Who Owns Hinduism?

[sarang]

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Sanatana dharma and its poor modern equivalent, hinduism, is owned, sustained and internalized by all who practice a few of its vast ideals, values, traditions and injunctions.

Brahmins have so far done the exemplary service of preserving vedas and other scriptures; now others have taken up this cause by setting up schools and providing material support. Others have also vastly contributed to other areas of the religion - religious literature, temple building, institutions like dharmashals, guilds and social work.

Hindutva groups whether political or cultural have members from all hindu communities, not just brahmins alone. When existence is threatened or subjugation is attempted, it is natural for these groups to voice protest in a manner befitting the nature and severity of the opposition.

If brahmins are attacked in any manner, verbal or physical, they must resist such attacks. Same logic applies to any varna, kula, jati or sex.

There is no brahmin authority to excommunicate brahmins that are hostile to brahmin interests; but other communities - sikhs, jains, parsis - have mechanism to boycott the deviants who work for the destruction of the community.

Our religion is valid for all purusharths - dharmarthakammoosham. There is no conflict of interest against any discipline, our society accepted and respected all professions.

perhaps an attempt to read all scriptures in original or in translation by those who respect sanatana dharma will throw proper light on our ancients' wisdom.

 

[palindrome]

Palindrome,

I understand Shri Deepak Sharma's words as directed against one or more self-proclaimed individual leaders whereas, you start citing his words and end up with "British-brahmin combine" and in this way you are trying to insinuate the brahmins alone for whatever sin that Shri Sharma has in his view.

I say that whoever practices hinduism partly or wholly or whatever, all such people commonly own the Hindu religion.

If the problem here is about hindus in India vs hindus who have emigrated, both sectors have a say about hinduism imo as long as they subscribe to the tenets of hinduism. I don't think the "hindutva" ideology or political party etc., has to be dragged in into this discussion. But when the chips are down and hindus, in general, feel that their very interests are threatened then only such political formations will be of some use in today's democratic set-up of India. Hindus in today's context will mean the vast majority of SCs and STs who still stick to their age-old traditions which hinduism accepts as part of it. Emigres may be very powerful outside and also in terms of money power but, numbers-wise it is the lowest castes who will matter.

That is why today, in Kerala, the Nair Service Society and the SNDP of the eezhavas/thiyyas (the largest hindu community owing allegiance to the teachings of Sree Narayana Guru) have joined hands - forgetting all the past caste equations - to oppose the congress government in the state.

Am not sure Sharma's blog comments are directed at one or more leaders as you seem to think. Plus, Selena Gomez is just an example here: Deepak Sarma: Who Owns Hinduism?

Am also not sure if Deepak Sharma had brahmins in mind when he made his comments. However, those who sought to homogenize diversity in colonial period involved British courts, and Brahmin law testifiers therein; in effect, the British-Brahmin combine. This has been much written about. Those who opposed hindu personal laws made accusations, of homogenizing diversity or, of imposing uniformity where there had been much diversity. One just has to google and see the number of publications opposing the anglo hindu law and hindu personal laws.

Am still not sure what is hinduism? If it is a religion, which religion(s) and whose version does it define? Am not convinced SCs and STs represent hinduism. It is only a narrow way of representing things; and does not explain the multitude of religions we have in this sub-continent, which for some strange reason is sought to be represented under the term 'hinduism'. If the religions of SCs and STs is hinduism, then the dharmashastra religion is not hinduism.

On my part, i feel my comments on hindutva was right on spot because till date hindutva proponents seek relevance for varna vyavastha, plus continue to use varna terms for everyone, including those of different religions and those of different cultural origins.

As for Nairs and Ezhavas, am strictly opposed to all forms of caste associations, and vote banks based on caste. The sooner India gets rid of caste based votes, the better for everyone. Otherwise India will continue to have corrupt leaders who get elected simply for caste. In effect, instead of hindutva, muslim league, akali dal, monkey brigade (bajrang dal), and such like, better for all, including brahmins, to give up on caste and vote for proper candidates.

Since awareness in younger generation is growing (and thankfully these are increasingly becoming free of caste ideas), we can be optimistic for a healthy country in future which votes for ability and performance, instead of caste.

 

[palindrome]

Sanatana dharma and its poor modern equivalent, hinduism, is owned, sustained and internalized by all who practice a few of its vast ideals, values, traditions and injunctions.

Brahmins have so far done the exemplary service of preserving vedas and other scriptures; now others have taken up this cause by setting up schools and providing material support. Others have also vastly contributed to other areas of the religion - religious literature, temple building, institutions like dharmashals, guilds and social work.

Hindutva groups whether political or cultural have members from all hindu communities, not just brahmins alone. When existence is threatened or subjugation is attempted, it is natural for these groups to voice protest in a manner befitting the nature and severity of the opposition.

If brahmins are attacked in any manner, verbal or physical, they must resist such attacks. Same logic applies to any varna, kula, jati or sex.

There is no brahmin authority to excommunicate brahmins that are hostile to brahmin interests; but other communities - sikhs, jains, parsis - have mechanism to boycott the deviants who work for the destruction of the community.

Our religion is valid for all purusharths - dharmarthakammoosham. There is no conflict of interest against any discipline, our society accepted and respected all professions.

perhaps an attempt to read all scriptures in original or in translation by those who respect sanatana dharma will throw proper light on our ancients' wisdom.

Hindutva propaganda gets no one anywhere.

For a start please prove the term "Sanatana Dharma" refers to "Hinduism".

FYI, all brahmins are not veda followers. Go ask a Gurukkal from which texts his homams are.

Also FYI, if 'others' had not helped preserve various religions of the subcontinent, the muslims wud have converted everyone long ago (with the might of their sword).

 

[sarang]

There is no need to prove; it is there to see. Only the anti brahmin pus is to be drained from the pit.

You better brush up your knowledge by reading Sivananda, Chinmayananda, Vivekananda, Sri Sankaracharya instead of solely depending on garbage from the internet.

Hindutva propaganda gets no one anywhere.

For a start please prove the term "Sanatana Dharma" refers to "Hinduism".

FYI, all brahmins are not veda followers. Go ask a Gurukkal from which texts his homams are.

Also FYI, if 'others' had not helped preserve various religions of the subcontinent, the muslims wud have converted everyone long ago (with the might of their sword).

 

[palindrome]

There is no need to prove; it is there to see. Only the anti brahmin pus is to be drained from the pit.

You better brush up your knowledge by reading Sivananda, Chinmayananda, Vivekananda, Sri Sankaracharya instead of solely depending on garbage from the internet.

Your advice is evasive and crappy. Instead of asking me to read up specific people, you and your hindutva lobby need to come up with proof.

 

[sangom]

Am not sure Sharma's blog comments are directed at one or more leaders as you seem to think. Plus, Selena Gomez is just an example here: Deepak Sarma: Who Owns Hinduism?

Am also not sure if Deepak Sharma had brahmins in mind when he made his comments.

What then do you think Shri Sharma is pointing out and who is he blaming?

However, those who sought to homogenize diversity in colonial period involved British courts, and Brahmin law testifiers therein; in effect, the British-Brahmin combine. This has been much written about. Those who opposed hindu personal laws made accusations, of homogenizing diversity or, of imposing uniformity where there had been much diversity. One just has to google and see the number of publications opposing the anglo hindu law and hindu personal laws.

Brahmins were "natives" for the ruling British just as all other non-british indians in India were. The British courts viewed several of the native indian population as being part of hindus; since the british judges were not conversant with sanskrit or with our native laws, they made it a practice to consult brahmin "sastris" who were considered as sufficiently qualified for the purpose. I believe that this was part of the larger governing policy of the then British government; if it had so wanted, the British courts could have applied their native laws here, but who knows what would have happened as a result!!

Hence, there was no british-brahmin nexus or coterie as you think. The system of Court Pandits was abolished in 1864 and the Indian National Congress did not oppose the anglo-hindu law at any time AFAIK. Since the customs and practices among the hindu natives varied widely from region to region, ultimately, the British asked their own officers to codify the local laws, customs and practices through interviews, observations, and discussions with locals and thus arrive at "regional customary laws".

Am still not sure what is hinduism? If it is a religion, which religion(s) and whose version does it define? Am not convinced SCs and STs represent hinduism. It is only a narrow way of representing things; and does not explain the multitude of religions we have in this sub-continent, which for some strange reason is sought to be represented under the term 'hinduism'. If the religions of SCs and STs is hinduism, then the dharmashastra religion is not hinduism.

Hinduism is the thing which one need not know yet authoritatively give discourses on its various aspects and pronounce value judgments!! In some respects hinduism is like its own "Brahman" the only reality which hardly anyone has realized. BTW, what is your own learned opinion about the current religion of the SCs/STs, many of whom throng to temples, kumbh melas etc.?

On my part, i feel my comments on hindutva was right on spot because till date hindutva proponents seek relevance for varna vyavastha, plus continue to use varna terms for everyone, including those of different religions and those of different cultural origins.

When "hinduism" is not a clear concept how can "hindutva" be any clearer? I have no idea about hindutva proponents (whom do you refer to by this term?) seeking "relevance for varna vyavastha, plus continue to use varna terms for everyone, including those of different religions and those of different cultural origins."
Can you elaborate?

As for Nairs and Ezhavas, am strictly opposed to all forms of caste associations, and vote banks based on caste. The sooner India gets rid of caste based votes, the better for everyone. Otherwise India will continue to have corrupt leaders who get elected simply for caste. In effect, instead of hindutva, muslim league, akali dal, monkey brigade (bajrang dal), and such like, better for all, including brahmins, to give up on caste and vote for proper candidates.

Caste is very much there in India today. While what you say above may be ideal, we have to live in the actual world and see actual happenings.

Since awareness in younger generation is growing (and thankfully these are increasingly becoming free of caste ideas), we can be optimistic for a healthy country in future which votes for ability and performance, instead of caste.

I have not found such changes to any appreciable degree except probably in the well-to-do sections of the society. The vast majority of indian youth still live in a world in which caste is still the most deciding factor in their lives. Politics also thrives on this in india here. And, there are no signs of this going away any sooner.

 

[palindrome]

What then do you think Shri Sharma is pointing out and who is he blaming?

He is making a general statement. Since he mentions colonial period, the suspects therein (of imposing homogenization) are only two -- british and brahmins.

Brahmins were "natives" for the ruling British just as all other non-british indians in India were. The British courts viewed several of the native indian population as being part of hindus; since the british judges were not conversant with sanskrit or with our native laws, they made it a practice to consult brahmin "sastris" who were considered as sufficiently qualified for the purpose. I believe that this was part of the larger governing policy of the then British government; if it had so wanted, the British courts could have applied their native laws here, but who knows what would have happened as a result!!

Sorry, but this reasoning simply does not apply. Why did not brahmins simply tell British that dharmashastra laws did not and cannot apply to all. Especially in a time when everyone was moving to secular english education and secular jobs. When people went to court, what was the need for dominant brahmins to label people with varna terms and bring them under dharmashastra laws? At a time when smartas themselves were not following dharmashastra laws?

Additionally, Please do look up the beginnings of RSS. Why should anyone trust those who want relevance for varna vyavastha today?

Hence, there was no british-brahmin nexus or coterie as you think. The system of Court Pandits was abolished in 1864 and the Indian National Congress did not oppose the anglo-hindu law at any time AFAIK. Since the customs and practices among the hindu natives varied widely from region to region, ultimately, the British asked their own officers to codify the local laws, customs and practices through interviews, observations, and discussions with locals and thus arrive at "regional customary laws".

Hope you are aware what it took for British to abolish brahmin court pandits. Yes, it was the 'anti-brahmanism movement', the beginnings of it thereof. The Indian National Congress was filled with high caste leaders who did everything to oppose reforms pertaining to women. Whatever happened after British abolished court pandits is history. Ultimately what came out was no thanks to brahmin court pandits.

Hinduism is the thing which one need not know yet authoritatively give discourses on its various aspects and pronounce value judgments!! In some respects hinduism is like its own "Brahman" the only reality which hardly anyone has realized. BTW, what is your own learned opinion about the current religion of the SCs/STs, many of whom throng to temples, kumbh melas etc.?

Well, whatever one feels about 'brahman' is finally but an opinion only, in the absence of proof therein. Am not sure but you seem to mistake SCs / STs, like one group. There are far too diverse tribes and castes professing different religions. There are videos on youtube too, which help understand some tribal religions of india.

When "hinduism" is not a clear concept how can "hindutva" be any clearer? I have no idea about hindutva proponents (whom do you refer to by this term?) seeking "relevance for varna vyavastha, plus continue to use varna terms for everyone, including those of different religions and those of different cultural origins."
Can you elaborate?

Hindutva rides on a bandwagon of the word 'Hinduism', with themselves as its representatives. And of course they claim all indians were hindus once upon a time. Relevance for varna vyavastha is inherent to hindutva lobby. Numerous publications by Jan Sangh, RSS, are available on google books. Just a simple search with terms like this can help.

Caste is very much there in India today. While what you say above may be ideal, we have to live in the actual world and see actual happenings.

I have not found such changes to any appreciable degree except probably in the well-to-do sections of the society. The vast majority of indian youth still live in a world in which caste is still the most deciding factor in their lives. Politics also thrives on this in india here. And, there are no signs of this going away any sooner.

Youth supporting vote bank politics, swayed by caste, goaded on by corrupt politicians or rabid elders is not a new thing. But awareness is growing. Many youth (and elders) are also recognizing the futility of caste and its irrelevance to present day life. Well, lets put it this way -- nothing is permanent. Everything has to go away later if not sooner. The foundation of caste structure already crumbled with the advent of secular education. Just some of the (dilapidated) structure remains. Its only a matter of time, before that too is gone.

 

[Jaykay767]

Our religion & traditions are going very strong, a lot more of people today are following them with greater vigor. In the post liberalization era, once people got over the food, water, shelter problem, they turned towards tradition, philosophy etc.. so more people are following this now than in the past ever.

If this person thinks, our foundation of caste structure has already crumbled & some dilapidated structure remains, & it is only a matter of time, then why is this person coming to tamilbrahmins.com & posting anti-brahmin comments??? That only shows the caste structure is going strong enough to evoke hatredness???

By the way, I am not a supporter of the repressive Caste system that existed earlier & may exist in some pockets today. However I will not agree with any Anti-Brahmin comments as well. It is like blaming today’s Germans for the holocaust which happened a century back.

 

[sangom]

Well, whatever one feels about 'brahman' is finally but an opinion only, in the absence of proof therein. Am not sure but you seem to mistake SCs / STs, like one group. There are far too diverse tribes and castes professing different religions. There are videos on youtube too, which help understand some tribal religions of india.

Palindrome,

As you are possibly aware, Scheduled Castes must belong to the Hindu or the Buddhist faiths. Scheduled tribes are not restricted in this manner, but in states in which Christian proselytization is weak or absent, a good number of STs, especially those who migrate from their traditional hamlets to the towns and cities, prefer to mingle with the mainstream hindus and are found in good numbers in temples and other hindu religious festival sites. I have personal knowledge about this in Kerala and Gujarat. That is why I feel the SCs & Sts who profess at least outwardly, that they subscribe to hinduism will count much in matters hindu, in future. They may practice their own tribal beliefs and practices separately, but that is not a problem for hinduism. I do not think such beliefs and practices are reckoned a different religions (different from hinduism) by the GOI. Can you give some examples of tribal religions which are "recognized" today, officially, as non-hindu?

 

[palindrome]

Palindrome,

As you are possibly aware, Scheduled Castes must belong to the Hindu or the Buddhist faiths. Scheduled tribes are not restricted in this manner, but in states in which Christian proselytization is weak or absent, a good number of STs, especially those who migrate from their traditional hamlets to the towns and cities, prefer to mingle with the mainstream hindus and are found in good numbers in temples and other hindu religious festival sites. I have personal knowledge about this in Kerala and Gujarat. That is why I feel the SCs & Sts who profess at least outwardly, that they subscribe to hinduism will count much in matters hindu, in future. They may practice their own tribal beliefs and practices separately, but that is not a problem for hinduism. I do not think such beliefs and practices are reckoned a different religions (different from hinduism) by the GOI. Can you give some examples of tribal religions which are "recognized" today, officially, as non-hindu?

Sir, there are very many tribal religions. This is just one example of the Santali religion (of course there are attempts to characterize their deities into 'mahadeo' (shiva) and represent them in Sanskrit literature but they are still worshipping their native gods and bonga only). Like this, each tribe has its own religion, own gods, own worship forms. Hope this helps: Tribal Religions of India. And this one too: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanamahism

 

[palindrome]

I do not think such beliefs and practices are reckoned a different religions (different from hinduism) by the GOI. Can you give some examples of tribal religions which are "recognized" today, officially, as non-hindu?

I do not know the official definition of GOI "who is a hindu". Even Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists were deemed Hindus (please have a look at this jain case), but we know well they protested. As for the GOI, we also know it happens to function on politics. Anyways, from this site of ministry of tribal affairs, I find this definition under the portion prohibiting untouchability and entry into temples: "For the purposes of this section and section 4 persons professing the Buddhist, Sikh or Jaina religion or persons professing the Hindu religion in any of its forms or developments including Virashaivas, Lingayats, Adivasis, followers of Brahmo, Prarthana, Arya Samaj and the Sawaminarayan Sampraday shall be deemed to be Hindus"

 

[Brahmanyan]

In my view, no one can own a Religion, a thought or a concept, he can only be a follower.

To my knowledge there is no legal definition of the term "Hindu", either in The Hindu Law or in The Constitution of India. However the laws define to whom they apply. As expounded by many scholers, the term “Hindu” is the Persian equivalent of the Indo-Aryan term “Sindhu”, “river”, “the Indus”. Thus in broad sense Hinduism is the thoughts, culture, beliefs, philosophy etc. developed by the people living around the river "Sindhu", in other words it is "a way of living".

Dr.Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, one of the erudite scholars on the subject and Hindu philosopher of our time says:

"Hinduism is not bound up with a creed or a book, a prophet or a founder, but is persistent search for truth on the basis of a continuously renewed experience. Hinduism is human thought about God in continuous evolution."

"Hinduism is not just a faith, It is the union of reason and intuition that cannot be defined but is only to be experienced. Evil and error are not ultimate. There is no Hell, for that means there is a place where God is not, and there are sins which exceed his love."

"Hinduism is an inheritance of thought and aspiration, living and moving with the movement of life itself."


Brahmanyan,
Bangalore.

 

[sarang]

Recently a tamil boy (could be a tambram) who topped in maharashtra school board, said in a newspaper interview that he attributes his success to deep religious beliefs, faith in god and support from parents, teachers and school. He emphasized that he goes to the temple every day.

Perhaps our next generation will revert back after the initial euphoria over money and comfort wears out. I know a few families in which the young are more into bhakti and anushtanam than their parents.

Our religion & traditions are going very strong, a lot more of people today are following them with greater vigor. In the post liberalization era, once people got over the food, water, shelter problem, they turned towards tradition, philosophy etc.. so more people are following this now than in the past ever.

If this person thinks, our foundation of caste structure has already crumbled & some dilapidated structure remains, & it is only a matter of time, then why is this person coming to tamilbrahmins.com & posting anti-brahmin comments??? That only shows the caste structure is going strong enough to evoke hatredness???

By the way, I am not a supporter of the repressive Caste system that existed earlier & may exist in some pockets today. However I will not agree with any Anti-Brahmin comments as well. It is like blaming today’s Germans for the holocaust which happened a century back.

 

[KRS]

Dear Sri sarang Ji,

Here is the question:

Is he a topper because he is religious, or is he religious because he is a topper?

Please let us know which is the cause and which is the effect?

Regards,
KRS

Recently a tamil boy (could be a tambram) who topped in maharashtra school board, said in a newspaper interview that he attributes his success to deep religious beliefs, faith in god and support from parents, teachers and school. He emphasized that he goes to the temple every day.

Perhaps our next generation will revert back after the initial euphoria over money and comfort wears out. I know a few families in which the young are more into bhakti and anushtanam than their parents.

 

[sarang]

Questions galore!

It is the boy's prerogative to reply what he considers as important that contributed to his achievement.

If I say that he is a topper because he is religious, then there is some justification for such silly questions. There is none now.

I have little patience for Q & A sessions. Someone will provide an answer in due course that satisfies the ears and meet the standards of the Q raiser.

Dear Sri sarang Ji,

Here is the question:

Is he a topper because he is religious, or is he religious because he is a topper?

Please let us know which is the cause and which is the effect?

Regards,
KRS

 

[sangom]

I do not know the official definition of GOI "who is a hindu". Even Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists were deemed Hindus (please have a look at this jain case), but we know well they protested. As for the GOI, we also know it happens to function on politics. Anyways, from this site of ministry of tribal affairs, I find this definition under the portion prohibiting untouchability and entry into temples: "For the purposes of this section and section 4 persons professing the Buddhist, Sikh or Jaina religion or persons professing the Hindu religion in any of its forms or developments including Virashaivas, Lingayats, Adivasis, followers of Brahmo, Prarthana, Arya Samaj and the Sawaminarayan Sampraday shall be deemed to be Hindus"

There are possibly hundreds or even thousands of "belief systems" but to the best of my knowledge such tribals do go to mainstream hindu temples when they come to the cities for sight seeing, worship there in whatever way they can, offer money in the hundi and also for special poojas like archana, etc. And you must be knowing that the Chenchu tribes have the right to enter even into the sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriham) of the Srisailam temple and the deity Mallikarjuna is called Chenchu Mallayya. That is why hindu religion today does not look upon the tribals as aliens unless the tribals have converted to Xianity like in Mizo, Khasi, Naga etc. tribes.

 

[KRS]

Dear Sri sarang Ji,

There are 'questions galore' because of your untenable statements.

By the way, this is a warning from the Moderation side. If you mock anyone here anymore, you will face appropriate consequences.

Regards,
KRS

Questions galore!

It is the boy's prerogative to reply what he considers as important that contributed to his achievement.

If I say that he is a topper because he is religious, then there is some justification for such silly questions. There is none now.

I have little patience for Q & A sessions. Someone will provide an answer in due course that satisfies the ears and meet the standards of the Q raiser.

 

[palindrome]

There are possibly hundreds or even thousands of "belief systems" but to the best of my knowledge such tribals do go to mainstream hindu temples when they come to the cities for sight seeing, worship there in whatever way they can, offer money in the hundi and also for special poojas like archana, etc. And you must be knowing that the Chenchu tribes have the right to enter even into the sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriham) of the Srisailam temple and the deity Mallikarjuna is called Chenchu Mallayya. That is why hindu religion today does not look upon the tribals as aliens unless the tribals have converted to Xianity like in Mizo, Khasi, Naga etc. tribes.

What we call Hinduism today (worship of certain divinities) is derived from tribal religions, not the other way around. Many tribal religions did not contribute to present-day 'hinduism'. Some did and yet stayed independent on their own, like the Savara religion (some nice Savara religious stories -- shows how different their gods are from 'hinduism' too).

Though tribals have their independent religions, unfortunately all tribal religions and all adivasis are clubbed into a single bracket under the hindu label (government seems to pushing homogenization by doing so ?) Wonder if the government takes such stuff into account at all: The tribal culture of India - Lalita Prasad Vidyarthi, Binay Kumar Rai - Google Books

This makes me wonder who decided on the definition of 'hindu' in the indian constitution (if such a definition exists at all). Sometime back there was an issue that Shiva worship not a religious act, according to the income tax tribunal. So which God is legally Hindu?

 

[sarang]

Welcome; nothing new! Moderator has the power and withal to decide what is tenable and what is mockery and what is bla bla.

I have always held the view that the moderator is free to wield the danda anytime. My style is not to respond to individual's queries however scholarly they look.

Dear Sri sarang Ji,

There are 'questions galore' because of your untenable statements.

By the way, this is a warning from the Moderation side. If you mock anyone here anymore, you will face appropriate consequences.

Regards,
KRS

 

[prasad1]

In my view, no one can own a Religion, a thought or a concept, he can only be a follower.

To my knowledge there is no legal definition of the term "Hindu", either in The Hindu Law or in The Constitution of India. However the laws define to whom they apply. As expounded by many scholers, the term “Hindu” is the Persian equivalent of the Indo-Aryan term “Sindhu”, “river”, “the Indus”. Thus in broad sense Hinduism is the thoughts, culture, beliefs, philosophy etc. developed by the people living around the river "Sindhu", in other words it is "a way of living".

Dr.Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, one of the erudite scholars on the subject and Hindu philosopher of our time says:

"Hinduism is not bound up with a creed or a book, a prophet or a founder, but is persistent search for truth on the basis of a continuously renewed experience. Hinduism is human thought about God in continuous evolution."

"Hinduism is not just a faith, It is the union of reason and intuition that cannot be defined but is only to be experienced. Evil and error are not ultimate. There is no Hell, for that means there is a place where God is not, and there are sins which exceed his love."

"Hinduism is an inheritance of thought and aspiration, living and moving with the movement of life itself."


Brahmanyan,
Bangalore.

As usual a brilliant post. Yes we are all followers and should claim ownership or exclusive rights on Hinduism (Sanatan Dharma).

 

[prasad1]

Recently a tamil boy (could be a tambram) who topped in maharashtra school board, said in a newspaper interview that he attributes his success to deep religious beliefs, faith in god and support from parents, teachers and school. He emphasized that he goes to the temple every day.

Perhaps our next generation will revert back after the initial euphoria over money and comfort wears out. I know a few families in which the young are more into bhakti and anushtanam than their parents.

Did he say because, that is what was expected of him, or he was coached to say those words?
It is good he is religious and a topper. Wait for 10 years and then ask him the same question, ubless he is a politician i bet you will get totally different answer.