Hinduism is considered to be the oldest and the third largest religion of the world.
Yesterday I was in discussion with my good friend, Nadipuram Srinivasan of Hindu Reflection, about Hinduism in general. He was focused on the Sindhu River and its connection with Hinduism while I was focused on the intellectual and spiritual part of the Hinduism. In my communication to him, I explained my thoughts that I want to share with you.
Today mark the 14th Punya Tithi (death anniversary) of my late mother, Dhanuben Natwarlal Tailor. Her soul departed for her Lord’s kingdom, Akshardham, on March 16, 2002 against the will of her husband and children.
Where is she now? Can she come back and talk to us again? The Universal Truth is that she is gone forever, never to return back as Dhanuben, the loving mother I knew. So with the help of few tears I tried to comfort my soul while recalling her wisdom and virtue.
Which brings me back to Hinduism and its teachings. My parents were religious people and devoted Hindu all their life. They remained vegetarian, while staying away from alcohol, meat and tobacco according to the teaching of their Guru, Pramukhswami Maharaj.
So what is Hinduism? How does it differ in comparison to other religions of the world.
During my life I have always observed the intellectual and spiritual part of Hinduism and neglected the ritualistic, sometimes idiotic, practices of Hinduism. It is my belief that the founders of Hinduism were highly intellectual scientist and mathematicians. philosophically they were highly complex and accurate that is good even today. They defined the individual soul as part of the supreme soul.
Isha Upanishad starts with the famous and insightful verse about the supreme Soul.
Om.
That (supreme soul) is the absolute, this (individual soul) is the absolute;
from the absolute, the absolute becomes manifest;
when the absolute is added to or taken away from the absolute,
the absolute remains.
Om. Peace! Peace! Peace!
It is therefore, I believe that the individual soul of all matters and the supreme soul are one and the same. It resides in the micro as well as in the macro matters. Hinduism calls it Brahman, Science calls it Cosmic Energy and some religion calls it Spirit and/or God. They are one and the same.
Hinduism precisely explains the relation between the Supreme and individual soul and therefore I believe that the five basic principles of Hinduism is highly intellectual and philosophically complex.
THE HINDU GOD & THE LAWS OF THE MORALITIES
- GOD – Hinduism believes that there is only one God called Brahma, in the neuter form, is abstract supreme soul/spirit. Modern science calls it Cosmic Energy.
- Modern science has concluded that the universe is controlled by Cosmic Energy that can not be measured, seen, touched and explained, however it does exist and control the discipline of the entire universe.
- Religions of the world refer the Cosmic Energy as GOD. The God is not a human as we all believe, however, it is that supreme power, Cosmic Energy, responsible for the existence of the entire Universe and beyond.
- PURPOSE OF LIFE – Hinduism believes that every living being has one objective, to find Moksha (ultimate union with the God) and liberation from the cycle of birth, life and death. In order to achieve the Moksha, Hinduism introduced three-part deities and countless rituals to please them.
- GODS – Hinduism explain that our existence is three-part, birth, life and death. Therefore three controlling entity (Devta/God), Bhahma (not to be confused with the supreme soul) the creator of life, Vishnu the protector of life, and Shiva the destroyer of life were introduced as God.
- GODDESSES – Hinduism provided each Devtas with a consort. As a creator, Brahma needed knowledge and so Sarasvati, the goddess of knowledge, became his consort. As preserver, Vishnu needed wealth and therefore Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, became his consort. Lastly power/energy was needed for destruction and therefore Parvati, the Goddess of Power, became Shiva’s consort.
- LAWS OF KARMA AND REINCARNATION – Karma is the law of cause and effect and soul reincarnates until all karmas have been balanced.
- REINCARNATION AND MODERN SCIENCE – Modern science has established laws of energy. It is therefore I believe that the cosmic energy is an absolute system and constant; that energy can be transformed from one form to another, but cannot be created or destroyed. How convenient? If the above statement is true then the theory of soul’s reincarnation will be easier to understand as individual soul can be transformed from one form to another, but cannot be created or destroyed.
- KARMA –Theory of Karma is to effectIvely control the morality within society. It is a fear based theory that reward/punish each individual based on their Karma. This award based system explains the present day life condition due to Karma of past life and future day life condition based on present day Karma. Based on the final balance of Karma, one’s soul can travel from animal to human to devta or vice versa. If properly balanced, the soul will find liberation from the cycle of birth, life and death and ultimate union with the Supreme.
- PRACTICE OF AHIMSA – All life are sacred and to be loved and revered. It is therefore human should practice Ahimsa.
- Practice of Ahimsa is to create harmonious living among all. All life are sacred and one must respect all God’s creation with ultimate respect and restrict their actions that can intentionally harm them. Ahimsa is discipline to not hurt others with violence and disrespect. This is the reason Hinduism put animal Gods in the temples and regular rituals to protect trees.
- GOD IS ONE WITH MANY NAMES – All religions provide pathway to salvation and no religion should claim ownership over God.
- Hinduism teaches that you can call God by any names and worship him the best way you are taught. It is wherefore Hinduism has many Gods and respect all the religions of the world.
In conclusion, I belive my mother’s soul has found the union with the supreme soul and therefore I will only meet her when my soul also unite with the supreme soul. It is in that spirit I have improved my attitude, behaviours with an anticipation to unite my soul with my mom’s soul. In that spirit, I love you mom and miss you a lot.
Reflections of Wisdom 