Random Thoughts
There is a mistaken notion that Hinduism survives ONLY because of Brahmins. With about 3% of the total population of the country, Hinduism could not have become the third largest religion in the world. The resilience and tolerance of the religion is what made it survive the vicissitudes of history. Whenever there was a crusade against Hinduism, the opponents believed that by killing Brahmins, the religion can be won over, but it proved to be far from truth. In spite of the caste and other differences, how is it that it survives as one of the largest religions of the world is a million dollar question. The great or unique speciality of Hinduism is its catholicity of outlook and its ability to absorb within its fold the local
customs and traditions of the people. It never fought a war against other religions, with very very few exceptions to establish itself. It survives mostly because of the nonbrahmins who constitute the major chunk of its population. Just go to Thirupathy and see. You will know who the majority of the people are who stand in long hours in mile long queues, who tonsure their heads as a propitiation for the God there. That will show that the religion is not the religion of the elites or the Brahmins as wrongly propogated, but a religion of the common man brought up for centuries in the Hindu tradition. Unlike the Christians and Muslims, it never established itself over the cemetery of other religions, cultures and faiths.
There has been no difficulty for the Hindus to accept and respect other religions. Initially, even among Hindus there was a difference such as Saivites, Vaishnavites and so on, but great saints, Seers, Rishies and enlightened people from time to time repeatedly reminded the people that there is no difference between the various Gods worshipped by Hindus and all are but the different manifestation of the one and only Supreme Being. We all know how Adi Shankara amalgamated the six different systems of Hinduism prevailing during his period. Nowhere in Hinduism is a statement that their way is the only path that is superior to any other path. It succinctly believes and says that all paths lead to the same destination, like all rivers ultimately flowing into the ocean. Hinduism accepts even atheism as part of it saying that it is a step for theism only. It preaches no hatred towards any other religion and is willing to accept Islam and Christianity as paths leading to the same goal as Hinduism, with the only difference that it does not believe in proselytisation. This and this is its greatness and weakness. Because of its greatness and tolerance, today we see the number of christians and muslims (whose ancestors were essentially Hindus). is growing year after year. Only a few of their ancestors got converted out of conviction, but most have been compelled, coerced and enticed. Today to appeal to them, not compel them, to return to their parent religion is considered a sin, a disaster, a religious, fanaticism, bigotry and what not. True Hindu fundamentalism is an OXYMORON.
