Much row has erupted in Indian
political circles when the Congress Party’s Vice President Rahul Gandhi visited
the famous Somnath Temple in Gujarat in an effort to solidify the Hindu votes
for the forthcoming Gujarat state assembly elections. His name has been entered
in the temple register which requires the non-Hindus to make the entries. Rahul
Gandhi himself along with his party later claimed that he is a Janevu Dhari
Hindu (A customary thread tied along the neck and body by Hindu Brahmins) and a
devotee of Lord Shiva. However, interestingly Rahul Gandhi was earlier never
found visiting any Hindu temple as a routine or during any Hindu festival.
Is Rahul Gandhi a real Hindu or
not? The question is not relevant as Hinduism does not issue strictures and demands
that a Hindu should essentially wear a Janevu or visit a temple. Hinduism is an
open religion without any specific command from a super religious authority or
a super scripture which makes one a devote Hindu. Hinduism does not bind to
superficial rituals and worships but the true Hindu religion liberates one from
the bondage of traditions and customs. The rituals, customs and traditions are
for ignorant people and are suggested only to the ignorant to adhere to the
path of purity as a guide towards the Supreme reality. The Huffington Post in one
of its article on Hinduism says that the Hinduism is an open source faith. It
also says that “the word “Hinduism” itself is a total misnomer, as it basically
refers to the sum total of spiritual and religious thought and practice that
has taken place on the Indian subcontinent over the past 5,000 years. And let’s
just say it’s been a busy 5,000 years.” As such the Hindu religion is truly free
from all manmade scriptures or dogmas.
Then who is Hindu? As per
Wikipedia, the word Hindu refers to any person who regards themselves as
culturally, ethnically, or religiously adhering to aspects of Hinduism. It has
historically been used a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier
for people indigenous to South Asia. Wikipedia further states that Hinduism is
an Indian religion or a way of life widely practiced in South Asia. It has been
called as the oldest religion in the world and some practitioners or scholars referring
to it as Sanatan Dharma, the “eternal tradition”, or the “eternal ways” beyond
human history. Scholars regard Hinduism as a fusion or synthesis of various
Indian cultures and traditions with diverse roots and no founder. The Supreme Court
of India has also ruled that the Hinduism is a way of life and a state of mind,
not a religion.
Form the above stand points, anyone
conclusively can say that, “I am a Hindu” or “I am not a Hindu.”
So I am a Hindu and am not! How
does it matter as long as you believe in the universal truth? Swami Vivekananda
said beautifully, “I am a Hindu. I am proud to belong to belong to a religion
which has taught the world both the tolerance and universal acceptance. We
believe not only in universal toleration but we accept all religion to be as true.”
This is the real Hinduism and not mere going
to the temples and committing cruelty and dishonesty in real life.
What is true Hinduism? I would like
to say that it is the true essence of all the world religions. The universe is
one, the creation is one and therefore the creator also has to be one. The
reality and the truth of the one world have to be one only. We may call it with
different names but the truth can’t be different. If any truth is different for
the same universal reality, then it can’t be a truth. The Indian Upanishads say;
“Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanti.” This aphorism means: “That which exists is
ONE sages call it by various names.” This idea from Upnishads is ingrained into
the civilization of India for thousands of years resulted in the extreme
tolerance of Hindus on the whole. And the principal idea behind “Ekam Sat Vipra
Bahudha Vadanti” is the whole of Hinduism, you may name it or don’t name it so.
The true Hinduism believes in one
universal god, a true God, the Supreme Spirit, you can name it anything, the
way you like. It even says that the God is nameless, colorless, and sexless,
pervades the whole universe and is the cause and essence of all creations.
Hindus believe that the God is present in every person as the eternal spirit or
soul. In Hinduism, there is no supreme authority dictating on how to worship
God, when to worship or how to attempt to realize the God. There is no one
authoritative scripture which is binding on Hindus so as to be a real Hindu.
The inner faith is given more importance in Hinduism and it is left to
individual to seek God through a Guru, a teacher, through study of a scripture,
through worship and devotion or through a trial and error method, by self
exploration. Thus, there is no particular defined code to be a Hindu. And
frankly speaking, the Hinduism is quite liberal in its approach towards the people
and gives enough freedom to them to travel on the faith independently and know
the truth in his/her own way. Thus, the religion Hinduism is quite open and
encompasses all ideas, peoples and their beliefs which lead one to the
destination called Bhagwan, Ishwar, Lord or God.
Alas! The religion is much abused
and maligned word by the vested interests world over for selfish gains and
political maneuver. The ignorant people world over are used by the fanatics to
exploit their emotions to divide the people and use them as political tools. No
violence and bloodshed greater than the violence and bloodshed have been inflicted
by fanatics in the name of religion world over. Pope Francis has said that “No
one must use the name of God to commit violence. To kill in the name of God is
a grave sacrilege. To discriminate in the name of God is inhuman.
Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the
Somnath and other temples in Gujarat is part of this politics only to impress
few ignorant Hindus. The other political parties are no less guilty as they too
have resorted to the evil of using religion, caste, creed and race to divide
the people and reap political crop.
Humanity can survive with mutual
love and trust, not by building walls of pseudo religions. When political leaders
will practice this in their political life is another question.
Readers may also read my other blog: Open Source Code of Hinduism at
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