Introduction to Vedas and Vedanta - Part 1

ORIGIN AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TERM HINDU

A part of the great Aryan race which migrated from Central Asia, through the mountain passes into India, settled first in the districts near the river Sindhu, now called the Indus, on the other side of the river. 

The Persians pronounced the word Sindhu as Hindu, and named their Aryan brethren Hindus. Hindu is only a corrupt form of Sindhu.

The Hindu Aryans spread themselves over the plains of the Ganga. Then the Persians gave the name Hindusthan, or abode of the Hindus, to the whole of those districts between Punjab and Benaras.

The classical name for India which is used in Sanskrit literature is Bharata-Varsha or Bharata-Khanda, after the name of Bharata who ruled over a large extent of territory in days of yore. Manu’s name for the whole central region between the Himalayas and the Vindhya mountains is Aryavarta, Abode of the Aryans. 

Another name for the whole of India is Jambu-Dvipa. The Greeks gave the name Indu to the whole of this country. It was on account of this, India became popular as the name of this country throughout Europe.

Hindu is not a mere name. This name Hindu is not only of geographical, but also of national and racial importance. The whole history of our nation from the very beginning is bound up with it. 

Hinduism is the synthesis of all types of religious experiences. It is a whole and complete view of life. It is characterized by wide toleration, deep humanity and high spiritual purpose. 

The foundation of Hinduism has been laid on the bedrock of spiritual truths. The entire structure of Hindu life is built on eternal truths, the findings of the Hindu Rishis or seers. That is the reason why this structure has lasted through scores of centuries.

More on the Hindu scriptures from next post onwards

Love.

“Embodiments of Love, Students!

Whatever you have learnt here, share it with others. It is not enough if you share it with others, you too should put your knowledge into practice and derive benefit therefrom. We prepare many delicious items at home and serve them to the guests. Is it not necessary that we should also partake of them?

Likewise, we should digest the Vedic knowledge we have acquired and also share it with others. All types of knowledge have originated from the Vēdas. That is why the Vēda is extolled as sarva vijñāna sampatti (the treasure chest of knowledge). But unfortunately, we are not making proper use of such a treasure. Share your knowledge to the extent you have acquired. Never forget what you have learnt. With sincere effort, you will certainly be able to attain sākṣhātkāra. Those of you who wish to have the vision of God should digest the Vedic wisdom you have acquired and share it with others.”

Bhagavān Sri Sathya Sai Baba – Discourse on 19 October 2004

Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

Dear All,

On May 8th, A quote by Ananda mayi ma was explained in the blog post  and then the same was further explained with few additional points and the same was sent through mail to few devotees.

In that mail, the last para given is reproduced here.

"At the highest level,  the truth is that we, the pure SELF, choose our future in every birth, so as to clear our karmas and to evolve higher and higher. Even if this is difficult to be digested, for now, it is enough to give that SELF, a name as God and take in the above secret for today and for every day!!!"

Maharaj  has poured the same essence in His quote today.

It is difficult to take in and absorb but still, the essence is explained in few words by the author for the benefit of those who can take in and reap the benefit in their spiritual journey.

The first line of today's quote is -" What happens, happens to you, through you".

What does this mean?

This is what is exactly explained in the last para of a mail which is given above and is being related here for more clarity.

"At the highest level,  the truth is that we, the pure SELF, choose our future in every birth, so as to clear our karmas and to evolve higher and higher."

• In the exposition of Ananda mayi ma's quote, Ramana's affirmation that God chooses our good and bad karmas and fills the same in our basket of karmas which we have to exhaust, for which we have to get the results- good or bad. Ramana explains that the choice of Karmas for us to clear in each birth is made by God in such a way that in the process of getting good/ bad  experiences while getting the result of those good/ bad karmas, we get more spiritually evolved than before and this process continues till we attain Self Realization.
• God is replaced by SELF in the above gospel of Ramana to arrive at Maharaj's gospel.
• That is, We, the pure SELF/ divinity ourselves, God ourselves as pure consciousness, choose our own karmas and people who have to be around us, to give us all the experiences to clear those chosen karmas, the aim being that the pure consciousness is rushing each moment, in each birth of ours, to erase the super imposition of Ego which we have made ourselves so that we verily realize that we and HE/THAT are one non dual, pure existence.

The second line of today's quote is " You  create, preserve and destroy all that you perceive"

• So, we are the creators of the world around us, people around us, our family, our friends, our not so good friends, our enemies, everything around us.
• As per the script written by us, directed by us, each human being walks into our life, plays his/ her part, gives us smile or tears, clears our Karmas to that extent and when the purpose of his/ her entry into our life gets over, they just walk away from our life/ die/ gets separated from us some how, in a mystical way!!

The main essence and purpose of the whole thing is beautifully given by Krishnananda ji thus:

"As rivers rush in to the ocean, all souls move towards God – rush towards God, as it were – because the goal of all life, all creation, whatever be its form, is the realisation of God, the Supreme Being, the Absolute."

Today's  post's essence can either be known and experienced with the above few words or the same cannot be experienced even with explanation with millions of words!!!

Love