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HINDU DHARMA
SANAATHANA DHARMA
Dhanyathman
These answers need not be final. They are only guide lines for the reader to
seek better answers. Studying sanathana dharma, through questions and
answers is impossible, because sanathana dharma gives an entirely different
approach and vision of life. Hence comparison of the facts and figures given
in sanathana dharma with the texts or traditions of any other religion will only
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confuse the audience. Hence the approach adopted here is just give a rational
explanation for the questions in the light of science. When I say science, it
includes sociology, psychology, physics, chemistry, physiology, biochemistry
and so on. Sometimes the readers may feel that instead of getting an answer,
they are getting the application. True it is also aimed at in this book.
Of this the scientific and technological heritage of India has separately been
dealt with in specific text books published by Indian Institute of Scientific
Heritage earlier. Hence further explanations are not needed, even though more
and more information can be added.
I am herewith submitting this book for the youths and young generation of
Bharath, who are becoming the real torch bearers of the heritage of India. They
are now becoming the ambassadors of this great country. Their colleagues, both
friends and critics may ask many questions either for getting a correct answer or
for criticizing , our heritage. They should know what is what about India. They
should know as much as possible about the sanathana dharma not for
arguing and winning but for learning and teaching only. I am sure they will
undertake the mission of spreading the great heritage of our motherland to
million of Indians and foreigners.
My pranams to one and all of the colleagues who are working with me with a
mission oriented outlook to achieve the goal of teaching our heritage to 100
million people by 31st December, 2010. Only because of their devotion and
dedication, the Indian Institute of Scientific Heritage could undertake such a
glorious mission. I am indebted to them all.
I feel specially indebted to Sri. Ramakrishnan Nair, Sree Printers, who has
done the perfect job of printing all the books of IISH with utmost sincerity and
devotion.
What is Hinduism ?
The puraanas tell that Himalayam samaarabhya yaavath indu sarovaram tham
deva nirmitham desam hindustanam prachakshathey. The nation which starts
from Himalayas and ends in Indian ocean and which is created by the god is
known as Hindustanam. And those who are living there are Hindus.
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How the ‘Hindus’ are defined ?
Aa sindo sindu paryantham yasya bhartha bhoomikam maathru bhoo pitru bhoo
schaiva sa vai hindu riti smruthaa: Those who consider and respect the country
which extends from Indus valley ( sindu river ) upto Indian ocean as their
motherland, father land or holy land, they are the Hindus. ( all those consider
Bhratham as their own mother/father/holy land they are the Hindus)
Is it not true that something which has a beginning , has an end also ?
It is true for the one which has a beginning. Sanathana dharma does not have a
beginning so it will not have an end also. If it starts decaying someone /avathara
will come to protect and energize to bring back the dharma with all its positive
results as it is told in Bhagavath Geetha.
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Then where the Indian Christians and Muslim will fit in ?
They are also Hindus. They are Hindu Christians and Hindu Muslims. Just like
we say American Christian, Pakistani Muslim, etc.
But many people said earlier against this conclusion and few still
continue to say so. why ?
There was an intentional conspiracy to distort the facts which was spearheaded
and created by the British to confuse Indians through the Aryan invasion theory
and to create a feeling among Indians that they are also the invaders like the
British ( to Indian subcontinent). So they wanted to prove that Indus valley,
Harappan civilization, etc are entirely different from the Vedic civilization and
Hindu culture . This was fully utilized by our pseudo intellectuals and also the so
called secularists for creating a complex in the Indian mind.
Why some people say the Vedic civilization and Hindu civilization are
different ?
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Vedic civilization itself is the Hindu civilization and they are not different. There
is nothing like Hindu civilization which is different from Vedic culture .
Acharas are practiced for the psychological and physiological benefits and for
a long healthy life; acharas are followed for prosperity and wealth; acharas are
followed for strong family and social bondage. By following the acharas, one
gets a fine personality and dharmic vision. Says our dharma saastra books
and the acharyas.
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It is left to his/her discretion whether to practice or not to do so. It is said that
Swagrame pooranmacharas anya graame thadarkhakam pattane tu thath
paadam yaatre balaath acharatheth. If you are living in your own village, follow
all the acharas. If you are living in other villages, follow one half of the acharas.
And if you are in a city /town one quarter of the acharas are to be practiced. But
in en tour, acharas need not be followed like a child.
Who is the final authority in Hindu dharma, like the pope for Christians?
There is no final authority for Hindus whose words are final. You know
other civilizations like Mesopotamia, Greek, Egyptians, Babylonia,, ,,,,etc got
wiped out from the surface of the globe Earth. Bharatheeya dharma did not die.
It is giving light to billions of people world over. Its contributions are becoming
great subject for learning and practicing, world over. This is because everyone
has the freedom to add, subtract, delete, correct and modify the ideas and
practices. None is labeled as the final authority to direct or impose the rule.
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Each acharya or guru can refine these acharas in the course of time and place,
depending upon the requirements /needs of the individual and the society.
This part is known as dharma sutra part of kalpasootra. Each and every aspect
connected with rules and regulation of the country, the fundamental principles,
directives for citizens, etc are written under dharma sastra or dharma sutra.
How the stories are used in puranas to convey the message of acharas?
In puranas, different stories of following the acharas are narrated. The stories
convey the merits of performing the acharas which motivates people to follow the
acharas. Focus is given through spirituality in puranas.
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How sareera suddhi is effected through acharas?
There are five types of bathing explained in dharma sastra for the external body
cleaning. The Keralites and all those who are living in tropical climate should
take water bath. It should be done till their body gets cooled.
How can one get more information about this type of acharas?
Think about each and every achara rationally, scientifically and logically. Discus
with good doctors and come to a conclusion. Never be biased and never justify
the superstitions in any of the achara.
Can you site few examples in which the acharas help national integration?
Acharas for national integration can be narrated like this: Doing prathasmarana
by chanting the mantras in which the names of holy mountains, rivers, cities,
heroes, etc., are mentioned. Reading Ramayana and Mahabharatha can fetch
benefits of National integration because Sri Rama traveled from Ayodhya to
Kerala and then to Rameswaram and back. Similarly Pandavas traveled all the
way from Hastinapura (present Delhi) to Palakkad district of Kerala. This
narration itself will result in the national integration. It can also be achieved
through national languages, Sanskrit, cultural traits on dress, food, Vedic and
puranic messages, pilgrimage, etc. these are all part of Indian heritage and
achara.
How can we classify all these acharas for removing the superstition ?
There are three types of acharas. The acharas not relevant for 21st century are
known as anacharas. The acharas which produce negative results are
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duracharas. The acharas which produce good and positive results /effects are
sadacharas.
What is god ?
The omnipotent omnipresent power controlling / guiding an atom and also the
universe and also the power which is existing in each and every living being is
the god.
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Does the god have the names ?
The god does not have any name. For quick memory and recollection we call
different names to different natural phenomenon. After all nature is the direct
manifestation of god and that itself is god.
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Yes! definitely it is for the same. And also to know that something beyond our
capacity is existing and it is guiding us. So many negatives from our mind can
be wiped out.
What is the last one or sixth bhava Bhakti which is said to be negative ?
It is known in many names like. Satru Bhava Bhakti or dwesha bhava bhakti or
dweshya bhava bhakti etc. In this bhava you feel that god is your strong enemy.
Kaamsa felt so with Krishna. Ravana felt so with Rama. Hiranyakasipu also felt
so. Their mind was filled with hatred and enmity towards god or divine power.
Many atheists fall under this category of negative bahakti.
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