Q. What do Puraanas deal with?
A. The Puraanas deal with creation, destruction Genealogy of gods and Patriarchs, and the history of Manus and some royal dynasties.
Q. How many Puraanas are there?
A. There are eighteen, viz., Brahma, Padma, Brahmanda, Agni, Vishnu, Garuda, Brahmavaivarta, Shiva, Linga, Naarad, Skanda, Markandeya, Bhavishyat, Matsaya, Varaah, Kurma, Vamana and Bhagavat.
Q. What are the Dharma Shastras, and how many are there?
A. There are 20 in number. The most important is Manu Samhita which is the basis of Hindu law; others, too, deal with Canons worked out by different sages.
These are the names of Dharma Shastras: Manu, Vishnu, Yaajnavalkya, Angiras, Apastambhas, Kaatyaayana, Paraasara, Sankha, Daksha, Satapatha, Atri, Harita, Usanas, Yama, Samavarta, Brihaspati, Vyasa, Likhita, Gautama and Vasishta.
Q. Have all these texts been written in Sanskrit?
A. Yes, All, besides the Tulsidas Ramayana which is in Hindi.
Q. Is the Sanskrit language very old?
A. Yes. It is the mother of all Indo-European languages.
Q. Why do Hindus have so many scriptures?
A. From time to time different sages and wise persons have recorded their spiritual experiences in these scriptures. Those spiritual records collected from the time of antiquity have increased the number of religious texts. The varieties of Hindu scriptures are able to meet the needs of people of different tastes and stages.
Courtesy: Hindutvam Vol. 1. Published by: Fiji Sevashram Sangha, Suva, Fiji
Thursday 21 January 2016
Wednesday 20 January 2016
HINDUTVAM SERIES 22
Q. What is Bhagavata Gita?
A. Bhagavata Gita is the teachings of Lord Krishna written by Vyasa Deva and is a part of the Mahabharat.
Q. What is Mahabharat?
A. Mahabharat is the life story of two Indian royal dynasties by the names of Pandvas and Kauravas and also of Lord Krishna.
Q. What is Ramayana?
A. Ramayana is the life story of Sri Ramchandra written by Valmiki and later by Tulsidas.
Q. What is Bhagavata?
A. Bhagavata is the life story of Lord Krishna.
Q. How many Upangas are there?
A. There are four, viz., (1) Puranas, (2) Nyaaya, (3) Mimansa and (4) Dharma-Shastras.
Q. How many Indian schools of philosophy or Darshana are there?
A. There are six, viz:, Yoga by sage Pantanjali for development of body and mind, (2) Nyaya by sage Gautama, dealing with logic, (3) Sankhaya by sage Kapila, dealing with Nature and Spirit, (4) Vaishesika by sage Kanada, dealing with atomic theory, (5) Purba Mimaanshaa by sage Jaimini, dealing with rituals and (6) Uttar Mimaanshaa or Vedaanta or Brahma Sutra by the sage Baadraayana, dealing with Upanishads.
Courtesy: Hindutvam Vol. 1. Published by: Fiji Sevashram Sangha, Suva, Fiji.
A. Bhagavata Gita is the teachings of Lord Krishna written by Vyasa Deva and is a part of the Mahabharat.
Q. What is Mahabharat?
A. Mahabharat is the life story of two Indian royal dynasties by the names of Pandvas and Kauravas and also of Lord Krishna.
Q. What is Ramayana?
A. Ramayana is the life story of Sri Ramchandra written by Valmiki and later by Tulsidas.
Q. What is Bhagavata?
A. Bhagavata is the life story of Lord Krishna.
Q. How many Upangas are there?
A. There are four, viz., (1) Puranas, (2) Nyaaya, (3) Mimansa and (4) Dharma-Shastras.
Q. How many Indian schools of philosophy or Darshana are there?
A. There are six, viz:, Yoga by sage Pantanjali for development of body and mind, (2) Nyaya by sage Gautama, dealing with logic, (3) Sankhaya by sage Kapila, dealing with Nature and Spirit, (4) Vaishesika by sage Kanada, dealing with atomic theory, (5) Purba Mimaanshaa by sage Jaimini, dealing with rituals and (6) Uttar Mimaanshaa or Vedaanta or Brahma Sutra by the sage Baadraayana, dealing with Upanishads.
Courtesy: Hindutvam Vol. 1. Published by: Fiji Sevashram Sangha, Suva, Fiji.
Tuesday 19 January 2016
HINDUTVAM SERIES 21
Q. What are the final words (Maha Vakyam) of Vedas?
A. They are: "Tat Twam Ashi" means, Thou are that.
"Aham Brahmasshmi" means, I am Brahma.
"Ayam Aatmaa Brahma" means, This Soul is Brahma.
"Prajnaanam Aanandam Brahma" means, 'Brahma is Knowledge and Bliss.,'
Q. What are the Upavedas?
A. They are four, e.g., Ayurveda composed by Rishi Dhanwanttari for science of medicine. Dhanurveda by Rishi Viswaamitra for archery. Gandharvaveda by Narad for art of music and Artha Shastra for arts and crafts.
Q. How many Vedaangas are there?
A. There are six Vedaangas viz.
(1) Shiksha - Phonetics.
(2) Vyakaarana - Grammar.
(3) Nirukta - Vedic Glossary.
(4) Kalpa - Ritual.
(5) Chhanda - Metre.
(6) Jyotisha - Astrology.
Q. What is the Upanishad?
A. Upanishad is the knowledge portion of Vedas.
Q. How many Upanishads are there?
A. There are 108, but 11 are main: Isa, Kena, Katha, Prasna, Mundaka, Mandukya, Aitiriya, Taitiriya, Shwetashwatar, Chhaandodgya, Brihadaaranyaka.
Courtesy: Hindutvam Vol. 1. Published by: Fiji Sevashram Sangha, Suva, Fiji.
A. They are: "Tat Twam Ashi" means, Thou are that.
"Aham Brahmasshmi" means, I am Brahma.
"Ayam Aatmaa Brahma" means, This Soul is Brahma.
"Prajnaanam Aanandam Brahma" means, 'Brahma is Knowledge and Bliss.,'
Q. What are the Upavedas?
A. They are four, e.g., Ayurveda composed by Rishi Dhanwanttari for science of medicine. Dhanurveda by Rishi Viswaamitra for archery. Gandharvaveda by Narad for art of music and Artha Shastra for arts and crafts.
Q. How many Vedaangas are there?
A. There are six Vedaangas viz.
(1) Shiksha - Phonetics.
(2) Vyakaarana - Grammar.
(3) Nirukta - Vedic Glossary.
(4) Kalpa - Ritual.
(5) Chhanda - Metre.
(6) Jyotisha - Astrology.
Q. What is the Upanishad?
A. Upanishad is the knowledge portion of Vedas.
Q. How many Upanishads are there?
A. There are 108, but 11 are main: Isa, Kena, Katha, Prasna, Mundaka, Mandukya, Aitiriya, Taitiriya, Shwetashwatar, Chhaandodgya, Brihadaaranyaka.
Courtesy: Hindutvam Vol. 1. Published by: Fiji Sevashram Sangha, Suva, Fiji.
Monday 18 January 2016
HINDUTVAM SERIES 20
SCRIPTURES
Q. What is the main scripture of the Hindus?
A. Vedas.
Q. Is it an ordinary book?
A. No, it is a revealed scripture.
Q. To whom was it revealed?
A. To devas named - Agni, Aditya, Vayu, Angiras.
Q. What is the meaning of Veda?
A. The word Veda means knowledge, and literally it is a book of wisdom.
Q. How many Vedas are there?
A. There are four Vedas, viz., Rig, Saam, Yajur and Atharva.
Q. In what language the Vedas were written?
A. Sanskrit.
Q. What do the different Vedas contain?
A. All. the four Vedas contain high philosophical and divine knowledge; still Rig Veda is mainly for Hymns, Yajur Veda is for sacrificial formulas, Saam Veda is for sacrificial songs and Atharva Veda is for scientific formulas.
Q. What is the age of Vedas?
A. The position of the Vedas is quite different from that of other revealed scriptures. Saayanaachaarya, the great commentator of the Vedas, says, "Yo Vedebhyah akhilam jagat nirmaame", that is, God created this world with the wisdom and knowledge of the Vedas. That is to say that the knowledge found in the Vedas is eternal. Yet, in the beginning of each cycle of creation the knowledge of the Vedas is revealed. In this cycle the Vedas were first revealed to the Devas - Agni, Aditya, Vayu and Angiras. After that the knowledge was revealed to the Rishis, who are called 'Mantra-drastaa', like Vishwaamitra, Vaibaswata Muni, Vashishtha, Baama Deva (all revealation did not take place at the same moment) in the beginning of man's creation, that is during the Vaibaswata Manvantar, age of which is 120,533,030 years. This implies that 120,533,030 years is the age of the literary form or present word-form of the Vedas, though in knowledge-form it was revealed in the beginning of 'Aadi sristi' (1,972,940,030 years ago) to the deities - Agni, Aditya, Vaayu and Angiras. Of course, this is the orthodox view of Arya Samaj, Swami Vivekananda and ourselves; while the view of other Indian scholars vary from two lacs of years to ten thousands years. But, western scholars whose attempts have always been to bring down the age of Indian civilisation say that the age of the Vedas cannot be older than 1500 B.C.
Courtesy: Hindutvam Vol. 1. Published by: Fiji Sevashram Sangha, Suva, Fiji
Q. What is the main scripture of the Hindus?
A. Vedas.
Q. Is it an ordinary book?
A. No, it is a revealed scripture.
Q. To whom was it revealed?
A. To devas named - Agni, Aditya, Vayu, Angiras.
Q. What is the meaning of Veda?
A. The word Veda means knowledge, and literally it is a book of wisdom.
Q. How many Vedas are there?
A. There are four Vedas, viz., Rig, Saam, Yajur and Atharva.
Q. In what language the Vedas were written?
A. Sanskrit.
Q. What do the different Vedas contain?
A. All. the four Vedas contain high philosophical and divine knowledge; still Rig Veda is mainly for Hymns, Yajur Veda is for sacrificial formulas, Saam Veda is for sacrificial songs and Atharva Veda is for scientific formulas.
Q. What is the age of Vedas?
A. The position of the Vedas is quite different from that of other revealed scriptures. Saayanaachaarya, the great commentator of the Vedas, says, "Yo Vedebhyah akhilam jagat nirmaame", that is, God created this world with the wisdom and knowledge of the Vedas. That is to say that the knowledge found in the Vedas is eternal. Yet, in the beginning of each cycle of creation the knowledge of the Vedas is revealed. In this cycle the Vedas were first revealed to the Devas - Agni, Aditya, Vayu and Angiras. After that the knowledge was revealed to the Rishis, who are called 'Mantra-drastaa', like Vishwaamitra, Vaibaswata Muni, Vashishtha, Baama Deva (all revealation did not take place at the same moment) in the beginning of man's creation, that is during the Vaibaswata Manvantar, age of which is 120,533,030 years. This implies that 120,533,030 years is the age of the literary form or present word-form of the Vedas, though in knowledge-form it was revealed in the beginning of 'Aadi sristi' (1,972,940,030 years ago) to the deities - Agni, Aditya, Vaayu and Angiras. Of course, this is the orthodox view of Arya Samaj, Swami Vivekananda and ourselves; while the view of other Indian scholars vary from two lacs of years to ten thousands years. But, western scholars whose attempts have always been to bring down the age of Indian civilisation say that the age of the Vedas cannot be older than 1500 B.C.
Courtesy: Hindutvam Vol. 1. Published by: Fiji Sevashram Sangha, Suva, Fiji
Sunday 17 January 2016
HINDUTVAM SERIES 19
WHETHER MAN'S RETROGRESSION
IN ANIMAL LIFE IS POSSIBLE
Q. After passing through different stages and births when one has been able to rise to the human life can he go back to lower birth again?
A. If he does low actions he will have to go back.
Q. Will he go back as low as to the animal stage?
A. Yes. He is already animal, as he behaves like an animal. Only his outward appearance remains as human; this, too, will change into an animal in the next birth.
Q. Does it not sound illogical that man will become animal?
A. It may. But man's behaviour like animal sounds illogical too.
Q. What are the other factors which can make man animal?
A. When one is busy with sensuous things, he ordinarily breeds more and more desires which also need to be fulfilled. The only possible way that one can experience that extremely lustful and sensuous state is through an animal body.
Q. Is it not too hard a punishment?
A. Yes, but not so hard as eternal hell.
Q. Is not this kind of retrogression against the theory of evolution?
A. No. This retrogression is only a temporary arrangement; though the sinner will be under penalty, yet he will be marching on the road of evolution.
Q. How long has one to remain in an animal life?
A. It depends upon the nature and degree of sin which one has committed.
Q. Coming out from animal life once, can he become animal again?
A. If he is not careful, he may. Why animal? He may become worse! Everything depends upon his actions.
Q. In that kind of animal life, can he pray to God?
A. Popular belief is this that animal life is for experience only. For higher activities like praying, etc., he has to wait for human life; still, there might be exceptions.
Q. Can a man be reborn as a woman or vice-versa.
A. Yes.
Q. Can man or animal become a tree in a future life or vice-versa.
A. Yes, according to Karma.
Courtesy: Hindutvam Vol. 1. Published by: Fiji Sevashram Sangha, Suva, Fiji
IN ANIMAL LIFE IS POSSIBLE
Q. After passing through different stages and births when one has been able to rise to the human life can he go back to lower birth again?
A. If he does low actions he will have to go back.
Q. Will he go back as low as to the animal stage?
A. Yes. He is already animal, as he behaves like an animal. Only his outward appearance remains as human; this, too, will change into an animal in the next birth.
Q. Does it not sound illogical that man will become animal?
A. It may. But man's behaviour like animal sounds illogical too.
Q. What are the other factors which can make man animal?
A. When one is busy with sensuous things, he ordinarily breeds more and more desires which also need to be fulfilled. The only possible way that one can experience that extremely lustful and sensuous state is through an animal body.
Q. Is it not too hard a punishment?
A. Yes, but not so hard as eternal hell.
Q. Is not this kind of retrogression against the theory of evolution?
A. No. This retrogression is only a temporary arrangement; though the sinner will be under penalty, yet he will be marching on the road of evolution.
Q. How long has one to remain in an animal life?
A. It depends upon the nature and degree of sin which one has committed.
Q. Coming out from animal life once, can he become animal again?
A. If he is not careful, he may. Why animal? He may become worse! Everything depends upon his actions.
Q. In that kind of animal life, can he pray to God?
A. Popular belief is this that animal life is for experience only. For higher activities like praying, etc., he has to wait for human life; still, there might be exceptions.
Q. Can a man be reborn as a woman or vice-versa.
A. Yes.
Q. Can man or animal become a tree in a future life or vice-versa.
A. Yes, according to Karma.
Courtesy: Hindutvam Vol. 1. Published by: Fiji Sevashram Sangha, Suva, Fiji
Friday 15 January 2016
HINDUTVAM SERIES 18
Q. Where do sinners go?
A. They are destined to suffer either taking low birth or going in some dark region after death.
Q. How do people feel during death?
A. Seers realize God, and the virtuous leave the body with comfort and happiness.
Q. What about the material people and the sinners?
A. They have no end of suffering during the time of death. No suffering of the life-time can be compared with death-time suffering. They are as it were, squeezed in the iron wheel, or thrown into the fire, or torn as under, or lost sight, or carried in the sky and thrown in the sea or turned in the whril pool like straw (Vasist Ramayan 3:54).
Courtesy: Hindutvam Vol. 1 Published by: Fiji Sevashram Sangha, Suva, Fiji
A. They are destined to suffer either taking low birth or going in some dark region after death.
Q. How do people feel during death?
A. Seers realize God, and the virtuous leave the body with comfort and happiness.
Q. What about the material people and the sinners?
A. They have no end of suffering during the time of death. No suffering of the life-time can be compared with death-time suffering. They are as it were, squeezed in the iron wheel, or thrown into the fire, or torn as under, or lost sight, or carried in the sky and thrown in the sea or turned in the whril pool like straw (Vasist Ramayan 3:54).
Courtesy: Hindutvam Vol. 1 Published by: Fiji Sevashram Sangha, Suva, Fiji
Thursday 14 January 2016
MIRACLE
A small idea can create a miracle.
- Unknown
World's most inventions are born from a small idea..
- Unknown
World's most inventions are born from a small idea..
HINDUTVAM SERIES 17
Q. How does the next life start?
A. When causal body breeds desire, the next life starts then and there. But the desire needs fine body and a physical body in order to make itself effective. So, according to the nature of the desire, the fine body and the physical body, must be constituted. Though the seed for the next life is already there, new birth has to be delayed until the required body and mind along with suitable parentage are ready. In other words, when all these above-mentioned bodies are ready, only then a new birth is possible.
Q. What is meant by suitable parentage?
A. Where you will get all opportunities to fulfill the purpose of your present birth.
Q. How does the soul (Jeeva) leave the body during death?
A. The finer portions of the organs, i.e., eye, ear, tongue, etc., merge into the mind, and the mind merges into the Prana or vital energy, and the Prana into the soul, and the soul leaves the body during death.
Q. What road does the Jeeva or fine body take after death?
A. There are two roads, one leading to the Supreme, and the other brings you back to the world. The Bhagavad Gita in 24th and 25th verses of the eighth chapter says: "The seer takes the path to the realm of fire, light, daytime, bright fortnight, the Sun's northern passage and eventually reaches the Supreme. And the path of smoke, night-time, dark fortnight and the Sun's Southern passage leads the Yogi and the virtuous people to lunar light where they stay for a certain length of time according to their karma and then return to rebirth."
Courtesy: Hindutvam Vol.1 Published by: Fiji Sevashram Sangha, Suva, Fiji
A. When causal body breeds desire, the next life starts then and there. But the desire needs fine body and a physical body in order to make itself effective. So, according to the nature of the desire, the fine body and the physical body, must be constituted. Though the seed for the next life is already there, new birth has to be delayed until the required body and mind along with suitable parentage are ready. In other words, when all these above-mentioned bodies are ready, only then a new birth is possible.
Q. What is meant by suitable parentage?
A. Where you will get all opportunities to fulfill the purpose of your present birth.
Q. How does the soul (Jeeva) leave the body during death?
A. The finer portions of the organs, i.e., eye, ear, tongue, etc., merge into the mind, and the mind merges into the Prana or vital energy, and the Prana into the soul, and the soul leaves the body during death.
Q. What road does the Jeeva or fine body take after death?
A. There are two roads, one leading to the Supreme, and the other brings you back to the world. The Bhagavad Gita in 24th and 25th verses of the eighth chapter says: "The seer takes the path to the realm of fire, light, daytime, bright fortnight, the Sun's northern passage and eventually reaches the Supreme. And the path of smoke, night-time, dark fortnight and the Sun's Southern passage leads the Yogi and the virtuous people to lunar light where they stay for a certain length of time according to their karma and then return to rebirth."
Courtesy: Hindutvam Vol.1 Published by: Fiji Sevashram Sangha, Suva, Fiji
Wednesday 13 January 2016
HINDUTVAM SERIES 16
Q. Does the fine body improve after death?
A. It may improve or retard according to its karma, but from the point of broader principles of evolutionary process, it can be said it
progresses.
Q. What happens to us before death?
A The mind will stay only on a few things for which one has more attachment, and just at the time of death one single dominating thought remains, and as life ends, that last thought will determine the future life (Gita 8:6).
Q. What is fine body or Shukshma Sharira?
A. Fine body comprises mind, intellect, feeling and egotism (four functions of the mind), finer portions of the five working organs (hands, feet, etc.), and five knowledge organs (eye, nose, etc.), and five kinds of winds that work in the body. These nineteen elements comprise the fine body.
Q. What is the real cause of birth?
A. Desire.
Q. If that is so then is birth limitless?
A. Yes, So long as you have desire, you have to take birth again and again.
Q. When will this infinite circle of birth and deaths end?
A. When all desires will terminate. That is the stage of salvation.
Q. What is the casual body?
A. Casual body is ignorance which brings you new birth.
Q. How does casual body leave during death?
A. Since casual body is the cause of birth, it starts functioning by breeding desires which will give a new birth.
Courtesy: Hindutvam Vol. 1 Published by: Fiji Sevahsram Sangh, Suva, Fiji
A. It may improve or retard according to its karma, but from the point of broader principles of evolutionary process, it can be said it
progresses.
Q. What happens to us before death?
A The mind will stay only on a few things for which one has more attachment, and just at the time of death one single dominating thought remains, and as life ends, that last thought will determine the future life (Gita 8:6).
Q. What is fine body or Shukshma Sharira?
A. Fine body comprises mind, intellect, feeling and egotism (four functions of the mind), finer portions of the five working organs (hands, feet, etc.), and five knowledge organs (eye, nose, etc.), and five kinds of winds that work in the body. These nineteen elements comprise the fine body.
Q. What is the real cause of birth?
A. Desire.
Q. If that is so then is birth limitless?
A. Yes, So long as you have desire, you have to take birth again and again.
Q. When will this infinite circle of birth and deaths end?
A. When all desires will terminate. That is the stage of salvation.
Q. What is the casual body?
A. Casual body is ignorance which brings you new birth.
Q. How does casual body leave during death?
A. Since casual body is the cause of birth, it starts functioning by breeding desires which will give a new birth.
Courtesy: Hindutvam Vol. 1 Published by: Fiji Sevahsram Sangh, Suva, Fiji
Tuesday 12 January 2016
HONESTY
You cannot expect honesty from everyone. Honesty is the most valuable gift. Not everyone has this gift.
- unknown
- unknown
HINDUTVAM SERIES 15
BIRTH AND DEATH
Q. What is birth?
A. The entering of soul or jeewaatma (soul) in a new body is birth.
Q. What is death?
A. The destruction of the physical body is death.
Q. How many kinds of bodies are there in the human life?
A. There are three kinds, viz., physical body, fine body and casual body.
Q. What happens during death?
A. The physical body of flesh, blood and bone perishes. The fine body coming out from the physical body remains in the atmosphere and moves near the dead body for a length of time due to its attraction towards it. And the casual body takes birth or starts its functions immediately.
Q. Which is better, cremation or burial, and why?
A. As long as the fine body can remember the physical body, it will have attachment towards it. So, the quicker the physical body is forgotten the better for the fine body, for it then can proceed to take a new birth, and for that reason cremation is better than burial. In burial there will be more chances of the soul being attached to the dead body.
Courtesy: Hindutvam Vol. 1 Published by: Fiji Sevashram Sangha, Suva, Fiji
Q. What is birth?
A. The entering of soul or jeewaatma (soul) in a new body is birth.
Q. What is death?
A. The destruction of the physical body is death.
Q. How many kinds of bodies are there in the human life?
A. There are three kinds, viz., physical body, fine body and casual body.
Q. What happens during death?
A. The physical body of flesh, blood and bone perishes. The fine body coming out from the physical body remains in the atmosphere and moves near the dead body for a length of time due to its attraction towards it. And the casual body takes birth or starts its functions immediately.
Q. Which is better, cremation or burial, and why?
A. As long as the fine body can remember the physical body, it will have attachment towards it. So, the quicker the physical body is forgotten the better for the fine body, for it then can proceed to take a new birth, and for that reason cremation is better than burial. In burial there will be more chances of the soul being attached to the dead body.
Courtesy: Hindutvam Vol. 1 Published by: Fiji Sevashram Sangha, Suva, Fiji
Sunday 10 January 2016
HINDUTVAM SERIES 14
AUM
Q. What is "Aum"?
A. "Aum" is the Pranava or Word-God (probably, corresponding to the logos of Christian Theology) and the nearest and dearest name of God.
Q. How is the word "Aum" constituted?
A. "Aum" is a Sanskrit word. Though there are three letters in "Aum", it is nothing but the prolonged sound of 'A' (ah). That means 'A' and "Aum" are identical.
The first vowel 'A' (ah) is not only the first letter of the Sanskrit language but of all languages. This primal sound "A" has started before the creation and has been continuing and will continue in all time to come. All sounds from whichever source they come to us, come out from that one primal source "A" but the sounds differ due to different mediums through which they pass, as we/see in the piano, one single sound coming out differently due to its passing through different reeds.
The primal sound can be heard by a perfect Yogi within himself. Everything in this world has a name, and the 'name' and the 'named' (the thing or person possessing the name) are one and the same. Without 'name' you cannot think of anything. This 'name' is wrapped up in that primal sound 'Aum', So the conclusion comes that everything is pervaded by 'Aum', and the all-pervading thing is nothing but God, so 'Aum' is identical with God.
Q. What is "Aum"?
A. "Aum" is the Pranava or Word-God (probably, corresponding to the logos of Christian Theology) and the nearest and dearest name of God.
Q. How is the word "Aum" constituted?
A. "Aum" is a Sanskrit word. Though there are three letters in "Aum", it is nothing but the prolonged sound of 'A' (ah). That means 'A' and "Aum" are identical.
The first vowel 'A' (ah) is not only the first letter of the Sanskrit language but of all languages. This primal sound "A" has started before the creation and has been continuing and will continue in all time to come. All sounds from whichever source they come to us, come out from that one primal source "A" but the sounds differ due to different mediums through which they pass, as we/see in the piano, one single sound coming out differently due to its passing through different reeds.
The primal sound can be heard by a perfect Yogi within himself. Everything in this world has a name, and the 'name' and the 'named' (the thing or person possessing the name) are one and the same. Without 'name' you cannot think of anything. This 'name' is wrapped up in that primal sound 'Aum', So the conclusion comes that everything is pervaded by 'Aum', and the all-pervading thing is nothing but God, so 'Aum' is identical with God.
Saturday 9 January 2016
HINDUTVAM SERIES 13
INCARNATION OF GOD
Q. Do the Hindus believe in the incarnation of God?
A. Yes.
Q. What is the idea of this doctrine?
A. God, being all-powerful and merciful, can take form for the good of humanity .in different ways and in different ages (Gita 4:8).
Q. Does God's power not become limited when He takes birth in space and time?
A. No. He remains the same all-powerful God even though He takes human form. It has been stated in the Gita, fourth chapter sixth verse, that He controls the Maya when He takes form so that Maya cannot touch Him.
Q. Why the Hindus do not believe in only one incarnation?
A. There are two reasons for that:
(1) The mission of the limitless infinite God cannot be completed in one incarnation:
(2) Each incarnation of God fulfills the demand of that time. So, when the time changes, some other personality will be needed to fulfill the purpose of the changed circumstances.
Q. Do the Hindus believe in the incarnation of God?
A. Yes.
Q. What is the idea of this doctrine?
A. God, being all-powerful and merciful, can take form for the good of humanity .in different ways and in different ages (Gita 4:8).
Q. Does God's power not become limited when He takes birth in space and time?
A. No. He remains the same all-powerful God even though He takes human form. It has been stated in the Gita, fourth chapter sixth verse, that He controls the Maya when He takes form so that Maya cannot touch Him.
Q. Why the Hindus do not believe in only one incarnation?
A. There are two reasons for that:
(1) The mission of the limitless infinite God cannot be completed in one incarnation:
(2) Each incarnation of God fulfills the demand of that time. So, when the time changes, some other personality will be needed to fulfill the purpose of the changed circumstances.
Friday 8 January 2016
HINDUTVAM SERIES 12
Q. Do the Hindus worship many gods?
A. It may appear that the Hindus worship many Gods, but the real position is different. Each god when worshipped, is conceived as the manifestation of the one Almighty God. In philosophical term this may be called Henotheism. Propitiation of these divine manifestations who are in human forms assists the worshipper enormously in acquiring godly qualities like, spirit of sacrifice, patience, concentration and then love for God which are absolutely necessary to realise that One.
Without this sort of gradual process one can hardly think of an Infinite God with a finite mind, or like Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita (Chapt.xi) the worshipper will be frightened even if the Great God appears before him with His-all-powerful glamour.
Q. What is Shiva-linga Puja?
A. As the Hindu way of life demands propitiation of each Power of God, so is the worshipping of the Generative Power of God.
Q. Is there any other religion where this system prevails?
A. Oxford Dictionary mentions, "Symbol of generative Power in nature is venerated in various religious systems, specially in the Dionysion Festivals in ancient Greece."
Q. Why then some people criticise Hindus for Shiva-linga Puja?
A. Well, it is not difficult to discover evil anywhere if one is determined to see it. Look to the following remarks of Mahatma Gandhi: "It was in a Missionary (Christian) book that I first learned that Shiva-lingam has any obscenity at all..."
Q. Anyway, Lord Siva is god of Destruction, though Creative Force of God is attributed to Brahma, not to Siva. How in the Siva-linga Puja Lord Siva is reversed? Hindu Religion is really confusing.
A. Yes. Hinduism is already confusing, and it will be more so, if you want to understand everything from a booklet like this.
A. It may appear that the Hindus worship many Gods, but the real position is different. Each god when worshipped, is conceived as the manifestation of the one Almighty God. In philosophical term this may be called Henotheism. Propitiation of these divine manifestations who are in human forms assists the worshipper enormously in acquiring godly qualities like, spirit of sacrifice, patience, concentration and then love for God which are absolutely necessary to realise that One.
Without this sort of gradual process one can hardly think of an Infinite God with a finite mind, or like Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita (Chapt.xi) the worshipper will be frightened even if the Great God appears before him with His-all-powerful glamour.
Q. What is Shiva-linga Puja?
A. As the Hindu way of life demands propitiation of each Power of God, so is the worshipping of the Generative Power of God.
Q. Is there any other religion where this system prevails?
A. Oxford Dictionary mentions, "Symbol of generative Power in nature is venerated in various religious systems, specially in the Dionysion Festivals in ancient Greece."
Q. Why then some people criticise Hindus for Shiva-linga Puja?
A. Well, it is not difficult to discover evil anywhere if one is determined to see it. Look to the following remarks of Mahatma Gandhi: "It was in a Missionary (Christian) book that I first learned that Shiva-lingam has any obscenity at all..."
Q. Anyway, Lord Siva is god of Destruction, though Creative Force of God is attributed to Brahma, not to Siva. How in the Siva-linga Puja Lord Siva is reversed? Hindu Religion is really confusing.
A. Yes. Hinduism is already confusing, and it will be more so, if you want to understand everything from a booklet like this.
Thursday 7 January 2016
HINDUTVAM SERIES 11
Q. If we are to suffer or enjoy according to our own actions, how can we then benefit by prayer to God?
A. Prayer to God will inspire us towards good actions.
Q. If God is everywhere, why do we not see Him?
A. There are two reasons why we cannot see God:
(1) Due to our ignorance,
(2) The more something is fine the more difficult it is to see it, e.g. air, atom, etc. God being the finest and largest of all is not seen except with the eyes of wisdom.
Q. If God is everything, why do things perish?
A. Only the Mayic parts of things perish:
(1) Naam (Name), (2) Roop (Form), (3) Sat (Existence),
(4) Chit (Consciousness), (5) Anand (Blissfullness).
The first two which belong to Maya, perish while the other three, which are one with God, never change.
Q. Who are Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva?
A. They are respectively creative force, preserving force and destructive force of the same Almighty God.
Q. Do the Hindus worship idols?
A. No, Hindus never worship idols. But some Hindus, according to the stages of their spiritual life, use idols as symbols. As a matter of fact, almost everybody, Hindus or non-Hindus, use some kind of symbol during the time of worship. A church is also a symbol. According to Mahatma Gandhi, taking help of symbols in times of worship is almost unavoidable and it is in the nature of every human being.
A. Prayer to God will inspire us towards good actions.
Q. If God is everywhere, why do we not see Him?
A. There are two reasons why we cannot see God:
(1) Due to our ignorance,
(2) The more something is fine the more difficult it is to see it, e.g. air, atom, etc. God being the finest and largest of all is not seen except with the eyes of wisdom.
Q. If God is everything, why do things perish?
A. Only the Mayic parts of things perish:
(1) Naam (Name), (2) Roop (Form), (3) Sat (Existence),
(4) Chit (Consciousness), (5) Anand (Blissfullness).
The first two which belong to Maya, perish while the other three, which are one with God, never change.
Q. Who are Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva?
A. They are respectively creative force, preserving force and destructive force of the same Almighty God.
Q. Do the Hindus worship idols?
A. No, Hindus never worship idols. But some Hindus, according to the stages of their spiritual life, use idols as symbols. As a matter of fact, almost everybody, Hindus or non-Hindus, use some kind of symbol during the time of worship. A church is also a symbol. According to Mahatma Gandhi, taking help of symbols in times of worship is almost unavoidable and it is in the nature of every human being.
Wednesday 6 January 2016
HINDUTVAM SERIES 10
Q. What is the age of creation?
A. The Western people according to the Bible believe that creation is only 6,000 years old. But with the scientific discoveries and the unearthing of some ancient relics, people have started to believe that man lived in this world quite a few million years before. The date of creation, according to orthodox Hindu view, is much more ancient. The question still remains open, for something may in future throw some more light on this matter.
GOD (Ishwara / Bhagwan)
Q. Who is God ?
A. God is the creator of this universe. He is the sustainer and in Him the universe will merge after dissolution. He is all-pervading and indivisible.
Q. What are the attributes of God?
A. All existence, all consciousness; all bliss (Sat, Chit, Anand),
Q. Does God know everything?
A. Yes, God knows everything, nothing that comes in our mind can be hidden from Him.
Q. How can we please God?
A. By prayer and by performing our duties.
Q. Where is God?
A. God is everywhere.
Q. How can we know God?
A. By being free from all desires.
Q. When we see immense suffering in this world, can we say God is impartial?
A. Suffering comes according to one's own actions or Karma, and not due to God's partiality.
A. The Western people according to the Bible believe that creation is only 6,000 years old. But with the scientific discoveries and the unearthing of some ancient relics, people have started to believe that man lived in this world quite a few million years before. The date of creation, according to orthodox Hindu view, is much more ancient. The question still remains open, for something may in future throw some more light on this matter.
GOD (Ishwara / Bhagwan)
Q. Who is God ?
A. God is the creator of this universe. He is the sustainer and in Him the universe will merge after dissolution. He is all-pervading and indivisible.
Q. What are the attributes of God?
A. All existence, all consciousness; all bliss (Sat, Chit, Anand),
Q. Does God know everything?
A. Yes, God knows everything, nothing that comes in our mind can be hidden from Him.
Q. How can we please God?
A. By prayer and by performing our duties.
Q. Where is God?
A. God is everywhere.
Q. How can we know God?
A. By being free from all desires.
Q. When we see immense suffering in this world, can we say God is impartial?
A. Suffering comes according to one's own actions or Karma, and not due to God's partiality.
Tuesday 5 January 2016
HINDUTVAM SERIES 9
Q. Is God in everything?
A. Yes, God or Brahman or Atman is in everything.
Q. If God is in everything, then have all things been created alike?
A. No. Though God is in everything, they have been created differently, if there is no diversity there is no creation.
Q. How have men been created superior to other things or beings?
A. In reasoning and in feeling. Besides, man's constitution has been created differently. From that stand-point man is superior to others.
Q. What is mind?
A. Mind is the finest portion of food-stuff.
Q. What is intellect or buddhi?
A. Buddhi is the culminating stage of the mind, and above intellect is Ataman.
Q. Do the elements, viz., earth, water, fire, air space remain unmixed from each other all through?
A. No. They are mixed with each other.
Q. In what proportion are they mixed?
A. This is the proportion: Subtle water, for example, comprises-subtle water 1/2, subtle earth 1/8, subtle fire 1/8, subtle air 1/8, subtle space 1/8, (From Vichaar Chandrodaya)".
A. Yes, God or Brahman or Atman is in everything.
Q. If God is in everything, then have all things been created alike?
A. No. Though God is in everything, they have been created differently, if there is no diversity there is no creation.
Q. How have men been created superior to other things or beings?
A. In reasoning and in feeling. Besides, man's constitution has been created differently. From that stand-point man is superior to others.
Q. What is mind?
A. Mind is the finest portion of food-stuff.
Q. What is intellect or buddhi?
A. Buddhi is the culminating stage of the mind, and above intellect is Ataman.
Q. Do the elements, viz., earth, water, fire, air space remain unmixed from each other all through?
A. No. They are mixed with each other.
Q. In what proportion are they mixed?
A. This is the proportion: Subtle water, for example, comprises-subtle water 1/2, subtle earth 1/8, subtle fire 1/8, subtle air 1/8, subtle space 1/8, (From Vichaar Chandrodaya)".
Friday 1 January 2016
HINDUTVAM SERIES - 8
Q. How did creation start?
A. Creation started with Chaos or Matter-not-solidified
Q. How long did the unsolidified matter take to get solidified?
A. Thousands of years.
Q. What is the process of creation?
A. God then created space (Aakaasha); from space, wind was created; from wind, fire; from fire, water, the earth; from the earth, herbs, from herbs, food; from food, person (Yajurveda Taittiriya Upanishad 1-2-1). The sun, the moon, the heaven and the other regions and everything else were created as in previous creations.
Q. What is the process of dissolution?
A. Just opposite to the process of creation.
Q. After creating everything, did God remain aloof from the created things?
A. No. Having created them, He entered into the created things. (Chhandogya Upanishad 6-3).
Courtesy: Hindutvam, Vol. 1. Published by: Fiji Sevahsram Sangha, Suva, Fiji.
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A. Creation started with Chaos or Matter-not-solidified
Q. How long did the unsolidified matter take to get solidified?
A. Thousands of years.
Q. What is the process of creation?
A. God then created space (Aakaasha); from space, wind was created; from wind, fire; from fire, water, the earth; from the earth, herbs, from herbs, food; from food, person (Yajurveda Taittiriya Upanishad 1-2-1). The sun, the moon, the heaven and the other regions and everything else were created as in previous creations.
Q. What is the process of dissolution?
A. Just opposite to the process of creation.
Q. After creating everything, did God remain aloof from the created things?
A. No. Having created them, He entered into the created things. (Chhandogya Upanishad 6-3).
Courtesy: Hindutvam, Vol. 1. Published by: Fiji Sevahsram Sangha, Suva, Fiji.
Share this with your friends. Write a comment or Email: mnarsey@gmail.com
HINDUTVAM SERIES - 7
Q. Where was man first created?
A. In Trivastaba, which is now Tibet, on the north of India (according to Hindu belief).
Q. Who were first created?
A. Seven great sages Marichi, Angiras, Atri, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu and Vashishta. And 4 sages; Sanak, Sanandan, Sanatan and Sanatkumar. And fourteen Manus. All men are born of them. (Gita 10:6)
Q. How did creation become possible?
A. Before creation, God was alone, Who may be termed as Absolute or Impersonal God, who is Abaammanasagochara (Who cannot be thought of or spoken of). In that Absolute state, a kind of vibration was felt which in turn brought forth the pirmal Sound or Word - Om. Thoughts for creation such as. "Let there be light and there was light, "ekoham bahusyam", came in the divine mind. That is how the creation became possible.
Share this with your friends. Post comments or Email: mnarsey@gmail.com
Courtesy: Hindutvam Vol. 1. Published by: Fiji Sevashram Sangha, Suva, Fiji.
A. In Trivastaba, which is now Tibet, on the north of India (according to Hindu belief).
Q. Who were first created?
A. Seven great sages Marichi, Angiras, Atri, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu and Vashishta. And 4 sages; Sanak, Sanandan, Sanatan and Sanatkumar. And fourteen Manus. All men are born of them. (Gita 10:6)
Q. How did creation become possible?
A. Before creation, God was alone, Who may be termed as Absolute or Impersonal God, who is Abaammanasagochara (Who cannot be thought of or spoken of). In that Absolute state, a kind of vibration was felt which in turn brought forth the pirmal Sound or Word - Om. Thoughts for creation such as. "Let there be light and there was light, "ekoham bahusyam", came in the divine mind. That is how the creation became possible.
Share this with your friends. Post comments or Email: mnarsey@gmail.com
Courtesy: Hindutvam Vol. 1. Published by: Fiji Sevashram Sangha, Suva, Fiji.
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