What is Hinduism?

198 Pages·2007·59.27 MB·English

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Hinduism is highly philosophical, devotional and yogic. Here an ancient Vedic fire ceremony
is being performed by 121 traditional priests at eleven homa altars in Pennsylvania, USA.
Since 1979 the international magazine Hinduism Today has been producing a treasury k
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of educational features on all aspects of Sanatana Dharma. Guided by the founder, Sat- ae
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Hinduism. The best of those works are assembled in What Is Hinduism? for Hindus
and non-Hindus alike to discover the culture, beliefs, worship and mysticism that is
India’s greatest gift to humanity.
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temples, Deities, yoga, philosophy, gurus, tolerance and family life

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First Edition
Copyright © 2007
Himalayan Academy
What Is Hinduism? is published by Himalayan Academy.
All rights are reserved. This book may be used to share
the Hindu Dharma with others on the spiritual path, but
reproduced only with the publisher’s prior written consent.
Designed, typeset and illustrated by the sannyasin swamis
of the Saiva Siddhanta Yoga Order and published by Hima­
Modern Adventures
la yan Academy, 107 Kaholalele Road, Kapaa, Hawaii 96746–
9304 USA. See the online edition of Hinduism Today at:
Into a Profound
www.hinduismtoday.com
Global Faith
Published by
Himalayan Academy
India • USA
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PRInTED In USA
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Library of Congress Control number: 2006937562 navaIna saahisak[ k&[tyaaina
ISbn 978­1­934145­00­5 (Paperback)
ISbn 978­1­934145­01­2 (Hardcover)
From the Editors of
Hinduism Today
Magazine
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table of contents
chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page
Section one: the nature of hinduiSm
1 Hinduism, the Greatest Religion in the World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
A Satguru’s Penetrating Insights on the Earth’s Oldest Living Faith
2 Hinduism’s Four Denominations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Hinduism Is a Splendrous Lotus with Four Superb Petals
3 God, Soul and the World. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Hindu Views on the Threefold Nature of Existence
4 A Hindu Primer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
A Code of Practices, Beliefs and Attitudes Common to All Hindus
5 Who Is a Hindu?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Insights from Saints and Scholars on What Makes One a Hindu
6 Twelve beliefs of Saivism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
A Sacred Creed of One of Hinduism’s Four Primary Denominations
7 Hindu Scriptures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Ancient Holy Texts Revealed by God and Man
8 The Vedic Experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
A Bouquet of Verses from the Vedas, Hinduism’s Most Venerated Scripture
9 Sacred Symbols. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Endearing Icons of Mythology, Mysticism, Culture and Devotion
10 Family Life and Monastic Life. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
The Spiritual Ideals of Hinduism’s Two Noble Paths of Dharma
11 A Creed of Monasticism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Vivekananda’s “Song of the Sannyasin” Boldy Defines the Ideals of Monastic Life
12 Ten Questions People Ask About Hinduism. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Bringing Light to Key Areas of Curiosity, Confusion and Misconception
13 How to become a Hindu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Personal Stories of Men and Women Who Formally Entered Hinduism
14 Hinduism and buddhism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
A Brilliant Comparison of Asia’s Two Spiritual Titans
Section two: hindu metaphySicS
15 The Satguru 149
Hymns in Praise of Enlightened Masters and a Discussion of their Centrality
16 The Chakras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Exploring the Fourteen Mystical Force Centers that Govern Awareness
17 Subtle Energy Highways. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Ida, Pingala and Sushumna, the Main Currents of Our Psychic Nerve System
18 The Human Aura. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Understanding and Improving Your Colorful Emotional Energy Field
19 Death and Dying. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
The Hindu View of the Grand Departure and Its Sacred Rites of Passage
iv hinduism today april/may/june, 2005 table of contents v
Perhaps nothing better captures the grand spirit of
Hinduism than the Kumbha Mela, here celebrated in
Haridwar, as tens of millions of devotees pilgrimaged
to the holy city at the gateway to the Himalayas. They
chanted “Jai Ganga Ma,” took their sacred bath in
the frigid river, collected a pot of holy Ganga water
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20 Life After Death . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 34 Hatha Yoga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Hindu Metaphysics’ Answers to Universal Questions About the “End of Life” A 24-Posture System of Body Tuning and Preparation for Meditation
21 Hindu Astrology’s Lunar Mansions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176 35 Sacred Pilgrimage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
The 27 Nakshatras and Their Impact on Human Nature and Behavior Seeking God, Begging for Boons and Atoning for Misdeeds at 14 Holy Places
Section three: how hinduS worShip Section five: family life and culture
22 The Home Shrine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 36 Hindu Hospitality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
How and Why to Establish a Holy Room for Worship and Meditation How the Guest is Treated as God in the Hindu Home
23 My Friend, Lord Ganesha. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186 37 Raising Children as Good Hindus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
All About Hinduism’s Benevolent Elephant-Faced Lord of Dharma Parents are the First Gurus in Religion and Character Building
24 Home Puja . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202 38 Cultural Clues and Clues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
A Worship Ceremony to Ganesha with Explanations and Sanskrit Chants Keys to Hindu Protocol for Novice Pilgrims to the Holy Lands
25 Visiting a Hindu Temple. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218 39 Rites of Passage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
A Guide to the Inner and Outer Workings of Hindu Places of Worship Personal Ceremonies That Sanctify and Celebrate Life’s Crucial Junctures
26 Holy Festivals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226 40 Honoring the Arts of Homemaking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Insights into the Annual Hindu Celebrations Enjoyed the World Over An Artist’s Portrayal of the Hindu Wife’s Traditional Domestic Duties
27 Home Festivals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234 41 Hail Hindu Heroes! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Annual Observances That Uplift the Family and Spiritualize the Household Celebrating Some of India’s Champions of Virtue, Strength and Spirituality
28 Kumbha Mela. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Section Six: hindu ethicS
Cosmic Alignment and Divine Presence Empower Humanity’s Largest Gathering
42 Hinduism’s Code of Conduct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Twenty Keys for Spiritual Living in Contemporary Times
Section four: Spiritual practiceS
29 Karma Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249 43 The Meat­Free Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
A Step-By-Step Guide to Help You Effectively Deal with Your Karma Five Good Reasons to Be a Vegetarian and Ten Arguments Against Eating Meat
30 Karma and Reincarnation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258 44 Medical Ethics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Insights from Swami Vivekananda on How We Each Forge Our Own Destiny Hindu Insights on 25 Sensitive Areas Frequently Encountered by Physicians
31 How to Ease Karma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262 45 To Do no Harm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Using the Power of Penance to Mitigate the Effects of Misdeeds Exploring the Cardinal Virtue of Non-Injury in Thought, Word and Deed
32 Anger Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269 46 Lighten Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364
Seven Ways to Tame Your Most Destructive Emotion A Selection of Cartoons Playing on Hindu Nuances and Beliefs
33 Silence is Golden. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Mind and Emotions Are Calmed as We Observe Mauna, Restraint of Speech
vi what is hinduism? table of contents vii
At the height of puja, a priest lights the sacred lamp
which he will slowly wave before the Deity as an act of
veneration, carrying out liturgy that is thousands of years
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preface
Insight sections over the last ten years by the talented team of Rare is the book that presents Hinduism in a comprehensive,
editiors, writers and photographers of our international magazine, contemporary, complementary way—as a family of faiths and phi­
by sATGuru bodHInATHA vEylAnswAMI Hinduism Today. All that was needed now, in 2007, was to choose losophies—that a modern, English­speaking audience can relate
A the best features and put them together in a way that offers a to, understand and appreciate. What Is Hinduism? is just such a
ll faiths are grappling with their self­definition as we developed. Just confer with Hindu parents who have stumbled thorough yet highly readable introduction to Hinduism. Voilà! rare gem. Exploring it, readers now and then spontaneously stop
rev up to the breathtaking speed of the information when confronted with the direct and innocent questions posed As a small group of renunciate Hindu monks at Kauai’s Hindu and sigh, “Ahh, now I get it. I now understand this basic concept
age—a period more intense and kinetic than any other by their own children, questions they never voiced and therefore Monastery in Hawaii, we have produced Hinduism Today for of Hinduism.” It is an authoritative and inspired work, an inclu­
in the history of the world. Teachings and practices that were never learned satisfying answers to. more than a quarter century, tracking, monitoring and encourag­ sive, sophisticated, user­friendly explanation of Sanatana Dharma.
once accepted without question are often now rejected unless This book seeks to be a bridge between generations of past ing the current renaissance of the grandfather faith of the human Far from the arcane, sea­of­text descriptions of Hinduism, this
evidence and logic are marshalled to give them plausibility. To centuries that grew up immersed in a pristine Hindu culture— race. One of the main reasons Gurudeva founded the magazine book is rich with potent images, traditional symbols and pho­
survive, customs and traditions must bear up under intellectual with vast communal knowledge available to them—and current was to help Hindus become more aware of the activities of their tographs depicting each aspect of the culture and faith. If one
scrutiny, must prove themselves helpful and immediately usable. generations that have little or no access to such knowledge. In Hindu brothers and sisters in other parts of the world and thus were to simply study the photos and art and their captions, that
Hinduism is no exception. Hindu education for youth is lan­ those olden times, living in a homogenous society with the faith’s draw strength and courage from that knowledge. Another was to would itself serve as a meaningful glimpse into the Hindu heart.
guishing, and communities around the world are struggling to culture and traditions interwoven in every aspect of daily life, dispel myths and misinformation promulgated by invaders and This book is inspired by and draws heavily from the remark­
compose clear, concise presentations of the dharma. It would one didn’t need to ask the whys of everything. He only needed missionaries of alien religions. A third was to present the beliefs able spiritual legacy of Gurudeva, without doubt one of the most
be possible to spend an entire lifetime, indeed, many lifetimes, to participate, enjoy and absorb the nuances and meanings from and practices common to all Hindus, as well as the teachings significant Hindu saints and leaders of the twentieth century.
absorbing and practicing the teachings of just one sect or the inside out. In today’s fragmented societies, we no longer and traditions of the individual sects, traditions and lineages that An American by birth, Gurudeva showed the world by his pure
of the Hindu faith. Yet, there is also a need to understand this have such cocoon­like training for children, so teachings must together form this quilt of dharma. What Is Hinduism? is an and dedicated life that Hinduism is a vibrant, relevant and living
complex conglomerate as a whole as well. There is a preeminent be rearticulated and presented in ways that will make intellec­ insider’s view, honoring the beauties of culture, tradition, cel­ force. He renewed the pride of Hindus in their faith and gave
need, the world over, for cogent, comprehensive explanations tually clear their purpose, relevance and value in competition ebration, worship, belief and discipline. them guidelines for following Hindu Dharma. He boldly spoke
of the various facets of Hinduism—and the shared features of with the compelling flood of media that youths and adults are In addition to the reams of scripture available to readers, there of Hinduism as the greatest religion in the world and showed
its various sects—from a mountaintop perspective—to answer subjected to day after day. Hinduism must also compete in the are many books on Hinduism by writers and scholars of both millions that Hinduism is destined to teach our newly emerging
the sincere questions of children, coworkers, neighbors, critics arena of ideas with its aggressively evangelical counterparts. East and Wests but few offer much relief to the parent looking global civilization that harmonious coexistence—in peace, mu­
and colleagues, and to provide a nonacademic presentation for T he idea of creating a book called “What Is Hinduism?” came for simple answers, or the social studies teacher looking for an tual respect, and with a deep sense of spiritual values—is not
those of other religions seeking insight into this ancient path. to me from the “inner sky” one day while I was meditating on our authentic overview of the faith. Texts by Westerners, often aca­ merely a dream, but a living reality. We know that Gurudeva is
Producing quality educational materials on Hinduism is in­ faith’s educational needs. It was as if the inner­plane masters, among demic in nature, tend to paint Hinduism into the past and distort smiling approvingly at the creation of What Is Hinduism? We
herently difficult precisely because it is one of the world’s most them our dear Gurudeva, Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, it by wrong emphasis, dwelling on peripheral, controversial is­ believe it will be hailed as a classic, and hopefully a best seller,
paradoxical and easily misunderstood religious traditions. It can were sending the thought form that such a work would be just sues such as caste and the “Aryan Invasion.” Those by Easterners so that uncounted souls may enjoy its heartfelt messages.
be equally confounding to the outsider and to those born in what is needed at this time. Approached from scratch, the book generally focus on just one sampradaya or lineage—such as San­
dharma’s embrace. This is because it is actually a family of many in your hands would take years to produce, especially with the karan Vedanta, Madhva Vaishnavism or Saiva Siddhanta—often
different faiths that share essential practices and characteristics. amount of patience and care that you will find here in each presenting its philosophy and tradition as if it were the whole
Most Hindus have an intuitive sense of, but can’t articulate, the chapter. Thus, the serendipitous beauty of the project was that of Hinduism, which, of course, it is not. When each sect and
“whys and wherefores” of their philosophy and practices. The the necessary thousands of hours of loving attention had already lineage is presented in this way, it is no small wonder readers
boldness to ask questions about such matters has only recently gone into researching and designing its chapters, as Educational get confused. publisher of hinduism today
viii what is hinduism? introdpruecftaiocne iixx
In mystical Bali, where Hindus are intensely sensitive to the inner
worlds, devas and demons are known to walk beside men and women.
Nature sees, hears, feels and responds. On a remote beach in that sacred
land, devotees perform Kechak, the spectacular monkey dance.
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introduction must study in American schools—a portrayal that makes them rights. Hindu students in high schools and universities are going
ashamed of their heritage. back to their traditions, turning to the Gods in the temples, not
A sIMPlE ovErvIEw oF A coMPlEx FAITH More than a few Hindus, succumbing to the avalanche of ridi­ because their parents say they should, but to satisfy their own
A cule, gave up their faith, changed their names to Western ones inner need, to improve their daily life, to fulfill their souls’ call.
Google search on the title of this book yields some prominent religions of the babylonians, Egyptians, Aztecs, Ma­ and stopped calling themselves Hindu, giving more credence to Hinduism is going digital, working on its faults and bolstering
15,000 answers. Many are from outsiders offering their yans, American Indians or Hawaiians?” Little remains of them. the notion that this is a faith of the past, not the future. Even its strengths. Leaders are stepping forth, parents are striving for
best take; many are from antagonists taking their best not long ago it was feared by some and hoped by many that those who were Hindus in their hearts would demur, “no, I’m ways to convey to their children the best of their faith to help
shot. Too few are knowledgeable; fewer still are authentic. Rare is Hinduism—the religion of a billion people, one sixth of the hu­ not really a Hindu. I’m nonsectarian, universal, a friend and them do better in school and live a fruitful life. Swamis and lay
the answer that goes beyond parochial sectarian understandings; man race living mostly in India—would meet the same fate. That follower of all religions. Please don’t classify me in any particu­ missionaries are campaigning to counteract Christian conversion
scarcely any encompasses the huge gamut implied in the ques­ it survived a history of religious conquest and extermination that lar way.” In a further dilution, many swamis and other leaders tactics. Hindus of all denominations are banding together to pro­
tion. For these reasons alone, this book was inevitable. Written wiped out virtually every other ancient religion is exceptional. promulgated the false claim that Hinduism is not a religion at all, tect, preserve and promote their diverse spiritual heritage.
by devout Hindus and drawn from the deepest wells of spiritual Ironically, this noble faith, having withstood the ravages of inva­ but a universalistic amalgam of Vedic, yogic wisdom and life­
experience and cultural insight, it is a 416­page definition com­ sion, plunder and brutal domination by foreign invaders for over style that anyone of any religion can adopt and practice without Articulating Our Faith
ing from deep inside the inner sanctum and depicting in words a thousand years, stumbled into the 20th century to meet the conflict. Tens of thousands who love and follow Hindu Dharma
and amazing images the living, breathing entity that is Hinduism. subtler forces of secularism and the temptations of materialism. avoid the H word at all costs. Rare it is to find a spiritual leader A major reason why Hinduism seems difficult to understand is
The forty­six chapters of this book have been drawn from Christian propaganda, fabricated by 16th­century Jesuit mission­ or an institution who stands courageously before the world as a its diversity. Hinduism is not a monolithic tradition. There isn’t
hinduism today magazine, whose founder, Satguru Sivaya aries, empowered by the 19th­century british Raj and carried Hindu, unabashed and unequivocal. a one Hindu opinion on things. And there is no single spiritual
Subramuniyaswami (1927–2001), well understood the challeng­ forth today by the Western and Indian media, had dealt heavy Despite these erosive influences, an unexpected resurgence authority to define matters for the faith. There are several differ­
es that all religions face in today’s world, whether from outside blows over the centuries to the subjugated, prideless Hindu iden­ has burst forth across the globe in the last twenty years, driven ent denominations, the four largest being Vaishnavism, Saivism,
or within. He wrote that every religion consists of the spiritual tity. A typical Christian tactic was to demean the indigenous in part by the Hindu diaspora and in part by India’s newfound Shaktism and Smartism. Further, there are numberless schools
precepts, practices and customs of a people or society, transmit­ faith, impeaching it as rife with superstition, idol atry, antiquated pride and influence. Hinduism entered the 21st century with of thought, or sampradayas, expressed in tens of thousands of
ted from generation to generation, that maintain the connection values, archaic customs and umpteen false Gods. India’s Commu­ fervent force as recent generations discovered its treasures and guru lineages, or paramparas. Each is typically independent and
with higher realms of consciousness, thus connecting man to nist/secular media stressed caste abuse and wretched social ills, its relevance to their times. Temples are coming up across the self­contained in its authority. In a very real sense, this grand
God and keeping alive the highest ideals of culture and tradi­ branding as radical, communal and fundamentalist all efforts to Earth by the thousands. Communities are celebrating Hindu tradition can be defined and understood as ten thousand faiths
tion. Gurudeva, as he was affectionately known, observed that stand strong for anything Hindu. festivals, parading their Deities in the streets of Paris, berlin, gathered in harmony under a single umbrella called Hinduism,
if this transmission misses even one generation, a religion can Most recently, safeguarding the anti­Hindu mind­set, West­ Toronto and Sydney in grand style without worrying that people or Sanatana Dharma. The tendency to overlook this diversity is
be lost for all time, left to decay in the dusty libraries of history, ern professors of Asian studies brandished the tarnished term might think them odd or “pagan.” Eloquent spokesmen are now the common first step to a faulty perception of the religion. Most
anthropology and archeology. He strove to protect the religion he Hindutva to suppress pleadings by Indian parents to improve representing Hinduism’s billion followers at international peace spiritual traditions are simpler, more unified and unambiguous.
loved so dearly. He would ask rhetorically, “Where are the once the pitiful portrayal of their faith in the textbooks their children conferences, interfaith gatherings and discussions about Hindu All too often, despite its antiquity, its profound systems of
x what is hinduism? introduction xi
The snow-capped peak of Mount Kailas,
mystical crown of the universe and home
of Lord Siva, towers majestically among
the Himalayan peaks, symbolizing the
ultimate truths of Sanatana Dharma.
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thought, the beauty of its art and architecture and the grace of its That is how the faith is followed in actual practice. Holy men and Reincarnation: Reincarnation, punarjanma, is the natural pro­ grace in our lives while also knowing that He/She is the essence
people, Hinduism remains a mystery. Twisted stereotypes abound women, counted in the hundreds of thousands, are the ministers, cess of birth, death and rebirth. At death we drop off the physi­ of our soul, the life of our life. Each denomination also vener­
that would relegate this richly complex, sophisticated and spiritu­ the defenders of the faith and the inspirers of the faithful. cal body and continue evolving in the inner worlds in our subtle ates its own pantheon of Divinities, Mahadevas, or “great an­
ally rewarding tradition to little more than crude caricatures of bodies, until we again enter into birth. Through the ages, rein­ gels,” known as Gods, who were created by the Supreme Lord
snake­charmers, cow­worshipers and yogis lying on beds of nails. Back to Basics carnation has been the great consoling element within Hinduism, and who serve and adore Him. The Vedas proclaim, “He is the
While Hindus do not share these coarse stereotypes, they are eliminating the fear of death. We are not the body in which we God of forms infinite in whose glory all things are—smaller than
often aware of just one small corner of the religion—their village For Hindus and non­Hindus alike, one way to gain a simple live but the immortal soul which inhabits many bodies in its the smallest atom, and yet the Creator of all, ever living in the
or family lineage—and oblivious to the vastness that lies outside (though admittedly simplistic) overview is to understand the four evolutionary journey through samsara. After death, we continue mystery of His creation. In the vision of this God of love there is
it. Many Hindus are only aware of the northern traditions, such essential beliefs shared by the vast majority of Hindus: karma, to exist in unseen worlds, enjoying or suffering the harvest of everlasting peace. He is the Lord of all who, hidden in the heart
as that of Adi Shankara, and remain unaware of the equally vig­ reincarnation, all­pervasive Divinity and dharma. Gurudeva earthly deeds until it comes time for yet another physical birth. of things, watches over the world of time” (Krishna Yajur Veda,
orous and ancient Southern traditions, such as Saiva Siddhanta. stated that living by these four concepts is what makes a person The actions set in motion in previous lives form the tendencies Shvetashvatara Upanishad 4.14­15).
Unfamiliarity with the greater body of Sanatana Dharma a Hindu. and conditions of the next. Reincarnation ceases when karma is Dharma: When God created the universe, He endowed it with
may have been unavoidable in earlier centuries, but no longer. Karma: Karma literally means “deed” or “act” and more broad­ resolved, God is realized and moksha, liberation, is attained. The order, with the laws to govern creation. Dharma is God’s di vine
Those who are sufficiently determined can track down excellent ly names the universal principle of cause and effect, action and Vedas state, “After death, the soul goes to the next world, bearing law prevailing on every level of existence, from the sustaining
resources on every facet of the faith. It has, after all, possibly reaction which governs all life. Karma is a natural law of the in mind the subtle impressions of its deeds, and after reaping cosmic order to religious and moral laws which bind us in har­
the largest body of scriptural literature of any living religion on mind, just as gravity is a law of matter. Karma is not fate, for man their harvest returns again to this world of action. Thus, he who mony with that order. In relation to the soul, dharma is the mode
Earth. Mountains of scriptures exist in dozens of languages; but acts with free will, creating his own destiny. The Vedas tell us, if has desires continues subject to rebirth” (Yajur Veda, Brihada- of conduct most conducive to spiritual advancement, the right
they are not all packaged conveniently in a single book or cohe­ we sow goodness, we will reap goodness; if we sow evil, we will ranyaka Upanishad 4.4.6). and righteous path. It is piety and ethi cal practice, duty and ob­
sive collection. To ferret out the full breadth of Sanatana Dharma, reap evil. Karma refers to the totality of our actions and their All-Pervasive Divinity: As a family of faiths, Hinduism upholds ligation. When we follow dharma, we are in conformity with the
a seeker would need to read and analyze myriad scriptures and concomitant reactions in this and previous lives, all of which a wide array of perspectives on the Divine, yet all worship the Truth that inheres and instructs the universe, and we naturally
ancillary writings of the diverse philosophies of this pluralistic determines our future. It is the interplay between our experience one, all­pervasive Supreme being hailed in the Upanishads. As abide in closeness to God. Adharma is opposition to divine law.
path. These days, few have the time or determination to face and how we respond to it that makes karma devastating or help­ Absolute Reality, God is unmanifest, unchanging and transcen­ Dharma is to the individual what its normal development is to
such a daunting task. fully invigorating. The conquest of karma lies in intelligent action dent, the Self God, timeless, formless and spaceless. As Pure Con­ a seed—the orderly fulfillment of an inherent nature and des­
Fortunately, there is an easier, more natural way to approach and dispassionate reaction. not all karmas rebound immediately. sciousness, God is the manifest primal substance, pure love and tiny. The Tirukural (verses 31–32) reminds us, “Dharma yields
the vastness of Hinduism. From the countless living gurus, teach­ Some accumulate and return unexpectedly in this or other births. light flowing through all form, existing everywhere in time and Heaven’s honor and Earth’s wealth. What is there then that is
ers and pandits who offer clear guidance, most seekers choose The Vedas explain, “According as one acts, so does he become. space as infinite intelligence and power. As Primal Soul, God is more fruitful for a man? There is nothing more rewarding than
a preceptor, study his teachings, embrace the sampradaya he One becomes virtuous by virtuous action, bad by bad action” our personal Lord, source of all three worlds, our Father­Mother dharma, nor anything more ruinous than its neglect.”
propounds and adopt the precepts and disciplines of his tradition. (Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4.5). God who protects, nurtures and guides us. We beseech God’s
xii what is hinduism? introduction xiii
Lifesize images of Lord
Venkateshvara, wearing
the distinctive tilaka, or
forehead mark, of the
Vaishnava denomination.
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Hinduism’s Unique Value Today
India’s original faith offers a rare look at a peaceful, rational and most accurate possible description of the way things are—eternal The array of secondary scripture, known as smriti (that which
T practical path for making sense of our world, for gaining personal truths, natural principles, inherent in the universe that form the is “remembered”), is equally vast, the most prominent and widely
here are good reasons for today’s readers, Hindu and spiritual insight, and as a potential blueprint for grounding our basis of culture and prosperity. Understanding this venerable celebrated of which are the Itihasas (epic dramas and history—
non­Hindu alike, to study and understand the nature of society in a more spiritually rewarding worldview. religion allows all people to fathom the source and essence of specifically the Ramayana and Mahabharata) and the Puranas
Hinduism. The vast geographical and cultural expanses Hinduism boasts teachings and practices reaching back 8,000 human religiosity—to marvel at the oldest example of the Eternal (sacred history and mythology). The ever­popular Bhagavad
that separate continents, peoples and religions are becoming years and more, its history dwarfing most other religions. In fact, Path that is reflected in all faiths. Gita is a small portion of the Mahabharata. The Vedic arts and
increasingly bridged as our world grows closer together. Revo­ there is no specific time in history when it began. It is said to While 860 million Hindus live in India, forming 85 percent sciences, including ayurveda, astrology, music, dance, archi­
lutions in communications, the Internet, business, travel and have started with time itself. To emphasize the relative ages of of the population, tens of millions reside across the globe and tecture, statecraft, domestic duty and law, are reflected in an
global migration are making formerly distant peoples neighbors, the major religions, and the antiquity of Hinduism, Raimon Pan­ include followers from nearly every nationality, race and ethnic assembly of texts known as Vedangas and Upavedas. Moreover,
sometimes reluctantly. ikkar, author of The Vedic Experience, cleverly reduced them group in the world. The US alone is home to three million Hin­ through the ages God­Realized souls, sharing their experience,
It is crucial, if we are to get along in an increasingly pluralis­ to proportionate human years, with each 100 years of history dus, roughly two­thirds of South Asian descent and one­third of have poured forth volume upon volume that reveal the wonders
tic world, that Earth’s peoples learn about and appreciate the representing one year of human life. Viewed this way, Sikhism, other backgrounds. of yoga and offer passionate hymns of devotion and illumination.
religions, cultures, viewpoints and concerns of their planetary the youngest faith, is five years old. Islam, the only teenager, is The creation of Hindu scripture continues to this day, as contem­
neighbors. The Sanatana Dharma, with its sublime tolerance and fourteen. Christianity just turned twenty. buddhism, Taoism, Hindu Scriptures porary masters reiterate the timeless truths to guide souls on the
belief in the all­pervasiveness of Divinity, has much to contribute Jainism and Confucianism are twenty­five. Zoroastrianism is A path to Divinity.
in this regard. nowhere on Earth have religions lived and thrived twenty­six. Shintoism is in its late twenties. Judaism is a mature ll major religions are based upon a specific set of A clear sign that a person is a Hindu is that he embraces Hindu
in such close and harmonious proximity as in India. For thou­ thirty­seven. Hinduism, whose birthday remains unknown, is at teachings encoded in sacred scripture. Christianity scripture as his guide and solace through life. While the Vedas are
sands of years India has been a home to followers of virtually least eighty years old—the white­bearded grandfather of living has the Bible, for example, and Islam has the Koran. accepted by all denominations, each lineage defines which other
every major world religion, the exemplar of tolerance toward all spirituality on this planet. Hinduism proudly embraces an incredibly rich collection of scriptures are regarded as central and authoritative for its follow­
paths. It has offered a refuge to Jews, Zoroastrians, Sufis, bud­ The followers of this extraordinary tradition often refer to it as scripture; in fact, the largest body of sacred texts known to man. ers. Further, each devotee freely chooses and follows one or more
dhists, Christians and nonbelievers. Today over one hundred Sanatana Dharma, the “Eternal Faith” or “Eternal Way of Con­ The holiest and most revered are the Vedas and Agamas, two favorite scriptures within his tradition, be it a selection of Upani-
million Indians are Muslim, magnanimously accepted by their duct.” Rejoicing in adding on to itself the contributions of every massive compendia of shruti (that which is “heard”), revealed shads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Tirumantiram or the writings of
majority Hindu neighbors. Such religious amity has occurred out one of its millions of adherents down through the ages, it brings by God to illumined sages centuries and millennia ago. It is said his own guru. This free­flowing, diversified approach to scripture
of an abiding respect for all genuine religious pursuits. The oft­ to the world an extraordinarily rich cultural heritage that em­ the Vedas are general and the Agamas specific, as the Agamas is unique to the Hindu faith. Scripture here, however, does not
quoted axiom that conveys this attitude is Ekam sat anekah pan- braces religion, society, economy, literature, art and architecture. speak directly to the details of worship, the yogas, mantra, tan­ have the same place as it does in many other faiths. For genuine
thah, “Truth is one, paths are many.” What can be learned from Unsurprisingly, it is seen by its followers as not merely another tra, temple building and such. The most widely known part of spiritual progress to take place, its wisdom must not be merely
the Hindu land that has given birth to buddhism, Sikhism and religious tradition, but as a way of life and the quintessential the Vedas are the Upanishads, which form the more general studied and preached, but lived and experienced as one’s own.
Jainism and has been a generous protector of all other religions? foundation of human culture and spirituality. It is, to Hindus, the philosophical foundations of the faith.
xxiivv wwhhaatt iiss hhiinndduuiissmm?? introduction xv