Hinduism – The oldest Living Belief System in the
world, called as the Sanatan Dharm or the eternal way of life, is more of a
guiding philosophy than a religion in true sense. Thousands of years after it
originated, millions of Hindus all over the world still continue to follow the
customs and beliefs practiced or prescribed by the rushi-munis.
My interest in studying ancient texts of Hinduism
began a few years ago, with the realisation that of all the ancient religions,
Hinduism is the only one that is alive and thriving today, withstanding the
forces of Time, Travelers and Transgressors.
Over centuries of its evolution and purification,
Hinduism has developed into highly personalised religion, as each and every
Hindu is allowed and encouraged to discover his own path to reach almighty. One
has to listen to the inner voice *the god within* to decide the right direction
for self. The only requirement to be adhered to, is that the person does not
leave the path of dharma and should strive to attain Moksh or Liberation from
the Kaalchakra(the cycle of Birth and Death), to attain the stature of the
Supreme God himself.
Hinduism, due to the ancient seers, who scaled the
pinnacles of Science and Spirituality, follow the basic principles of Hindu
Philosophy, Cosmology, Transcendentalism, Astrophysics, Metaphysics, Astronomy,
Astrology, Mysticism and Spirituality, which combined together, are a rich
source of scientific data about the beliefs of the ancient Hindus. I, being the
student of Science and because of growing up in a religious household,
developed immense interest in discovering the similarities between these two
branches of information.
Along with Hinduism, I have been researching ancient
texts from Jain, Buddhist, Sikh and Islamic traditions expecting to arrive at a
common end point and I have realised that most myths in Hinduism and World
religions, point towards one common source of all Spiritual and Scientific
endeavour.
The purpose here is not to glorify Hinduism above all
religions because that is against the very nature of it! A true Hindu will
always be open to respecting and learning from other religions and grow self
spiritually.
Instead, the objective is to gain a better insight
into the basic philosophies and intricate mythologies of a religion which has
never sought conversions to spread its message and has still managed to
influence millions of peoples in hundreds of countries without resorting to the
use of sword or Evangelism.
I hope the readers who stumble upon this, find the
experience Enriching and Educational and if not either, at least entertaining
enough to start a new thought process in their own minds. I would like to
conclude the meaning of Hinduism by remembering a verse from the oldest written
sacred text in the world, Rig Veda.
Aa No
Bhadrah Kratvo Yantu Vishvata
Let Noble
Thoughts Come Into Us From All Directions
