Guest guest Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Dear Balagopal, I will try to answer your questions one by one. 1.What is Hinduism. There is no such thing called Hinduisam at all. Our culture and dharma is known as SanAthana dharma based on the vedas and vedas are anAdhi. In vedas there is no mention of any particular god and goddess. All mention about any particular form is for the sake of upAsana. ChAndhOgya says 'sadhEva soumya idhamagra Aseeth EkamEva adhvitheeyam, all this existed as sath in the beginning, one only without a second. Here sath means Brahman who is nirguna for the advaitin and Narayana for the visishtadvaitin. Both are one and the same. 2. This point has been coverd by Veena in her mail. The various gods and goddesses have been provided from ithihasas and puranas for the sake of upasana. It is like this, you have many photos of your child but there will be one which you love the best and wants to keep with you always. The idol worship is something like that. Each one chooses the form that appeals to his heart and adores it. There is nothing wrong in this practice as long as you remember that God is one and is not limited by form which is only for the sake of convenience of the devotee. 3. An atheist is defined by vedanta as one who does not accept the vedas and not the one who does not worship any God. In this manner only the religions like Buddhism and Jainism are classified as atheistic religions because they do not accept the concept of Brahman nor His being the cause of the world. A boy of 8 years told me in the bajan class, when I was teachin in Vidyamandir, Chehnnai, that he does not believe in God. Anyone else would have been shocked and disliked the boy. Not me. I asked him why and he said that his father told him so. I asked him whether he believd in truth. He said yes and that his father has insisted that he should be truthful. I told him that it is enough and the faith in truth will lead him to God eventually. Nowadays the importance is to have belief and the bifurcation is only between believers and non believers, no matter in what you believe in or which religion you follow. 4.The term HINDU is coined by the invaders of other religion than the vedic religion because they associated the culture of the people in India with the Indus valley civilisation. (Sindhu has become Hindu.) In course of time it came to signify the religion of Bharatha varsha. The name IN dia itself came about in the same manner and hence I used the term Bharathavarsha. 5. It does not need protection as it has survived terrible onslaughts like the Muslim invasion and still exists as rightly pointed out by Veena. The reason for this is because it is based on vedas which are apourusheya, that is, not preached by any individual but exists from time immemorial. The other religions like Buddhism have become almost extinct in India ,though it was virulent for some time because it depended on the teachings of a particular individual and lost its strength after Buddha's or Mahaveera's time . That is why religions like Islam has become very rigid as otherwise It would not have survived . Same thing with Christianity especially Catholicism which is comparatively full of dogmas. These religions have to be like that in order to keep the people in their fold. That is why you find now that the protestant countries have no religion at all. 6. So no one need be scared of HInduism being annihilated by conversions etc. As it has survived more organised and powerful conversion measures during Muslim rule. 7. One point that Veena has mentioned seems to be very relevant to me. That is , before reacting ask yourself have I been a true HIndu? Gita and other scriptures tells us about inner control which is very important as only if you elevate yourself you can elevate others. Nowadays all those who clamour to protect HInduism and cross swords with non-hindus do it for reasons other than what they profess , namely to protect Hinduism. It does not need protection from you or me in the same way that God does not need protection from humans. 8. Lastly to whom do you listen and whom you follow? Listen to nobody but God within you and If you seek His help with full faith He will guide you. Finally nothing can be solved by violence or hatred. This is the lesson of the vedas. Gita also says 'Samoham sarva bhootheshu name dveshyosthi na priyah,' When Lord treats all beings equally, mind you, He did not say Hindus only, who are we to show hatred to His creations by which we are acting against the divine order and it is not our dharma. Everything is HIs will and He has not relinquished his responsibilty to protect His devotees or the world to the few misguided humans. May god bless you, Dr. Saroja Ramanujam, M.A., Ph.D, Siromani in sanskrit. , What is Hinduism? Does it restrict on any specific Gods and Goddesses and /or practices? Can an Atheist be a Hindu? Who is a Hindu? Does it need protection? If so of what kind? Who is the authority? Who should listen whom? Historically has Hinduism been under siege? Who protected it? Who were the attackers? How did it survive? Is Hinduism something that can be brought down and annihilated and wiped out? Who is trying to control? Whom? And what? Why the fear psychosis? Are there any beneficiaries to these issues? Regards Balagopal NARAYANA NARAYANA NARAYANA ________ India Answers: Share what you know. Learn something new http://in.answers./ Stay in the know. Pulse on the new .com. Check it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Jai Sreekrishna Respected Sarojaji Hope you had a wonderful birthday by the grace of Kannan. Once again wishing you many many Happy Returns of the day. Thank you very much Sarojaji for this convincing message. "Lastly to whom do you listen and whom you follow? Listen to nobody but God within you and If you seek His help with full faith He will guide you." What a wonderful advice. Thank you very very much Humbly Syamala Saroja Ramanujam <sarojram18 wrote: Dear Balagopal, I will try to answer your questions one by one.1.What is Hinduism. There is no such thing called Hinduisam at all. Our culture and dharma is known as SanAthana dharma based on the vedas and vedas are anAdhi. In vedas there is no mention of any particular god and goddess. All mention about any particular form is for the sake of upAsana. ChAndhOgya says 'sadhEva soumya idhamagra Aseeth EkamEva adhvitheeyam, all this existed as sath in the beginning, one only without a second. Here sath means Brahman who is nirguna for the advaitin and Narayana for the visishtadvaitin. Both are one and the same.2. This point has been coverd by Veena in her mail. The various gods and goddesses have been provided from ithihasas and puranas for the sake of upasana. It is like this, you have many photos of your child but there will be one which you love the best and wants to keep with you always. The idol worship is something like that. Each one chooses the form that appeals to his heart and adores it. There is nothing wrong in this practice as long as you remember that God is one and is not limited by form which is only for the sake of convenience of the devotee.3. An atheist is defined by vedanta as one who does not accept the vedas and not the one who does not worship any God. In this manner only the religions like Buddhism and Jainism are classified as atheistic religions because they do not accept the concept of Brahman nor His being the cause of the world.A boy of 8 years told me in the bajan class, when I was teachin in Vidyamandir, Chehnnai, that he does not believe in God. Anyone else would have been shocked and disliked the boy. Not me. I asked him why and he said that his father told him so. I asked him whether he believd in truth. He said yes and that his father has insisted that he should be truthful. I told him that it is enough and the faith in truth will lead him to God eventually. Nowadays the importance is to have belief and the bifurcation is only between believers and non believers, no matter in what you believe in or which religion you follow.4.The term HINDU is coined by the invaders of other religion than the vedic religion because they associated the culture of the people in India with the Indus valley civilisation. (Sindhu has become Hindu.) In course of time it came to signify the religion of Bharatha varsha. The name IN dia itself came about in the same manner and hence I used the term Bharathavarsha.5. It does not need protection as it has survived terrible onslaughts like the Muslim invasion and still exists as rightly pointed out by Veena. The reason for this is because it is based on vedas which are apourusheya, that is, not preached by any individual but exists from time immemorial. The other religions like Buddhism have become almost extinct in India ,though it was virulent for some time because it depended on the teachings of a particular individual and lost its strength after Buddha's or Mahaveera's time . That is why religions like Islam has become very rigid as otherwise It would not have survived . Same thing with Christianity especially Catholicism which is comparatively full of dogmas. These religions have to be like that in order to keep the people in their fold. That is why you find now that the protestant countries have no religion at all.6. So no one need be scared of HInduism being annihilated by conversions etc. As it has survived more organised and powerful conversion measures during Muslim rule.7. One point that Veena has mentioned seems to be very relevant to me. That is , before reacting ask yourself have I been a true HIndu?Gita and other scriptures tells us about inner control which is very important as only if you elevate yourself you can elevate others. Nowadays all those who clamour to protect HInduism and cross swords with non-hindus do it for reasons other than what they profess , namely to protect Hinduism. It does not need protection from you or me in the same way that God does not need protection from humans.8. Lastly to whom do you listen and whom you follow? Listen to nobody but God within you and If you seek His help with full faith He will guide you. Finally nothing can be solved by violence or hatred. This is the lesson of the vedas. Gita also says 'Samoham sarva bhootheshu name dveshyosthi na priyah,' When Lord treats all beings equally, mind you, He did not say Hindus only, who are we to show hatred to His creations by which we are acting against the divine order and it is not our dharma. Everything is HIs will and He has not relinquished his responsibilty to protect His devotees or the world to the few misguided humans.May god bless you,Dr. Saroja Ramanujam, M.A., Ph.D, Siromani in sanskrit.,What is Hinduism? Does it restrict on any specificGods and Goddesses and /or practices?Can an Atheist be a Hindu?Who is a Hindu?Does it need protection? If so of what kind?Who is the authority? Who should listen whom? Historically has Hinduism been under siege? Whoprotected it? Who were the attackers? How did itsurvive? Is Hinduism something that can be brought down andannihilated and wiped out?Who is trying to control? Whom? And what?Why the fear psychosis? Are there any beneficiaries tothese issues?RegardsBalagopalNARAYANA NARAYANA NARAYANA________ India Answers: Share what you know. Learn something newhttp://in.answers./Stay in the know. Pulse on the new .com. Check it out. Talk is cheap. Use Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Dear all, Radhe Krisahna! Sarojaji's explanations are immensely appealing and educative to all. I simply adore her write-ups. We should be extremely thankful to Lord Guruvayoorappan to have a person of her calibre amidst us. It is nothing but our luck and grace of the Lord. Regards KVG. Syamala Nair wrote: Jai Sreekrishna Respected Sarojaji Hope you had a wonderful birthday by the grace of Kannan. Once again wishing you many many Happy Returns of the day. Thank you very much Sarojaji for this convincing message. "Lastly to whom do you listen and whom you follow? Listen to nobody but God within you and If you seek His help with full faith He will guide you." What a wonderful advice. Thank you very very much Humbly Syamala Saroja Ramanujam <sarojram18 > wrote: Dear Balagopal, I will try to answer your questions one by one. 1.What is Hinduism. There is no such thing called Hinduisam at all. Our culture and dharma is known as SanAthana dharma based on the vedas and vedas are anAdhi. In vedas there is no mention of any particular god and goddess. All mention about any particular form is for the sake of upAsana. ChAndhOgya says 'sadhEva soumya idhamagra Aseeth EkamEva adhvitheeyam, all this existed as sath in the beginning, one only without a second. Here sath means Brahman who is nirguna for the advaitin and Narayana for the visishtadvaitin. Both are one and the same. 2. This point has been coverd by Veena in her mail. The various gods and goddesses have been provided from ithihasas and puranas for the sake of upasana. It is like this, you have many photos of your child but there will be one which you love the best and wants to keep with you always. The idol worship is something like that. Each one chooses the form that appeals to his heart and adores it. There is nothing wrong in this practice as long as you remember that God is one and is not limited by form which is only for the sake of convenience of the devotee. 3. An atheist is defined by vedanta as one who does not accept the vedas and not the one who does not worship any God. In this manner only the religions like Buddhism and Jainism are classified as atheistic religions because they do not accept the concept of Brahman nor His being the cause of the world. A boy of 8 years told me in the bajan class, when I was teachin in Vidyamandir, Chehnnai, that he does not believe in God. Anyone else would have been shocked and disliked the boy. Not me. I asked him why and he said that his father told him so. I asked him whether he believd in truth. He said yes and that his father has insisted that he should be truthful. I told him that it is enough and the faith in truth will lead him to God eventually. Nowadays the importance is to have belief and the bifurcation is only between believers and non believers, no matter in what you believe in or which religion you follow. 4.The term HINDU is coined by the invaders of other religion than the vedic religion because they associated the culture of the people in India with the Indus valley civilisation. (Sindhu has become Hindu.) In course of time it came to signify the religion of Bharatha varsha. The name IN dia itself came about in the same manner and hence I used the term Bharathavarsha. 5. It does not need protection as it has survived terrible onslaughts like the Muslim invasion and still exists as rightly pointed out by Veena. The reason for this is because it is based on vedas which are apourusheya, that is, not preached by any individual but exists from time immemorial. The other religions like Buddhism have become almost extinct in India ,though it was virulent for some time because it depended on the teachings of a particular individual and lost its strength after Buddha's or Mahaveera's time . That is why religions like Islam has become very rigid as otherwise It would not have survived . Same thing with Christianity especially Catholicism which is comparatively full of dogmas. These religions have to be like that in order to keep the people in their fold. That is why you find now that the protestant countries have no religion at all. 6. So no one need be scared of HInduism being annihilated by conversions etc. As it has survived more organised and powerful conversion measures during Muslim rule. 7. One point that Veena has mentioned seems to be very relevant to me. That is , before reacting ask yourself have I been a true HIndu? Gita and other scriptures tells us about inner control which is very important as only if you elevate yourself you can elevate others. Nowadays all those who clamour to protect HInduism and cross swords with non-hindus do it for reasons other than what they profess , namely to protect Hinduism. It does not need protection from you or me in the same way that God does not need protection from humans. 8. Lastly to whom do you listen and whom you follow? Listen to nobody but God within you and If you seek His help with full faith He will guide you. Finally nothing can be solved by violence or hatred. This is the lesson of the vedas. Gita also says 'Samoham sarva bhootheshu name dveshyosthi na priyah,' When Lord treats all beings equally, mind you, He did not say Hindus only, who are we to show hatred to His creations by which we are acting against the divine order and it is not our dharma. Everything is HIs will and He has not relinquished his responsibilty to protect His devotees or the world to the few misguided humans. May god bless you, Dr. Saroja Ramanujam, M.A., Ph.D, Siromani in sanskrit. , What is Hinduism? Does it restrict on any specific Gods and Goddesses and /or practices? Can an Atheist be a Hindu? Who is a Hindu? Does it need protection? If so of what kind? Who is the authority? Who should listen whom? Historically has Hinduism been under siege? Who protected it? Who were the attackers? How did it survive? Is Hinduism something that can be brought down and annihilated and wiped out? Who is trying to control? Whom? And what? Why the fear psychosis? Are there any beneficiaries to these issues? Regards Balagopal NARAYANA NARAYANA NARAYANA ________ India Answers: Share what you know. Learn something new http://in.answers./ Stay in the know. Pulse on the new .com. Check it out. Talk is cheap. Use Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. 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Guest guest Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Adding flavour to Veena's nice presentation.Saroja Ramanujam <sarojram18 wrote: Dear Balagopal, I will try to answer your questions one by one.1.What is Hinduism. There is no such thing called Hinduisam at all. Our culture and dharma is known as SanAthana dharma based on the vedas and vedas are anAdhi. In vedas there is no mention of any particular god and goddess. All mention about any particular form is for the sake of upAsana. ChAndhOgya says 'sadhEva soumya idhamagra Aseeth EkamEva adhvitheeyam, all this existed as sath in the beginning, one only without a second. Here sath means Brahman who is nirguna for the advaitin and Narayana for the visishtadvaitin. Both are one and the same.2. This point has been coverd by Veena in her mail. The various gods and goddesses have been provided from ithihasas and puranas for the sake of upasana. It is like this, you have many photos of your child but there will be one which you love the best and wants to keep with you always. The idol worship is something like that. Each one chooses the form that appeals to his heart and adores it. There is nothing wrong in this practice as long as you remember that God is one and is not limited by form which is only for the sake of convenience of the devotee.3. An atheist is defined by vedanta as one who does not accept the vedas and not the one who does not worship any God. In this manner only the religions like Buddhism and Jainism are classified as atheistic religions because they do not accept the concept of Brahman nor His being the cause of the world.A boy of 8 years told me in the bajan class, when I was teachin in Vidyamandir, Chehnnai, that he does not believe in God. Anyone else would have been shocked and disliked the boy. Not me. I asked him why and he said that his father told him so. I asked him whether he believd in truth. He said yes and that his father has insisted that he should be truthful. I told him that it is enough and the faith in truth will lead him to God eventually. Nowadays the importance is to have belief and the bifurcation is only between believers and non believers, no matter in what you believe in or which religion you follow.4.The term HINDU is coined by the invaders of other religion than the vedic religion because they associated the culture of the people in India with the Indus valley civilisation. (Sindhu has become Hindu.) In course of time it came to signify the religion of Bharatha varsha. The name IN dia itself came about in the same manner and hence I used the term Bharathavarsha.5. It does not need protection as it has survived terrible onslaughts like the Muslim invasion and still exists as rightly pointed out by Veena. The reason for this is because it is based on vedas which are apourusheya, that is, not preached by any individual but exists from time immemorial. The other religions like Buddhism have become almost extinct in India ,though it was virulent for some time because it depended on the teachings of a particular individual and lost its strength after Buddha's or Mahaveera's time . That is why religions like Islam has become very rigid as otherwise It would not have survived . Same thing with Christianity especially Catholicism which is comparatively full of dogmas. These religions have to be like that in order to keep the people in their fold. That is why you find now that the protestant countries have no religion at all.6. So no one need be scared of HInduism being annihilated by conversions etc. As it has survived more organised and powerful conversion measures during Muslim rule.7. One point that Veena has mentioned seems to be very relevant to me. That is , before reacting ask yourself have I been a true HIndu?Gita and other scriptures tells us about inner control which is very important as only if you elevate yourself you can elevate others. Nowadays all those who clamour to protect HInduism and cross swords with non-hindus do it for reasons other than what they profess , namely to protect Hinduism. It does not need protection from you or me in the same way that God does not need protection from humans.8. Lastly to whom do you listen and whom you follow? Listen to nobody but God within you and If you seek His help with full faith He will guide you. Finally nothing can be solved by violence or hatred. This is the lesson of the vedas. Gita also says 'Samoham sarva bhootheshu name dveshyosthi na priyah,' When Lord treats all beings equally, mind you, He did not say Hindus only, who are we to show hatred to His creations by which we are acting against the divine order and it is not our dharma. Everything is HIs will and He has not relinquished his responsibilty to protect His devotees or the world to the few misguided humans.May god bless you,Dr. Saroja Ramanujam, M.A., Ph.D, Siromani in sanskrit.,What is Hinduism? Does it restrict on any specificGods and Goddesses and /or practices?Can an Atheist be a Hindu?Who is a Hindu?Does it need protection? If so of what kind?Who is the authority? Who should listen whom? Historically has Hinduism been under siege? Whoprotected it? Who were the attackers? How did itsurvive? Is Hinduism something that can be brought down andannihilated and wiped out?Who is trying to control? Whom? And what?Why the fear psychosis? Are there any beneficiaries tothese issues?RegardsBalagopalNARAYANA NARAYANA NARAYANA________ India Answers: Share what you know. Learn something newhttp://in.answers./Stay in the know. Pulse on the new .com. Check it out. 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