Hinduism aims to live according to the precepts of Sanatan Dharma, or eternal order and path. These precepts are laid out in the Vedic scriptures. They are based on the concept that Brahman is the Supreme Over Soul, the First Cause, and the guide of creation.
Brahman
In Hinduism, the term “Brahman” connotes the highest universal principle and ultimate reality of the universe. It is considered by major schools of Hindu philosophy to be the material cause of all existence. But what is it? How does it relate to our world? Read on to find out more.
Brahman manifests itself as the soul of each living thing. The soul is the micro-small part of Brahman. It is indestructible, pure, and all-knowing. The soul binds itself to a body until death, and is subsequently freed and reborn in a new body. It is eternal, but bounded by its body, which is ignorant of the ultimate truth.
Brahman can be visualized as a syllable, such as the “Om,” which is the yogic sound. The syllable Aum is also symbolic of Brahman. Most Hindus believe that Brahman is within each individual as their Atman.
In Hinduism, Brahman manifests in five different forms. The highest form of Brahman is Ishvara, which means “lord of the universe.” He rules over everything in this universe, including the universe itself. Ishvara’s five basic forms are a man, woman, animal, and vegetable.
The three gods, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, are manifestations of Brahman. Each performs one or all of the five functions of the universe. While each god is unique and has different attributes, they are all aspects of the same entity.
The four Vedas
The four Vedas of Hinduism are the oldest known texts of Hinduism. Originally in oral form, they were later written down in Vedic Sanskrit between 1500 and 500 BCE. They contain religious instruction, hymns, and prayers. They also contain the story of the Purusha, a deity sacrificed in the Vedic tradition.
Veda is a Sanskrit word that means “knowledge,” and the Vedas are the foundation of Hinduism. They are considered to be the oldest surviving books in the world. They are considered to contain a vast body of knowledge and ideas. As a result, Hindus adhere to a very tolerant philosophy.
The Vedas are meant to prevent man from becoming unhappy in the material world, and to bestow happiness on all of creation. They do not aim to bring Final Liberation, but rather to create a happy society and an uninterrupted Dharmacharan cycle. This, in turn, results in cumulative merit.
The Vedas are divided into four categories: Samhitas (collections of hymns and mantras), Brahmanas (prose manuals for priests), and Aranyakas (philosophical treatises). The Samhitas contain the true Vedas.
The Vedas are among the oldest religious works in the world. They contain ideas and expressions of God.
The Ramayana
The Ramayana, or the story of Rama, is a major work of Indian literature. Its 24,000 verses are divided into seven cantos. The Rama epic is a collection of teachings from ancient Hindu sages, and has been a major influence on art and culture in India and South-East Asia. It has been retold in poetic and dramatic forms by Indian writers. There are also narrative sculptures found on temple walls. The Ram-lila, or Rama play, is often performed during the autumn festival Dassehra. It celebrates the triumph of light over darkness.
The Ramayana is one of the most famous stories in Hinduism. It tells of the life of Prince Rama and his quest to rescue Sita from the evil king Ravana. It is attributed to the sage Valmiki, and dates back to 500 to 100 BCE.
The Ramayana also depicts the life of the monkey god Hanuman. He is an important part of Hindu mythology. His powerful limbs allow him to carry out his mission. In the story, Hanuman helps Rama defeat Ravana and save his beloved Sita. The monkeys are important to the story as they serve the gods.
While all religions accept the concept of truth, Hinduism rejects the notion that religion must be absolute. Unlike Christianity and Buddhism, Hinduism encourages critical thought and debate. It is also the only major religion that does not promote exclusivity. It does not require belief in the unbelievable.
Yoga
Yoga is a set of physical, mental, and spiritual practices that originated in ancient India. Its primary goal is to control the mind and cultivate stillness. Through these practices, we can recognize our detached witness-consciousness, which is free from the mind and the mundane suffering we experience. This detached witness-consciousness is the source of our happiness and well-being.
The ultimate goal of yoga is to transcend the ego and discover the true self, or Brahman. This realization will lead to moksha, freedom from worldly suffering and the cycle of rebirth. In the Hindu tradition, this liberation is known as moksha. This state of being is a state of bliss, liberation, and union with the divine.
Yoga was first described in the Indus-Sarasvati civilization over 5,000 years ago, and it was mentioned in the oldest sacred texts, the Rig Veda. These texts, written for the Brahmans, included songs, mantras, and rituals. During this time, the Brahmans, or Vedic priests, refined and perfected the art of yoga. They also recorded the practices of yoga in their texts, known as upanishads, which include over 200 scriptures. In addition to the Vedas, the Bhagavad-Gita was written around 500 B.C.E.
According to Hinduism, yoga is an important part of the spiritual life of Hindus. The practice of yoga helps increase self-awareness, so that the practitioner may heal others. Hindu texts describe this type of yoga as Laya yoga, which is concerned with the healing and realization of personal values. Hatha yoga, on the other hand, is a more traditional form of yoga that combines physical poses and meditative practices.
Sanatan Dharma
The Sanatan Dharma, or the law of nature, is the central belief system of Hinduism. It is universal and existed long before any great teachers came into being. This law is not a better or worse way to live; it is the way of the world, the source of life and humankind. Living in harmony with this law is the highest goal of life.
Sanatana Dharma is eternal, perennial, natural, and universal. It is the way of life and the path to moksha. It is the oldest culture in the world, and represents a coherent, rational view of reality. It is based on experience, and is not based on any historical event.
The Hindu festival of Makar Sankranti has special significance in Sanatan Dharma. It falls on the day when the Sun enters Capricorn, ending the karmas and beginning the auspicious work of the year. It is an auspicious day to devote yourself to the service of the Sanatan Dharma.
In the Hindu tradition, marriage rituals are conducted according to Sanatan Dharma. This means that the husband should wear a dhoti-uparne while the lady of the hour wears a nine-yard sari. However, there are several variations of the customs. For example, some people prefer to wear western garments to celebrate the marriage, while others prefer to wear a dhoti with an uparne.
Hate crimes against Hindus
Several Hindu organizations have pushed for the FBI to create a category for hate crimes against Hindus. They also encouraged people to report incidents of bias against Hindus. But the statistics are not definitive. The FBI’s statistics are based on a specific definition of hate crimes and are verified by law enforcement.
Recent reports have shown a rise in hate crimes against Hindus, including two attacks in Texas and California. However, these incidents are far from unprecedented. In fact, Hindus are the target of increasing religious prejudice online and in academia. And according to FBI data, the number of hate crimes against Hindus will more than double by 2020.
In India, anti-Hindu hate crimes have risen steadily over the past four years. These attacks range from racial slurs to assaults and vandalism of religious properties. Yet, despite their high level of frequency, Hindus seem to be underrepresented in the media.
A recent case involved a man who attacked 14 Hindu women in California. The man called them ‘dirty Hindus, ugly Hindus, and ate cow shit, all of which are common anti-Hindu slurs. The suspect, Tejinder Singh, was arrested and charged with multiple hate crimes against Hindus.
While the FBI’s data does not provide any insights on why these crimes are on the rise, it shows that the hatred against Hindus is widespread, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to fight back. Hindu-Americans, who are a successful religious minority, are feeling the heat.
