I recently watched a movie called OMG or Oh my God, starring Paresh Rawal and Akshay Kumar with my family and friends and found it very interesting. It was basically a movie created with a motive against man's blind belief in organised religion and God in particular. This movie gave me a good platform to put in my thoughts and continue where the movie left of.
Among my family and friends, I have known four categories of people who think about religion or God in the following ways,
1. People who blindly believe in religion and God on what is taught to them since childhood and can get fanatic about it,
2. People who just believe that 'If I can see it and touch it, then it's real!' philosophy, so do not adhere to religion or God,
3. People who accept what is taught to them, have made religion and God part of their custom and culture, but don't get too fanatic or bothered about it,
4. People who learn what is taught to them and go beyond it to find reason, answers to it's unsolved mysteries.
Unlike Islam and Christianity, Hinduism was not started by a prophet or a person. It was an evolved way of life developed by the early Vedic people and was originally known as Sanatana Dharma. The earliest texts known to mankind were scripted by them and are known as the Vedas. The first and oldest of them being the Rig Veda. Man therafter wrote a lot of books like the other three vedas, the upanishads, the puranas and the mythologies.
The basic concept of God in these books have always been things we live with, things which surrounds us, which affect our day to day life, they are nothing but the elements, nature and environment.
Indra was always the king of Gods in Rig Veda and is nothing but thunder and lightning, Agni is fire, Varun is water, Vayu is wind, Surya is Sun, etc. However, this was prior to the thought of trinity or manifestation of God thought came into picture.
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The thought behind giving them the concept of God was the man's way of showing respect and gratitude to these elements. Man always realized the 'cause and effect' concept of nature, and also respected death, power and natural calamities. They understood the balance of nature and the important part it played in conservation or preservation of nature's cycle of life. The common man found it difficult to associate himself with an abstract form of power and therefore, a human representation was given, which became it easier for him to relate himself.
The concept of the Creator, Preserver and the Destroyer was introduced much later. However Shiva is also mentioned as Rudra in the Rig Veda. It was basically a common unknown power which manifested itself to perform certain duties as desired by nature. Man gave it different names and worshiped it in different forms as per his convenience.
Our ancestors may have also realized that science had so much to offer, which the common man found difficult to relate to and thus gave each power a form of representation, in a very unique way. For example, it is not an unknown fact that, Indians had harnessed the nuclear energy over five thousand years ago. So, how do you make a common man respect and relate to such delicate and hazardous science. You give it a human form for people to relate to, and called it Shiva/Rudra/Shankar and signified the third eye as the source of the enormous energy and destructive power. Shiva is also known as Bholenath or the Naive. This is because nuclear destruction does not distinguish good or evil / human or beast / the innocent or sinner when unleashed, but considers everyone alike.
Shiva is worshiped in the shape of a linga or penis for a reason. The representation was technically not intended to be a penis, but it looked like one which may have become controversial and hence stories were made by man to accept the form. and understand why Shiva was being worshiped in the form of a linga..
The fact is that if you have carefully observed the nuclear reactor, it is shaped exactly in the form of a linga.
In a nuclear reactor, heavy water is used in vast quantities continuously to cool down plutonium. A similar exercise is carried out when a priest continuously pours water or milk on the Shiva linga while performing the pooja, thus signifying the scientific process needed in a nuclear reactor. I don't think it's just mere coincidence, but a fact conceived long ago.
Remember, the Brahmastras as mentioned in the Ramayan and Mahabharata? They were nothing but nuclear tipped arrows with probably low yield nuclear fission, however capable of disastrous consequences. On a lighter note, to give you an idea, you may remember Rambo using bows and arrows with a warhead at the tip of the arrow?
The shlokas that are narrated in Sanskrit, is not just something which is supposed to be learnt by mugging it up, but is to be understood as it signifies man's various ways of praising the entity of power. It's like treating someone of importance similarly how you would treat a revered guest at home. Hence the panch-amrit abhishek and shudhi snanam procedures performed during the poojas of the idol. It was designed as a guide and pattern to help the common man follow a code or discipline while performing a pooja. Many people do not understand it because they do not understand Sanskrit. It's simple as that.
Common man has always needed rules and regulations to guide him to perform any task in life. Whether it is in reference to education, profession, administration or living in a society. These set of rules is what makes man a civilized person. Otherwise, there would be no difference between men and beasts.
To give you an example, the Maha Mrityunjaya shloka is such a beautiful poetry recited in Sanskrit, which in English language means the following,
Speaking about another deity, Lakshmi is nothing but money and is worshiped in the form of a woman and is depicted as the wife-consort of Vishnu. Now, the nature of money is unstable and does not stay or remain in one place constantly, so how do you make a common man understand this concept.
Show the Goddess standing/sitting on a lotus, which is virtually impossible to do so. This is the sign of instability
Talking about mythologies, the story of Ramayan may have definitely occurred in the past, which was made known to the country by Valmiki when he wrote the Ramayana. History has evidence to prove that Kosala existed as a vedic kingdom in the north and was one of the Mahajanapad or the Great Republics of the ancient times. There may have been a king named Ramachandra with extra ordinary deeds who did so much good for man, that the people gave him the status of a God. An icon worthy of remembrance even after 5000 years after his rule. However no significant archaeological evidence remains to prove his existence and has only remained in texts and sentiments of men. History always becomes legend and legend, myth. Hence Myth-ologies.
Krishna may have been a great warrior who was dark in color, who was extremely intelligent and must have also been a great politician and statesman of the vedic period. He may have possessed all the great qualities of a perfect human being. Man must have loved him so much that, they also gave him the status of a God and called him an avatar of Vishnu, similarly to Ramachandra. I am sure he must have also shared the values written in the Bhagavad Gita as known to the common man, as a code of conduct, a guide and friend for life, to find answers to man's woes faced in life. I personally regard it as one of man's greatest feats and achievements in philosophy.
Even till today, people adhere certain saints, prophets and Sadhus, build temples tombs over their name and given them the status of a God. People call such entities Dev Manushya or God men or the Son of God.
On a lighter note, Amitabh Bachchan having a temple in Kolkata may be termed as a God after a thousand years for his deeds.
There are so many examples one can give, provided man is ready to open his mind and maintain a broad spectrum of thought.
Even the original vedic caste system was based on merit and not on birth or family, as the society had assigned individuals or families with a certain task or work to be done in the country.
If a Brahmin or the priest took up arms, he becomes the Kshatriya or the warrior, if the Kshatriya does business, he becomes the Vaishya or the trader, if the Shudra a cleaner or laborer masters knowledge, he becomes the Brahmin.
Imagine the terminologies used in clubs or association like the Chairman or the Secretary and Treasurer, being manipulated on the basis of birth and not on merit. It would sound so unfair and funny.
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had once wisely quoted, 'Not every Brahmin is a wise man, but every wise man is a Brahmin'. This was with reference to his wife questioning a Frenchman priest performing his wedding in vedic rights. There was no better way to understand the truth of the caste system, than these words.
My only attempt is to try and explain that Hinduism being a way of life, created to be continuously evolving and to be improved upon and is based on nothing but science and the law of nature.
However, it's very sad to see that people over the ages had manipulated this way of life to bind people in unwanted restrictions, traditions and discrimination to hold power and control over the masses.
Blind belief made this way of life reduce man's capacity to reason, think and accept the truth the way it is supposed to be accepted. Man has always detested from changing a thought, which has been imbibed in their very foundation of belief, which has been passed on for generations, by people who only did so for their own greed and convenience.
The only thought that comes to my mind is that I am proud to be following this way of life, whatever name you call it, as it gives man space and a reason to improve his way of life and thought, which was conceived by our ancestors over 5000 years ago.
Among my family and friends, I have known four categories of people who think about religion or God in the following ways,
1. People who blindly believe in religion and God on what is taught to them since childhood and can get fanatic about it,
2. People who just believe that 'If I can see it and touch it, then it's real!' philosophy, so do not adhere to religion or God,
3. People who accept what is taught to them, have made religion and God part of their custom and culture, but don't get too fanatic or bothered about it,
4. People who learn what is taught to them and go beyond it to find reason, answers to it's unsolved mysteries.
Unlike Islam and Christianity, Hinduism was not started by a prophet or a person. It was an evolved way of life developed by the early Vedic people and was originally known as Sanatana Dharma. The earliest texts known to mankind were scripted by them and are known as the Vedas. The first and oldest of them being the Rig Veda. Man therafter wrote a lot of books like the other three vedas, the upanishads, the puranas and the mythologies.
The basic concept of God in these books have always been things we live with, things which surrounds us, which affect our day to day life, they are nothing but the elements, nature and environment.
Indra was always the king of Gods in Rig Veda and is nothing but thunder and lightning, Agni is fire, Varun is water, Vayu is wind, Surya is Sun, etc. However, this was prior to the thought of trinity or manifestation of God thought came into picture.
The thought behind giving them the concept of God was the man's way of showing respect and gratitude to these elements. Man always realized the 'cause and effect' concept of nature, and also respected death, power and natural calamities. They understood the balance of nature and the important part it played in conservation or preservation of nature's cycle of life. The common man found it difficult to associate himself with an abstract form of power and therefore, a human representation was given, which became it easier for him to relate himself.
The concept of the Creator, Preserver and the Destroyer was introduced much later. However Shiva is also mentioned as Rudra in the Rig Veda. It was basically a common unknown power which manifested itself to perform certain duties as desired by nature. Man gave it different names and worshiped it in different forms as per his convenience.
Our ancestors may have also realized that science had so much to offer, which the common man found difficult to relate to and thus gave each power a form of representation, in a very unique way. For example, it is not an unknown fact that, Indians had harnessed the nuclear energy over five thousand years ago. So, how do you make a common man respect and relate to such delicate and hazardous science. You give it a human form for people to relate to, and called it Shiva/Rudra/Shankar and signified the third eye as the source of the enormous energy and destructive power. Shiva is also known as Bholenath or the Naive. This is because nuclear destruction does not distinguish good or evil / human or beast / the innocent or sinner when unleashed, but considers everyone alike.
Shiva is worshiped in the shape of a linga or penis for a reason. The representation was technically not intended to be a penis, but it looked like one which may have become controversial and hence stories were made by man to accept the form. and understand why Shiva was being worshiped in the form of a linga..
The fact is that if you have carefully observed the nuclear reactor, it is shaped exactly in the form of a linga.
In a nuclear reactor, heavy water is used in vast quantities continuously to cool down plutonium. A similar exercise is carried out when a priest continuously pours water or milk on the Shiva linga while performing the pooja, thus signifying the scientific process needed in a nuclear reactor. I don't think it's just mere coincidence, but a fact conceived long ago.
Remember, the Brahmastras as mentioned in the Ramayan and Mahabharata? They were nothing but nuclear tipped arrows with probably low yield nuclear fission, however capable of disastrous consequences. On a lighter note, to give you an idea, you may remember Rambo using bows and arrows with a warhead at the tip of the arrow?
The shlokas that are narrated in Sanskrit, is not just something which is supposed to be learnt by mugging it up, but is to be understood as it signifies man's various ways of praising the entity of power. It's like treating someone of importance similarly how you would treat a revered guest at home. Hence the panch-amrit abhishek and shudhi snanam procedures performed during the poojas of the idol. It was designed as a guide and pattern to help the common man follow a code or discipline while performing a pooja. Many people do not understand it because they do not understand Sanskrit. It's simple as that.
Common man has always needed rules and regulations to guide him to perform any task in life. Whether it is in reference to education, profession, administration or living in a society. These set of rules is what makes man a civilized person. Otherwise, there would be no difference between men and beasts.
To give you an example, the Maha Mrityunjaya shloka is such a beautiful poetry recited in Sanskrit, which in English language means the following,
Three-eyed one, I meditate on you, who increases fragrance and nourishment. From powerful disease, bondage and death free us into immortality.
Speaking about another deity, Lakshmi is nothing but money and is worshiped in the form of a woman and is depicted as the wife-consort of Vishnu. Now, the nature of money is unstable and does not stay or remain in one place constantly, so how do you make a common man understand this concept.
Show the Goddess standing/sitting on a lotus, which is virtually impossible to do so. This is the sign of instability
Talking about mythologies, the story of Ramayan may have definitely occurred in the past, which was made known to the country by Valmiki when he wrote the Ramayana. History has evidence to prove that Kosala existed as a vedic kingdom in the north and was one of the Mahajanapad or the Great Republics of the ancient times. There may have been a king named Ramachandra with extra ordinary deeds who did so much good for man, that the people gave him the status of a God. An icon worthy of remembrance even after 5000 years after his rule. However no significant archaeological evidence remains to prove his existence and has only remained in texts and sentiments of men. History always becomes legend and legend, myth. Hence Myth-ologies.
Krishna may have been a great warrior who was dark in color, who was extremely intelligent and must have also been a great politician and statesman of the vedic period. He may have possessed all the great qualities of a perfect human being. Man must have loved him so much that, they also gave him the status of a God and called him an avatar of Vishnu, similarly to Ramachandra. I am sure he must have also shared the values written in the Bhagavad Gita as known to the common man, as a code of conduct, a guide and friend for life, to find answers to man's woes faced in life. I personally regard it as one of man's greatest feats and achievements in philosophy.
Even till today, people adhere certain saints, prophets and Sadhus, build temples tombs over their name and given them the status of a God. People call such entities Dev Manushya or God men or the Son of God.
On a lighter note, Amitabh Bachchan having a temple in Kolkata may be termed as a God after a thousand years for his deeds.
There are so many examples one can give, provided man is ready to open his mind and maintain a broad spectrum of thought.
Even the original vedic caste system was based on merit and not on birth or family, as the society had assigned individuals or families with a certain task or work to be done in the country.
If a Brahmin or the priest took up arms, he becomes the Kshatriya or the warrior, if the Kshatriya does business, he becomes the Vaishya or the trader, if the Shudra a cleaner or laborer masters knowledge, he becomes the Brahmin.
Imagine the terminologies used in clubs or association like the Chairman or the Secretary and Treasurer, being manipulated on the basis of birth and not on merit. It would sound so unfair and funny.
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had once wisely quoted, 'Not every Brahmin is a wise man, but every wise man is a Brahmin'. This was with reference to his wife questioning a Frenchman priest performing his wedding in vedic rights. There was no better way to understand the truth of the caste system, than these words.
My only attempt is to try and explain that Hinduism being a way of life, created to be continuously evolving and to be improved upon and is based on nothing but science and the law of nature.
However, it's very sad to see that people over the ages had manipulated this way of life to bind people in unwanted restrictions, traditions and discrimination to hold power and control over the masses.
Blind belief made this way of life reduce man's capacity to reason, think and accept the truth the way it is supposed to be accepted. Man has always detested from changing a thought, which has been imbibed in their very foundation of belief, which has been passed on for generations, by people who only did so for their own greed and convenience.
The only thought that comes to my mind is that I am proud to be following this way of life, whatever name you call it, as it gives man space and a reason to improve his way of life and thought, which was conceived by our ancestors over 5000 years ago.
