and protection, Navagraha is worshipped for luck and fate, and so on. But it doesn’t mean that those forms are only limited to that particular blessings. God has made a rule that whatever blessings a devotee desires for his devotion, He fulfils that desire in the form of His particular manifestation embodied for that particular blessing. For example, God never battle with the demons in the form of Saraswati because Saraswati form is to bless the devotee with knowledge. But rather, God takes the form of Kali or Durga, etc to fight with those evil beings/energies.

Whatever forms there are, or whatever demiGods there exists, they are but the different aspects of the same God. However, the higher forms of God (like Trinity Gods and Goddesses, Ganesha, Rama, Krishna, Hanuman, etc) are usually worshipped with Sattvic desire (or with love/devotion) and such blessings last forever (even after death). DemiGods are usually worshipped with material desire (for obtaining something) and such blessings last only throughout the current life. Worshipping any of the higher forms is like worshipping all forms of God (i.e. worshipping Vishnu automatically pleases Lord Shiva as well, or worshipping Hanuman automatically pleases Lord Rama as well, etc). Also, any higher form can fulfil all our desires to the extremity, whether that desire is about material possession or spiritual liberation. There is no need to worship different forms for different reasons. Since a person sees same God in all the forms, he can choose any forms and names of his liking. But worshipping any form of demiGod only fulfil particular desire (i.e. if a person desires different material blessing, he needs to worship another form of demiGod). Worshipping demiGods require certain rules and regulations, but worshipping higher forms of God doesn't require any specific rules as long as one worships Him with faith, love and pure heart, and without the thought of bias between the forms.

In Hinduism, even a human possessing the knowledge of Brahman (through direct realization) is himself a Brahman. He is fit to be worshipped. Such a person is considered a Guru. A Guru occupies higher position than the God Himself (although one should always remember that everything is due to the will and grace of the Lord only). See the importance of Guru in Hinduism by clicking here.

Way of Worship

In Hinduism, God is worshipped either in Supreme form, or in the form of Soul, or in the form of Gods and Goddesses.

Hindus worship God either by burning incense and oil-lamps (or candles), and keeping flowers in front of His idols/pictures/statues, and/or by chanting (or listening) different Vedic hymns and prayers, and/or by meditating on the Self (Soul), and/or by meditating on His names and forms (i.e. incarnations), etc.

Since Hinduism considers every matter to be a part of the God, people also worship Him by making idols (representing Him) using sand, stones, plants, etc.

According to Hinduism, God is actually our faith rather than some idols or figures. But the use of such idols (for worship) is to increase our focus and concentration, and to prevent the mind from dwelling into other thoughts and activities. Also, meditating on the Lord without remembering any form is difficult, so the idols and figures help one to concentrate on the Lord easily.

Another reason for making idols is to remember the Lord even in the midst of everyday routine (i.e. even when our mind is busy on worldly affairs). Because as soon as we see some idols (or temples, pictures, etc) intentionally or unintentionally, the thought of God comes in our mind. And this too is important to unknowingly balance our sins or to increase our connection with God.

At this age, the best way to worship God is to remember Him everytime and before doing anything, surrendering all the acts and their results to Him, and without the thought of agency, reward, anger, greed and lust. This alone is sufficient (as per the Bhagavad Gita and the Yogis).

As per the Scriptures, singing a single name of the Lord with love and pure heart is far better and fruitful than reading all the scriptures with agency and unstable heart. Repeating even a single syllable “Om” can be enough. If that is not possible, one can forget everything and meditate by contemplating on the sound of his breath, or remembering light in the mind, or just by meditating on silence. These all helps in the dawn of the knowledge of Truth in the aspirant.

[Note: The name of the Lord (any name) is so auspicious and holy that even a mere name if uttered by any being from his mouth (or just in his thought), will be answered with infinite bliss regardless of whether he has uttered that name through love or hatred, greed or anger, knowledge or ignorance (although one should remember that devotion done through love is far better and adorable than devotion done through ignorance).

Even an innocent creature while it is wandering around, if any name or prayer of the God (sung by human beings) enter its ear (even though it doesn’t understand), then that creature too crosses many sinful births.

If a being (human or any evil demon) passes away while uttering or remembering the name of the God (higher forms of God, but not demiGods), he at once reaches the abode of the God (i.e. he reaches the Supreme and merge with Him) regardless of how much sinful he had been previously. His all sins will be forgiven at once. But it is said that a being, at the time of his death, remembers his deepest desire. Also, one may be full of disease at the time of his death, and remembering God at such condition is rarely possible. One may die unfortunately in various accidents, and how can he remember God while his heart is trembling so much! Also, one may not be in awake state (right before he dies) to remember the Lord. So, although it seems to be easy, not everyone can do it. That’s why, the wise Ravana has said, “Either love or hate God, but both should be immense and strong”, because it is only then one remembers the Lord at all moments of his life (either through love or through hatred; unknowingly deepening his connection with God). And only then can one be able to remember Lord even at the time of death. This is the easiest and surest means to reach the Lord. And this is the significance of the name of the Lord according to Hinduism Scriptures.]

Mother, Father and Spiritual Guru (respectively) have got higher position than the God Himself. So, serving them and obtaining their blessings equals (or is even greater than) serving God and obtaining His blessings. God rejoices in our faith & service towards our Parents and Guru because He is present within them. Disgracing them is like disgracing God. If we don't have parents or Guru, we can turn to God alone.

Hinduism Faith

Hinduism considers that God is present inside every living and non-living beings as their soul (or primary cause of their existence), and thus it regards all living and non-living beings equally.

According to Hinduism, God is present inside all matters, whether it be an air, water or stone; animal, bird or insect.

God is present inside all the virtuous and the sinners, all the good and the evils. He is the cause of all the happiness and sorrows in the world. He is the cause of threefold qualities prevailing in all the humans and the celestials. He is the purity, knowledge and faith of the devoted ones, whereas courage, bravery and strength of the others.

God is the servant of one’s faith, regardless of whether that faith is pure or not. It means, he supports both the virtuous and the sinners to accomplish their tasks.

God supports one who does his duty duly, whether that duty is for the good of the world, or for its destruction.

Although God supports both good and evil, He takes incarnation (or blesses the virtuous with more power and knowledge) to abolish the evil when their time of destruction arrives. God is the upholder of Dharma, and thus He takes incarnation in every age (or whenever the sin is at its height) for the protection of the good and the destruction of the evil.

God accepts whatever is offered to Him with pure heart - whether it be a flower, food, or water; wealth, stone, or leaf; charity, prayers, or sacrifices. In whatever way one worships Him, he is answered in the same way. By whatever name one worships Him, he is blessed by the same name. In whatever form one worships Him, he is blessed by the same form only. According to Hinduism, God is of diverse nature. One can choose the name, form, and style (of worship) of his liking, or create his own. Whatever he chooses (if his heart is pure), he will be answered equally.

Better is it to be an atheist in Hinduism, but disgracing God is a sin. One who never takes the name of the Lord (nor disgraces Him), but always involves himself in good works - such a person can be called virtuous. But one who always does good, but disgraces the Lord, then such behavior of a person is taken as a sin because there is presence of anger in his heart. A true atheist neither loves nor hates God; he is just satisfied and believes in his own Self. And being an atheist doesn’t mean he has right to disgrace God and the respective scriptures.

One should never speak false words on God, or make fun of scriptures, regardless of whatever culture and deities they belong to. Disgracing other’s ancestral faith (even if he is faithful to his own) is like disgracing own’s faith. Disgracing other’s God is like disgracing own’s God. Better is it to hold on one’s own and ignore everything else rather than wandering around and discriminating between cultural beliefs and duties.

To be called a Hindu, it is not a necessity that one should worship God or chant His name by any means. Even an atheist can be a Hindu (because Hinduism is not only about Gods, rather it's also about life, a way of living perfect and meaningful life). The only thing that matters is purity of the heart in whatever action he does. Faith in the Lord is only a recommendation, not a compulsion. Karma Yoga (i.e performance of action as a duty, without egoism or expectation of rewards, surrendering all the fruits of actions to the Lord) in the presence of Bhakti Yoga (intense selfless devotion) is the most favorable, easiest and surest means to attain God (liberation) in Hinduism.

One should give more priority to what he reads by himself (considering it is an ancient texts) rather than what he hears from others. More priority should be given to what one sees (or directly experiences) by himself rather than what he reads. But it doesn’t mean that what one doesn’t experience is false and doesn't exist. Nothing can be experienced or understand before time (or before a person is ready). Therefore, one should always strive to know the truth.

[Note: One couldn't be a doctor doesn't mean doctor doesn't exist. One couldn't be a pilot doesn't mean pilot doesn't exist. One cannot say that he studied physics for a whole day or month and couldn't be an engineer (or couldn't pass the exam), and hence, engineer doesn't exist (or people imitated to be an engineer). Do we say so? No. We undoubtedly believe in pilot, doctor and engineer. Why? Why do we believe that expertizing any subject is possible even if we couldn't do so? Because we have seen in others, we have learnt from others, and we have listened other's experience. Even the worldly success is so difficult to achieve (and still we believe in its existence by looking at other's achievements), what about spiritual success which is the ultimate goal of every individual, and which is the greatest of the greatest successes in life? How can one simply say that such things are false just because he or she couldn't experience it? This is just our innocence. There are many humans who have experienced it and proved its existence, and still we feel difficult to believe them. Every seers we read in scriptures are realized ones. Even in this modern world, Buddha reached that state of self realization, and seers like Shankaracharya (and many others). And we simply say they are false just because no one among our friends or no other person exist to prove that.

Worldly success is years-long labor, and that's why, many can achieve it. But spiritual success is life-long labor, and thus only few can achieve it. Worldly success deals with labor, patience, and sometimes cheating. But spiritual success deals with every aspects of life. Everything should be in tune. No cheating is possible. And just labor doesn't suffice. So, the things which enlightened beings experience, we cannot experience it easily. Therefore, considering them, their achievements and their teachings to be true, we should always strive to realize those by ourselves, instead of vainly considering them wrong due to our attachment in the material pleasures (sense objects) and disinterest in diverting towards the spiritual path.]

Doing virtuous acts, but with the expectation of rewards, makes a person virtuous. Such a person, after death, meets with heavenly kingdoms. After rejoicing there for many years, he again comes back to the Earth and enter into the womb of human being. Similarly, a person who lives with evil heart expecting to cause harm to others, such a person after death meets with the sorrows of the hell. And living in that sorrow for many years, he again comes back to the Earth and enter into the womb of either human or other creatures according to the level of his past sins, and live his life accordingly.

But one who always does good to others, expect good for others, maintains purity in the heart, remembers God all the time, does his ancestral duties, and does virtuous works (or evil only when needed) without any evil thought (but for the sake of the world) and without any expectation of rewards, then such a person who has no egoism will be not be bound. No good or bad fruits get reserved for him to be enjoyed in heaven or hell. Such a person, after death (or after his sins are completely burnt with the fire of knowledge), meets with the eternal abode of the Lord, and be a part of Him. Such a person never has to born in this world again - the world full of diseases, poverty, greed, bondage, old age and death. He rejoices in the realm of God. This is the most important teaching of Hinduism Scriptures.

One will be doing many virtuous as well as sinful activities in his daily lives whether he sees them or not. The series of virtues and sins will be cancelling each other. This keeps going on throughout the life. This is inevitable. Therefore, the thing that matters most is purity. One needs to be true in his heart, and should have a thoughtful (acceptable) reason for whatever he does. And if that person has given up anger, ignorance and greed, his all sins will be forgiven, and he will be blessed with knowledge that helps him climb the stair of perfection.

The word virtue and sin are mentioned in many sections of this page. Virtuous deeds are explained clearly, but what about sinful deeds? What actions are considered sinful? Below is discussed a little.

According to my knowledge, three kinds of sin exists that will be done due to four different reasons.

The four reasons are:
1) Sin that is done through greed (or sensuality) and anger (even after knowing that it shouldn't be done): This kind of sin is completely in one’s control. Therefore, this sin has the most effect (bad luck) for the one who does it (or assist somebody to do it). For example, cheating people for personal benefit.

2) Sin that is done through compulsion (even after knowing that it shouldn't be done): Although it is in one’s control, it is usually done for honest reason (i.e. out of necessity rather than by ignorance). So, this sin has lower effect than the previous one (although it is done by compulsion, it is still a sin). For example, stealing other’s money (due to poverty) to feed own’s child, taking similar revenge with someone for his previous misdoings, etc. However, these sins can be balanced through proper devotion (or charities).

3) Sin that is done through lack of knowledge (not knowing it shouldn't be done): This kind of sin is not completely in one’s control, therefore, if it is done out of unknowingness then it is forgiven (and given the opportunity to learn). But if it is the result of greed or anger, then it is rewarded with misfortunes (according to the innocence of that person and the level of sin he has done). This sin doesn’t have years of bad luck (like of previous two), but a short-period setbacks just in order to teach valuable lesson to the one who does it. For example, a small boy lying to his father in order to hide his mistake.

4) Sin that is done unknowingly (even if one knows it shouldn't be done): Although one knows it shouldn’t be done, these sins occur without personally doing it (or without greed or anger). These sins are done by almost every human beings and are unavoidable. So, these sins are considered minor, and are forgiven with simple devotions. For example, stepping on small creatures (unknowingly) while walking on the road.

And the three types of sin are:
1) Common Sin: Sin that has equal effect for every human beings. These include:
- Disgracing God and speaking false words on Him.
- Discriminating between different forms of the God.
- Neglecting ancestral duties (that is to be followed).
- Disgracing other's ancestral faith (even if one is faithful to his own).
- Hurting (or to assist) innocent beings for personal satisfaction (rather than for the sake of the world).
- Killing (or to assist) other creatures for personal satisfaction (rather than for the sake of the world).
- Stealing other’s properties.
- Cheating innocent beings.
- Not paying a debt (that has to be paid).
- Making others quarrel or fight (for personal satisfaction) by giving them false messages.
- Laughing or enjoying at other's pain.
- Looking somebody with lustful thought.
- Having sexual relationship with somebody (unless they are married).
- Troubling own's body by consuming improper foods and drinks (causing ill health and leading the valuable life to waste, not being able to reach the goal or walk the stairs of perfection).
- Lying others for personal benefit.
- Hesitating (due to greed) to admit own's mistake even after realizing it. One should, atleast, ask for forgiveness to God.
- And many others.

2. Karmic Sin: Sin that contains neglecting one's Karmic duties. The effect of sin is not equal for every human beings. These include:
- Hunting an animal by a Brahmin is considered a sin, although a Kshatriya is not bound by such sin (as long as he hunts following his ancestral tradition, or to protect his land for mass benefit).
- Fleeing from a righteous war (war that is done for the sake of good people, but not out of greed) due to the fear of death is a sin for a Kshatriya, but a Brahmin should never engage himself in any kind of war.
- Eating meat by a Brahmin is considered a sin, although it is neutral for other classes of people (as long as they eat for living, or as a part of tradition, rather than for pleasure or fashion).
- A Brahmin male who doesn't wear or value his sacred thread, or doesn't perform his morning Japa at proper time and by proper means is considered a sin.
- A Brahmin starting his day without remembering the Lord is considered a sin.
- And many others.

[Note: The duty of people belonging to different classes (or Varna) is different. The duty of a Brahmin is studying Vedas and imparting knowledge, i.e. learning about spiritual practices and teaching it to others. Duty of a Kshatriya is protecting society from evildoers, of a Vaishya is serving the society through cattle rearing, farming and business, and that of a Shudra is conducting other trades. But it doesn't mean that a Brahmin should not rear cows, or a Shudra should not worship God. No action is holy or unholy by itself. No birth is free of sin. One who does his Karmic duties properly (still maintaining purity and compassion) is only fit to attain liberation.

It's not the action that uplifts the consciousness (from lower self to the higher self), rather it's the knowledge. No mere action takes us to Godhead. Action done with material desire, regardless of whether he is a Brahmin, Kshetriya, Vaishya, or Shudra, only creates bondage. Whereas, the same action if done by being established in Yoga (i.e action done for the sake of duty, but not with attraction or aversion), then it doesn't create bondage. No action is superior or inferior on its own. Karma simply denotes action, whereas Karma Yoga denotes action in the presence of knowledge (i.e. performing required actions without agency, expectation of rewards, and evenness of mind in dualities). Every action if done consistently with pure heart, results in knowledge which becomes the only cause for liberation, but not the mere action done with ignorant heart and in vain. ]

3. Minor Sin: Sin that has equal effect for all, and are done unknowingly (or without greed and anger). These sins are forgiven with simple devotion. These include:
- Stepping on small creatures while walking on the road.
- Killing of insects while protecting the crops.
- An ignorant heart getting hurt while protecting the righteous ones.
- Even the activities like not getting up (in the morning) in the right time, not eating food in the right time (and in right amount), not sleeping in the right time (and in right amount), etc. are considered sinful because such lifestyle troubles the health which may create difficulties in one's life from walking in the path of Truth. Because the ill health may disturb one from concentrating on his goal.
[Note: The goal of human life is more than borning, growing up, going to school and college, getting a job, earning, developing health issue, trying to cure them, developing bad habits and put an end to them at certain stage in life, and dying. If one spends his life only in these things, then his life is considered a waste from spiritual (Yogic) point of view.]
- And many others.

Yes, it is true that remembering God and singing His names cancel out the sins. But it doesn't mean that all sins are forgiven that easily. The sins that are done due to ignorance, greed, and anger has to be paid off, no matter even if one spends his time on singing the names of the Lord. Because a person who is unkind in his heart, who hurt others, who has no empathy, who shows discrimination between 'mine' and 'yours', who cheats others, who steals other's properties, but deceives them (or himself) by the act of singing the names of the Lord, then such a person is only called a pretender. His devotion might cancel his sins to some extent, but he has to bear the sufferings for his past deeds before his sins are balanced completely. A person who hurt others (by whatever means) for his personal satisfaction and happiness (even if the other being is innocent and has done nothing unrighteous to him), is rewarded with pain and poverty (in the same life or the next). Hurting other beings for personal pleasure even if that being is innocent and has done nothing unrighteous, is considered the biggest sin in Hinduism. Such sin is surely rewarded (or can be cancelled only through intense devotion) with equal (or more) pain and sufferings in the same life or the next. There is no doubt in this.

Sacrifice is the biggest devotion that can be done by a man. Here, sacrifice doesn't mean killing of animals nor any mere act (of praying, fasting, donating, worshipping, etc) done without heart. Rather it means abandoning sensuality (i.e. crave or desire) in thought, word, and deed either for the benefit of one's own body (not sensual organs) or for the benefit of others. Performing action led by one's own Karma (or as a part of family culture, or under the supervision of parents, especially Mother) doesn't increase the sin of a person (neither increases virtue), but if that person tries to pursue right path (not by ignorance, attraction or compulsion through disease/poverty, name/fame etc, but by right knowledge or through love), then such act will be considered a sacrifice and he will be blessed for his action.

In short, if a person follows his family culture (even if it includes threatening of own or somebody else's life) as a duty, then he wouldn't be doing any more sin than what he already possess at the time of his birth (because no birth in itself is free of sin). But if he could refrain from (or give up) such acts (after gaining knowledge and after knowing its effects in the nature) in the later stages of his life (it doesn't mean at old age, but as soon as possible right after one learns the truth), then he will be doing the greatest of sacrifices - sacrifice done for the welfare of nature by abandoning the greatest of the sensual pleasures or desires.

Even in shortest phrase, "Either follow your Parents or follow Manav Dharma, but both should be from the heart (as a duty) and not for show-off."

A person who sees another's pain as if it is his own, such person is considered the greatest among men.

God is the maker of the rules, and He sustains the Universe according to His rules. He blesses or punishes the creatures according to the rules only. The nature along with every living and non-living beings comes into existence and again cessation according to the rules only. Although God is not bounded by any rules, He still preserves and works accordingly in order to maintain balance and justice in the Universe.

Knowledge in Hinduism

Hinduism encompasses a diverse range of ancient scriptures and philosophical texts that serve as sources for its ultimate knowledge. One of the primary sources of knowledge in Hinduism is the Vedas, considered to be eternal and divine revelations. Another source of knowledge is Puranas. They contain narratives about the history of the Universe from creation to destruction and the genealogies of kings, heroes, sages, and deities.

Vedic knowledge works for all regardless of their heart. It just needs to be accurate. Therefore, even demons used to possess many powers gained through Vedic rituals in the ancient ages.

Puranic knowledge deals with performing the ancestral duties, worshipping God, reading sacred scriptures, showing love and mercy to the disabled creatures, etc. as per one’s capacity. The mistakes are forgiven (and chances are given) unless one is ignorant in his heart. There is no specific rules to be followed.

As Vedas have been originated from the mind of Brahma, Puranas are the conveying (from one sage to another) of different stories of Gods and sages of the Vedic times. Vedas is eternal as it is the word of the God, whereas Puranas is the gift of the God. They are also considered as Smritis (that which is remembered). Vedas is the Truth whereas Puranas is the Path. Vedas is the answer whereas Puranas is the reason (behind its laws). Vedas contains the sacred hymns, whereas Puranas (through its enormous stories of many kings, sages and demons, and Lord's incarnation itself) contains the way of achieving perfection through right deeds, the torments of pain and poverty through evil deeds, the importance of devotion and prayers, as well as the methods and benefits of chanting those Vedic hymns properly or drawbacks of chanting them improperly, in complete details. Vedas is for ancient (or present, if exists) self-realized sages, whereas Puranas is for those who are in the path of gaining knowledge (like us). Vedas is for those who are already established in knowledge, whereas Puranas is for those who are seekers after knowledge.

[Note: As long as a person expects for material desire (like gaining wealth, name, fame, relationship, powers, etc.), Vedic hymns should be chanted perfectly with full understanding for it to have complete positive effect. But with worldly expectation, and with improper style if Vedic hymns are chanted (that also, without the initiation from a Guru), then such sacrifice doesn't yield expected results. Instead, the person may carry sin for neglecting the holiness of hymns. But, if one is desireless and has no material expectation, but still chants Vedic hymns (or any other hymns) just to increase his devotion (or for obtaining blessings, or as a love towards God) along with true faith and as per his capability, then the minor omissions or mispronunciations that might occur while chanting the hymns are forgiven. He will still be blessed. This is another beautiful knowledge of the Puranas.]

In this age, reading Puranas is difficult for everyone or every seeker after truth (Vedas is far off). So, God has given us the knowledge of the Puranas in brief, and that is the Bhagavad Gita. Respecting the knowledge of the Gita, and following its teachings with true heart is enough to attain liberation.

[Note: Vedas is vast. However, this is not the primary reason why Puranas is recommended to be read by present people. There are other more important reasons.

The knowledge of the Vedas, or the permission of chanting the Vedic hymns, should only be initiated from a Guru. The main reason of performing sacred-thread ceremony in a Brahmin class is to signify that the Brahmin boy is now fit to read the higher knowledge of the Vedas (previously he was unfit). One cannot chant the Vedic hymns at his own will (without initiation from a Guru). Also, one cannot consider himself a Guru (out of envy), and give himself permission to read the Vedas. Therefore, Vedas are not recommended to be read (by everyone) if we have to say from general point of view.

Another reason is, Vedic hymns should not be chanted by (or be spoken to) the one who has no respect for the scriptures, who cavils at God, and who is full of discrimination (bias heart). It should not be mispronounced and skipped out of haste and ignorance. Also, one gets no full benefit if he reads without understanding the meaning of the words. And, these ignorance cannot be dispelled just by chanting the hymns. One should, atleast, have deep faith and love towards God, otherwise it is fruitless (or waste of time).

Vedas is the highest light. It contains the highest knowledge, but not the direction of how to obtain it (or the importance of learning and the drawbacks of not learning it). Just as one cannot learn the method of lighting the candle by only staring at the burning candle, so does one cannot learn the essence of Vedic knowlede just by reading the Vedas (he might produce direct translation, but not the meaning or the reason behind it). We are like the candle that hasn't been flamed (although subconsciously, we are all enlightened; consciously, we are not aware of it; enlightenment actually means being aware of what we already possess). The direction of lighting the candle should be learnt from somewhere else. Likewise, the direction of obtaining the essence of the Vedas should be learnt from somewhere else. And, that (somewhere) is the Puranas. But it doesn't mean that Puranas are easy and at once takes us towards Godhead. They also contain many ambiguities. Mere reading doesn't give anything. Virtue cannot occur unless one implements what he has learnt. One has to live in knowledge for several years before he actually obtain blessings. The path of spirituality is very long. Following the rules properly at one day, and ignoring the other day (for example, helping the poor at one day, and stealing the other day; being truthful at one day, and lying the other day; praying God at one day, and forgetting the other day, etc); such careless living doesn't yeild any benefits. Therefore, one who lacks faith and love, and who is full of bias heart (and who only translates the scriptures but never ponder on its meaning) and never learns from a Guru, may still find difficult to walk in the path of Truth.]

If Vedas are considered to be the cow, then Puranas is its milk, whereas Bhagavad Gita is the most beautiful essence, the cream, whose study alone removes numerous sins of the devotee.

Other Values in Hinduism

In Hinduism, God is the goal but there is no just a single path to reach Him.

One can obtain bliss either by performing the above steps (Way of Worship), and/or by reading the sacred scriptures, and/or by performing charities, and/or by helping the needy beings, and/or by performing the cultural duties, etc. The only thing that requires is pure unselfish heart.

One can also practice Yoga in an unflinching way and attain bliss (once the mind is purified by the daily practice of Yoga).

Not only limited to this, but one can live his life in his own way, just by not doing any sinful activity (like hurting others for personal satisfaction, theft, quarrel, enmity, greed, lust, etc.). By doing this alone, he can be fit for obtaining blessing.

God doesn’t consider what we do, but why we do it. No action is good or bad by itself. It only depends upon why we choose to do it. God sees our heart rather than our action.

God is omnipresent, He is the Soul of all, He is the consciousness of all, and He is the primary cells that form up the organs of the body. So, nothing can be hidden from Him, whether it be an action or a mere thought.

In Hinduism, it is better to follow one’s own duty even if it is faulty than the duty of another even if it is virtuous. It means, one should not change his ancestral faith and duty even if that person is at the last moment of his life. Changing of one's faith being attracted to another is wrong. Changing of one’s religion being attracted to another is wrong. One should respect all, but should hold his own. But he should always alert himself from being blindly swayed by the false lifestyles/traditions that were introduced in the middle ages by the evil-minded (or sensually attracted) people. For that, he needs to make a habit of studying holy scriptures or learning from a spiritual Guru on a timely basis.

If one does sin due to lack of knowledge even if he is kind in his heart, then those sins are forgiven. He will be given better opportunity to learn the nature of truth. But if one does sin out of anger or greed even when he knows that it shouldn’t be done, then he will be punished. That punishment is not actually for his doom, but to make him realize his mistake so that he can learn from it. God never discriminate anyone. We are the creators of our own Karma. And God always want us to realize our Self so that we can reach Him, and for that He gives us many opportunities, whether we see them or not.

In Hinduism, human birth is considered to be the second-most sacred birth in this Earth (the most sacred birth is of those who reach the state of Brahman) because only through human birth can one be able to learn the truth, discriminate between right and wrong, realize his Self and attain liberation (i.e. to engage in spiritual life which is the only special property of human life). Such a birth is difficult to be obtained. After millions of births in this world (as less significant creatures) and after millions of lives spent in fear and innocence, the Soul finally enters into the womb of human being. And if that valuable short life is spent only on enjoying and gossiping never being able to understand the reason of one’s very existence, then such life will turn into a waste. And the person may go through series of sorrowful lives (according to the sin he has done) before he born as a human again.

In Hinduism (Ayurveda), the seed (semen) is considered to be the vital force in man. It is the most significant energy in man. It is the mother of all energies in human body. Losing it other than for the purpose of procreation is considered a sin (because its loss affects the body both physically and mentally, arising different diseases and mental impurities). Preserving the semen promotes health, wasting it hastens death. Therefore, one who never preserves (or sincerely tries to preserve) it cannot advance himself in spirituality.

Unlike other religions (in the world), Hinduism is not based upon the philosophy of a single prophet (and other people simply following that philosophy without understanding whether it is the Truth or not). It encompasses the teachings, experiences and realizations of numerous seers, saints, demiGods, incarnations, high souls and those beings who have reached the state of Brahman. As Vedas have originated from the mind of Brahma, its laws have been proved by the seers and Brahmans. No matter how many beings reached the state of Brahman, they all have come to the same point (though in unique way). No one have denied the existence of Vedas and its Universal Laws. No one have denied the existence of Supreme God in the form of Purusha and Prakriti. No one have denied the existence of Soul and reincarnation according the the law of Karma. No one have denied the Ultimate destiny of every creatures to be freed from the cycle of birth and death and merge with the Supreme. From ancient Rishis like Veda Vyasa, Maharshi Parashara, Shukadev, Agastya, Vashistha, Kashyapa, Guru Brihaspati, Guru Sukracharya, Vishwamitra, Valmiki, etc etc, to the seers like Swami Sivananda Saraswati, Swami Vivekananda, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Paramahansa Yogananda, Swami Brahmananda Saraswati, Guru Nanak, Kalidasa etc etc - all are enlightened souls who have realized the Supreme Brahman (Ultimate Truth), and their experiences and teachings are available and observed till today with great faith and respect. There are infinite number of Vedic scriptures written by different sages, demiGods and Brahmins (4 Vedas, 18 Maha Puranas, 108 Upanishads, 2 Itihasas, 6 Darshan Shastras, etc), describing infinite leelas of the Supreme God, though the main purpose or final message is same (i.e. to realize the Brahman). The most interesting fact is, each single unit of Vedic scripture is bulkier than all the scriptures of any other religion (since Vedic culture has been running from the time immemorial). Unlike other religion, Vedic religion has infinite number of experiencers (self-realized ones) and infinite number of prophets who convey the message of Universal peace and harmony. Therefore, it is quite moral and rational to accept the Vedic Dharma in one's life than to accept that Dharma which encompasses single book and single prophet [but remember, to accept the Vedic culture, one doesn't need to change his birth religion, and even an athiest can be a Hindu (or accept Vedic culture) because Hinduism is actually a way of life rather than a religion].

Hinduism Festivals

Some of the most important festivals celebrated in Hinduism are New Year, Mother’s Day, Buddha Jayanti, Guru Purnima, Naag Panchami, Janai Purnima, Krishna Janmashtami, Father’s Day, Rishi Panchami, Dashain, Tihar, Govardhan Puja, Shri Swasthani Purnima, Saraswati Puja, Maha Shivaratri, Holi, and Ram Navami respectively.

Most of the festivals signify either the birthday of the human incarnations of the Lord in this Earth or the day of their marriage, or the day when the Gods and Goddesses gain victory over the demons creating prosperity in the Universe. Whatever it is, all the festivals signify some of the important events that had happened in the ancient ages.

Social Problems (and misunderstandings) in Hinduism

Hinduism is a vast religion. Its teachings are complex to understand as it deals with both this and that. It has no explicit doctrines. It has no single and definite answers or rules. It is the eternal Dharma which dates back to the beginning of creation. It regards people of all faith and conscience. It deals with many paths to attain the perfection. This generality is what creates delusion in people’s mind. People search for definite answers, they expect one goal and one path which they don't find in Hinduism. Because of this, people are prone to changing their faith towards another. Many people are seen to be changing their birth religion due to their inability in finding peace and light in their own.

To eliminate this problem, one should make a habit of reading scriptures by himself, and if he can’t understand the ambiguous passages or verses, then he should always consult a true Guru. Only a Guru is capable of solving all the doubts of the mind (because scriptures themselves are difficult to understand truly by a normal person).

We have come a long way from the Vedic age. People of present generation have already forgotten their duties due to the influence of modern age. There is no one to teach them what to do and what not to do. People now have no regards for their ancestral Dharma.

In Hinduism, humans are divided into four classes: Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra. This division is done according to the Karma one does or the behavior (nature) one developes in his life. We all came from Brahma. Our ancestors were perfected in all kinds of knowledge. But, those people whose prominent nature and Karma became Truth seeking, patience, forgiveness, knowledge gaining and sharing, self-realization, etc, they fell under the category of Brahmins. Those ancestors whose prominent nature were bravery, gaining skills, courage, etc fell under the category of Kshetriyas. Those who were more interested in farming, cattle rearing, and earning wealth through skills and crafts, they fell under the category of Vaishyas. And those who were more interested in earning by serving others, they fell under the category of Shudras. Thus, due to different nature people developed, God created four classes (Brahmin, Khsetriya, Vaishya and Shudra) so that people can be categorized easily. People of each of the category started teaching their children same type of work which they did throughout their life. And it became their culture (tradition) which continued for generations. This is the reason why we see people of different classes doing their respective cultural tasks, and each culture have something unique compared to others. This was also done in order to have diverse culture so that one class of people can serve other class.

But with the passage of time, the sense of discrimination began to arise. People of Brahmin class started to disrespect the people of other classes. Considering their foodstuffs and worshipping materials would become impure, they began to stay away from people of other classes. Similarly, Kshatriya group began to disrespect the latter two groups. This has now become a trend in the society. People think they have achieved perfection by being born upon in Brahmin and Kshetriya classes. But in reality, it is only an opportunity to learn about spirituality and God, but not a perfection. A man becomes fit for perfection only when he does his cultural duty, still maintaining purity in his heart and love towards other creatures. The success in life is not determined by class/caste. It is determined by the ability to embrace spiritual life (Truth, Purity, Devotion, Knowledge, Karma, Selfless Service) and reach the state of Brahman. Any class of people can reach that state.

Animal sacrifice was one of the rituals in Vedic period. There, Brahmins used to gather together, chant the Vedic hymns and sacrifice the animal to the Gods in order to obtain some kind of blessings. By doing so, the soul of sacrificial animal would directly go up to the heaven and crosses many sinful births, and enter into the human womb for next birth. In this process, the animal wouldn’t feel any pain (due to the power of mantras), and get release from its current sorrowful life. This process of directly liberating the bonded soul of that animal into the human birth was one of the most sacred and beneficial sacrifice at those times.

People (sages or Brahmins) in Vedic age were truthful and pure in their heart. They used to live their life in chastity and devotions. They had no desire for worldly pleasure or happiness. They used to completely surrender themselves to the Lord and live only according to His will. So, such sacrifices were not for their personal pleasure or benefit, nor to cause harm to those creatures, but to create balance and prosperity in the Cosmos.

But people in the later ages (who were attached to their body and the world) began to think that animal sacrifice makes the Gods/Goddesses happy, and started killing them without proper Vedic rules or without chanting Vedic hymns. This process began to advance over the generations. People kept on performing such sinful acts without the knowledge of why they are doing it, and what fruits they are reserving by hurting those creatures.

There is another story relating to this. Once in the Satya Yuga, there existed some demons (getting boons from Brahma) who were too powerful that they used to consider themselves as the most powerful beings in the Universe, and started disgracing the demiGods. They also forcefully snatched the heavenly kingdoms of demiGods and also killed many of them to prove their supremacy. The demiGods including Indra (king of heaven) became helpless because they knew that they were incapable to defeat those demons as they had got boons from Lord Brahma that they couldn’t be defeated by any masculine form, whether he be a God or demiGod [the demons asked for such boon from Brahma because they thought (out of vain) that it is not in the capacity for any female to kill them who hold such great strength, and thus they could eternally be the greatest of all in the whole Universe]. So, the demiGods led by Indra went to the Trinity Gods for help. When the Trinity Gods knew that they too cannot defeat those hosts of the demons in their own forms, they combined their respective powers and formed a Goddess, who was named Durga. Goddess Durga then promised to help the demiGods, and along with the armies of demiGods, She started battling with the demons.

When the demons saw their friends being killed by a woman, and their armies being killed by the demiGods, they became terrified. The hosts of the demons kept on fighting, but some of their armies fled from the battlefield to save their lives. They came to earth and incarnated themselves in the form of less significant creatures like goat, buffalo, etc. thinking that they would go unnoticed that way and thus they could live. But however, the demiGods knew it. They then came to the earth and started killing the demons in that assumed forms of animals. The demiGods cut their head and served their bleeding body to the Goddess. The Goddess (who had taken terrible Tamasic/destroyer form of Kali, Bhairavi, etc) drank the blood of severed animals (which was assumed by the demons) performing Nadas. She also ate their head and other body parts laughing with a canine teeth signifying the victory of Her over the demons, giving delight to the demiGods.

In this way, the battle continued for complete nine days. Each day, the Goddess took new incarnation. Thus, She took altogether nine incarnations. Those nine incarnations of Goddess Durga became famous with the name Navadurga. When all the demons with their armies were killed, the peace flourished all over the Universe, and the tyranny of the demons was no more. Out of happiness, the demiGods thanked the Goddess (and the Trinity Gods), and praised Her by singing different Vedic hymns. From that day, the Supreme Goddess is worshipped all over the Universe, both by the celestials and the humans, by thanking Her and asking Her blessings to remove all kinds of fear from the heart and to drive away evil from the land. This is also the historical significance behind Hindus for celebrating Dashain festival.

But alas, time always leads humanity towards destruction and sin. As time passed through Yugas after Yugas, people started neglecting the knowledge of the Puranas. They began to kill the creatures as a sacrifice to the Goddess. People celebrate festivals like Dashain not to worship the Goddess by heart, but rather to eat the flesh of those animals.

At this present time, most of the temples keeps on being wet by the innocent animal’s blood. People kill them to eat their flesh. Deceiving others by telling that Goddess becomes happy by such sacrifice, people hurt those creatures in front of the idols of Goddess and serve their bleeding body to Her. People have forgotten that sacrifice done for personal pleasure or without Vedic knowledge and in the absence of Vedic hymns only incur sin. Goddess never drank the blood of innocent animals, rather She (in Her Tamasic form) drank the blood of those demons who assumed the animal forms.

Even if we think that those creatures are born out of sinful Karma (as a soul enters the womb of human or other creatures according to the Karma one does in his human life where he had the knowledge of discrimination between right and wrong), we still have no right to kill them (because human birth itself is also not free of sin). People foolishly think that the creatures that are present now are also the assumed form of demons, and thus to kill those demons and to serve their body to the Goddess, they sacrifice those creatures. This is totally wrong. No sinful activity is acceptable if it is done without right knowledge and with desire. One of the main teachings of Buddhism is to love every creature equally. One who saves life is greater than one who takes. No great persons (who are self realized) have ever approved animal killing. No any person who kill or persuade to kill (for personal pleasure) has ever achieved self-realization. No great Gurus (of any religion) have ever supported animal killing (for pleasure).

Even if we see from the point of humanity, those creatures who born like us, who difficultly bear children like us, who grow like us, whose young children play just like our children, who grieve like us, who flow tears like us in pain and sorrow, who fear like us in danger, who build home like us (in their own way), who walk and run like us, who suffer from disease like us, and who die like us getting old, and thus, who are so much similar to us (the only difference is we don't understand their language, and they cannot speak for themselves), how can anyone say with cold heart that they are meant for us to kill and eat? We, who have not learnt even a fraction of Vedic knowledge and have never even tried to understand from heart, vainly (considering ourselves the most intelligent of all) think that those creatures are our food and we have complete control over them. This is only our innocence, not our knowledge. Even human who has realized his self sees other creatures as his children (i.e. as innocent beings who lacks the knowledge of discrimination), then what about God who is the Mother of every beings in the Universe? How can he have bias among his children? Humans are only the most intelligent beings, not the most important. But people who are attached to their body and senses show no respect towards knowledge of the scriptures. They only want to fill their belly with sensually pleasing flesh and blood. Lord Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita, “A wise sees a Brahmin, a cow, a seer, a dog, and an outcaste with an equal eye; he sees same soul in all those forms and thus regards all with equal love”. We all including other creatures are equal in the eye of God. God doesn’t accept the innocent cry of Her creatures. Those who do such unacceptable acts will have to go through similar unbearable sorrows in their upcoming days or births. This is one of the most important teachings of the Puranas.

[Note: We write our own Karma, and our birth is determined by our own past Karma. Therefore, I am not forcing anyone to stop eating meat. If you want to eat, then eat, but with knowledge. Eat to gratify your crave, without deceiving others that it is a remnant of Prasad of God. Everytime you eat it, ask for forgiveness to God for not being able to end your crave, or pray God for guiding you to the right path. God doesn’t consider our Karma, rather our heart while doing that Karma. Therefore, it is far better if you try to end that crave arising out of taste, but if you can’t give up, then eat it in the presence of knowledge. Although eating in knowledge or out of ignorance, both are sinful, but eating in knowledge is better than eating in ignorance, because by doing so, there will be high probability of giving up such act at some point of time in your life due to the increase in love towards such innocent creatures and by understanding their emotions/feelings or their need in the nature.]

There are infinite forms of Gods and Goddesses in Hinduism. Hindus worship Gods as well as spirits. Vedic rituals were full of sacred hymns. Most humans in Vedic age were perfected in Mantras (i.e. they had attained Mantra Siddhi). They were capable of calling different angelic and demonic forces using Vedic hymns and make them work as per their will. These all were possible in the ancient times. Some people still practice today, either for the sake of the world or to cause harm (because Mantra works for all once it is perfected).

But this tradition has now turned into a fashion and a means of earning money and fame. People deceive others by covering all their body by sacred colors (ashes), and behave like they are chanting some hymns and attracting people by their awful body movements. In the name of spiritual tradition and service, they behave like a real practitioner and cheat the innocent people. This practice is what has been lowering the significance of Hinduism values and cultures. Other peoples (who have encountered such acts, and have proved them wrong) have started to think that such tradition never existed, and Hinduism is full of fake rituals. This has lowered the value of Hinduism beliefs and faith in the outer world.

In Hinduism, one can experience bliss by himself. It can’t be proved to others directly. This has created bewilderment in the mind of other people. Although lots of Hindu Gurus (who has reached enlightenment) had existed and still exist in many parts of Nepal and India (and their experiences and teachings are easily available), people still find difficult to believe whether one can truly experience enlightenment (or bliss) by following Hinduism doctrines or not. Another reason for this problem is, Hindus never preach their knowledge unless someone wants to learn it, or unless such Gurus think people of their nation needs to follow it (for the sake of their nation, and for preserving ancestral Dharma). Also, from the generations back to the ancient times, the Vedic knowledge is handed down only to a rightful disciple and by a rightful Guru. So, the teachings of Hinduism is unknown to the outer world other than to its followers. The knowledge of Hinduism is to experience rather than to prove. And one who has not lived upon it, nor has any faith or regards for it, doesn’t understand it. Therefore, Hinduism knowledge has always remained a secret knowledge.

According to the Scriptures, God takes incarnations on the Earth for the purpose of leading the humanity towards betterment, and guiding them to the right path, in the style of His playful drama. God has no duty nor sensual attraction, no favoritism nor hatred, nor has any mission to accomplish, but still He descends to the Earth (by His own will) and live like a normal human for the purpose of guiding the good-hearted to the right path, or to punish the evil-hearted.

In the various Puranic stories, Lord Shiva has been mentioned roaming naked like a madman covering all His body with ashes, and wandering around with sorrowful heart due to the grieve of losing His beloved human wife. This act is nothing but a dramatic play of the Lord. The wife He lost was no other than the human incarnation of the Goddess. The Supreme Goddess was born as the daughter of Daksha in order to end his reign as king Daksha had enmity towards Lord Shiva. Once the king performed the great sacrificial ceremony without remembering Lord Shiva, as well as spoke cruel words on the Lord, which was against the rule of the Vedas. So the Goddess, Who is the knower of past, present and future, was born as Sati in order to be the primary cause for the destruction of Daksha. This is what led Lord Shiva to lose His consciousness (in his dramatic play) and wander in the forest carrying the dead body of Sati on His shoulders. There is a long story on this part. But later, Lord Shiva knew that the soul of Sati had gone to take birth as the daughter of the Himalayas (as Parvati). And with the help of Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva married with Parvati and remained forever as Shiva and Shakti in His abode Kailasha. These all plays and performances were done only by Lord’s will, and only for the guidance of the world towards righteousness and spirituality. It is to teach the people about the significance of each attribute of the Lord, as well as how much a man should be devoted to his wife (or vice versa).

Similarly, Lord Krishna is another example. He is the most beautiful human incarnation of the Lord. He had many divine powers and knowledge even in His human form, and had killed many demons while He was still a child. People in Vrindavan (where He spent His childhood) knew, by His deeds, that He is no other than the Supreme Lord Himself. Lord Krishna was so pure, brave, divine and attractive that everyone would lose their attention when they see Him. He was the beloved of everyone in that kingdom. The villager girls (who knew the divinity of Lord Krishna) used to be extremely attracted towards His marvelous complexity and divinity that they used to forget everything and submerge in the ecstasy of His presence. He was also an expert flute-player which would attract not only the villagers, but also the animals and the birds. So, these divine attributes of the young Lord had seized away the loving hearts of the village girls (who were also called Gopinis due to their intense love towards the Gopala Lord, among whom Radha was the most devoted). These Gopinis were so sublimed in the transcendental nature of the Lord that they used to hover Him in the garden (while He was playing flute) and submerge in the divine music played by the Lord. They used to forget their hunger, thirst, and shyness, that they would only want to stay with the Lord seeing Him, forgetting their own beauty. They used to dance, sing and hover around Him, and in His absence, weep all day long till He appears the next day. Some would appear beautifully dressed, whereas some would be half dressed because of their hurried expectation to meet the Lord in the garden. This is pure love, love towards God. Since it was pure, the Lord accepted them.

God has no desire, no duty, no expectation, and no sensuality. Lord Krishna spent His whole day with the Gopinis not because of the beauty of their body, nor because of sensual attraction, but because of the beauty of their heart. God has to accept the offering of His devotees (given by pure heart), no matter what. At present time, Lord Krishna (His physical body) is not before us, so we don't understand, but whatever we are offering today, God (in the form of energy) is always accepting it; we just can’t see directly. Our ignorant mind cannot see or understand it.

God (in physical manifestation) has done many good things as well (in order to transfer good message to the humanity). He has introduced Yoga, meditation, Pranayamas, and Ayurveda that is needed for healthy body and sound mind, He has killed many demons and protected good people, He has attained Siddhi in all kinds of knowledge, He has attained mastery in all bodily senses, He has guided the world to liberation or immortality, and so on. Do we ever see them?? What we only see is how the Lord has spent His time with naked girls, how He has smoked tobacco, how He has wandered around like a mad person, and so on. People imitate God without any regards or love towards Him, but to satisfy their own senses. Many fake Yogis exist all around the world. People smoke tobacco and drink toxicants in many festivals considering it a Prasad of the Lord, or saying that they just imitated the Lord, and what is wrong in doing so!! Even younger people try to mimic such acts. Men show no respect towards the women. Boys walk around and gossip with girls till they satisfy their sensual mind, and if they are asked about their manner, they blame the Lord saying that He taught such act. These trends have consumed many good people and children in the society. They have given rise to false notions about the Hinduism cultures and beliefs.

Nowhere in the texts has ever mentioned to imitate the God. Nowhere is advised to smoke tobacco and drink toxicants (rather they are considered to be the Tamasic food which should be given up instantly by the one walking in the path of Truth). Nowhere is mentioned to stay long or gossip with opposite sex (unless they are rightfully bonded). People talk what they see or hear from others, imitate them, and convey wrong information to innocent peoples, never trying to understand the truth by themselves. Our duty is not to imitate God, but to walk on His path, i.e. to follow His teachings only, for our unwise mind can never understand the divine play of the Lord.

There is a saying: A brahmin should not keep pets (like dogs, cats) in home.

It is said that a Brahmin (or Brahmin family) should not keep pets like dogs and cats in home. Many people laugh at this, but there is a logical reason behind this rule.

As per the Hindu Scriptures, it is the dharma (virtue) of a man to live upon his ancestral rule, no matter whether it seems virtuous or sinful [Note: No action is virtuous or sinful by itself, it only depends upon the intention of a person who does it]. Duty of Brahmin is to study scriptures, perform sacrificial fires, meditate, live in chastity, truth, celibacy, be freed from anger, greed, lust and sensual pleasures, give up material desires and material wealth, fix mind upon the Supreme desiring liberation as the only prime goal in life, and finally to liberate oneself and help others as well to walk in that path. As of Brahmin, other castes also have their specific duties. Though all the actions mentioned above is virtuous (regardless of caste or sect), for Brahmin it is a must. People of holy ages used to live by this rule. Every Brahmins used to strictly follow their duties (born out of their own Karma) and in the last, they used to be liberated. Every Brahmin sages described in the Scriptures are liberated ones. And there still existed many Brahmins who did not live by their rule, thus making their path more and more difficult. Whatever, these are the rules or duties of a Brahmin which was written by the great Sages in their era.

[Note: Remember that Brahmin and Brahman are different terms. Brahmin means caste, whereas Brahman is the state of self-realization. The great Souls who have reached that state of self-realization (enlightenment) are also referred as Brahmans, be they of any caste or sect.]

Here we are in the 21st century. We are long way down from the golden era of god-like beings. We don’t consider much whatever culture we hold. We are greatly influenced by the modern age and foreign cultures. Now most people feed on sensually pleasurable foods and spend time gossiping and going to the cinemas. Scriptures have turned into a myth. Everything written there is a means of joke and laugh. Nobody cares what duty one is bounded with (by being born upon in that family holding that tradition). People worship God, but with the mind full of material desires. Ancient knowledge that is meant to understand the truth about perishable and imperishable nature of the Creator has been replaced by modern knowledge that teaches us how to grow personally and professionally. This isn’t bad actually, but differences lies here. Ancient knowledge that is meant to enlighten the mind, balance it, improve the health, create mental stability, develop the feeling of equality among every creatures, to perform sacrifices for balancing the nature and natural phenomena, art of healing, art of yoga and music, art of war (at the times of need), etc. have been replaced by the modern knowledge that is meant to brighten the mind, to fill the mind with unnecessary confusions and tackling tricks, develop the feeling of competition, inventing machines and industries that pollute the nature, and so on. The only one goal of liberation has been replaced by the only one goal of how to be rich. Equality among every creatures have been replaced by dominion over the innocent creatures. Friendship among stranger have been turned into enmity (unless one sees personal advantage). Liberating oneself and helping others have been replaced by the desire of being prosperous and renowned oneself making others fall. Competition is what one learns from the childhood age. Detachment has been replaced by attachment. Value (base material) has been replaced by beauty (outer design). People care of how to be personally, financially, and socially successful in this life (i.e. just worldly success, and just for this present life). No one believes in the law of Karma, and thus to fulfill their desire, they take up any risk, whether good or bad. People eat for taste rather than for health. People live for pleasure rather than for performing right Karma. People spend time watching self-created stories (that has been given attractive colors and actions) written by creative people rather than studying soul-lifting stories written by enlightened sages. People consider caste division as the creation of man and not of God. Yes it is, but one says so not out of knowledge, but rather due to fear, greed, and attachment. Karma is the creation of man, while caste (with its rules) is the creation of Karma. Caste is categorized by God (only to separate specific duties), but the sense of discrimination among two castes is invented by man only. “Either follow, or forget”, this is the only true rule that applies to every human regardless of what caste or culture he born upon. Either follow the rules according to your culture, or forget everything realizing your true self and follow the rules of humanity (Manav Dharma). There is no other way of being liberated than these two (as every yogic paths too fall under one or both of these categories). We think we have become civilized by considering everyone equal, but this is never the case. We neither follow, nor forget, but being attached to the world and worldly pleasures, we create the rule of our own, and modify it as per our sensual feelings and desires.

Let me come to the point now. What I meant to explain here is, people of this age don’t care anything that used to be cared in the ages of truth. And the phrase “A Brahmin should not keep pets (like dogs, cats) in home” was told by those Brahmins who still follow the duties of their ancestors, like in the ages of truth. The duty of Brahmin is to be detached from the material world, and fix his mind upon the Supreme and carry out actions that is needed only for the upliftment of Soul and welfare of the humanity. Among all the creatures, dogs are the principal creatures who can create strong bondage with the human heart. And thus, keeping them in home, establishing bond between them, and spending time on feeding, strolling, and playing with them might create distractions in the mind of Brahmin. He may lose bond with the Supreme and may feel disinterest on performing his Brahmic duties. A Brahmin hardly used to get leisure time in the past, as he used to be ever busy on meditation, study, and other sacrifices. So, forgetting the duties and spending time on bonded souls (although dogs look innocent, they are actually bonded souls, and with much inferior birth compared to human birth) may divert the Brahmin from his one true path, the path of spiritual liberation. For this reason, a Brahmin is usually discouraged from breeding pets in their own home (but is highly favored to feed and shelter them when they are in need, as this is the virtue of humanity). But for the people of modern age who don’t care about any spiritual upliftment, who don’t care of ancestral rules and regulations, who kill or eat one creature and pray for the shelter of another, it doesn’t actually matter whatever we do. We are all sinners one way or another and whether we see them or not.

Dowry system is another major problem in Hindu society. The beginning of this tradition dates back to the past ages, where people used to live in big palaces full of wealth and riches. Each dynasty used to have their own kingdoms. There was prevailed a system that a family, at the end of the marriage ceremony of their daughter, had to send lots of gifts and clothings to the side of the groom (along with their daughter). People at those times were rich, so it used to be a happy ceremony for sharing of gifts.

But this has created problems in the modern society. Instead of performing functions according to the time and situation and one’s ability, many families, mostly in rural areas, provide lots of trouble to the newly married bride if her family couldn’t send enough gifts to the side of the groom. People marry first, and afterwards they ask for gifts to be provided. If the bride side couldn’t fulfil their desire, the groom’s family will give lots of tortures to the bride, which sometimes results even in murder.

And in the city areas, it has been a fashion (although not in every family). For rich, it is enjoyable, but for poor it is troublesome. Even to show in the society, people do fake sharing of gifts. Or else, the befallen society would criticize the bride and her family. It becomes unbearable for the bride to walk in the society hearing the unfavorable chit-chats of the neighbours. Alas, what age are we living in!! This was not how the tradition started, but how the ignorant hearts changed it with time.

Another tradition that exists in some rural areas is isolation of female during menstruation. It is said that the females during their menstruation period are considered unclean and they are not allowed to touch any holy items, and are not allowed to enter into the kitchen. They are also not allowed to touch the Brahmin male whose sacred-thread-ceremony has already been performed. But some people in rural areas have taken it so far that they shut the women, during her period, in shed or stables making her body (which was already weakened by menstruation cycle) even more troublesome. It's actually the purity and cleanliness that should be maintained (which people lacked in the middle ages due to lack of awareness and sanitary items); not that those females should be tortured. However, this trend has improved in the city areas. Here, (throughout the four days of the period) the woman just stays away from holy places and objects, from clean places like kitchen, and from males (who wears sacred thread), but does everything else like in her normal days staying in her own home. And after being purified in the fifth day, she becomes fit to continue her everyday routine. And this was not due to the thought that women are unclean, but only to follow the culture that has been proceeding from the past.

I am not quite sure whether women during menstruation are really considered unclean or not since i have not found any direct reference in the scriptures so far. But I have learnt from few elders about it.

There are two theories i've found so far, one from a senior member of ISKCON, and another from a normal educated elder (not Guru though).

According to the theory of member of ISKCON,
"All Bramhanical activities like Yajna, Deity Worship, Deity service like cooking require purified body and mind. The rules are same for both Men & Women i.e. one can't perform any Vedic Rituals in contaminated state. It's part of Dharma i.e. Saucham (Cleanliness). Emission of semen (or ovum) and blood are considered bodily contamination. Even men are not allowed to enter in temple if he has relised semen. Same rules apply for women during Monthly cycle.
Even if man excrete one drop of semen in the thread he wears, he need to change the thread. During Nitya Kriya (Urinating and Excretion) and Intercourse, thread should be kept on right ear so that it doesn't get contaminated (even unknowingly). Monthly Dharma (emmission of blood) of women is spontaneous and can happen anytime. So, wife is not allowed to sleep with husband wearing thread during those days. However, they have right to chant Gyatri and Beeja Mantra (in their own room). And regarding cooking, as per scriptures, we directly don't intake anything cooked. We first offer it to God. So cooking Bhoga is also Vedic ritual, and thus, one cannot perform it in contaminated state."

And according to educated elder,
"In the past, women used to perform household activities all day long. They hardly get time to rest or to spend personal time. Menstruation occurs to signify that the woman is now ready for becoming pregnant. However, the body at menstruation becomes weak and women feel energyless to do anything. So, if they could take rest at such time, their health could improve. They also could get leisure time atleast for few days a month, which would be ignored otherwise. Therefore, although menstruation doesn’t make a woman impure (physically, mentally or spiritually), considering it impure and banishing woman from doing any kind of household activities is really for a good reason (especially in this male dominated society). It is actually for the benefit of women and their health."

This might be true too. Just for an example, parents usually tell their babies not to go far because a cat or some evil would come if they leave. Actually they know that the cat would not come (in most cases), neither any ghost, but still they say so. It is because they are trying to teach their child to stay close with their parents and not to wander around unnecessarily. Because although a cat may not come, the child might fall down, or they might get lost, or a dog might bite them, or they might get hit by a vehicle. So, although what the parents say is wrong (which they know very well), there is still a good reason in saying so. Same case is menstruation, and many other historical myths (upon which today’s people laugh not being able to understand the reason behind its origin).

Time is the only thing that makes everything worse. In the holy ages, everything was fine, everyone were happy, and there was no discrimination. Later, when ignorance subsided knowledge, people forgot their duties and started misinterpreting the ancestral rules and regulations. This is the main reason why the women (and men) of this age have to suffer a lot.

Other traditions like Sati-Pratha, etc. used to exist till few generations before, but they have already been eliminated in the modern society. This tradition was a choice in the past, not a compulsion, but later the worldly minded ignorant people made it a compulsion. Thanks to the past Kings who ended this system in Nepal. Actually, it has ended in every Hindu nations till this time. People of this age does not have to live like in Vedic age with severe austerities. We only need to live a pure, loving and devoted life.

Conclusion

Thus, Hinduism is not only about Gods and Goddesses, but also about the purity, observances, vows, chastity, health, vigor, Yoga, meditation, truth, knowledge, virtue, sin, bondage, rebirth, charity, alms, forgiveness, sharing, duties, faith, love, enlightenment, and many others. It encompasses the faiths of each and every human being. The teachings of Hinduism is not only for those who born in a Hindu sect. It contains the knowledge meant for humanity in general. It has a message of solace, freedom, salvation, perfection and peace for all human beings.

Composed On: (3rd - 11th) February, 2018

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