Introduction to Hinduism in V Parts By Dr.

Kishan Bhatia Revised on 09 / 30 / 2013 (572 words) Vedic religions are rooted in three Ps Philosophy, physics and psychology. Religion offers a moral and ethical guidance to live a happy purposeful life. I believe the understanding of three Ps offers believers necessary background to devise a moral and ethical compass to guide a life of their choice. As a scientist I have examined each available religious choice from a scientific perspective. I found study of Vedas and Upanishads very difficult. I do not know Sanskrit. Gita offers an excellent summary of all Veda and Upanishad teachings. Vyasas Gita also incorporates Guna theory and Sankhya System developed by Kapila, a contemporary of Vyasa. A number of English and Hindi translations of Veda and Upanishad scriptures and Gita are available. I find each translation is biased by authors preferences. I have used two English translations of Gita for my articles. I have cited books/references used to develop my articles. Philosophically, as Mr P. C. Sharma ji recently (September 28, 2013) explained, we should live according to principles of Sat (truth), Chit (conscious) and Aanand (content). Challenges to clean living (Sat-chit-aanand) include temptations or Maya (illusions). Keeping mind free of illusions requires discipline. Meditation, Bhakti and Dharma or the principles of cosmic order (life) were designed by our Rishies (Hindu sage, saint, or inspired poet) to inhibit temptations. Hindu religion has scientific rooting. Three Ps that form Hindu/Veda/Upanishad scriptures are subjective sciences (theories with no experimental verifications). In pre-17 th century eras required mathematical sciences were not discovered. The 17 th century the development of integral and differential calculus* provided scientist required mathematical tools to develop objective sciences. Note: (*) Integral calculus is a method for finding the sum of small quantities. Differential calculus is a method for determining rates of change. Please use links in references to access each of five parts; the topics covered in each part are listed. The suggested reading list offers information on topic of interests.

References: Contents of each part are identified. 1. Part I: (http://www.blogs.ivarta.com/Basic-Hindu-Beliefs-Scriptures-Part-I/blog-329.htm; Original article - 1,394 words). Introduction to Hinduism Index and Acknowledgement, page 1 Introduction, pages 1-2 Basic Hindu Beliefs and Scriptures, page 2 References, Notes and Appendix for Part I, pages 2-4 2. Part II: (http://www.blogs.ivarta.com/Introduction-Gita-Part-II/blog-330.htm) Introduction to Gita The Gita and Yoga, pages 1-2 Is idol-worship justified? Page 2 Intellect, Mind, Gunas and Vasana (Desires), page 3 Self-Realization and Quality Life, page 3-4 References and Notes for Part II, pages 4-5 3. Part III: (http://blogs.ivarta.com/%2520Three-Yogas-Popular-with-Hindus/blog-333.htm) Three Yogas Popular with Hindus Definition of Yoga and Select Hindu Yoga/Paths, page 1 Yoga of knowledge, pages 1-2 Yoga of Action, pages 2-3 Yoga of Devotion, pages 3-4 The attributes of a real devotee, page 4-5 4. Part IV:

(http://www.blogs.ivarta.com/Dharma-Cosmic-Man/blog-334.htm )
Dharma and Cosmic Man Immortal Dharma (Virtue), page 1 Cosmic-Man and the Cosmic-Form Divine, page 1-2 Notes for Part IV, page 2 5. Part V: (http://blogs.ivarta.com/Hinduism-Sankhya-System-Guna-Theory-V/blog-336.htm ) Sankhya System and Guna Theory The Sankhya System, pages 1-4 The Guna Theory of Sankhya Doctrine, pages 4-6 References and Notes for Part V, pages 6-8 Acknowledgement: I sincerely acknowledge contributions of Mrs. Usha and Mr. Laxmi Mehra to the five part series on Hinduism. They made constructive suggestions to improve it.

Suggested readings: 6. Happiness 360 By Kishan (http://www.indiacause.com/blog/2013/07/06/happiness-360/ Bhatia

7. Pre-17th Century Sciences and Understanding Life: by Kishan Bhatia (http://www.indiacause.com/blog/2012/08/19/pre-17th-century-sciences-andunderstanding-life/) 8. Modern Science and Understanding Life by Kishan Bhatia (http://www.indiacause.com/blog/2012/08/19/modern-science-and-understandinglife/)