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Sanatana Dharma
The Hindu religion is an ocean of spiritual teachings about all aspects of life and consciousness. It's the world's oldest religion, going back to the very dawn of history. It sees its origin in the cosmic mind itself. Yet Hinduism is also perhaps the world's youngest religion because it emphasizes the authority of living teachers and allows for correction and evolution over time.
Hinduism is the most diverse religious tradition in the world. It could be said that there are probably more religions inside of Hinduism than outside of it. It has numerous saints, sages, and yogis, both male and female, from ancient to modern times, and today still has what is probably the largest number of monks and renunciates (including a number of Westerners). The recent Hindu religious gathering, the Kumbha Mela of January 2001, had tens of millions of people in attendance. It was the largest gathering of any type and the largest religious gathering in the history of the world.
Hinduism is the world's largest non-biblical tradition, with nearly a billion followers worldwide. It could be called the world's largest non-organized religion as it emphasizes individual spiritual experience, the realization of the higher Self over any religious institution, book, dogma, or savior. It's also the world's largest native or pagan tradition, reflecting the ancient spiritual traditions that once existed all over the world. Like native traditions everywhere, it honors God or the sacred throughout all nature. It has many insights in harmony with the ecological age, as it affords reverence to the Earth as a conscious and loving presence and asks us to respect our environment.
Hinduism contains the world's oldest and largest tradition of Goddess worship- worshipping the Divine not only as father but also as mother. It recognizes all the diverse forms of the Goddess and her powers of wisdom, beauty, strength, love, and compassion.
Perhaps most notably, Hinduism is the world's largest pluralistic tradition, recognizing One Truth- an eternal reality of Being-Consciousness Bliss in all beings- but also many paths to realize it. Hinduism recognizes theism (the belief in One Creator) but only as one portion of the human religious experience that includes polytheism, pantheism, monism, and even atheism. As the most inclusive of the world's great religions, Hinduism has room for all these views and yet guides us through these to Self-realization that transcends them all.
Hinduism has probably the world's oldest and largest literature of spirituality, mysticism, and yoga. It provides a complete spiritual culture including art, dance, sculpture, medicine, and science, with all these subjects explained according to a science of consciousness.
Hinduism has a view of the universe in time and space that is compatible with modern science. Aspects of the Hindu tradition such as Yoga, Vedanta, Ayurveda, and Vedic astrology are already popular in the West. Hindu terms such as guru, mantra, shakti, prana, kundalini, and chakra have entered into the English language. Great gurus from the Hindu tradition such as Ramana Maharshi, Yogananda, Ramakrishna, Shivananda, Aurobindo, and Mahatma Gandhi have extensive followings and much respect in the West today.
There are now nearly two million Hindus of Indian origin in the United States, as well as significant numbers in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Caribbean, with Hindu temples in most of the main cities of the United States. this Hindu group is one of the wealthiest and best educated in the West and contains many successful scientists, computer engineers, and doctors. India itself, the home of most Hindus, is the second largest country in the world and is expected to be a major superpower in the coming century.
-Dr. David Frawley (Pandit Vamadeva Shastri)
The Bhagavad Gita in a nutshell :
* Why do you worry in vain? Why do fear? Who can kill you? A Soul never dies or takes a birth.
* Whatever happened - happened for good; Whatever is happening - is happening for good; Whatever will happen - will happen for good. Do not worry about the past or the future - live in the present.
* What have you lost that makes you cry? What did you bring to this earth that you have lost? You came empty handed and will die empty handed. Today what is yours - yesterday was someone else's and tomorrow will belong to someone else. Whatever materialistic pleasures you have cause you sufferings.
* Change is a rule of the world. In a second you become a rich and in a second you become poor. This is mine, that is yours - remove such feelings and you will be liked by everyone.
* This body is not yours - it is made of Fire, Water, Air, Earth & the Sky
and it will dissolve amongst them. Your inner soul is constant.
* You should dedicate yourself to the God. He will free you of your fear, anger & sorrow. Whatever you do; dedicate it to God. By doing so you will get the pleasure of becoming free from life-death cycle.
Translated :
* Kyon Vyarth Chinta Karate Ho? Kisse Vyarth Darate Ho? Kaun Tumhen Maar Sakataa Hai? Aatma Na Paida Hoti Hai, Na Marati Hai.
* Jo Huaa, Vah Achha Huaa, Jo Ho Raho Hai, Vah Accha Ho Raha Hai. Jo Hoga, Vah Bhi Achha Hi Hoga. Tum Bhoot Ka Pichatap Na Karo. Bhavishha Ki Chinta Na Karo. Sirf Vartamaan Hi Chal Raha Hai. Upna Kartavya Karati Rahi.
* Tumhara Kya Gayaa Jo Tum Rote Ho? Tum Kya Laaye The Jo Tumne Kho Diyaa? Tumne Kya Paida Kiyaa Tha Jo Naaiaa Ho Gayaa? Tum Kuchh Lekar Na Aae, Jo Liyaa Yahin Samaaj Se Liyaa. Jo Diyaa Usi Ko Diyaa. Khaali Haatha Aae, Khaali Haatha Jo Jaaige. Jo Aaj Tumhara Hai, Kal Kisee Aur Ka Hoga. Tum Ise Apna Maan Kar Magna Ho Rahe Ho. Bas. Yah Moha Hee Tumhari Dukhon Ka Kaaran Hai.
* Pareevartan Sansaar Ka Neeyam Hai. Jise Tum Tratyu Samaeete Ho, Vahaa To Nayaa Jeevan Getee Hai. Jab Meraa-Teraa, Apna-Paraayaa, Chhota-Badaa, Man Se Hataa Doge, Fir Sab Tumhara Hoga Aur Tum Sabake Hoge.
* Na Yah Shareer Tumhara Hai, Na Tum Is Shreer Ke Ho. Yah Shreer Panch Tatrvprayvee, Jal, Agni, Aakaash, Aur Vayuse Banaa Hai, Aur Isee Me Mil Jaayagaa. Tum Aatmaa Ho, Jiskaa Kabhee Naash Nahee Hota.
* Tum Apne Aapko Bhagavan Ke Arpit Kar Do. Yahee Sabse Utram Sahaaraa Hai. Jo Is Sahaare Ko Jaanataa Hai, Vah Bhay, Chintaa, Shok Aado Se Sadaa Ke Liye Mukt Ho Jata Hai. Jo Kuchh Bhee Tu Karataa Hai, Use Man Se Bhagavan Ko Arpan Kartaa Chal, Aisaa Karane Se Tu Sadaa Jeevan-Mukt Ka Aanand Anubhav Karegaa.
- Bhagavaan Sreekrishna counseling to Arjuna
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