Rajendra Singh Baisthakur
I am born in a Hindu family. In my MA I read TS Eliot and WB Yeats, two great poets of twentieth century, who expressed good opinions about Hindu religion. Till then, I never bothered to know about Hindu religion nor did anyone tell me about it. (Most Indian minds are so enslaved that they do not consider anything unless it is said by some foreigner). Later, I had the company of a colleague who was a Vedic scholar and an excellent logician. Though he invited me to attend his discourses I declined but came to know about Advaita, (one of the three interpretations of the Vedas, propounded by Guru Sankaracharya} overhearing his talk with others.
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Association with my colleague prompted me to read the Gita and the message I got was to ‘Be less selfish’. The other book I read was on Isa, Katha and Kena Upanishads and its message was ‘Om’ which was beyond my comprehension. Of course I saw many movies and TV serials on the themes of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, epics which depicted Rama and Krishna respectively. I am not keen on rituals, customs, traditions, worship or prayer. But I think about religious concepts and their current relevance. I found that many of the customs and traditions are about our well being. I believe following what Rama stands for is more important than visiting His temple or worshipping Him at home. Since school days to my mid-seventies I have bosom friends among Muslims and Christians and never saw any ill feelings between people of different religions in my place or around.
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Does having strong faith in my religion without hating others make me a fanatic? Does talking about proven historical facts like Rama Setu (which NASA declared that it was manmade) make me a fanatic? I like PM Modi for his work in the interest of the nation. I did not go to see him or attend his road show and public meeting when both of us were in Visakhapatnam as I do not believe in hero worship. Of course, I watched it all on TV. Will I be a Hindu fanatic for liking PM Modi who practises Hindu religion?
Hindus believe that there is only one God but you can worship him in the form you like. They think that the world is an external manifestation of God. Many items are made of wood. Though they take different forms like chair, table; basically it is all wood. Forms are outward manifestations of the same thing. So are different religions which are only different paths to reach God. Anyone who knows something of Hinduism never hates people of other religions. That is the reason why people of other religions could come to India, exist here and even dominate Hindus for about a millennium.
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Hinduism is considered more a way of life than a religion. It is based on Veda (which was divided in to four parts for greater clarity by sage Vyasa). It has six systems of Philosophy, guiding principles for all people. A good number of sages tried to explain the complex concepts of Vedas which resulted in Brhma Sutras, Upanishads, Puranas and epics, the Ramayana and the Mahaharata. Hindu culture is sustained in the form of customs, traditions and rituals to be followed by people on different occasions. All these are aimed at the welfare of the people.
A Hindu cannot be a fanatic because Hinduism believes that God is one and that all religions and philosophies are only different ways to reach Him. ‘Ekam eva Brhma na dvitiya Brahma’ (There is only one god, there is no second).
Hinduism believes that everyone/ everything is a manifestation of God. ‘Tatvamasi’ (That thou art). We do not realize this because of our ignorant belief that the physical world is true. Albert Einstein, the greatest Physicist, proved that what all we see need not be true as different minds receive the same thing differently.
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God is everywhere always. So there need not be specific time and place for prayer. Attributing to him happiness or anger is considering him a human being who is pleased with praise and angry with certain deeds. Then it would be illogical to say that He is merciful. Good and bad things happen giving us pleasure and pain because of our desires and deeds. This cause and effect theory is the same as Karma theory which is extended to many births. (Unlike Muslims and Christians Hindus believe in rebirth). They believe that their deeds are recorded and the next birth will be in accordance with those deeds.
If your property (temple) is snatched by someone you may not be able to do anything when the snatcher is more powerful. But when you grow strong naturally you would like to take back your property. One who takes it back by legal means cannot be blamed as an aggressor, fanatic or terrorist.
Traditions and customs may be different for different societies but laws based on welfare of people should be the same. Fighting to have separate laws is against the spirit of Democracy in which everyone Is equal.
Progress is in uniting people by reducing divisive tendencies. Dividing people in the name of religion, region, language, gender, colour, caste etc is regressive. Hinduism considers the world as one family (‘Vasudhaika Kutumbakam’). It says that as one progresses spiritually, all differences cease to exist and one identifies one(self) with the One.
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There is no parallel between the nationalism of the Nazis and the nationalism of a country which reminds its people of its past glory and inspires them to realize its present potential to build a better future. There is no intention of harming anyone as the Nazis did.
Hindu culture has unity in diversity though each region in India has its own language, attire, food etc. Religions like Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism coexisted with Hinduism since long because of the tolerant attitude of Hindu majority. The entire sub-continent flourished with one culture until it was divided by vested interests.
A Hindu standing on such foundation can never be an aggressor, terrorist or fanatic. Those who do not know anything about Hinduism may say things which do not mean anything to those who know something about it.
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