ABC OF HINDUISM

Volume-A.
Published in 1988. (Revised in 2010

By Dr. H. K. GANDHI

----------------------------------------------------------Published in India. By: Adhyatma Vignan Prakashan

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ABC OF HINDUISM Author Dr. H. K. GANDHI. (Now Swami Dwiroopanand)

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Published in India by :Adhyatma Vignan Prakashan

Publisher: Vinod S. Bhatt. Add. C-3, Krishna Apartments, B/H Lake View Flats, N/R Nand-Deep Bunglows, Vastrapur, Ahmcdabad-380015. GUJARAT-INDIA Phon: No. Resi. 2630-1891 Mob: 98246-53043 Author's Contacts in U.S.A. Email Dwiroop@yahoo.com Mob: 904-472-6857. Visit www.gandhigitadharm.com for more books And FREE down load. (1) Dr. PANKAJ H. GANDHI (Florida) Jacksonville-FL 32257. Res. PH: 904-733-1579.. (2) Chimanbhai Patel Detroit. MI. Ph: Mob: 248-396-1313. Resi 248-852-2102. Price : "AMULYA" Priceless. 1st Edition of ABC of HINDUISM 2000 Copies. (1988)

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This book is dedicated to:

"All MY Children" (DWIROOP) (Daksha, Varsha, ILA, Roopesh and Pankaj), And also to All Young Generation of ANY Origin and To their Parents residing anywhere on Globe Earth. A Spark Of Divinity Dwells within me, you and all people of all ages, in Animals, Plants and Non-living things also. This can be SEEN and understood :- As Universal Love within your Heart, As Courage in your Consciousness, As Unbiased Intellect within in your Brain, As Strength in your Body and good Health and As Knowledge (Symbolized as OM), which is your Real Wealth and As Morality and Sense of Duty, which is Eternal Religion or Sanatan Dharm.

Seek God, Search (Swadhyay or Meditate upon Your Self) To Find IMMORTAL SOUL Bhraman Within (also called ATMAN). With Love and Blessings from : Dr. H. K. Gandhi (Now Swami DWIROOPANAND).
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MAHATMA GANDHI-ABOUT RELIGION By religion, I do not mean formal religion or customary religion, but that religion which underlies all religions, which bring us face to face with our Maker. (GOD). Every activity of a man of religion must be derived from his religion, because religion means bound to God, that is to say God rules your every breath. Eternal Religion should pervade our every action. It does not mean Sectarianism (Sampraday, or Organized religions). It believes in ordered moral government of universe. It is not less real because it is unseen. This religion transcends Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity etc. It does not supersede them. It harmonizes them and gives them reality. No man can live without religion. There are some who in Egotism of their reason, declare that they have nothing to do with religion. But it is like a man saying that he breaths but has no nose. Whether by reason, or by instinct, or by superstition a man acknowledges some sort of relationship with the Divine. The rankest agnostic or atheist does acknowledge the need of a moral principle, and associates some thing good with its observance and some thing bad with its non-observance. From : "My Religion". A book By M. K. Gandhi.

My salutations and "namaskar" to :-

MAHATMA GANDHIJI
An Incarnation of God, a Prophet, VIBHOOTI, after Rama, Krishna, Buddha and Jesus. Also to --

Swami Sachchidanandji, (of Dantali-Petlad, Gajarat), & Late Swami Chininayanandji. (Bombay- India ), And many other Saints, Philosophers etc. of the world, whose wisdom has guided me and paved my path of self-realization and inspired me to write this book: Dr. H. K. Gandhi.
In next pages I present two English Prayers for Growing Youth in India and abroad, also good for all religions.
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INDEX
Subject :
Mahatma Gandhiabout religion A Prayer; TO INFINITE GOD OF UNIVERSE JESUS & MAHATMA GANDHI - ARE IMMORTAL SOULS. PREFACE Blessings. By Sawami Sachchidanandji

Page No
4 7 8 9 13

SECTION I General Topics:

1. How I turned to Religious study? My Cosmic Experience. 2. Indian Religions, Culture and Philosophy: 3. Need for Religion: How I turned to this study. 4. Youth and Religion: Roll of Parents. Revise our rituals. Who am I ? Need for a "Guru". 5. Scriptures of Hinduism: Brief History. A. Vedas. B. Upanishads. C. Darshans. D. Other Scriptures: 1. The 18 Purana 2. Ramayana, 3. Mahabharata, 4. Brachia or Commentaries. 6. The Vedas and Concept of My Gods: Early Vedas, Vedic Devas or Elemental Gods, Upanishads the Spiritual Scriptures, Veda-sutras. 7. Imprints of 16 Cultures in Hinduism. Three Prenatal Rituals, Namkaran, Annaprashan. Nishkraman. Kshaurakarma. Karna-Vedh. Oopanayan. Brhamcharya. Dikshant. Vagdan. Vivaha. Grahasthashrama. Vanprasthashrama. Sanyasashrama. 8. What is OM (1) OM is Symbol of Various Trinities 9. World Languages Root from OM A Child learns speaking. Two halves of any language. Structure of any language. True knowledge has no language. A chart: Showing OM as root of world. Languages. 10. (JAAP) Chanting of Mantras: 14 18 21 25

30

37

42

48 52

62.

SECTION II

Our Upanishads
66 71 74 78

1. Story of Nachiketa Kathopanishad: 2. Message of Nachiketa Story: 3. A Beggar of Knowledge. Brahadaranyak Upanishad Message of Swetketu Story 4. Endure More and More: A Story from Taitiiya Upanishad Message of Bhrugu's story

SECTION III.
Lives of Great Prophets, Saints and their Messages.
1. Life and Message of Lord Buddha. CHRONOLOGY OF HINDU SCRIPTURES A Message: Father Valles (Last Cover Page). 85 90 91

A PRAYER OF ONE INFINITE GOD OF UNIVERSE.

BASED ON VEDIC AND UPANISHAD THEMES. THIS CAN BE DONE BY GROWING CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS

(1) Oh Lord! Almighty, Oh Lord Oh Thee, With Folded Our Palms and Bent our Knees, Together, Together, Together We Pray, Shall Share, Shall Care, Shall Bear WE Say. (2) You are Father and Mother, and Brother Oh Lord, You are Friend and Guide, Oh Merciful God, You are Near and Far, and every where Oh Lord In the Smile of a Child You are Present my God. (3) You are Mountains and Trees, and Rivers and Sea, You are Water and Land, and the Air I Breath, You are Stars and Suns and Moons I See, You are Clouds and Rains and Sky and ZEE. (4) You are Cows and Cattle, and Birds and Bee, You are Plants and Flowers, and Food for Me, I Praise Thy Glory, with Bent my Knees Forgive me, Forgive us, for Sinful Deeds. (5) You are TIME and SPACE, So Life and Death, Beyond Heaven and Hell, and Mind and Brain, Thy Sound I Hear, and Feel THY Smell, In Wisdom and Hearts, of Saints You Dwell. (6) Thou Sendth Thy Message of Love and Faith, Through Brave and Noble, Thy Sons Oh! God, A Message of Courage and Confidence, in Giving, To Depressed and Needy the Joy of Being. (7) In North and South, and West and East, As Tao, and Buddha, and Moses and Christ, As Krishna and Rama, and Mohammed and Me, In Mecca, and Mithra, In Bethle Oh Thee. (8) Thy Cross let Enrich Our Scriptures and Spirits, Thy Mercy as Conviction, with Love Divine, Beyond Nations and Flags, and Cults and Creeds, I Feel thy Presence, in The Truthful Deeds. (9 As Father and Mother, and Knowledge and SHREE As friend, and Brother and Teacher you help Me, Thy kingdom is perfect, and Amazing Oh! God, In Unity and Diversity, I SEE THEE Oh Lord. (10) I Thank THEE Oh Lord for THY Gift of Life, With Folded my Hands and Bent my Knees. Together, Together, Together, I Pray Shall Share, Shell Suffer with Joy, I Say

ZEE = Zero. (I AM VERY SMALL Zero in universal dimensions). SHREE = Wealth, Money. (Laxmi- in Sanskrit) I wrote this prayer in 1983 while I was recovering from a serious attack of hemiplegia. Its theme comes from a popular Gujarati poem of poet Nanalal, which I learnt during my school days. It covers the theme of all Vedas, all Upnishads and the Gita. This prayer expresses Hindu belief of One Invisible Supreme Infinite God, who is visible in HIS diversity of forms and qualities. They are called Devas (angles) and Devies in Scriptures. Formless invisible God could only be realized by a path of Bhakti, practice of Karma Yoga and Self -Meditation.
By Swami Dwiroopanand: Contact :-Phone: Mob: 904-472-6857. Visit website for more www.gandhigitadharm.com / Email add. dwiroop@yahoo.com

JESUS & MAHATMA GANDHI - ARE IMMORTAL SOULS.

By Dr. H. K. Gandhi. (Based on a Upanishad Hymn Mrutor mam Amrutam Gamaya Someone is Coming and someone is Going, Someone is Awaking and someone is Sleeping, Someone is Sitting and someone is Running, Someone is Leading and someone is Following, Someone is Wedding and someone is Separating, Someone is Laughing and someone is Crying, Someone is Barking and someone is Singing, Someone is Jumping and someone is Stumbling. Millions are Blue and Millions are Red, Only a few are Green but Millions are Pale, Only a few are Strong but Millions are Weak, Millions are Bitter, only a few are Sweet!. I search Thee Oh Lord, and Mystery of joy, My Death is near, Shall I SEE THEE Oh God? THY LIGHT if seen, and my ignorance if gone, Then Fear of Death is gone, and courage is born. Millions do not know what things they need, Only Wise really know what one should Seek. No human can give, all things people want, Only a few are conscious of the gifts they've got. Why people are morose and think of Dying? They know not the Limits, where Eagles are flying. Why few are Blissful and millions so Sad? They know not really The Beginning or The End. I dream of that day when all are in Cheers, No Worries, no Hunger, no Guns, no Fears. No one is Crying and the youth is Dancing, And all are singing Divine songs for Living. Who Gives with Faith and holy Vows, With Love Divine, no Hate for Foes. When Forgiveness of Jesus pervades all souls, A girl can sing, She has divine goals. From Hell who came, and to Heaven who went, Every born has to Die, the Gita has said, Only Prophets like Jesus and men like Gandhi, True Scientists and Seers (of God) are IMMORTAL SOULS.
Mrutor mam Amrutam Gamaya, is a famous mantra and prayer to God from Brahad-Aranyak Upanishad. It means Lead me to immortality from (by) my death. The spiritually evolved soul asks God to give him/her the death of a martyr, which will make him/her immortal. People want to go to heaven after death, but they do not want to die for going to heaven ! Every born has to die, is Eternal law of God. The above poem shows a path for living with noble goals and dying like a martyr in religious field. One should not be afraid of dying for any good and noble cause. Such a death leads to immortality. People remember such souls for centuries. Jesus and Gandhiji died as martyrs having firm faith in God and Gods work. The laws of mother-nature or Maker of the Universe (GOD) work in an equal manner upon all human beings, animals, plants, stars, suns, moons and all Galaxies. Everything- perceptible with five senses is in a non-stop motion or TIMESPACE continuum. The possession of money, property, political power etc,. Creates false Egos and illusions in minds. Such attachments and desires to get more Greed, (Lobh) makes a person to commit great sins. Visit website for more www.gandhigitadharm.com / Email add. dwiroop@yahoo.com

PREFACE
"MANUSHYANAM SAHASHTRASHU KASHCHID YATATI SIDDHAYE SIDDHANAAM API SAHASHTRANAM KASHCHID MAM VATHTI TATVTAHA" (Gita. Vll-3).

The Lord of Universe says :

Only one in a thousand human beings, try to achieve some success (in the material field); And only one out of a thousand successful persons, really knows me, 'SEES ME or my Divine Light. How I Turned to this religious study? On the midnight of 31st Dec, 1979, I had a divine experience of "SEEING THE HOLY GROSS". This I have described in a separate chapter of this book. After this moment, I had turned to this study of religious Scriptures, in the right earnest. I wrote six books on VEDANT and GITA which were published during the years 1980 to 1987. I wrote them in my mother tongue, Gujarati, a daughter of Sanskrit Language. After writing those books I felt that a large number of young Indian children and other people staying abroad are not familiar with so many Scriptures of Hinduism. They want to understand and know something about basic about religious beliefs of Hinduism, meaning of many Gods and Goddesses in Hindu temples, its ways of worship, need for religion in life and the higher philosophy of the Upanishads and the Darshans, dealing with spirituality and self knowledge. Keeping above view point in mind I wrote this first book in English in 1988. It was my first attempt to write and place my thoughts in English. I hope that my this book of ABC of HINDUISM will provide a some ground for religious unity abroad. And this unity and understanding of Hinduism if really achieved, will get back to India in due course of time. After publication of this 1st book in English, I wrote another book in 1992, Mahatma Gandhi, Ambassador of God, for entire Mankind in 21st century. There was no motive of earning money from these writings, and the books were mostly given as gifts to friends and interested people whom I was meeting in different townships of USA and India. In Mahatma Gandhi book I have indicated a plan of Hindu unity in its last 2 chapters. It is my mission of International Gandhi-Gita Dharma Sangh. To achieve this goal recently I have started a magazine, Gandhi-Gita Dharma Sandesh. This is a No Copy Wright magazine, distributed FREE with support of Ads from all lovers of Mahatma Gandhi, Gita, Indian Culture, for youth Education abroad. I wish this book and magazines given FREE to many families of all faiths. I believe that if Mahatma Gandhijis religious views -which he had understood and derived from the Gita - are propagated like the Christian missionaries, then real world PEACE will emerge in short time. The TIME magazine in its poll of millennium has shown that Einstein and Gandhi are real divine men of the next millennium. There are two paths of God search and worship in Hinduism, by which any seeker can "SEE" the divine light of God. One path is to see God, via and in all his visible creations or forms, called Devas and Devies or the visible forms of Supreme God. This path of worship is called "SAAKAR WORSHIP. This is done with aid of different statues in temples. The second path is called the search of formless, invisible, shapeless, elemental or spiritual God. It is known as Nirakar Upasana. This path is difficult and not possible for many. So this is only followed by a few. This path is advocated only for those who wish to SEE GOD and reach HIM by path of logic and Intellect. It involves great deal of mental and physical hardships and sacrifices (Tapascharyas). Because of these two paths, Hindu Scriptures and religion get bifurcated into two major groups. There are many visible natural elements like the Sun, Moon, Stars, Land, Water, Air etc., by which we can see and understand God in indirect manner. All these universal forms are made up of, and get reduced into five basic elements,. They are known as PANGH MAHABHUTAS in Hinduism. These are Earth, Water, Air, Fire or Light, (Energy) and Space, (Aakasha). Gross Physical Bodies of all plants, trees, insects, animals & mankind, and also all non living objects (all non living material things) in entire universe are made up of these five basic Eternal Parts. One needs to learn some meditation to understand this first hypothesis of 'MAHABHUTAS meaning BIG (or great) things that were created and existed in the past before human race came to Earth.

This entire visible and dynamic (ever changing), Universe is made .of and filled with, all the above FIVE BASICS. All these five basics are beginning-less, endless and to some extent shapeless and formless. Bigger masses like the globe of the earth, oceans, the sun, the moon and the planets are made up, by welding (or union- YOGA) of very fine particles called "Anoos" or atoms. These atoms are not visible to naked eyes, but our human mind can imagine and understand these facts. Todays science has proved that a group of electrons, positrons and Neutrons, three fine PARMANOOS, make one atom (ANOO). The Anoos unite to form bigger molecules, with distinct properties or Goona. All "Goonas" or Properties in Mother Nature (Prakruti) can be grouped into an Eternal Trio- known as Sat (Truth). Rajas meaning Actions and Tamas meaning Inertia or inaction. Such facts were invented and known to a great ancient seers like KANAD RISHI and Lord Mahavira - the 24th incarnation of God in Jainism. Kanad Rishi has given us a famous Vaisheshik Darshan. The theories of Mahavir and Kanad are very close to Einsteins understanding of Mass and Energy relationship known as theory of Relativity. Our physical body- which all of us refer to as "I", is made up of above five basic elements and three other qualities (Goonas). This is the first lesson of Yoga meditation. After ones death, this beautiful body is sure to undergo disintegration, into the Five basic Elements. They merge into their original 5 basic Elements. This surely happens in case of all living human beings- rich or poor, a king or his servants, a well-read priest or his disciples, any common man and woman or a child- no matter one cremates the dead bodies or buries in ground. All Hindu spiritual Scriptures, guiding ones path of search of the formless God-Worship, teach us to identify a distinct sixth separate element, known as sprit, soul or "Brahman". This is what all people understand as Soul. Spirit means Atman, Jiva, life spark, or Bios as pure element. This soul is never born, and it never dies. It is imperishable and immortal. It is also 'ANADI' beginning-less, 'ANANTA'infinite, endless, formless (NIRAKAR), etc. Most Indian Gurus and Scriptures understand it as a part and parcel of God. IT assumes all kinds of living forms in this world. This element is ones true self, and it is called ''ATMA, Atman etc, by most Indian Gurus and students of Hindu Scriptures. It is by birth of a body, its growth, its existence and death of any living creature - that we understand journey of life. It is by the qualities and the activities, (Goonas and Karma), that one calls an individual as good person, bad or evil. By understanding these five basic elements, the relation of the spirit with body, admixture of three qualities (Goonas) and the actions done by an individual, that one understands to a great deal, the fixed and perfect invisible laws of mother nature. Thus in an indirect manner we can feel the presence of Omnipresent God, His kindness and mercy given to all. In this manner we "SEE" Gods kingdom at all places and at all times. This type of thinking is called by various names e.g. meditation, "Dhyana-Yoga," Chintan, etc. By this method one understands formless or NIRAKAR GOD. The ignorant, illiterate and poor masses in India are misguided and fooled today in the name of God, Religion and Spirituality. Selfish priests, wrongly but strongly preach many false but very strong beliefs of previous life, present life and future lives after death. They poison the minds of people and hypnotize them. I have not studied Hindu Scriptures in great depth. Yet I can say with confidence (AtmaShraddha), that Hindu Scriptures possess a great treasure of Spiritual literature. This leads a seeker to a point of understanding known as self-realization. If one reaches this point, one can SEE Supreme God, face to face. When one reaches this point of self-realization his attitudes and thoughts change in a positive direction. He feels presence of God, everywhere in all living and non-living objects, and in all creations and all events. It leads this person to such a conviction of God that no one can fool him in name of God or Scriptures. This study removes all doubts retarding the presence or absence of One God and makes the person really religious, in the correct sense of the word. With such aims in mind, I have tried to present my views, thoughts and observations in this small book, keeping into focus the young growing youth of all religions. As English is not my mother tongue, please bare with my style and some mistakes of grammar. There is lot of literature in English by erudite persons, dealing with many Scriptures in great depth. But the purpose of this small booklet is to initiate curiosity, present some outlines and give a bird's eye view of Hindu Scriptures to the young generation of Indian Origin, staying abroad. It will help all interested parents who have no time to study our spiritual literature in great details. I am sure this presentation will prove helpful to all open minded students of world religions also, who wish to know something about Hinduism. I have made an attempt of including three Upanishad

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stories, and life of Lord Buddha. Short glimpses of Sankhya, Yoga and Vedanta Darshans and life of a great saint Kabir will be added in the next edition. My aim is to correlate the thoughts in religious Scriptures with facts of science and scientific achievements. This will make Science and religion, more rational for the modern generation, who are growing in the age of great scientific inventions. To "SEE the Divine Light of formless ''Infinite God", is an individuals subjective experience. It is granted to only a selected few by the Lord. It is so said in the Gita. Religion and philosophy are interrelated topics. These subjects roots from observations and experiences of past thinkers. Religion is a ready-made path which brings material and social happiness in family life for the masses. Observance of moral guidelines given by Scriptures makes family living, a pleasurable and trouble free experience. It makes life full of achievements and reverence for life. But true religion becomes a cult when one starts worshipping ignorant mortal individuals or meaningless idols. Philosophy helps us to develop positive attitude in thinking and an attitude of love and respect towards everybody. The theme of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity, roots from Spiritual philosophy. The manner, in which Hindu religion is being practiced and preached to day in India and abroad, is very heart burning and disappointing for a true Hindu and lover of Indian Culture. I think that the obvious reason is that there is too much stress on "Guru worship" instead of "God worship". A true Hindu does not believe in human worship or worship of mystic Idols. The average Gurus wish that we must surrender our common sense (BUDDHI) at the feet of Gurus, instead of using it for search of the Supreme God. They tell us to swallow down blindly whatever they preach. No one should question their preaching, because they think God speaks via their mouths. Many Gurus think they are living incarnations of God. When we compare Hindu Scriptures with those of world religions, we find that Hindu Scriptures have a unique style of presentation. There is always a questioning curious pupil and there is a learned master who explains him the laws of Mother Nature. Teacher is supposed to convince the pupil about God. In stead our present Gurus declare themselves as Bhagwans or Incarnate Gods. It is firmly believed that without the help of a Guru no one can SEE GOD, or achieves a state of Moksha, Salvation, or liberty. If this Moksha s not achieved in this life, one will get a next birth and the cycle of Birth and Death of soul, will go on forever. If Guru is not pleased he may give curse and make him a sparrow or snake in this life or next birth! People are made to live in such absurd imaginations and fears. In my books, some passing remarks or little criticisms about such "Gurus" will surely be found. The word come to my pen as direct commandment from Supreme God. It is my God given right, to express my thoughts and views. I offer my apologies if the feelings of some false "Gurus" and their blind hypnotized and cult minded followers are hurt. Study of religious Scriptures and meditation leads one to a final point of Self-Realization. This opens up anyone's mind for wide vision and hidden horizons of subconscious mind. It abolishes the sense of inferiority or superiority from which one may be suffering. It develops a sense and attitude of equality of all living beings. Correct understanding of religion, removes false egos and makes an individual lover of life. Spiritual study creates a permanent joy in life and consciousness of moral duties towards others. The present political systems like communism and socialism and the scientific achievements of Western world, like TVs, cars and airplanes, computers and Internets, have failed to bring real peace in the world. Todays world is boiling with violence and hatred. Every one is in need of some new light, which will come only from the Eastern Spiritual Scriptures. All intellectual Hindus should study our Scriptures, and unite under one banner of SANATAN DHARMA. That is the real and true name of our religion, and not Hinduism. It teaches a life style with eternal moral values of Truth, non-violence, self esteem, dignity, brotherhood and Equality of all creations of Mother Nature. May God bless and inspire all for a turn towards Scriptural study and religious unity. Let HIS DIVINE grace fall upon every student. Let many more SEE His divine Light which has been seen in past by many Saints, Prophets and Messiahs, and also by many true Scientists and myself also.

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Let us not forget that it is the path of search and worship of formless God (NIRAKAR ISHVERA). It leads to a conviction that there is only ONE SUPREME GOD, and next to Him is I or ME. There is no one in between, Supreme God- and ME, not any Guru, not any Scripture, nor any religious cults, idol, temple or even label of any nationality. To See God face to face must be a goal in life, for everyone along with material achievements in other fields of life. I thank Swami Sachchidanandji and Father Valles of St. Xavier's College, Ahmedabad for their Blessings.

January 1,1988.

Dr. H. K. Gandhi.

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BLESSINGS

By Swami Sachchidanandji.

Dr. Gandhi practiced medicine in Naroda, Ahmedabad, for many years. Since last ten years he is staying in U. S. A. with his children. Recently Dr. Gandhi has come out in field of religious philosophy and literature with his deep study and original thoughts. He attended religious talks, contacted many saints, read Western and Eastern philosophers and religious books. I have noted one important aspect of his nature. He will always try to reach the bottom of the subject he will get interested into. He will prepare notes, graphs and will try to summarize the subject into few lines and one or two charts. A mystic type of religious philosophy has been spread in India. There is more mythology and imagination. There is neglect of practical problems in daily life. This has made us poor, ignorant and illiterate. We are worshipping immortal, Hippocratic individuals instead of God. Dr. Gandhi is not a writer of religious mythology, but has a positive and practical approach to problems in day-to-day life. He has tried to link religion with science. His science does not lead to atheism, nor he ignores the element of faith (Shraddha) required in religion. Religion is also a Science. He has beautifully tried to intermix, such diverse subjects under one dome. May it be Gita, Upanishads or any other subjects? The clarity of his thinking, the truth mixed with reason, and the fearlessness in presentation is obvious to the reader. Some times he is a bitter and harsh in his criticism, when he is pointing red signals towards, some age-old wrong beliefs, false rituals, and rigid traditions of religion. It is but natural that interested religious heads and their blind followers may start boiling with anger at such remarks. It is good and necessary that an individual and society should be religious. But when this crosses certain limit, it leads to foolish behavior, myth propagation and fruitless imaginations. Society and individuals get misguided, live in false hopes, blind faiths and fears, and become human worshipper. In name of religion, the wealth of people gets locked into temples and few hands, and people forget the basic issues leading to poverty, slavery and grief. People become lusterless, frustrated and inactive. They are taught to bear whatever comes as fate and fortune designed from God. This leads to stagnation, inaction and inertia. This is a painful situation, artificially, created by unwise priests in name of religion. More and more individuals like Dr. Gandhi should come forward to catch the bull by horns. I am pleased to note that Dr. Gandhi has taken a bold, determined, useful, praiseworthy and worth welcoming step in this direction, in the interest of people and future generation. I pray God that our society may receive more and more useful and inspiring books, booklets and literature from him. Hari OM TAT SAT

Swami Sachchidanandji
Bhakti Niketan Ashrama. (DANTALI). P.O.Box - 19 Petlad. Dist Kaira. Gujarat - INDIA.

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1. How I turned to Religious study?

My Cosmic Experience.
"It was a cold winter night. I was fast asleep on the second floor of my clinic at Naroda- a suburb of the city of Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat-India. I woke up perspiring like a moist sponge. My clothes were soaked with sweat. Body hairs were raised in elation, amazement and surprise. I wiped my face and eyes. I saw a shining ball of dazzling light outside the window. The brightness of light was greater than thousand suns in the sky. From the East window a ball of dazzling light entered the room. It pervaded in all objects like table, chairs, books etc., and then it entered my body. For a few seconds I felt and experienced as if I was weightless and floating in a soft cloud of light. My total existence and everything in the room was in tune and oneness with this cosmic light. I realized as if everything was made up of that light. There was no sun in the sky at night. I knew this was something else. I saw at my wristwatch. The time was EXACTLY 12.00. The Zero hour between the years 1979 and 1980, and the date was DEC 31-1979. I perfectly remember that I saw a shining cross along with this bright light in the background. At a later date I understood that it was 'cosmic light' of God, and the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ. I did not understand any significance of that event at that time. Even today, after sixteen years I do not know its meaning. Whatever I saw that night was neither a dream nor any imagination. I am very positive about this. It was a real experience in fullest conscious state of mind. Only three months prior to that date I had started the study of the Bhagavat Gita, the divine song of Lord of universe - the most popular Scripture of Hindus. I had no background of Christianity, nor I had any strong attachments to Hinduism, any world religion or even God. I never believed in myth, idols worship, Guru worship and various rituals carried out in Hinduism. My knowledge of Hinduism was superficial and hearsay. I did not meditate or practiced Yoga or attended any Yoga classes or took any lessons. But I was writing my scattered thoughts on religious subjects in those days. I recorded this experience in my notebook on the next day morning. It is still a question for me and I have no answers. Why I was chosen in India by Almighty God to SEE (Darshana) this Light of HOLY CROSS exactly at a particular time of Christian Calendar? This is called Shakshatkara or DIVINE EXPERIENCE in Hindu Scriptures. Today in retrospect, I understand its some meaning. God had chosen me to be HIS instrument in linking Eastern and Western religious thoughts. This I say today in January 1997, after my study of world religions in an unattached manner for last eighteen years. During the year 1981 I read a book, THE TAO OF PHYSICS by Fritj of Capra, Prof. of high-energy physics at Berkeley University, California. Mr. Capra also describes similar experience of SEEING cosmic light and the figure of Lord Shiva (Nataraj)- a 14

deity God worshipped by the Hindus. He saw SHIVA in open sky during daytime. This inspired him to write his book, which discusses eastern religions, science and philosophies. With help of the famous equation of Albert Einstein, E=MC2 Prof. Capra beautifully correlates science and verses of The Gita and Upanishads, Energy, Space and Time. In the preface of his book Mr. Capra writes: "I 'saw' cascades of energy coming from the outer space, in which particles were created and destroyed in rhythmic pulses; I 'saw' the atoms of these elements and those of my body, participating in this cosmic dance of energy; I felt its rhythm and I 'heard' its sound, and at that moment I KNEW that this was the Dance of Shiva, The Lord of dancers, worshipped by the Hindus". I record here a third experience of a young student of North Florida University. In April (1995), I was invited to give a talk on Hinduism to the students of comparative religions class in NFU. They were mostly Christian students. When I described my following experience of SEEING the Holy cross, in 1979, and then after my lifes turn towards study of world religions, all students were spell bound. After the question answer session at end of talk we were dispersing. A young girl approached me and placed the following note in my hand. She had never studied religious Scriptures in depth. But her experience of seeing divine light is worth reading. She wrote: "Thank you for your wonderful seminar. Almost 2 years ago, I had similar experience, though there was no one religion, which struck me, rather what (after studying) is most similar to BRAHMAN reaching ATMAN. As you say seeming crazy, for this reason I have stopped trying to tell people. But this seed was planted and I too came to the same conclusion that all religions should be respected and merged in a way that the world community can love one another. Anyhow if you have any type of mailings please include me. Amenda Mehrtens." ----------------------------------------Scientific proof of One God OM TAT SAT. This is a short sentence (Mantra) of three words. OM represents the holy symbol of knowledge in all religions of India including Buddhism. TAT means that indicating nameless God or Holy Spirit. SAT means Truth. The Holy Spirit within you is the absolute truth. This famous 3 word Mantra is quoted at the end of every chapter in the Bhagavat Gita- the universal Scripture of the Hindus. It means God is Truth. This is the shortest description of God. If one understands and searches What is TRUTH, one can See and Find God. It is impossible to show or prove the Omni-presence of God to men of logic and scientific attitude. Now I describe my own experience of seeing the cosmic Divine Light and the HOLY CROSS. IS GOD A FICTION OR FACT? Is God a fiction or fact, myth or truth, imaginary beliefs or blind faith of the illiterate, uneducated and ignorant masses? Is there something like a perfect maker of this wonderful and beautiful universe? 15

When such questions arise in the mind of any reasoning individual, a true scientist, or a rich man of great successes and achievements (Siddhas), a true seeker of God is born. Only such a person starts the real search of God in the true sense. Millions of others simply possess vague fanatic beliefs and majority of family life living people do not care about God or religions. Men of reason and science want proof of God- direct or indirect. The perfect theory of Karma preached in the Gita provides a wonderful proof of the Laws of Mother Nature (or one may call it God), which govern all individuals in an equal manner. Happiness and sorrows come to every person on globe earth, according to the Karmas done in the past or from birth until TODAY. It is time that all people of intellect, reason and spiritual quest should study all world religions as Gandhiji has advised. Hindu Upanishads and Darshans like Sankhya, Vedanta and Patanjalis Raj Yoga and THE BHAGAVAT GITA- provide a time-tested path of SEEING the formless but perfect LIGHT OF GOD. After my study of world religions and the Gita, I believe that anybody can SEE GOD face to face, by devoted study of Yoga and the Gita. Search God with curiosity of a scientist and you shall SEE HIM. This search starts with the study of ONES OWN SELF (ATMA) and it also ends in the Self (ATMAN OR BRAHMAN). Nearly all Scriptures and The Gita declare that divinity dwells within one's own HEART. God cannot be seen with eyes or other senses. But the waking OR CONSCIOUS MIND feels the presence of God when all egocentric material desires and false beliefs REGARDING RELIGIONS AND NATIONALITY comes to an end. When true love, compassion and an attitude of equality for all human beings develops in mind, the omnipresence of God is felt and experienced at all places and at all times. A seeker like Arjuna can 'see' the universal form of God by path of Bhakti or Devotion. A scientist like Mr. Capra hears 'HIS' sound from the outer space. A young seeker like Amenda feels the presence of Brahman in Atman. And an atheist like me SEES the Holy Cross without any background of Christianity. What is all this? Remember this point. The Gita declares that this experience occurs to only one individual in a million. Lord says, Only One in a thousand tries to achieve even some material success in life; and only one out of such thousand successful souls searches ME, SEES ME AND KNOWS ME (= GOD) perfectly. (The Gita. Ch. VII-3). True scientists, artists and lovers of Truth and Nonviolence are very near to God compared to rich people giving big donations or narrow minded priests of secular religions. All great prophets like Buddha, Jesus, Mohammed and Gandhiji preach love and equality of all human beings. Hindus call such souls as incarnations of God. Jains call them as Tirthankars. Western religions refer to them as prophets, messiahs, saints etc; they all have preached universal love. But how many people understand the meaning of the word LOVE? Love means no hate, no jealousy, no vengeance, sharing and caring, compassion and material sacrifices. Rabindranath Tagore, the winner of Nobel Prize for peace in 1912 writes in a prayer: "Go ahead, go ahead- all alone, all alone 16

Even if no body listens your voice, go ahead You go ahead. If nobody joins with you, Keep on going keep on going all-alone, You go ahead. If your path is True and Love is your weapon, you shall reach your goal." Go alone, Go alone, You Go ahead.

Dr. H. K. Gandhi

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2.

INDIAN RELIGIONS, CULTURE AND PHILOSOPHY

Under this general heading, some chapters will be devoted, keeping in focus, the youth of India, staying abroad. They speak only English language and have not seen their country. Some of them might have visited India for a short trip. The parents are mostly immigrant aliens, who have settled outside India. There is no possibility that their children will ever think of going back to India, for permanent settlement. The parents know that they have a great religious, cultural and socio-economic heritage. They are eager to give this cultural heritage to their children. This is the correct thing to do. Those who have been staying abroad for more than twenty years are new well set financially. It is this group of parents, who are more serious and conscious about this. I am aware that everybody is doing something in this direction, according to his or her knowledge, beliefs and abilities. I think this is a good sign. India is a country, having a glorious past. HER glory in the field of Religion, Science, Culture, Economics, and Political fields is well-recorded historical fact. When Europe was in the dark ages, until the thirteenth century A. D.; India was a country of the highest human progress, evolution and civilization. Her civilization and progress were based upon highest religious values and the political system was an offshoot of these values. The need for co-operation and mutual help in family life, village life, city life and nationality etc., all emerged from the foundation of a broad based religion. The priestly classes of people, called Brahmins, were men of great learning and knowledge and were highly respected by kings. They were living symbols of highest morality. Their simple way of living and high thinking, commanded respectful attitude of all classes of peoples. They used to play a role of social judges in family affairs and used to guide the kings in making political rules, which helped the weak and poor. They inspired the strong and the rich, to be kind and noble protectors and donors. All these circumstances created long lasting peace in the kingdoms, which in turn lead to progress and prosperity in this sub-continent. In the past the fame of those highest achievements, in all walks of life, attracted travelers from all over the world. They came to India; saw our achievements and carried this spiritual, social, economical and political knowledge to their countries. The stories of HuEnSang from China, and Marko Polo from Italy, around the twelfth century A.D are well-recorded facts of World History. In fifteenth century, the Queen Isabella of Spain, to find a sea route to India for trading, financed the trip of Columbus. The land route, passing through Arab countries, like Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan, was known for more than 2000 years. Columbus, sailed westwards, and found a totally new continent, America. Many Indian families are living today in this country. Whatever progress and prosperity we see today in America is a story of only last five hundred years. This progress is based on quest of knowledge, freedom of speech and religious beliefs, respect for human rights and equality of all human beings. In fact these attitudes are found in our religious, and spiritual heritage and ancient culture. 18

In the field of Science, we had perfect knowledge of many metals like Iron, silver, gold, and copper. We had developed a method of writing mathematical numbers including the O (zero), along with other nine numbers, from I to 9. The method of calculation with the help of these ten digits, additions and subtractions, divisions and multiplications; and their tables, were developed in the fourth century A. D. by our great Rishi, Arya Bhatt and others In those days people of Europe were writing the numbers with Roman Signs like I, II, III IV, V; X for ten, C for hundred and so on. We had perfect knowledge of stars, planets and the movements of moon and the sun. Only the Greek had made some evolution and progress in the fields of geometry, philosophy, culture, literature and some sort of political system, like Democratic City States. This idea of democracy was based upon theme of equality and justice. Yet 'Might is Right" was the rule of those days. Progress Science and arts, without spiritual values, had lead to fall of Greece, and formation of the great Roman Empire. The Voice of the Great Jesus Christ was a cry in wilderness in those days. When one thinks of all these developments and studies the world history, one is amazed. Why we, the Indians are so poor in our country today? Why we remained slaves, ruled by the Islamic invaders, from the twelfth to seventeenth century, and then ruled by the British from the seventeenth century till recent year of 1947. We have achieved our political freedom for only last forty years. A curious and thinking mind should meditate upon the reasons and factors, which have, lead us to this present state of frustrating affairs. Intellect, called 'BUDDHF, in Sanskrit is the highest human ability that only human beings possess. Many Indian parents, living today in America, England and else where belong to this Glass of Intellectuals. We have Doctors, Engineers, Accountants, Lawyers and the Business minded class, which form the majority group among the Asian-Indian community, staying in many metropolitan cities of America, and world over. Now days we see our temples rising and coming up in such big cities, and a great deal of religious activities, going on all year around. It is but natural that our enthusiastic brothers, try to mimic, what they have seen and learned in India. Our true religion and the worship of one infinite God are forgotten. We were worshippers of VEDAS, meaning KNOWLEDGE. We never worshipped any human beings. The class of priests that influenced the political heads, is not seen now a days. Our religion has been divided into many sub cults, known as SAMPRADAYAS. During this period of socio-economic struggle, this group had no time to devote for the spiritual study. Other difficulty is that our literature and Scriptures are written mostly in Sanskrit, an ancient language, monopolized by the priests and a few kings only. Very few, even today, understand the true meaning of the word RELIGION. "Religion, means sense of moral duties and obligations". What we call religion in India is mostly in the sense of CULT or 'SAMPRADAYA'. All of us, coming from India, do believe in GOD or some invisible Creator of this Universe. We have the highest Scriptures in the world, in the field of Religions and Philosophy. We have our culture and sociology, based upon these highest branches of human literature. It is time now that our enthusiastic and mature parents, devote some time, energy, and money in constructive manner, to re-organize, join SAMPRADAYAS, and unite our divided efforts in this Country, U.S.A.

19

In following chapters attempt will be made, to present our greatest and noblest treasure, in as brief and simple manner as possible. I am sure that the young as well as the old, shall derive equal joy and inspirations, regarding the meaning of life, its aim, and the ultimate goal or desire, which according to all our religions is 'MOKSHA OR NIRVAN: which means total liberation or Salvation in English. Each chapter will deal with some general topics, like, what is Ohm? Where is God? Is there need for religion? What does a religion give to an individual? Why does God punish some and is merciful to others? What is the meaning of the term LOVE? What is Birth-Death cycle of Soul? Does God assume human form sometimes? What is Incarnation and Rebirth? Do you believe in previous birth, this life and life after death? Where is the root of our caste system? Where are Heaven and Hell located? Along with such general topics, some pointers will be given in the form of suggestions. These will give some positive and constructive Ideas, as to what should be done to achieve a religious unity, if not in India, at least in countries like America, England and other foreign countries. I am sure that all unbiased minds shall agree for the need of such efforts. If we think of giving our good cultural heritage, to our next generation, if we want to teach them good manners (Sanskar), we should be aware and conscious, to avoid bad or wrong thing that have entered in our religious fields. We must come foreword, and actively participate in religious talks and activities. Some such points will be discussed in coming chapters. Feelings of some cult minded friends may be hurt but the truth behind these remarks, will lead them to revise their opinions. The ultimate goal, in due course of time will become evident by the results achieved. When any religion become old, some garbage like rituals accumulate. Some revision, or RENAISSANCE is periodically necessary, as Lord Krishna says in Bhagavat Gita. PARITRANAYA SADHUNAM, VINASHAYA CHA DUSHKRUT4M DHARMA SANSTHAPANARTHAYA, SAMBHAVAAMI YUGE YUGE : Gita Ch. IV-8. Meaning: In each era, I take birth in order to help the nobles, and destroy the evil ones and thus reestablish the forgotten religious values. MAY THE BLESSINGS OF ALMIGHTY LORD, SHOWER HIS DIVINE MERGY UPON ALL OF US. GIVE US COURAGE AND HONESTY, TO HAVE A BETTER EVALUATION OF THE SCRIPTURES AND THUS ACHIEVE RELIGIOUS UNITY FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR YOUNG GENERATION WHICH IS OUR FUTURE AND FUTURE OF MANKIND AS A WHOLE. Ohm Shanti Shanti Shanti

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3.

NEED FOR REIGION - INTRODUCTION:

The word religion as most of us understand means a group of people, following some Scripture and style of worshipping God. This Scripture is mostly the preaching of some past human beings, which have been preserved in the form of a book, which we refer as Scripture or THE HOLY BOOK. When we try to study these Scriptures, we find one thing common in all major Scriptures. There are some guidelines, in form of good advice and the followers are advised to practice them. These form the 'Do-'s, or what we call Commandments of the Religions. For example, "Love thy neighbor, as you love thy self." is a commandment of a religion. All are advised to follow these guidelines. People, who follow these Scriptures, form a religious group. The major world religions, like Christianity, Jewish religion, Buddhism, Islam, Zoroastrian religion, Jainism in India and many prophetoriented religions of the world, are of ibis type. Along with the commandments, which advise-Do this and that, or there are some taboos or restrictions like don't do this or that. For example, do not kill anybody, don't speak lie, and dont give false witness and so on. When one studies the essence of all religions, one finds that the deepest nectar underlying all religions is the same. There is great similarity in the commandments and the taboos. Besides these noble guiding sentences, called the Eternal Truths, or BRAHMA Sutras in Sanskrit, these Scriptures promise the followers, some heavenly happiness, in this life, or some next life, after death. Most prophets have talked about some Divine Creator or (one supreme God), of this world, and we all human beings, on this earth are HIS creations, HIS Children. So also the lower animals and plant etc, are creations of the same King-Master, (SWAMI), Boss, referred to as God. The majority of world population believes these Scriptures, with utmost faith and follows these guidelines. In this manner the major religions of world have come into existence. In course of centuries of time, some sub-prophets, called saints come up, revise the original preaching, and try to re-establish the original faith. But this always leads to formation of newer sub-divisions of the original religion. This is the general story of all major religions of world. Christianity, Islam, Jainism, Buddhism, and even the most ancient Hinduism have the same story of divisions and sub-divisions in Historic Evolution, of mankind. Sampradayas are formed in this way. Great saints or prophets of great divine start them touch. Hinduism though not believing in human worship teaches us tolerance to any such Sampradayas or cults, and respect towards all prophets. In to-day's world we see many different religious groups. When we trace the history of any major religion of world, or its divisions, we can correlate its origin to some great past noble personality, like Jesus Christ, Moses, Mohammad the messenger, Buddha the great man of wisdom and so on. Such personalities were born some hundred years back, from today. Yet their message holds the same power, much more 21

today than their own times. This very fact should make a curious mind to inquire in this field and try to understand the NEED FOR RELIGION, in human society. One should devote a little time in this direction, and study these Scriptures without any attachments or biases. The commandments and the laid down taboos, are fairly true for all times and at all places. Then why do we quarrel, and fight in the name of religions? In fact the message of the great souls-the FOUNDERS, is always of universal type, which teaches us brotherhood, mutual help and co-operation, and living in harmony within the family structure, village or city, country, and on entire globe of earth. HOW I TURNED TO THIS STUDY. Personally speaking I must admit that, I was a non-believer of God and also a non-believer of life after death. The promises of heavens, and the fears of hell, had no appeal for me, in my young days Born in India, in 1924, I have faced all sorts of worldly hardships, to reach the present age of 64 years When I reflect upon my own life, I now realize, it was a sort of struggle for achievement and fulfillment of dreams. It was a determined effort-''PURUSHARTH" for achieving something that was fairly possible for me and within my means. If I was to make an honest confession before any body, I can say that, the Merciful God has honored all my wishes and all my dreams have become truths of reality. From this kind of self analysis", one can form a sort of rule, rule of Philosophical Science, that this happens in the case of every individual. But the fact is that, that particular individual has no knowledge of this Law of The Almighty. The Indian Religions refer to this Law as-' 'Theory of Karma." or the theory of Deeds and Rewards. Without deep meditation and deep study of Scriptures, it is very difficult to understand this rule of God-The Almighty. Let me give in brief my own example. I turned to this religious study, somewhat seriously, since last ten years or so. One inborn quality of my nature was that I will not believe anything, unless I SEE it with my own eyes. To my great surprise, after devoted and serious study, OF ONLY THREE MONTHS; and only that of one of the most popular Scripture of Hindu religion-viz , The Holy Voice of God-Shreemad Bhagavat Gita-I saw THE DIVINE LIGHT, or had an unique experience, This I have described in previous chapter, MY DIVINE EXPERIENCE. After seeing this Divine Light, I now see a fairly clear goal of my life. In Sanskrit, this is known as ''Darshan" or seeing THE INFINITE. I was a medical doctor in a small village in India. To settle *all my children' in America was my dream of last thirty years. It is fulfilled to a fair degree. Now a new way of life, that of religious writings and preaching is waiting for me. This is absolutely a new field for me. I am all alone today. I have to give a Scientific meaning to Religions. I have to find the parallel in the religions. I have to pin-point and criticize the wrong and the age old rituals of my own religion. These are to be discarded once and for all times. I have to show, to all true seekers of ultimate truth, which is GOD, a uniform method to reach GOD. Our Indian Scriptures have a vast treasure of this kind of literature. It is open for all human beings staying anywhere on earth, and speaking any language of the world. 22

In short, at this stage, I can say that, God is not a myth, fiction, imagination, or a matter of faith. It is a matter of seek, search and research. In Science also we do the same thing. Anybody can SEE and FEEL HIS presence everywhere. Then only one gets a true Conviction of God. Then only, true faith in God develops, which leads to living of the real devoted life; a life without "MOHA" or false attachments. Then only a person becomes religious in the true meaning of the word. Then one understands the need of the commandments, and taboos for the masses. GOD IS THE ULTIMATE REALITY AND RELIGION IS A PATH TO REACH HIM. Anybody who reaches this point, leads the real life of self uplift-ment. He or she feels ONENESS with God. The relationship with God is established. Next to God is "I". This is the real "Adwaita" or non-duality state, preached by the Shankracharya The second meaning of "ADWAIT \" can be described like this. A person whose mind has a sense of equality of all creations and sees no difference, between Brahmin and Shudra, between man and woman, between gold and stone, has reached the stage of ADWAITA-or nonduality. This is very difficult thing to achieve in practical life. Hence most of the saints advise the path of devotion or Bhakti, in which God is to be identified as a third person, HE. In course of further chapters, we will discuss the fine differences between the various DARSHANS OR PHILOSOPHIES OF HINDU RELIGION. SUMMARY;One may believe in God or not, but religion cannot be denied. It gives a plan or a way of life. Following this the need for ready made path brings long term happiness and joy to individual and his family. This is sociological side of religion. Religion means sense of Moral and Obligatory duties. This is the exact sense in which word religion is used in Hindu Scriptures. It is not any-ism or cult or SAMPRADAYA. There is one and only one perfect creator of this universe what we call as God. It is possible for any human being, and human beings only, male or female, to SEE this supreme power, in form of Divine Light. This must be the goal and aim of all humans. Curiosity is the only requirement in the initial stages. The age old way to understand, religion and see God is via the study of ones own self. India's religious Scriptures are full of this kind of knowledge. This is called the self knowledge. All other types of knowledge, like Medicine, Law, Economics) or any other branch of human knowledge, are incomplete, if one does not know his or her true self. It is called ATMA-GYAN, IN HINDU SCRIPTURES. One, who reaches the final stage in meditation, becomes a self realized person. All his doubts regarding God are over. He or she becomes a messenger of God. Religious manners become his second nature. His body dies but his fame and name lives for ever in human society. This is what we call as Immortality of spirit or soul. In one of the volumes of Hindu Scriptures, known as "POORVA MIMANSA" compiled by a great Rishi coiled JAIMINI, there is one slogan. "DHARMO RAKSHATI RAKSHITAHA." This means RELIGION cares for those who care for RELIGION. The truth behind such eternal short sentences is only obvious to the followers. Such slogans are found in all religions. In simple words this sentence means, "If you care for me, I care for you." But it is not as simple as that. 23

In the end we will quote the view of Great Soul Mahatma Gandhiji. "A person may not believe in God. But he generally believes in TRUTH. Thus he does believe in God, because God is Truth, and Truth is God." For a man of Science we may quote the above statement like this. "Universe is Truth, Universe is the shape of God, and hence, God is Truth". Hindu Scriptures describe God as VISHVA-SWAROOP PURUSH. Vishva=Universe, and Swaroop means ones own form. In this way we can find parallels of Religion, and Science, in a Scientific manner. Ohm Shanti Shanti Shanti

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4.

YOUTH AND RELIGION

HOW TO ATTRACT OUR YOUTH TO STUDY OUR RELIGION? Amongst the masses, the number of people with real curiosity, inquisitiveness and intelligent mind is very small. The young generation has great amount of curiosity and inquisitiveness but lack in intelligence. Intelligence comes after great deal of knowledge and experience. It is no use teaching them renunciations and detachments from the material world at early age. Some exceptional young boys and girls show surprising degree of memory power at this age. We are amazed at such children. Their curiosity, when mixes with the discriminative power, they score high grades in the school. These are the future scientists who try to understand the rules of nature. When everything is going well and fine, there is hardly any need for faith in God, or need for serious religious study. Most of us, like I prior to Divine Experience, in young life will say, "I don't believe in God or religion," To call one's self atheist, seems to be a matter of pride and fashion in this age. This is particularly true for young people, now enjoying the gifts of Scientific achievements of todays times. Money making, and enjoying the luxuries of material life is the only thing, that they believe are the things to be done in life. These young people, particularly our teen age group, are certainly not the evil class of society, or the criminals. But I will say that they are not properly guided by the parents. The sensual joy imparted by T. Vs, Cars, nice foods, fine dresses, smokings, drugs and alcohol .etc, with freedom of sex relations, particularly in this country (U.S.A.), is so evident and perceivable in the present, that they do not think of the future. These are the lost path and neglected Youth of Today, our own children. ROLL OF PARENTS. If they are made to understand, that religious study and faith in God, can add a great amount of happiness and joy to their present state of life, and also for a long future life, they will certainly be attracted to this very important field of divine life, i.e. religious studies. They will commit fewer mistakes in call as sins in Scriptural language. They have vigor, which can be guided and creative and constructive activities. In order to achieve this, it is the parents who should take the initiative, and should get actively involved in reading of the Scriptures, attend the discourses, and should teach the noble way of behavior by showing similar actions in their own life. You can not teach quitting smoking to a child with a cigar in your mouth. You cannot tell your kids that drinking alcohol is bad habit, with a glass of wine in your hand. This is fairly understandable, even for those who do not believe in God or Religion. Thus the need for religion, as a way of training the young generation, for good behavioral habits, is undeniable, even for the non-believers of God. We call persons who do not believe in God atheists, as against theists, who believe in God. But these are misnomers for both the groups. What I want to convey by this statement that God will become clearer, when one understands the true meaning of 25

a broad based and open minded religion. The so called Hindu religion and some of the off-shoots of this ancient tree, has an equal appeal for ATHEISTS AND THIESTS. REVISE OUR RITUALS In order to popularize and propagate our highest culture and heritage, firstly we shall have to discard the sense of untouchability and such other traditions perpetuated by our priests. Monopoly of only Brahmins to learn Sanskrit should be broken. Interested persons of any caste can learn and recite our verses. In Gita, Lord Krishna says:
MAM HI PARTH VYAPASHRITYA YEPI SUE PAP YONIYAH! STRIYO VAISHYA, TATHA SHUDRAA TEPI YANTI PARAM GATlHI. GITA Ch-IX=V 32.

Meaning :0h! son of the earth,(Arjuna's different name), by taking my support, even the ladies, vaishyas (the business community), and the Shudras, (Untouchables) who are considered sinning communities, can reach the highest state of achievements in life. (This verse reflects the state of affairs prevalent in the days, when Gita was written by Ved Vyasa. The lower two castes, and ladies, had no privileges of worshipping God or taking part in rituals. After nearly 2500 years, the situation is no better even today. Such verses of Gita are not quoted by our religious priests, who have monopolized the Sanskrit language.) Along with some radical changes, like breaking the monopoly of egoistic priests, and habit of giving religious DIKSHA, (making them young priests) at early age; we should seek eternal truths of our religion and adopt the good points of other religions in our temples, customs and attitudes. We should particularly add the human service attitude to our religious activities, by observing the Christian traditions of hospitals, schools and colleges, run by the missionaries in remote places. We should learn the spirit of brotherhood from Islam and remove the untouchability. It is no use calling our religion by names like VISHVA HINDUISM, VISHVA KALYAN DHARMA, when we do not allow our poor workers in the temples. Temples are social properties of local communities and should not become some priests royal heritage, for their children and grand children. A lot needs to be done in the field of a religious organizational set up and other directions. Once the young generation knows, what joy, happiness, success, achievements, money, long and healthy life, and everything an individual wants to get in life, can be gained by following the truths and some self restraints, (ATMA-SANYAM). they will surely be attracted to learn and practice this way of Life Divine. There is no donation required, not much time to be spent and not much physical hardships to endure. It's only a question of turning to this study, just like any other subject that one studies in school or college. This we call as ''Swadhyaya or Adhayatmic study, meaning study of once own self". Two hours in a week should be spared for this. WHO AM I? This is the study of ones own self. You have to know your self, what you call as "I". In our Vedantic style, you are to seek and find the correct answer of this question, "Who am I?. There is voluminous literature, in the East, which forms the core of all the Scriptures, of Eastern religions, particularly those that have their origin in India. 26

Apparently the answer looks very simple, but there is great ignorance in the minds of vast majority of people, including our many famous Swamijies, and heads of many temples and Sampradayas. This study is also known as study of spirit, or soul "I am immortal soul, Holy Spirit, and not the mortal body", is the final answer and understanding to be reached by the student. Secondly one has to realize that as individual I am very small, practically Zero, Thirdly one has to understand, that one is always bound, in an invisible bondage of time and space, which One can never escape in life. And lastly from this meditation one has to infer, that every body has the same bondage of time and space. All are just like me. We are all equal in many such respects. This helps to develop an attitude of equality of all human beings and universal brotherhood. It also gives a tremendous sense of self confidence or ATMASHRADDHA. A separate chapter will be needed to explain this. NEED OF GURU OR "THE TEACHER". In the initial stages, guidance of a self realized teacher or Guru, is a must. Hearing of Scriptures and spending some sessions in form of question answer manner, is the age old method adopted in India. This is why so many Indian Gurus, visit countries like U.S.A., England etc. In fact very few are really enlightened. Their aim is to make rich disciples and teach them some meditation, wrongly called Yoga. This alone, by it self does not give any power of positive thinking. Instead they make them escapists. These disciples run away from family responsibilities, just like their Gurus. Mr. Bhagavan Rajnish is one of the most recent examples. These Gurus have understood the weaknesses and the limitedness of any human being. Also they have studied our Scriptures, in somewhat greater details, than most of us. We all get bored after some time, if we go on living at the level of sensual joys derived from the material objects. This is a known fact of human nature. We need change after some time. For example, if one likes sweet candies, surely he will enjoy them for a few days Then he will get bored, and would like some change of taste. We like to see new places, because we get bored with daily surroundings. Similarly we get bored with same work and routine fob. Same thing happens in family, particularly, in husband wife relations, each one gets bored. The same is the story between father-son, brother-brother, and such family relations. We see young kids fighting for toys in homes. They give up the fight upon getting new toys for each one. But again the newness is over in short time Religious discourses, by telling noble Scriptural stories help to develop the sense of tolerance, sacrifice and sharing things. The joys, as well as the unhappy situations are shared, with a sense of duty and love. This is the aim of religion. Need for religion arises, to pass over and bear with such situations. This study of self leads to better understanding of desires, wants, needs, requirements and expectations. This study of SELF (ATMA), helps to develop an attitude of respect for the elderly in homes (GURU-means Big, elderly persons). It is expressed with gestures like "NAMASKAR". (bowing down with folded palms towards the elderly and learned). This 27

is our culture, heritage, and it needs constant training and cultivation from very young age. It becomes the obligatory duty, (DHARMA), of the parents, that they should teach these behaviors to their children, by themselves behaving in a cultured and self restrained manner. This in turn brings into family relations, harmony and cooperation, devotion and a sense of duty. This kind of family unity and love, turns the home into a heaven on earth. For most of time our life passes in happy, joyful and peaceful manner, if we have good health, family unity, love and respect for one another. A famous verse of Saint Kabir, (1200 A. D.), reminds us of this fact.
Dukhmai Sumiran Sab Kare Sukhmai Kare Na Koy; Jo Sukhmai Sumiran Kare Dukh kahuko Hoy:

Meaning: We forget God, when we are having all the happy situations in life. But when something unexpected happens, like, disease, disability or death of a relative, we become unhappy and remember God. The great Saint says, if you remember God in your happy days than there is no reason that you will ever get days of unhappiness. The study of self, leading to understanding of the invisible laws of Nature, leads one to a philosophical attitude in life. We do not get mentally broken down in any situation. Such a person becomes instrumental in giving inspirations, consolations and courage to others faced with unhappy occasions sometimes. Finally this study leads the student to a blissful state of permanent coolness of mind. He or she does not become angry, in small matters. It also gives him or her, a vision of three tense senses. He becomes a SEER in the true sense of the term. False hopes of fortune tellers and astronomers are not needed for such a person. SUMMARY:1. To give cultural, religious and good heritage of education is moral obligatory duty of Parents. This is 'DHARMA' or religion of parents. 2. To achieve this, parents must take part in religious lectures, read our Scriptural stories of Ramayan and Mahabharat, at home in small family groups, and teach the children good manners and behavior. These include Respect for the elderly expressed in form of NAMASKAR, and humbleness in asking Questions. We should learn from American People, Sentences like, "May I help you", "Excuse me", "I am Sorry" "Thank you", and so on. This is a part of any religion. Religion teaches such good manners. 3. There is no need to drag the youth towards young priesthood, what we call as Bal-Brahmcharies Without living an active family life, in Home and a Country, facing many odds and evens in life, such young priests cannot get the experience of problems of FAMILY LIVERS, [GRAHASTHIES]. Age for priestly turn should be around the age of fifty and above. 4. We should encourage and plan for activities like, educational, medical help, and support to orphans and widows, etc, via our temples. 5. Temples and the rituals need overall revision in modern times. We are lost because of idol worship and blind type of Guru worship. This has been responsible for the religious divisions, we see today. God is formless and only One. No human being can ever be God. No prophet has said that "I am God". It is only in India, that we can tolerate nearly thousand living " BHAGVANS ! " and JAGAT-GURUS. 28

6. Conscious religious minded, and educated parents must try to find a common ground for religious unity in this country, where the children speak only one language, which is English. Give them our Ramayan and Mahabharat Stories, and they will learn the practical religion. The true name of our religion is SANATAN DHARMA, and not Hinduism. It means religion based upon eternal truths and values. MAY THE LORD ALMIGHTY INSPIRE ALL OF US FOR THIS NOBLE TASK OF RELIGIOUS UNITY. 0m Shanti Shanti Shanti

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5.

SCRIPTURES OF HINDUISM

BRIEF HISTORY OF HINDU RELIGION Mankind has stemmed from one root, though it is split up into different communities. It is striving for the recovery of its basic unity. Many unbiased thinkers are dreaming for THE NEW WORLD, which promises the riches in all ranges and the majesty of the scope and freedom. It promises peace, love and progress, not war, hatred, and man slaughter. India has today over 600 million people, practicing different religions, speaking different languages, and have different racial origins. We have Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, etc. They are all living, generally speaking, in amity and harmony. The fact that such a large mass of humanity is held together, in a stable administration and unity should make the critics of Hindu religion, to revise their opinion. This country has a unique religion. It is not based on doctrines or dogmas or rituals. It is a way of man's encounter with the ULTIMATE REALITY. It is the search of Supreme Creator of this mystic world. The doctrines and dogmas, rites and ceremonies, are instruments which help the human individual, to SEE this GOD, face to face. The Scriptures of Hinduism belong to this class of human literature. Every religion of today's world has some Scriptures, which the people belonging to that religion, read and try to follow. For example Bible is the Scripture of Christian religion. Koran is Scripture of Islam. These Scriptures have their origin, to the preaching of some great past prophets or 'messiahs.' Their noble advises are preserved by the faithful followers in the form of carvings on stone, tablets or written books. Those persons who accept priesthood as their way of life, in a particular religion study these Scriptures. Then they give guidance to the followers by referring to these Scriptures. India's most ancient religion, is wrongly called, Hindu Religion by most of the outer world's population. How this name got attached to this religion is a mystery. But as most of the authorities believe, it comes from the River Indus, (SINDHU), nowadays belonging to Pakistan. On the bank of that River, we see today the remains of an ancient civilization, known, as MOHEN JO DERO. The roots of Hindu religion can be traced to the prehistoric Aryan Race. This was a kind of nomadic tribe that spoke a language, which we call Sanskrit. There are many words of Sanskrit which have similar meanings to many European languages. Scientists and researchers of early races and their migrations (Anthropology), have proved this fact, by study of Etymology. The nomadic Aryans, came here, and got settled in the North Western parts of India. This was the rich and fertile land of five rivers, known as Punjab. The word Punjab, mean's "Five rivers". Panch=five, AAb= waters. These rivers have their origin from The Himalayas. The rivers are full of water all the year round. In monsoon there is rain because of mountain blocking the trade winds of Arabic ocean. In summer the snow of Himalayas melt and provide steady flow for the rivers. It appears that the white skinned, black haired, brown eyed, nomadic and fighting race of Aryans, got settled in 30

this land. The name of river Sindhu means, an ocean in Sanskrit. Out sider who came to this place, called this community and their religion Hindu, a spoken variation of Sindhu. In course of centuries these Aryan Kings, pushed the former Dravidian race called the ANARYANS, towards the southern parts of India. They established their capital in the region of Delhi. But their style of life, political system, economic methods, and all such traditions got established into a kind of socio-economic and political tradition, which we call as Hindu Religion today. This is in brief the history and evolution of Hindu Religion. The present caste system and the four big divisions of Hindus, (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras.) can be traced to an ancient Scripture called Manu Smruti. King Manu was a Kshatriya ruler, of ancient Aryans. We shall examine this Scripture in more details in a separate chapter. In this chapter we will restrict to a broad listing of Hindu Scriptures. An attempt is made, to place these Scriptures, in order of their evolution, in time span of human history. SCRIPTURES OF HINDU RELIGION Lovers of past may give any figures of origin of these Scriptures, but the human culture is not older then ten thousand years. To say that the Vedas are fifty thousand years old is foolishness. But we can say that they are as old as the first man, who must have started speaking. When and where the first human started speaking? It is a matter to be found by the researchers of human history. But in this way we can say that the Vedas are the most ancient Scriptures of our world. (A) THE VEADS The Aryans worshipped the natural elements, like The Sun, The Moon, The River or Water, The Rains, The Fire, The Land, The Air, The Mountain etc, as Divine elemental forms of God. In Vedas, the earliest Scriptures of Hindu Religion, there are many names and verses of praise and prayers, addressed to these Deva, or Deity Gods. There were always wars between the more cultured Aryans and the less evolved tribes. The Aryans possessed weapons like swords, bows and arrows, held the land, and knew cattle breeding The Cow was worshipped as goddess, the most useful domestic animal which gave milk and bull for farming. Eating beef was and is a religious taboo for HINDU. In order that the gained knowledge, of all these divine elements, cattle breeding, the medicine, the war methods, etc. may be preserved and passed over to the next generations, the foresighted kings, separated a class of people called Brahmins. Their job was to preserve this knowledge and pass it over to Brahmins and the Kshatriyas only. In this manner the rigidity of the caste system seems to have been established in course of thousands of years. The earliest Vedas are three in number. Rig or Rug Veda. 2. Yajur Veda. 3. Sam Veda. We will avoid the details in this short chapter. In these Vedas we find many names of deity Gods, like Vishnu (God of all visible forms) Indra, (The God of rains, which later on was considered to be God of Heaven), Surya (Sun), Varuna (Water), Agni (Fire), Rudra (Another name of Shiva), Yama (God of death), Brahaspati (A noble Doctor), and so on. In course of time more Vedas Evolved. The fourth one is called Atharva Veda. 31

For the usefulness in daily life, four more Vedas, called UP-VEDAS, got established as definite Scriptures. These contained the knowledge of:(1). Ayur Veda. (Medicine, knowledge of food habits and herbal medicines as cure for the diseases), (2). Dhanur Veda, (knowledge of martial arts, Bowman ship, Wrestling, Club fight, and warfare) (3). Gandharva Veda, (Knowledge of music, singing, dancing and the fine arts like wood work, weaving, paintings etc.). (4). Artha Ved. (Economics, Numbers and Mathematics). The roots of these, material knowledge can be traced to the original four Vedas. Who were the people who started these Vedas is not known, therefore most of Hindu Priests take pride in calling Vedas as God's Scriptures. Simple common sense tells us that no Scripture of world can be God made. If a name is not there, it does not mean that it is God made. The monopoly of priests in the matter of Scriptures and the art of fooling the masses, in name of religion and God, is well known since ancient times, everywhere. Some original thinkers try to search the laws of nature and find great harmony and beauty. In post Vedic period, similar class of thinkers in Hindu Religion, evolved second kind of Scriptures. These are the Hindu Upnishads. Many well read masters try to search the roots of Upnishads in the Vedas But this is totally a different kind of literature, as we shall see in further chapters. B. UPNISHADS OF HINDU RELIGION. The total number of Upnishads is not certain. But these all lead us to one common study. It is the study of "Ones own self". The word used in these Scriptures is ATMA. In the Vedas we also find this word. But the sense in which this word is used in Upnishads is in the sense of Spirit or the Soul. Corresponding word in Vedas is Brahm. This leads to great amount of confusion and controversy in the minds of students of these Scriptures. The time and the place (meaning geographic area), of these Upnishads is a span of two to three thousand years, and the masters seems to have lived around the banks of The rivers Ganges, Yamuna and Brahmputra (in Asam). Their method was to identify spirit or the A spark of life, as separate from the body. They studied the properties of this pure soul, and its relationship with the body. To explain this science was popularized. It is known as Yoga Shashtra. The study of soul was called, Brahm Vidya. The Holy Scripture of Hindu Religion, known as Shreemad Bhagvat Gita, is condensation of all these Upnishads, Yoga Shashtra and Brahm-Vidya. In time scale, the period of Upnishads can be placed between 3000 years B. G. to 500 years B. G. The Vedas can be looked upon as Scriptures about 8000 years old. There are one hundred and twelve well documented Upnishads. Out of these, twelve are studied by most of the priests. We do not find any names of the great Seers, attached to these Upnishads as their writers. In most of them we find some stories. The message is given in an indirect manner, with such stories. The following is list of the twelve Major Upnishads, arranged to some extent in the time scale of their compilation. 1. Ishavasya Upnishad. 32

2. Kenopnishad. 3. Kathopnishad. 4. Prashnopnishad. 5. Mundak Upnishad. 6. Mandukya Upnishad. 7. Taitteriya Upnishad. 8. Aitteriya Upnishad. 9. Shwetashvater Upnishad. 10. Kaivalya Upnishad. 11. Ghhandogya Upnishad. 12. Brahad-aaranyak Upnishad. In the first Upnishad, Ishavasya, there are only eighteen verses. Where as the last Brahad-aaranyak Upnishad is a big volume, like Ramayana or Mahabharat. The ultimate thing to learn after this study is to develop an attitude of equality of all human beings We are all limited by Time and Place. Also we are limited by the little knowledge that we possess. Most of us live life, driven by natural instincts, like lower animals and live a life of gaining sensual joy with material objects. There is a higher way of living for the human beings, called the spiritual way of life. All the Upnishads point towards this higher goal. In further chapters we will study the style of Upnishads and the message. C. THE HINDU DARSHANS. Along with evolution of the Upnishads after the Vedas, Hindu religion has six major Darshans. Darshan by word meaning, means "Seeing". In Scriptural sense this can be called Philosophy, Vision or Awareness. These are very popular among the true students of religion, who try to'' See by, meditation, The INFINITE, invisible to naked eye, The Formless God, The Supreme God. The names of these Darshans are associated with their original masters. This we do not see in case of The Upnishads. The following is the list, (in time scale of history) of these Darshans, along with the names of their Masters. 1. Poorva Mimansa. 2. Nyaya Darshan. 3. Vaishashik Darshan 4. Sankhya Darshan 5. Yoga Darshan 6. Uttar Mimansa or Vedanta By Jaimini Rishi By Gautam Rishi. By Kanad Rishi. By Kapil Rishi. By Patanjali. By Badarayana or Ved Vyasa

Besides these six Darshans there is one Charvak Darshan and the Jain and Buddha Darshans. These are very similar to many Hindu UPNISHADS and DARSHANS, but have different original languages which are called Ardha-Magdhi and 33

Pali, respectively. By small chapters we shall study the views of these great Seers, later in future Volumes. D. OTHER SCRIPTURES OF HINDU RELIGION. (1) The Eighteen Purana. The name of Ved Vyasa is like that of God in Hindu Religion. All above Scriptures were composed in prehistoric period and preserved as oral hearings, called (SHRUTIES) and memories (SMRUTIES). The knowledge was passed over in the Brahmin Tradition, by memorizing the verses. Ved Vyasa organized, all these Scriptures and gave this knowledge the written book form, or what we call as AKSHAR DEHA (Immortal Body). The exact time of his life is not certain. But he seems to have lived in the fifth century, one century after Lord Buddha. (600 years B. G ) Ved Vyasa also compiled many other Scriptures called the Purana. There are eighteen such Purana. In these Purina we find stories of many mythological (Fictional) Gods and Goddesses. Vishu, Shiva and the Brahma Purina are the major Puranic Scriptures. The most popular Purina, Shreemad Bhagavatam, is also one Purina, amongst the eighteen. It is mostly studied by the lecturing priests in India. Some mythological Gods and Goddesses of the Vedas are described in these Purina. The Vedic Gods are mostly the natural elemental Gods called Devas. Where as the Puranic Gods are mostly fictional or Imaginary Deities and Demons. However some fictional Gods like Vishnu, Rudra, Brahma, etc are found in both the Purina and the Vedas. The Scriptures known as Upnishads and the Darshans stand in between the Vedic and the Puranic Centuries and differ in the style of literature. We will avoid the list of these Puranic Scriptures and various Deities and Demons for sake of brevity. (2) The Ramayana. The story of Ramayana has inspired every Hindu as well as any foreigner, who has studied it with some interest. It is an epic which gives every one the noble ideas to practice in life. The Scriptures mentioned above are not meant for the common masses. What people want is the practical message. The characters of Ramayana are living characters for the Hindu mind. If one thinks of the time in which this Scripture was written, by a great Rishi Valmiki, then one can get some glimpse of the prevailing culture, social customs, political systems, nobility of character, the ideals and duties, everything beautifully interwoven in one classical poetry. A person has to be Rama like is the indirect message. A wife has to be Sita like. There are permanent messages for ideal brotherhood in family, son-father relations, king and the people relations, teacher and the pupil relations, devotion of servants to the master and so on. Many such situations in daily life have been dealt with in this great Scripture of Hindu religion. Take away Ramayana from total Hindu Scriptures and the religion will be reduced to Zero. So much effective is this Scripture in Hindu literature. It has inspired millions and millions of people, for thousands of centuries. Rama has become synonym with God, like Jesus for the Christians. (3) The Mahabharat. 34

The story of Mahabharat is another epic like Ramayana. The character of Lord Krishna is found as Perfect Person, God incarnate in Human form, in this Story. The other characters fall short before this Supreme Character of Krishna. Mystic story of the Child Krishna is found in the Bhagavatam Purina. But the mature, adult, intelligent, active, benevolent and dutiful Krishna, is only found in Mahabharat The conflicts of Desires and Egos, of royal princes and teachers is nicely demonstrated. Loss of kingdom in gambling indicates the sufferings resulting from such vices. It is less read compared to Ramayana. One should know that the most celebrated Scripture, Gita is a part of Mahabharat. This is the original Scripture created by the Veda Vyasa. It needs to be read repeatedly. Religion in most practical way is given in this Scripture. In Ramayana we find Ideals. Here we find the compromises between ideal and practical of life. (4) Bhashya or the commentaries. After the compilation of Mahabharat and The Bhagavat Gita, in fifth century B.C. all other Scriptures that came up, in later years, are the commentaries of the former Scriptures. These explain the original religious truths, found in the former Scriptures, which are evaluated by the later students. The teachings of Lord Buddha gave a big turn to the ancient methods of fire sacrifices of animals to please the deity Gods. These kinds of rituals, called 'Yagna', were done by the Brahmins and the Vedic Aryans. The age old doctrine of same soul pervading in all living beings, was well understood by the masses. Buddhism got established as religion of the masses. There was great progress in all fields of knowledge like mathematics, astrology and arts in next thousand years. In seventh century A. D., nearly twelve centuries after Lord Buddha, Sankaracharya from South India, re-established the Traditional Vedic Religion. There after many saints, Acharyas, Seers, have tried to revitalize the same truths in the name of one God or the other. It is very difficult even for a well read scholar of Scriptures to understand the high philosophy in these Scriptures. So a practical way for everybody is shown in Gita. That is the path of Bhakti or Devotion and total surrender to God and doing ones own Duty or DHARMA. SUMMARY The Big list of Scriptures, the rituals and difficulty of ancient language makes Hindu religion difficult to comprehend even for its own followers. One has to surrender to the priests who quote the Scriptures here and there and translate in local languages as they like. Hinduism being the oldest religion, is today divided into many sub Cults and branches called Sampradayas, Yet to our surprise the Scriptures and its practical, devotional and philosophical structure has been preserved to a great extent. The word VED means Knowledge. One should have the attitude of a life long studentship. The statue worship and placing the Idols of mystic and invisible Puranic deities like Vishnu, Shiva etc, is responsible to some extent for the many divisions in Hinduism seen today. God has no name, is formless, and is only ONE. The names of prophets, when get linked with God, as God or Religion, divisions in original religion are bound to occur. The interested priests and blind followers add fuel to the fire of divisions. It is very difficult to bring religious unity. Yet we find in Hindu 35

Scriptures some way by which we can Scientifically prove the presence of ONE Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Almighty formless God. The purpose of this kind of literature is to explain the need for religion, and to give in brief, ideas about our noble heritage, to our young children. When they grow older, they will become responsible citizens. Religion teaches responsibility. Some of them may become inclined towards this study, if they know something about our Scriptures. This study helps to develop great individual abilities like attention and concentration in job or study, gives goal and positive attitude in life, and creates courage and self confidence. Even for this kind of individual gain, the parents should spare some time in reading and teaching our Scriptures to their growing children. Ramayana and Mahabharat Stories are more than sufficient for the practical message of religion in life. Gita and Upnishad study in details should be kept separate for the adults, who wish to seek and see the formless infinite God. In next chapter we will try to understand the basic difference between THE VEDAS, the UPNISHADS

" I hold that it is the duty of every cultured man or woman to read Sympathetically the scriptures of world. If we are to respect others' religions as we would have them to respect our own, a friendly study of the world's religions is a sacred duty. My respectful study of other religions has not abated my reverence for, or my faith in, the Hindu Scriptures. They have indeed left their deep mark upon my understanding of the Hindu. Scriptures. They have broadened my view of life. They have enabled me to under stand more clearly many obscure-passages in the Hindu Scriptures." "l respect all religions." Mohandas K. Gandhi.
------------------------------------------------Young India, 2-9-1926 page 308.

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6. VEDAS AND CONCIEPT OF MANY GODS.

There is historic record that Socrates: had met an Indian visitor. This fact is reported by Eusebius in his Ecclesiastical History. When the Indian visitor, learned that Socrates was interested in development of total human personality, he told Socrates that there could not be fulfillment and perfect development of human being, without adequate attention to the spiritual dimension of man. Secular and national humanity always needs support of spiritual wisdom. There is a story of a conversation between Alexander and Dandamis, reported by Palladius and translated into Latin by St. Ambrose in fourth century A. D. Alexander was greatly impressed by the austerity of life and the majesty of philosophical wisdom of the Indian visitor. The Indian told Alexander that natural instincts and desires are quenched very easily; for example thirst by water, hunger by food etc. But the craving for possessions and power is-an artificial desire. It goes on increasing unceasingly and is never fully satisfied. A verse of Manu states this nicely.
NA JATU KAMAH KAMANAM UPBHOGENA SAMYATI HAVISHA KRSNAVARTAMEVA BHUYA EVABHIVARDHATE.

Meaning: Desires are never satisfied by enjoyment of the objects of sensual desires. It grows more and more as does the fire to which fuel is added. The natural desires, get satisfied as soon as the food or water is taken. But take the example of Gold. Give any amount of Gold, to a seeker of material wealth, yet his desire to get still more, will always be there. Because this desire roots from an unreal desire called greed, which is not a natural want or instinct. Amongst the most ancient cultures, one can look upon the ancient Greeks and think of the Vedic Aryans. There is great similarity between mythological Greek Gods and many DEVAS or Gods of Aryans. For study of Greek mythology, one must study Homer and his classical book called ODYSSEY. Homer lived in those regions in seventh century B.C. THE EARLY VEDAS. The most ancient Scriptures of Hinduism called Vedas, are based upon the study of relationship of human being with mother nature. The natural elements like The Sun, The Moon, The Wind or Air, The Water, The Fire, The Food, The Land, The Rivers, The Mountains, The Plants and Food crops, and such other things, that are not man made, were studied and worshipped as Deities or DEVAS and DEVIES by the early Aryans. Their roots are traceable to Europe. Who so ever found some constant property of these natural objects, described it and passed over that knowledge, to his fellowmen, by creating some poetic hymns. Making such hymns or verses, was the unique style of the Aryans, in those prehistoric days. This was the way in which Early Three Vedas were created. The earliest Veda, is considered to be the Rig Veda. (Rug-Veda). There are descriptions and prayers, praising the properties and kindness given to us by these elemental Deities or Semi-Gods. These Vedas were not created by one man, in one life 37

time. By study of various verses they appear to be work collection of generations after generations. The next Veda was Yajur Veda. The third one was Sam Veda. Most of our singing hymns come from this Sam Veda. Musical singing of prayers is as old as Sam Veda. The natural elements were called DEVAS, by the Aryans. Many such useful Devas were invented century after century. Verses describing their qualities, (GOONAS), were created. We find a gradual evolution of Vedic Gods (Deities), from the First Deity God Sun, to air, water, land etc. The latest God for worship seems to be the Fire, called 'Agni' in Sanskrit. Fire sacrifices called "Yagna", was a Vedic way of worshipping these Deities. When we come to the end portions of these Vedas, we find some reference of the same spirit, in all living objects and all of us. This elemental God is described as a separate element, called 'Brahm.' When we study Upnishads we will refer to this element again. Most of Hindu, Jain Saints and students call this element as Atman, which is not the correct translation of Bram meaning Spirit or Soul. For the knowledge of our Indian young generation, a brief list of common and understandable Deva, is given below. There comes a time in this evolution, when nearly, thirty three hundred thousand, (CRORES), such deities are described. For every disease a bad deity was held to be responsible. For every good thing happening, favor of a good deity God was linked with good events. Thus the number of deities went up and up. This big number later on was reduced to three hundred and thirty three Deva. It was again reduced to thirty three. Then to twelve, then to a group of Eight Deities, collectively called The Vasus, then to five 'Mahabhuta', again these were reduced to three big or main Deity Gods; namely Brahma, Vishnu and Mahadeva or Shiva. When all these three merge, only one and one .Supreme God remains. This was the Vedic way by which we can understand the Supreme Merciful God, by the study and the knowledge of his Assistants, we may say. This method is called a style of Negation, (Naitee, Naitee) "It is not this. It is not that, and so on. For example we can say, Sun is not the Supreme God, Wind or Air is not the Supreme God, Water is not the Supreme God, Land is not Supreme God or Goddess and so on. This is to be understood by meditation, or deep thinking.

Vedic Devas (Asst. Gods) or Elemental Gods.

(Sanskrit Names ) 1. Surya. .(other :names. Aaditya, Bhanu, Divakar, Ravi, etc). 2. Vayu, Maruta (Maruti is Hanuman) 3. Varuna. 4. Indra. 5. Prithvi (Goddess). 6. Tejus. 7. AAkasha. 8. Agni. 38 The Sun. The Air. (Wind). The Water. The Rain God. The Earth or Land. The Light. The Sky/Space. The fire. (English names)

(The above eight make The eight Vasus, meaning who are staying with us, at all the times. The name of father of Lord Krishna, Vasudeva comes from this word). The Vedas describe worship of these elemental Gods. By worship, we mean gaining the knowledge of these elements. Good and cultivable land, pure and drinkable water supply, fresh air, fair and seasonal rain fall for the crops, all such things make life of human beings comfortable. By knowledge and preservation of these natural elements, a kind of Heaven on Earth is possible. If one thinks of the kind of early tribal life, one can understand the need of this kind of knowledge. It is equally necessary even to-day. Gradually knowledge went on accumulating by further addition of other herbal medicines and study of food items. This made, the early Aryan Medicine, This is called Aur-Veda. The singing style of hymns lead to Gandharva Veda which later on included development of musical instruments and dancing. All activities were done to please the Deity Gods and not any human beings. There was no human worship or Idol (Murti Puja) till very recent times. It has come to us to some extent from Egypt and Greece. This kind of knowledge brought happiness and all kinds of comforts of cooperative living. In order that the mighty and rich, become protectors and donors, a higher spiritual way of living was advocated. This was the early religion of "Varnaashram Dharma" of the Aryans. We will deal with this in a separate chapter, at a later stage. Hinduism goes by various names. It is called Arya Dharma, The Ved Dharma, The Manu's Varna-ashram Dharma and so on. Later with evolution of Upnishads, it became known as 'Sanatan' Dharma. (Meaning religion based upon spiritual values of honesty, truth, simplicity and renunciation. 'Sanatan' means Eternal). The Hindu Religion is a wrong name, given to our religion by outsiders. A heaven on earth can be created if people know the value of these elements and live with noble ideals, renounce the ownership of wealth and develop an attitude of respect for these elements. These objects are not man made and hence no one should have the sense of ownership of these things, particularly the land and river water. We should preserve them in clean condition, and share these elements in spirit of co-operation.

EVOLUTION OF UPNISHADS. THE SPIRITUAL SCRIPTURES.

In spite of living with all comforts, the body does undergo a gradual process of ageing. There is old age, diseases and death as unavoidable phases in life. These situations of life are not liked by many people. A quest of spirit, its true nature and finding of its immortality etc, was meditated upon. These lead to formation and compilation of different kind of Scriptures. These are our Upnishads. Thus we see that the Vedas are the Scriptures in which there is worship of many natural elements or Devas. This has been responsible to some extent, for the divisions of Hindu Religion, in early periods and the process is going on even today. The Upnishad Rishies tried to find some uniform law of nature, governing all creations, living and nonliving. (JAD AND CHETAN). They observed Creation, its existence for a limited time, and then its disappearance or death. In course of thousands of years, the three main Mythological Deities were created to explain the different jobs done by these invisible Deities. These are the three main invisible mystic Devas for all true Hindus, viz. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. 39

The three streams or main divisions of Hindu religion, namely The Vaishnava, The Shivaites and the Brahma Vadis, quarrel among themselves, without understanding that none of these Deva is the Supreme God. A verse in Gita, indicates this fact as follows;
Yanti Dev Vruta Devon Bhutani Yanti Bhutejya Pitrun Yanti Pitru Vrutaha Yanti Madyajino Pi Mam. Gita : IX-25.

Meaning: Those who seek and worship Devas, (Deities), reach the Devas. Those following the way of forefathers, reach the goals achieved by them, those worshipping the living creatures, find the divine in them, but only those who try to seek me, THE INFINTIE only, reach me, find me, SEE ME. Brahma is the God of all living creatures, including plants and animals. Vishnu is the maintaining Deity of all creations. Shiva or Mahadeva, is given the job of destroying the creations. An Imaginary God of death, called Yama is assistant Dev to Lord Shiva. Another name of Shiva is, Maha Kal (Time, The Great). These Deva are not real persons. But it is a kind of way by which we can imagine these elements as deities or super human things imagined as persons, doing the duties, assigned to them by the Supreme Creator. Stories of Mythological nature, linked with these deities, are told to all Hindu Indians from their childhood. This kind of literature is seen in our Puranic Stories. All deities are Mythological, imaginary or fictional. We will try to study some Upnishads in separate chapters, devoted for Upanishads. We must know that the Vedas have in their end portions, some famous sentences called Brahm Sutra or Maha Vakyas. The complete Veda, as if, is summarized in only one sentence of a few words.

THE VED SUTRA OR GREAT SENTENCES OF VEDA.

1. PRAGNANAM BRAHMAH. Wisdom is the ultimate truth. This Mantra or Brahm Sutra, is found in Rug Ved and Aitteraiya Upnishad. 2. AHAM BRAHMASMI. I am Brahman, or Pure Spirit. This great sentence is found in Yajur Veda and in Bruhadaaranyak Upnishad. (ATMA in meaning of Brahma is a very wrong notion). 3. TAT TWAM ASI. That thou art. This sentence is seen in Sam Ved and Chhandogya Upnishad. 4. AYAM ATMA BRAHMAH. This spirit or consciousness in my self is Brahma Swaroop. (Form of God). This sentence is seen in Atharva Veda, (fourth Veda), and Maandukya Upnishad. (We see here 'ATMA' and 'Braham' USED in one sentence). In this manner the Vedas and the highest philosophies known as Upnishads and Darshans, forming the base structure of Hindu religion had developed. Religion is ready made road of living a happy life. A Spiritual way of life has been practiced and developed in India, since thousands of years. Time has come when the educated and conscious parents, staying abroad in particular, and feeling the need of passing over to their children, this great heritage, should come forward, and unite under one banner, of SANATAN DHARMA' and try to spread this message to every body in this country. It is said, "Where Science ends, intellect ends, then only true faith in God starts." 40

This goal can be achieved, by studying our Scriptures, learning its defaults, revising our rituals and by adding the human service activities to our temples. Spread of the message of our true religion, can be carried out by publication of religious magazines and booklets and distributing them free to non Hindu communities, in likewise manner of the Plain Truth Magazine of modern Jewish religion. Isolated efforts of secular religions or the 'Sampradaya', will lead us no where. "GOD DWELLS WITHIN HEARTS OF ALL LIVING BEINGS."
THIS PIN POINTED INDICATION IS GIVEN IN GITAS MANY VERSES. IT IS SAID SO BY MANY PROPHETS OF ALL RELIGIONS. ONE NEEDS ONLY AN EFFORT TO FIND THIS.

We will conclude this chapter with an age old Upnishad prayer;

Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Bhadrani Pashyantu, Sarve santu Niramaya Ma Kashchid Dukkhamapnuyat

May everybody become happy, may everybody remain in good health, may everybody SEE happy things and may not anybody become unhappy, at any time. 0m Shanti Shanti Shanti

Ref: Short History of World - By H. G. WELLS

41

7.

IMPRINTS OF 16 CULTURES IN HINDUISM.

In every religion there are some rituals as well as ceremonies performed at certain age for children or adults. These are called "Sans Kara", or what we understand as cultural printings. For example Operation of Phimosis, (Cutting of skin of male sex organ, at young age) is a cultural imprint in name of religion for Muslims and Jews. Such rituals have originated in past and had some meanings, depending upon the geographical needs, social requirements and religious beliefs. The master minds of past, had recommended these rituals with some purpose. We will study in this chapter, some cultural printings and rituals in Hinduism. These traditional rituals are collectively called "SHODASHA SANSKARS", meaning sixteen types of imprints that are necessary to make a perfect, healthy and a cultured person. Not all, but many such rituals are being carried out by orthodox families in India, even after thousands of years until today. There is some significance and meaning behind such Rituals. But only a few families or even local priests (Brahmin), really understand the deep meaning and philosophy behind them. In brief we will try to understand the meaning (BHAVNA or Logical reasons), behind such rituals. GARBHA DHAN SANSKAR: (prenatal or Rituals during pregnancy.) Three kinds of Rituals are done during prenatal period to a woman. These are called 1. "GARBHADHAN" or Impregnation ritual, 2 TUNSVANA" or embryonic ceremony and 3. "SIMANT SANSKAR", generally, done after seventh month of pregnancy. There are deep meanings behind these rituals. Marriage according to Hindu religion is not a contract or agreement, but it is a life long commitment. Promises are given at the time of wedding ceremony, which are to be kept for the whole life and even in next life. Marriage is looked upon as union of not only two persons but also of two families. Two persons of opposite sex, agree to join for life time and stay in one house, to fulfill a definite goal, namely to produce and raise children, giving them good culture. 1. GARBHADHAN SANSKAR (Impregnation Ritual.) In former days there were no hill stations, for going for honey-moon. Sex psychologists or marriage counselors were not available in those days. The priest will speak some "Mantras", Hymns giving good advice. Let us look at the first "GARBHADHAN" Ritual.
"SAHANAVAVATU SAHA VIRYAM KARVA VAHAI MA VID VISHA VAHAI SAHANAU BHUNAKTU TAJASWINAM VADHITAMASTU (Kathopnishad)

42

"Make the journey of life together, make all efforts together, progress together and never allow frustration and unhappiness to enter your life". After marriage when the Bride and Bridegroom, enter their bed room, the priest will speak such verses, each other and say enjoy together. The act of sex is known as "Sambhoga" in Sanskrit. It means enjoy together. There should be no effort of rape in sex life, even by the husband. The act of sex was not looked upon, as an act of physical enjoyment, but an act for producing children, so that the race may go on. The boy and the girl, who had observed celibacy, are now going to perform a most important and sacred act, that of Love and Kindness, Compassion and Co-operation. Celibacy (Brahmcharya), does not mean, no sex for whole life; but it means Control of Sex Desire (KAMA) in married life by both, the male and female partners. After some time, when it was observed that the wife has become pregnant, second ritual of Punsvana'' is done. The priest speaks some hymns and invokes various qualities of many Deities like The Sun, The wind etc, in the child. When seventh month of pregnancy is reached, "SIMANT'' ceremony is done. This ritual is very popular even to day. It is similar to the "Baby Shower" that we see in this country. The rituals and the celebrations differ according to socio-economic status and the customs. In the ancient times, the husband will approach the wife, with a full glass of milk, walking slowly, caring that the milk does not spill. The neighborhood ladies will sing happy songs wishing for a brave and beautiful child. Milk during pregnancy is very important food for women and growing embryo. Priest will ask the husband to garland the wife as if she is a Goddess, who is going to give, a gift of child to the husband and make him father. In some communities the husband combs the hair of the wife in presence of entire gathering as an expression of love and respect. These sorts of rituals give the wife, a sense of great joy, dignity, self confidence and security. It is believed that the psychological state of woman during pregnancy has great effect in development of mental state of the child. A wife dreaming of divinity and good thoughts gives birth to a healthy child. In diet of the mother, some foods are prohibited and others like milk, butter, etc. are specially advised to be taken. Hearing of Scriptural stories, inspire the mother to dream for noble and brave child. Many such meanings were there, behind such rituals if one looks to them as noble heritage. All these rituals in course of time get established, more as social customs, than religious traditions. But in today's times of ''Great Rush", we observe an expectant woman, worried about lot of problems. There is no time for going to temple or for hearing Scriptural stories. Instead they see horror movies and sexy dramas. The kind of generation that will be born is a matter of simple judgment. The need for religion, Scriptures and the rituals will become evident only to one who thinks in this direction. II. JATKARMA SANSKARS. (Alter Birth Rituals) The second group of rituals which include the other thirteen rituals are known as JATKARMA SANSKARS" meaning after Birth Rituals. 43

Immediately after birth, OM. is written with a stick dipped in honey, milk and sugar. The letter OM is the holy symbol of Vedas. It is written on the tongue of the new born. Priest will recite such Mantra:
VEDOSl: YOU ARE THE CHILD OF VEDAS, ASHMANBHAVA: BE STRONG LIKE A STONE, PARASHARA BHAVA: BE TRIDENT.

Meaning has a three tense sense. Learn three Vedas, learn three types of skills, PEN, SWORD, AND SPOON (Cooking). The letter-3-in symbol OM, has many other meanings. The three Vedas is the usual meaning. Ved means Knowledge, and not the Holy Book or any Scripture. NAMAKARAN SANSKAR: (Ritual of Name giving) After a week of birth there is name giving ceremony. The names given to children are suggestive of the expected qualities of many deity gods. Prakash" name means light, Premsagar", means ocean of love, "Laksminandan", means very rich person; "Jitendra" means who has conquered the sense organs, "Pankaj" means Lotus like, "Surajkumar" means Son of The Sun, and many such names are given in expectations, of the high qualities of many Vedic deities. Krishna, Rama and Shankara are also very popular and common names. Some parents feel that by repeatedly calling such names, they remember God. ANNAPRASHANA SANSKAR (Solid Food Giving). Some rituals are done when the child starts taking solid food. 'Anna', meaning food is considered a Deity God, "Anna-Dev". 'HE' is invoked and prayed so that, so far milk taking child, may not have problems in digestion of solid foods. NISH-KRAMAN SANSKAR (Child Starts walking). When the child starts walking and is taken out of the four walls, the deities of heaven are prayed to protect the child from evil forces. Wind God, VAYU; Rain God, INDRA; Sun God, SURYA etc, are requested to take care of the child. Hindu Vedas describe many Gods and Goddesses. All are not mythological or fictional. But many natural elements are worshipped as Deva, (One Supreme God's assistants or angels), which have similar effects on all living creatures and all human beings). KSHAURKARMA SANSKAR (Hair Cutting Ritual). First Hair cutting Ritual. This is very popular ceremony and a great family occasion. It is performed in most of the Hindu Communities. Ceremonies sometimes lasting for one to two weeks are arranged. All relatives and friends are invited. Entire gathering go to some distant temple or a pilgrim place. Family Barber also accompanies. He receives many gifts from family. The priest of temple first cuts a little bundle of hair, and places it before the feet of the deity God. The razor is dipped in milk and the power in it is requested to be soft and kind, to the skin of child. KARNA VADH SANSKAR (Ear Piercing Ritual) Ear piercing in girls and in some communities in boys too, is done with great ceremony. Medically speaking, it is now proved that a branch of Vegas Nerve, (10th cranial nerve), supplies the ear lobule. The same nerve also supplies the entire viscera 44

of abdomen, heart, and the sex organs. Acupuncture is now a well known treatment procedure. Many congenital Hydrocel (fluid accumulation in the testicles), used to get cured with such simple procedures. It is needed in case of girls for putting ornaments OOPNAYAN SANSKAR (Sacred Thread giving ceremony). At age of nearly seven and above, this is a big ritual in the higher communities. Brahmins, Kshatriyas and some times the Vaishyas, carry out this ritual as most auspicious occasion. The Priest teaches the boy 'Gayatri Mantra' which is a worship mantra of SUN. It is believed that chanting of Gayatri Mantra, makes the mind pure and receptive. The male child, is made to sit on a stone, and than he prays The Sun God by chanting Gayatri Mantra. He requests the SUN-GOD to give him intelligence, as bright as Sun, so that he may shine in human society, and give the benefit of his knowledge to all without any discrimination. Gods (Deva) Give. A human and a bagger receives. One has to be God like is the Theme and Spirit of such rituals. But in course of time the meaning gets lost. The rituals become social customs. They are now being done to celebrate social occasions. The lower castes are not permitted to wear the sacred thread. This is one of the reasons for higher and lower castes formation, separations and un-touchability. BRAHAMCHARYA VRAT AND VIDYA GAMAN: (Vow of Celibacy and going to School). With a firm vow of celibacy, the boy now goes to the teacher (GURU) for education. (Going to School) He is advised to be firm in the sex control and observe strict celibacy during the study period. He is told to be humble, respectful and obedient towards teachers, prostrate before them, obey their orders and be disciplined in the school. This is the most important age. Whatever he learns from the school, in company with other boys of his age, is going to be his most important cultural wealth in future life. In former days the teachers used to live in remote jungles, near the banks of rivers. The land and the cows, given to them as donations by the kings, provided sufficient resource for running such schools. (Ashrams). It was a kind of hostel life. There were no libraries, or books. Most of the knowledge was given by oral recitations. The students were supposed memorize and also to look after agriculture and the cattle. Such Ashrama were known as GURUKULS. (Teacher's families). The boys learned farming, cattle breeding, arms, plant identifying, (pharmacognocy), properties of seeds and their medical effects, (pharmacology) and so on. It was the early way of education. The historically famous Universities of TakshShila and Nalanda, attracted many students from other countries. At the end of completion of study, there was another ceremony, something like graduation ceremony we see today. The students used to give Guru Dakshina as token of fees to teachers, in some kind or some promises to be fulfilled. We find many such instances in Mahabharat and Ramayan stories. DIKSHANTA SANSKAR. (Graduation Ceremony.) The teachers used to say, "My dear sons, you are now matured and grownup. Whatever good you have learned, preserve it, pass it over to others. Knowledge is like endless ocean. If you have found some short comings from us, just neglect them. 45

Give benefit of your knowledge, without expectations of rewards or money, to needy. Knowledge is such a wealth which grows by giving. Never allow ego of knowledge to enter your mind. Otherwise the growth of your knowledge will stop". In this manner the boy will get education and return home. VAGDAN AND VIVAHA. (Marriage Ceremony) Some restrictions of castes and family ties and taboos prevail everywhere. For five forefather on mother's side and seven forefathers on father's side are tabooed for marriage in Manu Smruti. Also Inter-Varna or inter-caste marriages are banned. In many communities even to day the girl has no say in choice of her husband. The job of settling the marriage is usually done by parents. However in educated families in cities today this trend is changing. In the Scriptures there are descriptions of "Swayamvar", meaning the girl had a right of choosing husband. "Sita Swayamvar and Draupadi Swayamvar" are the famous chapters of Ramayana and Mahabharat. In VAGDAN, promises are given by parents on both sides and a suitable date for marriage is set. In VIVAHA or actual wedding ritual, the groom and bride, with hand in hand, make four rounds around the holy fire. The priest recites 'Sapta Padi". Seven important vows are taken by both individuals. Two individuals become 'One Couple". It is union of Souls and not bodies. It is union of two families that come near each other by such holy and blessed ceremonies. Girls father washes the feet of the son-in-law and gives gifts. The idea is that he will give good care, love and protection to his beloved daughter. This has resulted into a very bad social custom of "DOWRY". It amounts to selling the boy or the girl. GRAHASTHASHRAMA: (Age period of Family Life). Thus a wedded couple starts a new era of life. It is an end of individual life. It is known as Grahastha-ashrama. (Staying in a home as family). To earn money by fair means, (Dharma and Artha) are the guiding morals for a family man. When children are born, in a famous verse of Manu Smruti, the parents are given good advice regarding correct attitude to be kept towards the children.
POOJAYET PANCH VARSHANI, DASH VARSHANI TADYET PRAPTESU SHODESHAE VARSHAE PUTRAM MITRAVAT ACHRAT.

Meaning: Worship and Care for a child like a living God- till the age of five; during next ten years, (from five to fifteen) punish them (Give hardships and discipline); but when the son reaches age of sixteen, treat him like your friend. A modern child psychologist may give some tips here and there. But what must be the foresight of the great masters, who had compiled the ancient Scriptures, which can be seen from such verses. VANAPRASTHASHRAMA : (Partial Retirement from Active family life). After living nearly twenty five years of family life, the man around the age of fifty should take a next turn towards VANAPRASTHA. It means partial retirement. But word literally means "Going towards the jungle". It was the style of those days to go towards 46

the jungles, stay in some "Ashrama" and give the benefit of knowledge and gained experience to the students. When grand children are born, a family head should retire and take this turn in life.
GRAHASTHA TU YADA PASHYET VALIPLITAM ATAMANAH APATYASA APATYAM TAD ARANYAE SAMACHARAT.

When a family head, sees son of son, (Grand Children) he should plan for going to Jungle, (i.e. towards backward areas for human service). After completing VANAPRASTHA, only he should plan for total renunciation, or SANYASA. SANYAS-AASHRAMA: (Living Ascetic Life). Sanyasa means living ascetic life, a life of complete renunciation, meditation and fearlessness. Only such a person can aspire for Moksha or Nirvana. He has fulfilled his all duties or obligations (Dharma), has satisfied all desires and now has no attachments to anything.
SARVA BHUTESHU ABHAYAM DATVA ATMAVIT SHOKAM TARATl.

(Narad Strotram).

Meaning: A person of self realization crosses over all worries and thus lives a peaceful life. Having given fearlessness to all creations, he himself is also not afraid of death. A Gita verse puts this state of mind, beautifully.
YASMAT NODWIJTE LOKA HARSHAMARSHA BHAYODVAGAI LOKAT NODWIJTE CHA YAHA MUKTO YAH SA CH MAY PRIYAH.

(Gita Ch-12-V-15) Meaning: Lord says, I love those who are not fearsome to other people and who themselves are fearless, and who are free from easy elation, anger, fear of death and duality of mind. This is in brief, summary of the rituals, cultural printings, heritage and life style of a Hindu. If one puts aside the religious taboos and biases and skips over the not required rituals, even then one will find a fairly good guide line, or a perfect plan of living 100 years of an ideal life style. This is what any religion should teach and give to an individual. Hinduism thus gives to any individual a ready made plan Blue Print- of living a perfectly healthy, wealthy, long and satisfactory life, full of all achievements and joy (Anand). Any individual is always under the obligations (debts) of mother, father and teachers. Boys and girls are advised to respect them as living Deities. Also one has to be conscious of any unknown person (ATITHI). It also means home coming Guests. They should also be respected like Devas. Religion teaches us to develop an attitude of consciousness, towards the needs and expectations of others. It is not any label like Hindu, Muslims, Christian etc. The correct and real name of so called Hindu-Religion is SANATAN DHARMA. It means Eternal religion teaching consciousness of noble values for whole life. Truth and nonviolence must be the most important key words in any religion. 0m Shanti Shanti Shanti 47

8.

WHAT IS OM? (I).

In this and next chapters, the long history of OM is presented in as brief a manner as is possible. One must study how this one letter unique symbol of OM is at root of all world languages. The rise and fall, ups and downs, and changing trends regarding beliefs about God in Hindu Religion took place in past. OM provides a perfect example of Symbolisms. Some symbolism will be needed and always remain in fields of science, religions and politics. Symbolism is a way by which one understands big things by small models or symbols. For example a national flag of any country is symbol of a particular land area. People understand this area, respect it, love their country or have patriotic attitude, donate money for its defense, and sacrifice their lives to preserve their political freedom. People understand by a country by seeing a simple flag and imagination its meaning. Symbol of flag creates great understanding and brings unity in the people. Similarly the alphabets of any written language are also symbols which people understand. The entire human literature can be reduced to a few alphabets and symbols of numbers of different languages. Numbers can be written with words. But for calculation purposes we write numbers with some symbols like 1, 2, 3, 4, .....& 0, and use signs like +, -, x, - and etc,. For example the + sign is spoken as 'plus' and it also carries a meaning of adding two numbers. Thus we see that symbolism is an important way of learning, understanding and communicating. OM- the holy symbol of Hindu Religion is a symbol of human speech (Vani), phonate voice, spoken words and knowledge resulting by hearing such sounds. From words arise all local geographic dialects what is called in Sanskrit- VANI. Vani means spoken language. Generally the symbol of OM is written with letter 3, a sign of infinity, a thin moon and a star. In course of years OM has becomes the symbol of knowledge, or Vedas - the ancient Scriptures of Hinduism. Most holy Mantras (short sentences) are preceded by chanting OM as first oral sound, in Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. The manner in which OM is written is interesting. OM can be written quite differently with Sanskrit alphabets. But it is symbolically written as - . There is a sign of number three 3, a symbol of infinity , a thin moon , suggesting chancing times, and a dot in that moon indicating one has to become a star in some field by understanding infinite universe and understanding of Time-Place bondage to body. There is a great history of evolution of Hindu Scriptures from this ancient symbol OM. OM is at the root of all world languages, VEDAS (books of knowledge of universal material objects like sun, Land, water, air etc,) and Upanishads and the six Hindu Darshans like Sankhya, Yoga and VEDANT, which are spiritual Scriptures of Hinduism. OM is at root of all these Scriptures. In the field of religion, symbolism is very important way of conveying a message of divinity. Holy Cross represents the symbol of Christian Religion. A moon with a star in green flag is symbol of Islam. Similarly the symbol OM represents the Sanatan Dharma, the correct name of Hindu religion and many sub-divisions of Indian philosophy. It also represents an invisible human power- Knowledge in Brain. "VED means Knowledge". Idols in temples represent only some PURANIC DEVAS. (Mystic, or Imaginary, DEITIES). 48

How symbolism in religions had started and search of the hidden meaning behind any symbol, becomes an interesting subject of study for a student of religions. Simply respecting such symbols with blind faith and wearing pendants in neck does not make a person knower of religion in its true sense. Let us try to understand the evolution and meaning of Cross. It represents the way in which criminals were punished to death by nailing on a wooden Cross. It was a crudest method of execution in old days. The great Jesus Christ was killed by the unjust Roman rulers and orthodox Jewish priests in those days. Nailing a live person on cross is called crusifiction. Jesus was punished to death in this way, not for committing any crime. But HE was crucified because HE did not obey the traditional religion and spoke a language which few people understood in his times. It represents the sacrifice of life by Jesus Christ for the truth that HE firmly believed. In course of time, after many centuries people understood the noble message and preaching of Jesus. A religion got established and the Cross became the holy symbol of Christianity. Many Christians wear this symbol of Cross. We see this symbol inside and outside all Churches. But how many Christians are ready to die like Jesus for the Truth that they believe? Cross also represents a symbol of death or grave. It should remind one constantly that one has to meet "Mr. Death" one day. God of death is called Yama in Sanskrit. When the fear of death is over then only develops a state of fearlessness in the mind of a true Christian. This is the deeper meaning of Cross, I think. In the same way, since times immemorial, human beings are symbolizing The Supreme Creator of Universe with Idols, normally referred to as Gods in the temples. The reader must clearly understand that the Symbol of 0M does not represent any deity God or a past Prophet of Hindu religion. It represents an invisible human ability or power, generally called KNOWLEDGE (VED). VED means KNOWLEDGE and VEDANT means END OF KNOWLEDGE. Let us learn about various things and meanings represented by OM. OM IS SYMBOL OF VARIOUS TRINITIES IN HINDUISM: 1. Three earliest VEDAS; RigVed, YajurVed, and SamVed. 2. Three main Mystic or Imaginary Hindu Deity Gods; Brahama, Vishnu, and Shiva. 3. Three visible properties of Mother Nature (Prakruti); namely Creation of gross bodies, Maintenance of all living bodies, and death or destruction of gross bodies. The above referred three mythological deities do these three different activities. 4. Three Dimensions of Space and Time. Time and Space are ever in Union, or Yoga. Three kind of times; Past, Present and Future, and three dimensions of Space namely Length, Breadth and Width are to be understood by deep Self Meditation and realization of spiritual divine self within. 5. Three kinds of things that a human mind can imagine and think of; namely SOUL OR SPIRIT, MATTER AND ENERGY. (Brahma means totality of souls or spirit, Vishnu indicates Matter or Mass, and Shiva symbolizes cosmic universal Energy (Shakti). 6. Three important aspects of human body or Self (ATMA) to be known; namely BODY, (SHARIRA), MIND (MANA) AND INTELLECT (BUDDHI). 49

7. Three kinds of highest human abilities are studied; namely Knowledge, Ego and Selfish Desires (Vasanas). 8. Three kinds of practical worldly knowledge to be gained for material happiness and success in life. The 3 letters of SAM (Ved) indicates- Science, Arts and Medicine.
VEDANAM SAM VEDOSMI DEVANAM ASMI VASAVAH INDRIYANA MANAH CHASMl BHUTANAM ASMI CHETANA Gita : Ch X-22.

Meaning : Lord Krishna declares in the Gita, "Amongst the 3 Vedas, I am SAM VEDA". Amongst all Devas I am Vasudeva (Krishnas family name, and fathers name), Amongst all sense organs, I am Mind, (Mind is described as the sixth sense in Gita), Amongst all living beings (creatures), I am the Spirit or Soul (Spark of life, Jiva, Chetna). The above is a very short list of many more trios or trinities that one can think of. We shall study more trios in the Vedant Darshan. In Christian religion also there is a concept of Trinity, called as Father, Son and the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit. When by deep thinking, (meditation) one understands the meanings of these symbolisms, one touches a final point of understanding of the designer of the universe. Hindu Scriptures, particularly the Upnishads and Darshans possess a treasure of this spiritual knowledge. After devoting some time for this study, one reaches a point, when all these trios merge and lead to only one PERFECT SUPREME GOD, (Purushottama). Then one feels the presence of an omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent and perfect God, everywhere at all times. Many Hindu Scriptures like the Purina are based on the theme of trios, Then reduce them to dualities (Two Dimensions). And finally this leads to understanding of only ONE PERFECT GOD, The Supreme Intelligence, or the Perfect Creator of this ever changing visible Universe. In previous paragraphs we learnt that The Symbol OM, is a very important symbol and starting point of any religious study. When OM ends - leading to silence of speech, the end point of Scriptural knowledge is reached. It is called VEDANT. "OM IS BEGINNING OF KNOWLEDE; AND OM IS THE END POINT OF ALL KNOWLEDGES. THEN THE DIVINE SOUL (SELF) WITHIN UNFOLDS." Then true faith in one God develops. In religious and philosophical language one can say, I am pure Soul (Bhraman, Atman, Shiva, Etc,.) The Divine -Soul is referred by many names in Hindu literature. Some call it ''Paramatman", Supreme Self; Bhagavan meaning maker of destiny of all gross bodies; "Narayana" meaning one who makes human beings move about; "Tat" meaning Nameless "That", "Param Braham" meaning Supreme creator soul and so on. By the study of Scriptures, under guidance of a well read teacher- a truly devoted student can make contact with Supreme God or Parmatma. Then one understands and can speak the language of prophets like Jesus, Buddha or Mohammad. Religion becomes his natural life style and does not need any Scriptural guidelines. He gets liberated from all material bondages, and enjoys true liberty. It is called MOKSHA STATE of mind. He gets liberated from the birth death cycle of the soul after death. There is no hell, heaven or rebirth for him. 50

This essay is written for the youth of Indian origin, staying abroad and speaking English language only. But it will be useful to anyone who is not familiar with Hinduism. It will provide a new scientific angle of thinking to all broad minded Hindus and lead to UNITY OF HINDUISM. The most important thing for this study is open mindedness at all times. The student should not have any formed opinions, beliefs or biases about God, worship rituals, attachments to some one Scripture, or his personal philosophies and religious beliefs. One has to start this study at some point and must keep the curiosity of a child in spiritual field till one touches the final point of SELF REALIZATION. The root of any branch of Knowledge (Ved-Shakha) is some human language. Always keep this fact in mind. All languages of the world are spoken dialects first. In course of passage of time they evolve, develop literature with written symbols or Alphabets. The evolution of Vedas in India prove this. Veda is also called Shruti Gyaan or Audio Knowledge. The evolution of Veda or knowledge takes place in following manner. From OM - arise SHABDA or Words. From words arise - VANI (Speech) and spoken Languages or dialects. Speech leads to VED or Audio-Knowledge, which is always gained by hearing words from parents and teachers. VED (Knowledge) leads to -> VICHAR (or Thoughts). The thoughts create different opinions, MATAS (or Beliefs). Human beings have some beliefs, opinions, regarding food, properties of herbs, social customs, religions, nationality, economics, political systems and so on. We call all such beliefs as faith in religious fields. Faith is a wrong word if used for other beliefs. Beliefs are personal opinions. Faith should mean convictions based upon personal observations and experiences. Natural instincts arising in mind lead to many Desires (KAMA). KAMAS lead to Actions (or KARMA). Behind all KARMA there are always some Desires. KAMAS (Desires) ->KARMAS (Actions). Actions create--> (Karma Bandhan), Bondages of Karmas. Bondages of Karmas bring Happiness or Sorrows (Sukha and Dukha). Sukhas and Dukhas reside in mind, most are temporary arising from events of outer world, emotions and wants, only a few are real. For example loss of a job, money or destruction of house by fire are some events that produce sorrows and depressions. Sickness of body, or relatives or death of a close relative also creates real sorrows. By understanding the perfect laws of mother nature most sorrows come to an end. If true liberty or MOKSHA is understood and achieved, a higher state of spiritual consciousness remains in mind. When the desire for MOKSHA (true liberty) becomes 51

strong, there is a way indicated in Hindu Scriptures. It is called ATMA GYANA or knowledge of one's own self leading to SELF REALIZATION. SELF REALIZATION is the final point of understanding Holy Spirit or soul. When one reaches this point- all false beliefs come to an end. A true faith in Gods perfect rules and in one's own self develops. This knowledge of SELF( or Who am I?) is the real knowledge a person needs to have besides all other kinds of knowledge. VEDANT is the end point of false knowledge or Agyan. This is the end point of OM. Wonderful peace of mind- an important goal in life is achieved by this study. Then one's attitudes and out-look to worldly events get totally changed. A totally new positive and constructive attitude develops. Real Self-control over all senses and emotions develops. Anger, fear, illusions, wrong expectations, tensions, worries and all such negative feelings and thoughts disappear from the mind. A well balanced, self confident, cool headed personality is born. This is called 'rebirth' or the second birth of the individual. It is not new birth after death as believed by many. When Knowledge ends -Words end. This is real Vedant. Speech ends (Maunam) leading to permanent peace of mind (Shanti). When mind is really peaceful then a new vision (Chitta Shakti) unfolds and leads to positive thinking. It is the power of correct thinking, imagining things and events with perfect sense of time and place. It is called awakening of Kundalini Shakti in Yoga terminology. It is ever awakened state of consciousness and joy. (Sat-Chit-Anand). This brings all kinds of material successes in the life. One thinks with self confidence (ATMA SHRADDHA) and courage. All false worries and tensions are gone. To achieve highest mental ability, one needs to spend some time for this study. Then one becomes-''Sat-Chit-Anand Swaroop". SUMMARY : Let us sum up the scope, power and limitations of OM. OM in sense of Knowledge and ability of good speech has a wonderful power to describe and understand many things and events in the Universe. Some Indian Gurus believe that Universe roots from OM. This is not true. But we can say that everything in this universe is possible to describe and know by spoken words with help of OM, but there is always a limitation of human language. This is the power or Shakti of OM. But OM falls short in describing one Supreme creator, maintainer and destroyer of all visible gross objects around us. The dynamic ever changing Universal Drama is going on and on in a non-stop manner. God could be inferred in an indirect manner only according to Hindu Scriptures. Presence of God is experienced by understanding the Perfect Laws of Actions (Karma-Theory in Indian religions. Karma Yoga teaches correct actions or Sat-Karmas (good deeds). These must be guided by Devotion (Bhakti) to God and Self-Knowledge (ATMA GYANA). With OM we learn and can describe different qualities (Goonas) of many lower deities, like the Sun, Land, Water, Air, Fire, etc,. All languages, arise as first spoken dialects then in course of evolution they receive the written symbols of alphabets. Speech is a unique and very important Human faculty. In Indian Scriptures it is called an important Karm-Indriya. (One of the five Organs of Action). Speech roots from OM. Thus Om is at the Root of all World Languages. With OM, one thinks in his language and can express thoughts and desires by speaking. Thinking is also done with words and speech is the best way of expression of 52

thoughts. Speech is called an organ of action (Karma Indriya) in Vedanta Darshan. In Vedanta Darshan the deity God Fire is linked with speech - Organ of Action. Ones character knowledge and beliefs become obvious when he/she speaks. When one speaks it becomes his or her KARMA which immediately gets linked with that particular individual at that place and time. Every where communication is only possible mostly by speaking. One can speak kind words of compassion and love, or those of jealousy, anger and hatred. All kinds of worldly knowledge can be gained and given to others, with its roots in OM. This is the power and scope of OM. The alphabets of Sanskrit and its daughter languages have been designed with perfect sense and consideration of the movements of tongue with lips, teeth and soft palate. For centuries the masters have meditated, before designing the alphabets or symbols of oral voice. The gained knowledge was preserved only as oral recitations of verses in poetry form. The Sanskrit alphabets are so designed that when one reads a Scripture, a perfect oral sound very close to original spoken language is produced. Great consideration to vowels and consonants is given, in designing of these alphabets of Sanskrit ABCD. In next Chapter, we shall try to understand the OM, which is at Root of words, which make all world languages. A small chart of the evolution of world languages is given at the end of the chapter. OM Shanti Shanti Shanti

53

Ch: 9. WORLD LANGUAGES, ROOT FROM OM (II).

Science needs proof. If one makes a statement like this, that "the entire world languages root from OM- the holy symbol of all Indian religions", no one will believe at the first. In this chapter we will prove the validity and truth of this statement. In the practice of Yoga and Meditation generally we are made to chant the holy ''MANTRA" OM at start. The teacher asks every one to take a deep breath. Then during exhaling phase of breath the sound of OM is produced in a non-stop manner. The sound produced by spoken OM, splits into two vowels, a & u, and a consonant m. The last sound assumes a nasal tone, when the lips have closed after speaking a and u. The vowel 0 has thus two parts, namely a and u. To confirm this statement, each individual student has to try this on own self. Five or ten such attempts will be required to confirm above statement; namely the splitting effects of the vowel 0 and the sound effect of nasal m, etc. We are trying to observe an important scientific fact. The reader at this point should not proceed any further- until he or she is fully satisfied with the above stated observations. Try and try, again and again. Chant long OM after taking deep breath every time. Observe and note that you can speak OM during the exhaling phase of the in-breathed air only. Look upon this as a deep breathing exercise. It will help you to train your singing ability. Even for this gain, one should try this chanting of OM. It will take some timefrom a few minutes, hours, or a day or two to get convinced about this effect of OM. There is no hurry to proceed any further. We are now trying to confirm by self experiment, one age old Scientific observation, of Great Sages of India, who have shown us a path of ''Seeing and understanding one God of universe"- face to face. The chanting of OM, forms the first step in this direction. This is called spiritual study. It is an Art and Science of self realization. Proper chanting and observing, the effects of OM, is the first step in spiritual study. At this early stage observe one more point. Note that it is only during the phase of exhaling, that you can produce the sound of OM. Either during inhaling, or breath hold phases of respiration you will not be able to speak OM, or any other word. Try to confirm this upon your self. Unless you are absolutely satisfied and convinced about both these observations, do not proceed any further. The above description for chanting OM can be summed up like this :FIRST STEP: SECOND STEP: Take deep breath. Hold the breath as long as you can.

THIRD STEP: Speak a u and m, during the long Breath-out phase in a continuous manner, till your breath is totally out. Then pause in between and repeat these steps again and again for five to ten times. OBSERVE: Sound effect of OM is possible during the exhalation phase only, and not during inhalation nor during breath hold phases. Note linkage of exhalation with OM. 54

This practice leads to understanding of an important fact of life. Life depends upon the vital system of Respiration or breathing, PRANA. PRANAYAM means developing control over respiration. Speaking is always linked with PRANA or life. We are trying to confirm that, the root of all world languages is OM. Deeper thinking (meditation) and study will be required to come to this final confirmation. But to start with at this early stage, get convinced that you cannot speak or produce any oral sound during the inhalation and breathe holding phases of respiration. Speaking is ever linked with the expiratory phase of breathing and control of respiratory system. Only during the exhalation, or breath-out phase of respiration that one is able to produce some sound and speak. Now any one should have no hesitation in accepting that human voice can only be produced while one is breathing out inhaled air. Secondly we noted that when one is living, is conscious or awake, and has a desire to do this experiment, then and then only - one can do this chanting experiment. Thus this study becomes a limited individualized subjective experiment and observation. There are many other points to be observed in chanting of OM. But we shall deal with them in a separate book on Yoga, Pranayama and Meditation. At this early stage, we are trying to confirm only one fact that, "OM is at the root of any and all languages of our world". Scriptures state that from OM arise words. From words root the Spoken language or VANI in Sanskrit. One should try to think about these points repeatedly, while carrying out this exercise of chanting. Try to speak some words like the names of persons. You may speak your own name, or you may pick up some name of God that you have choice or faith in. Try to chant and chant in loud voice the name of your God. You will observe the same effects that you are not able to speak or chant during the breath-in phase of respiration. Thus we confirmed that speaking of any words and sentence has a direct relationship with breathing. This is a scientific fact, rule confirmed by self observation. Now we go to next step of simple meditation or deep thinking. Life of any living creature or our own life depends upon a vital system of our body, the respiratory system or "PRANA''. We become a dead body when breath stops. This applies to every living being, man or animal on globe earth. This law must have worked in the same manner in the past and it will hold good in same manner in the future too. This rule of human body-design, uniformly applies to all human beings irrespective of caste, sex, creed, race, religion, nationality, age, social, economic, or political status of an individual. They may speak any language or words. But the rule of OM and its linkage to breathing applies to all people. Everybody can speak only a few words in one breath This is the limitation of all human beings at any place on Earth. Thinking and getting convinced about facts stated in above paragraphs and confirming by self-experiments is a way of understanding WHO AM I?, as one human being? In this study the experiment is done upon one's own self. Self is called "ATMA" in Sanskrit. The word ATMA in Sanskrit is wrongly translated by many saints. They explain it as Soul or spirit. ATMA has also other meanings like one individual. All living human individuals refer him/her selves as ''I", by using the first person singular pronoun. The corresponding Sanskrit word for I is 55

Aham. Aham, which also means EGO. In later part of this essay we will study these points in more details. A CHILD LEARNS SPEAKING Now reflect upon your own childhood or that of any child around the age one or two. It starts learning few broken-spoken words. These are not even well pronounced. Yet the parents get elated and become happy. Their child has started speaking. When it starts speaking Mom, Dad, water, milk and names of relatives and such other words, they say he "KNOWS" everybody. Any child on Earth learns the language of parents in this manner only. Whatever the parents speak, the child hears, mimics and picks up the meaning. Thus knowledge of worldly objects is mostly gained by hearing the words. This is Ved or "Shruti Gyan"- Audio Knowledge, meaning knowledge gained by hearing. We confirmed one more thing about every person in general. Spoken words of parents and the relatives are heard by a child. It tries to mimic them by his speech. Thus a local language of any place becomes the mother tongue of a person where ever he is raised. This is gained in small family living in a city or a village at any place on Globe Earth. In this manner we derive one important scientific rule that all languages of the world have a local geographic limitation. All are firstly spoken dialects. What knowledge one possesses has its roots in listened words, spoken by others. And OM is at root of all spoken words. In this type of oral learning the Ear is an important sense organ. The Vedas are called "Shruties. It means - knowledge that is passed over to next generation by speaking and hearing. In early periods there were no symbols of written language, any pen or ink. A person "Sees" something and utters some words to name that object. The audio-visual effects get imprinted into the minds of all listeners. This is how every one gains knowledge of daily nearby objects and learns names of persons. This is the way how any individual (ATMA) has gained his early knowledge. This language is called the 'Mother-Tongue', or Mother language". All other languages are learned at a later age. They are foreign languages for any local person. TWO HALVES OF ANY LANGUAGE The two aspects or parts of any language are the spoken and the written halves. We will now examine the general structure of any language. Before we .go into study of structure of language, we must remember that all language of cultured countries have two parts or divisions. One section is the spoken dialect by which people in family and country communicate with each other. Communication means speaking and hearing. Both these occur at the same time and place. This event usually takes place between two persons. It may happen between one person and many others present at that place. All people present understand what the speaker is telling by his speech. In our group meetings we communicate and understand each other via speaking. Teachers, priests and politicians lecture and guide the minds of many people in classes, discourses and meetings by speaking. The second aspect of language is the written part. The written side of any language appears to be a very late development in its history. By giving symbols of alphabets, the ancient fore-fathers of different places had developed a method of writing the spoken language. In this way the readers of the language understand the meaning. 56

They feel as if the dead forefathers or writers are speaking before them. Thus the gained knowledge of science, religion, political events etc,. is passed over to the future generations. We observed earlier that speaking is possible by a living and conscious person. Only during the breath out phase of respiration speech is possible. What any person speaks is mostly his thoughts, beliefs, desires, or some views that he or she has heard from others or the teachers. This kind of speaking is called talking, reporting, lecturing, preaching, teaching, depending upon the speaker - audience relationship. Even today, in the present age of highest advances of science, we see above two divisions of a well developed language. In remote jungles of countries like Africa, India, or any other country, there is only first half, the spoken language called a dialect. These people have not got any written literature. Their social laws are communicated by the elderly only by speaking. In all economically backward countries there are masses of peoples, who can tell great stories and recite poetry, but cannot read or write. We call such people illiterates. Many have practical knowledge of farming, cattle breeding, or crude herbal medicine etc,. But they are not able to place that knowledge on paper with ink. We understood the two sides of a language. We will now try to examine the basic structure of any civilized language in general. Depending upon its age, such languages have a good literary heritage in fields of Arts, Science Politics and Religion. This heritage is called culture of that land. It includes various branches of knowledge like Maths, Science, Arts, Music, Sculptures, Medicine, Economics, Political systems and many other branches of knowledge placed together make up the literary heritage. The highest branch of KNOWLEDGE is that of human Sociology which teaches co-operative living or religion. This includes a special literature called Scriptures. In this matter India has a great treasure of religious Scriptures and literature. It is the cultural and spiritual heritage of Hinduism. It has well developed grammar, which forms an important part in development and evolution of a language. Now we will study this in very brief the structure of any well developed language in general. STRUCTURE OF ANY LANGUAGE. The words of any language can be grouped into following main compartments. 1. A - Nouns:- Names of visible gross objects like animals and plants, places and mountains and rivers. The words indicate names of objects that eyes can see. e.g. a Chair, a Table, a Dish, a Pen. Many such words carry definite meanings of the objects that can be seen by Eyes and perceived by other senses. Thy can also be counted by numbers. B - Proper Nouns: These are names of places like cities, work place, school and specific names of stars etc, mountains, countries, rivers, oceans, etc. In this group we can add the names of human beings also. 2. Pronouns : These are very important words, particularly in speaking. When two persons are talking, each speaker refers himself as ''I". Thus I is called first person singular pronoun in grammar. Understanding of this universal pronoun "I", forms the basis of Spiritual study in a scientific manner. This study is called 57

ADHIATM-VIDYA, ATMA-GYAN, ATMA-VIDYA etc,. in Sanskrit. Other pronouns are, We, Thou, You, He, She, It and They. 3. Verbs: Verbs generally carry a sense of motion or activity done by objects. When the object changes a place, we understand it as a moving object. It is not possible to discuss in details verbs and their roots. One important verb is worth noting. That verb is "To Be". The variations associated with person and the sense of time, make great variations of this root verb, "TO BE" in English. Its similar Sanskrit verb is ''BHOO", or being-ness. "Bhav" means to become. Becoming something from simple being is growth and evolution of an individual. An individual can uplift him/her self and become a great person-(Mahatma). I am; we are; thou art; you are; He- She- It is and they are. These are some of the variants of TO BE". It indicates the presence of an object or being-ness. An object, visible or invisible to eye, exists or existed in past. It was or is and it will be present in future. In spiritual study one meditates to find an answer to the question Who am I?" Note here one very important point in connection with verbs. Verbs carry a sense of TIME - past, present or future, in an invisible manner. 4. Adjectives: These add or give an additional meaning of qualities (goona) and quantities of different objects. They are mainly of two types. Usually they go with nouns. (i) Qualitative : like red, thick, tall, big, bright, etc. (ii) Quantitative : Indicate usually number of objects. In spiritual study one has to find and understand meaning of number one. What is the meaning when one says God is One. Speaking for self, I can say that I am also one living being. I am only one individual. God is one, the Supreme creator of Universe. Most Indian priests therefore think, ''I am God"! (ATMA is Parmatma). One I = one God? This is wrong style of spiritual thinking and teaching. 5. Adverbs : These words add extra meaning to Verbs. e.g. 'Fast' running, 'slow' walking. 6. Conjunctions : These words join two objects, words or sentences e.g. and, by, from, with, etc 7. Time indicating words: Day, Night, minute, second, hour, week, month, year, century, etc. These words indicate a fixed span of time. The exact Unit of Time is difficult to define. But with hidden sense and help of numbers one understands nearly and perfectly meaning of words like a week or a month or a few years. 8. Emotion indicating psychological words: Anger, passion, fear, love, greed, hate, likes, etc. 9. Interrogations: These words indicate questions. They form the starting point of some inquiry. Curiosity to know, is basis of gaining more knowledge and learning new skills. The process of learning makes an individual (ATMA), a knowledgeable person. Knowledge is the real wealth of any person. HOW and WHY leads to scientific research. 58

WHEN and WHERE (Time and Place). This inquiry leads to historical knowledge. Who or BY Whom (Kena) leads to Spiritual Realization. All above groups of words make up the structure of any language. TRUE KNOWLEDGE HAS NO LANGUAGE. It is called Understanding. This statement may sound paradoxical, but by deep thinking (Meditation), one will soon understand reveal the truth hidden in such statements. Let us take an example. A man from China goes to India. He knows good cooking. He does not know the Indian language. But he can teach by practical cooking classes many Chinese dishes he KNOWS by showing recipes and mixing different ingredients. Then he goes to Arab Land and demonstrates same art. Next he arrives in America and exhibits his cooking knowledge. His knowledge does not need any support of HINDI, ARABIC, or ENGLISH. His actions speak for his gained Knowledge and practical skills. Language is needed for learning worldly knowledge from teachers. When this knowledge gets imprinted in mind, then the need of language is gone. Pure knowledge without words remains in brain. This is called VIDYA in Sanskrit. Such a person is called VIDWAN, (VED-VAN) or a man of knowledge. This knowledge remains ever linked with the individual. We differ in knowledge and levels of knowledge. Thus no two individuals will be alike in knowledge and its application in daily life. SUMMARY : From OM arises words, (SHABDA). From (Shabda) Words arise Sentences. Sentences make the Spoken Language or a local dialect (Vani). With local language we learn material objects and their qualities in the early period of life. This knowledge is called Ved or SHRUTI-GYAN. It is gained mostly by hearing. By gaining more experience it becomes 'SMRUTI or memory of past events. We call it - knowledge of past, linked with seen events. When heard knowledge gets imprinted in mind with age and experience, then language disappears. This can be called VEDANT to some extent. True Vedant is achieved by correct understanding of spirit and its relationship with the body, mind and Ego. In words of Confucius - the great Chinese saint, a self realized person will say "I know that I know nothing". Human mind has a wonderful capacity to store knowledge as memories. One should always learn more and more by hearing and reading. Remain a life long student. Gained knowledge should be given to curious students who want to get it, without expectations of any rewards or money. This is the Vedic Way of life. "Get Knowledge and give Knowledge". BE A LIFE LONG STUDENT and a humble teacher. For evolution of ancient and modern languages see the chart at end of this chapter. It is prepared in Gujarati and English. 59

Observe in the chart: Om is at center of all Words and Spoken and/or written languages of the world. Primitive Spoken languages. Early Pictorial languages. Pictorial symbolic languages like Egyptian, Chinese etc (Hieroglyphic.) In Mid-Historic Era we see better evolved languages like Sanskrit, Greek, Latin, Baltic, Slavic, Germanic, etc. are the mother's of Modern languages of all the countries of world, with alphabets, numbers and mathematical signs and symbols any language is written. Invention of press in the fifteenth century A.D has given us huge literature in many languages. Even a big volume will not convince an obstinate person. But an open minded thinker will have no difficulty in understanding that:OM is at the Root of all world languages. One should worship OM. God can be seen (Understood) with the eye of Mind in all creations of Nature living and non living. The path of knowing God is that of Self-knowledge (ATMA-Gyan). SELF REALISATION means understanding that I am one living human being like any other human being on Earth. As one individual, I am zero in universal dimensions of Space and Time. We live in human relationship only. Within relations I am one son, father mother, wife, husband etc,. But I am a perfect creation of the Supreme God. Next to God is I. God is with me at all times as spirit, knowledge and intellect, wherever I go. 0M Shanti Shanti Shanti.

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10. (JAAP) CHANTING OF MANTRAS.

'Mantras' are very short sentences made up of few words, to many verses. The shortest mantra in Indian religions is "OM" which is called one word Mantra. 1. OM is the most common mantra chanted during the early phase of YOGA PRACTICE and also in combination with many other mantras. It is said, and can be proved, with very little effort -that OM is the root of spoken words. This we have seen in previous chapters. We can prove this thing, once again, right now. Just take a deep breath and while passing out your breath, try to speak OM. There are only three sounds one makes. The first part is "A" but spoken like the first letter of 'America'. The second is ''au" in which the first A merges with U. The last sound is M. When lips stop speaking 'au' sound M.. should start. At this time voice is coming from Nose, with passing out air and it should continue as long as the length of breath lasts. If one observes carefully the breath and sound effect, then one will observe that it is a sort of continuous sound, which is related to the phase of expiration of breath. One cannot produce any sound while one is taking the breath inside. Just observe this fact upon your self. One has got to confirm this fact. This is very important observation. It is linked with life, because life is linked with breathing. As we study further, we will understand the value of this observation. From OM arises all "spoken languages' of world. From language, Knowledge or Vedas arise. Thus OM is considered a very Holy Mantra, "the Root MANTRA". From which all other Mantras and knowledge of all kinds like VEDA, Sciences and political laws also arise. 2. OM NAMAH SHIVAY. This is five letter mantra chanted continuously in many mass gatherings as a worship mantra to LORD SHIVA. Shiva is a Deity God worshipped by Indians-Hindus since times immemorial. He is a god of TIME, (KAL) which binds us all in equal manner. He is personified as a Deity God, which Destroys all material creations. Thus he is God of death also. Normally he is quiet. Time is peaceful. But we see the Dance of this God in natural disasters like tornados, earth quakes, floods, etc. Mass destruction is done by nature and even the non believers of God start praying at this time. Shiva means merciful and kind. Time is one of the invisible elements of nature. SHIVA is also worshipped as powerful deity God of ALL ENERGY, POWER AND STRENGTH. Energy (SHAKTI) is made up of the fine Electrons which we cannot see with naked eyes. Light, fire, heat, electricity and all mechanical power can be looked upon as varieties of invisible forms of LORD SHIVA. Shiva means Power or 'Shakti'. 3. OM NAMO BHAGAVATE VASUDEVAYA This is another famous mantra of surrendering to the God of all matter-VISHNU. This God can be understood as all kinds of visible material forms and shapes of living as well as non living objects. The sun, the moon, clouds, water, air, land with minerals diamonds and rubies, are all manifestations of VASUDEVA. Krishna, Rama, are the past incarnations of this God. Laxmi, meaning Money, is a mythological wife of this one 62

of the main HINDU deity God. This is a twelve letter Mantra to be chanted in a continuous manner. 4. SHREE KRISHNA SHARANAMMAMA Means I surrender to Krishna, the master of wealth or money and power. (Shree is wealth). The second meaning of the word KRISHNA is Black or Dark. God cannot be seen with ordinary eyes of our body. We need the eyes of inner most mind and knowledge to understand GOD. Only by HIS uniform rule for all beings, by study of Scriptures and meditation, one can get a little glimpse of this God. He is God of all forms. This whole Universe is to be looked upon as a partial image of this God, called Vishva-Roop, Vishva-Swaroop, Vishva-Murti. 5. SHREE RAM, JAI RAMJAI JAI RAM. This is worship mantra of RAMA, in whom all ideals are personified. He is a great king, Ideal husband, Ideal brother, Ideal son, a man; of great judgment, love, endurance, detachments and all such noble qualities are personified in RAMA. Krishna is a different personification of Supreme Intellect or what we call. 'BUDDHI'. There are many Mantras, for worshipping many other deity Gods like The Sun, The Fire, The Air, The Water, The Mother Earth and so on. The Vedas are full of many such Mantras. Constant chanting of long mantras, make prayers. If a short mantra or a verse is chanted for a long time, one remembers it by heart. It was in this manner that the ancient heritage of Vedas, was preserved and passed over to the next generation, mostly by oral recitation. In the same manner the religious doctrines were created and passed over in form of verses, from generation to generation. When one starts chanting any Mantra, the thoughts in conscious mind come to a stand still. This fact was and is known to many Indian Priests, 'GURUS' and saints. Mantra Chanting helps to stop the worrying thoughts. One may have faith in Mantra or not, one may believe in God or not, but this is a well known fact of human brain always has random thoughts and worries, studied in psychology. Confirmation of this psycho-physiology, needs a little self experiment. It will prove the truth said in above statement. TRY IT UPON YOURSELF, RIGHT AT THIS VERY MOMENT. PICK ANY OF THE ABOVE MANTRA, SELECT A QUIET PLACE. ISOLATE FROM ALL AND CONSTANTLY CHANT AND CHANT, LOUDLY. You will observe that the thoughts in your mind disappear for that short spell of time. They will come back, if you slop chanting. It works in sharp present moment of Time called Today and Now. You are required to practice and confirm this for some time. One should change the mantras after some habit formation. Otherwise thoughts will crop up, even if you are chanting. Confirm this at a later date. Majority of our Gurus, know this trick. By making rich disciple and by giving them some mantras to chant, they charge big fees and live life of great prosperity. By the knowledge of this simple trick and the basic weaknesses of all human beings Indian Gurus hypnotize masses. By spiritual studies and conscious, logical thinking, one has to understand the following truth. We are all equal human beings. 63

It is only by gaining more and more knowledge that we come to this fundamental spiritual understanding that, "WE ARE ALL EQUAL HUMAN BEINGS." The difference between any two human beings is to be understood by meditation. It is related to age, cultural imprints made by parents and teachers, the knowledge and experience gained by that individual, his language and local socio-political beliefs, economic status, position in family and many such factors. Besides there are some inborn genetic qualities, that make every individual, totally a different personality. Religious training plays very important roll in mental development and changing hateful attitudes of a human being, towards others. Thus we can say two opposite looking sentences like this:1. All human beings are equal. 2. No two human beings are identical. Both the .sentences are perfectly correct, though they seem quite opposite. The equality is Spiritual. The difference is physical, cultural mental, socioeconomic and language related. By meditation it is possible to understand these two opposite statements. When this understanding comes, that person becomes a self realized individual, with an entirely changed attitude of equality towards all human beings. This is called SAMYAK or SAMYAG DARSHAN, SAMBHAV, in Indian Scriptures. All major Indian religions Jains, Buddhists and Hindus, use such words. A person who has achieved this kind of attitude of equality of all human beings is called a true "Pundit". For him there is no difference between a rich or poor, Brahmin and Shudra, even a cow or dog. All living beings are equal for him. MAY GOD GIVE US ALL GOOD INTELLECT AND WISDOM TO UNDERSTAND THE UNITY AND DIVERSITIES IN ALL. This should be an ideal Mantra and daily prayer. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti..

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SECTION II
(Hinduism - UPNISHADS)

ASATO MAM SAD GAMAYA: TAMASO MAM JYOTIR GAMAYA MRUTOR MAM AMRUTAM GAMAYA.

From the untruth lead me to absolute truth From darkness lead me to light, From (By) my death, lead me to immortality! (Bruhad-aranyaak Upanishad).

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This is example of an ideal prayer from Scriptures called Upanishads.

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1. STORY OF NACHIKETA -- KATHOPNISHAD.

SWAMI VIVEKANAND had once said, "Give me one hundred Nachiketa and I shall bring peace and religious unity in this world. Who was this Nachiketa ? NACHIKETA STORY It is time that we tell such stories to the worlds young generation. Indian young generation, particularly in USA, and abroad needs such stories to make them realize what is the real cultural heritage of India. This story comes from a very popular Upanishad, the KATHOPNISHAD. The young boy in this story represents an ideal teenager of great curiosity, in any civilized culture. It provides a great message to young and old, children and parents, in any land. Ancient Rishies in India were men of great learning and wisdom. Nachiketa was son of such a great Rishi, the only son of his learned father. The father had taught him all the Vedas and given all knowledge he possessed. The Rishi loved this son very much. One day the father decided to perform a great "Yagna". It was a practice in those days that a man of some means and knowledge, performed some rituals like fire sacrifices (YAGNAS). It was believed that the heavenly Gods get pleased with such Yagna. At the end of such ceremony, gifts and alms were given to the participating Brahmins (Priests). Nachiketa's father gave away his all old cows as donations to the priests. Riches of a person were counted in terms of cattle and land in those days. Nachiketa was observing and watching these ceremonies with great interest. He thought. "My father did this great Yagna for earning some credits to enter heaven. But the last part was not done according to Scriptural guidelines. The cows donated were thin, old and sick. They were useless and surely going to die in short time. What is the use of such donations? I must point out this mistake to my father. If I remain silent it will not be proper. It is my obligatory duty (Dharma or Religion) to speak when some wrong event has occurred. With such thoughts in mind, he said to his father. "Dear Dad, you have donated many things but one thing remains as yet to be donated." "What is in your mind?" the father inquired. "Me, I, Myself, your dearest son. It is said in Scriptures that one should donate the dearest things as sacrifices in Yagna." Learned Rishi Father did not give any answer. Upon this silence, Nachiketa again asked, "To whom you are going to donate me?" The father thought the son is just kidding, and he remained silent. So a third time Nachiketa asked the same question.

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The father got annoyed with the same repeated question. The Rishi said in anger, I am donating you to Lord Yama. Go to Him". Yama is a mythological deity God of death in Hinduism. The Rishi boy thought well for some time. Then he decided to go to Yama in order to obey and keep the words of his father. All good children always obey all orders of their parents. It is the duty (religion) of youth according to Scriptures. Now he must leave this beautiful home of father and go to Yama's Home. So he bowed down to father and asked for his blessings, for going to Yam-Lok. (Land of dead souls). At this point the father came to his perfect senses and realized his mistake. He said, "Dear son, it was in anger that I said those words. Forget it and please don't leave me." But the son was a boy of firm determination. He said. "You have taught me that only in Truth, the earth is born. It is maintained by Truth only. The great, sages and Rishies always meditate, and try to find the Truth. Their language always speaks truth only. I shall not allow your words to become untrue any time". In great surprise the father said. "What are you talking?" Nachiketa answered, "I am speaking the same things that you have taught me. In this mortal world of humans, people are born like grass, mature like grass, become old like grass, die and are reborn again like grass. Then why should one be afraid of death while following the path of Truth, because the path of truth means religion. This ever changing world is illusion (Maya) and untrue". The learned father had no answer to the explanation given by Nachiketa. There was no way to correct the words, spoken in anger. They were wrong words. There was a great turmoil in the mind of the great philosopher. Now the father out of affection was asking the son to neglect his spoken words, but Nachiketa was firm in his decision. The Rishi was finally ready, and allowed the son to go to Yama. Ultimately the Rishi wisdom won over the emotions of a father. With a stony heart, he blessed Nachiketa for going to Yama-the God of Death. A great spell of sorrow fell upon every body in home .and surrounding. The Yagna was over in its true spirit and sense of sacrifice. The Rishi had now renounced his dearest belonging in the true meaning of the word Yagna. * * * Yam-Lok is an imaginary or mystic land where all dead souls go after death. Every person is afraid of dying. Hearing the name of Death we are reminded of a big monster like face, having big horns on head, big eyes, dressed in red clothes dribbling with blood, and a rope in one hand and so on. But in Indian Scriptures, Lord Yama is described as a just and merciful Deity. Yama has a second name in Sanskrit. He is also called Dharm-Raja. (Dharm = Religion). He keeps account of all good deeds and bad deeds (sins) done by every individual. One can imagine that he is an accountant of God who knows everything, about what everyone is doing any where in the world at all times. When Nachiketa reached the home of Yama, he was not there. No body gave a welcome to Nachiketa, or paid any attention to him. But this determined boy set down at the door step of Yama. He was watching the activities going on in Yama Lok. 67

Accounts were checked and different individuals were summoned. The cops of Yama-God (Yama-Doota, in form of disguise of different diseases) will go to earth and call upon that person and bring him in this land for justice of his deeds. Most souls came there crying. Nachiketa's name was not found in summoned people's list. So he remained unattended. Besides he was not afraid of dying because he had walked on the path of truth. He set there without eating food or drinking water for three days and three nights and waited for Lord Yama to arrive. Finally Lord Yama came and saw this handsome and bright boy of a Rishi. He inquired of his wife Yami, about the food and other things given to this honorable young guest. She told that no body had paid any attention to this boy, because any uninvited guests never came to their home before in this manner. This was the first occasion that a guest had come to their home out of his own free will. Lord Yama became unhappy by learning that no body in home had given a welcome to this unknown guest. Moreover the guest remained starved and thirsty without food and water for three days. This guest was a son of a Brahmin- the people who were pillars of religion. It is considered a big sin if a guest remains hungry and thirsty at your door. The house holder does not enjoy the fruits of his good deeds. Lord Yama immediately ordered every one to attend to this honored guest. Someone brought a chair to sit, others brought food and water. The little boy received a royal welcome in the home of Lord Yama. But Yama, still felt a sense of guilt in his mind remembering that a guest had remained starved in his home. So he told Nachiketa. "You remained hungry at my place for three days. So first of all I request you to ask from me three Boons. Tell me your three wishes and I promise you to fulfill them. The intelligent boy immediately understood that Lord Yama will not allow him to stay in Yam-Lok, but will send him back to his father's home on earth, because he had come there, out of his own will. He was an uninvited person. He had come to keep the word of his father. He remembered the angry face of his father. So he thought. "Will my father give me the same welcome and love as before?" He bowed down before Lord Yama and asked this first wish. "Let my father's anger get calmed for ever and he may love me as much as he did before." "Your wish is granted". Lord Yama said. "Now ask for the second wish". This time Nachiketa asked; "There are miseries and unhappiness everywhere on earth. To go to heaven and fulfill all wishes people are doing lots of activities. Yet nobody is fully satisfied at any time. The great Rishies do worship of the Holy Fire and do many sacrifices in the Yagna. Please tell me everything about this Fire-Yagna and the correct way of reaching heaven. This I ask from you, as my second wish". Lord Yama (Dharma) was all the knowledge about Dharma (religion). There cannot be anybody more competent to tell about Dharma and Heaven, Nachiketa thought. Yama was pleased to hear such a question from this young boy. He gave all the divine knowledge about the fire-worship and the heavenly achievements gained by Fire-Yagna. Nachiketa listened with full attention and concentration, everything that Lord Yama told.

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"Seeing his great curiosity and true interest in such a dry subject, Yama was pleased. He blessed him with these words in the end. "Hence forth the divine fire shall be known by your name. It will be called ''NAGHIKETA FIRE. Now tell your third wish:" (Symbolic meaning of fire is great curiosity for gaining new knowledge) Now Nachiketa had known every thing about the path to heaven. But in his father's school and all other Rishi schools (Ashrams), he had heard everybody talking about ATMA. All great philosophers were talking about this but nobody was able to give satisfactory answers to his questions. What is this Atman? What is its nature? Where was it before the birth of a human being? What happens to it after a person dies? Does the Atman live or die?. Nachiketa thought there cannot be any more knowledgeable person than Lord of Death in this matter. So he requested Lord Yama to give him the knowledge about ATMA, DIVINE SPIRIT OR SOUL. Hearing this question from a young boy of Nachiketa's age, Lord Yama was little puzzled. He thought this question is beyond mental level of this boy. Even all the deities of heaven do not know the answer of this question. So Lord said, "Nachiketa, this knowledge is beyond your limit of understanding and age. Ask something else that will be useful to you in future for practical life on Earth. But Nachiketa was firm and determined to know only this knowledge from Yama. He refused to ask any other question. Lord Yama tempted him to ask for all sorts of material wealth like money, horses, elephants, cows, gold and diamonds, kingdom on earth or heaven. Yama told him to ask for life for thousands of years, permanent youth, good health, beautiful ferries of heaven to serve his all needs, and so on. Intelligent Nachiketa replied, "Lord, when you are asking me for all these 'objects and material things, I can understand that the-knowledge of Atman,(self) must be higher than these things. I want nothing else but only want to know about Atman. Nachiketa wants nothing else but this knowledge only. A verse in Kathopanishad expresses this determination like this. NANYAM TASMAD NACHIKETA VRUNOTEE. Many Rishies, Kings and Yogis get attracted to all these worldly things of joy and discard the search of Atman or True Divine Self. But this boy was more determined than all of these people, thought Lord Yama. A teacher rarely gets such a curious pupil. So Lord Yama gave his heartiest congratulations to the boy and said, "Nachiketa, you are perfectly qualified for this knowledge. This knowledge is very fine and subtle. After knowing this Atman, every individual remains in a blissful state of mind. He is beyond happiness or unhappiness and lives in a state of permanent joy. Wonderful is that speaker and wonderful is the listener of this divine knowledge". Then Lord Yama gave that highest knowledge to Nachiketa. A true seeker should read the original Upanishad, or its commentary by a learned saint. In the Gita one finds many verses, word by word, from the Kathopnishad. Only a brief summary is presented here. Lord Yama said. 'This Atma's true form is OM. Atman is Gyan-Swaroop. It is never born or it never dies. It does not vanish, even when the body vanishes. Atman is beyond words, beyond touch. It is shapeless, formless, imperishable, indivisible, beginning-less and endless. It is infinite and it is part of the Supreme God, who is master (King) of this Universe. 69

Na Jayate Mriyate va kadachit Nayam Bhooyo Bhavita na Bhuya Ajo Nityaha Shashvato Ayam Purano Na Hanyate Hanyamane sharire). (Gita. Ch.II, Verse No. 20.)

This knowledge cannot be learnt by the study of Scriptures, nor can any Guru show it. Only by the grace and mercy of the Supreme Lord, a seeker like you, who is not attracted by the material objects of this world, can feel HIS presence everywhere. A few yogis, by the path of great TAPAS (Hardships and endurance), having burnt all their Desires and Egos may see the Divine Light of Atman within their own hearts". "This body is a chariot. Atman is the rider (Arjuna) of this Chariot and Intellect is the driver (Krishna). The five senses and five organs of actions are the ten horses. Conscious mind is the string that connects all the horses with the intellect and self. (Meaning of the symbolism of Krishna Arjun Chariot in the Gita) Mind is at a higher level than Indriya (ten organs DASH-RATHA). Intellect is higher than Mind. Nature (PRAKRITI) is higher than Intellect. But the PURUSH, (pure soul) is higher than even the nature. This is the final thing to be known, it should be the final goal to be reached in life, by every individual."(Gita Ch. III, Verse-42) Having given this Divine, Knowledge, Lord Yama advised Nachiketa, "Always remember the following slogan". This famous ending verse reads in Sanskrit like this. UTTISTHA, JAGRAT, PRAPYA VARAN NIBODHATAH! KSHURASYA DHARA NISHITA DURATYA, DURGAM PATHAHA-STAV KAVAYO VADANTI. GET UP, AWAKE, AND ALWAYS TRY TO LEARN THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE. POETS TELL THAT THE PATH OF YOUR LIFE IS LIKE AN EDGE OF A RAZOR, AND JOURNEY OF LIFE IS FULL OF CHALLENGES. In end Lord Yama told Nachiketa, "My dear. The true self-or the soul is beyond any language, beyond the limits of the eyes, or ears, beyond mind and intellect. One can only understand that "IT IS." That is all I can tell you. It is within all the living creatures, within all hearts, it is the purest essence of life. It is your pure soul. It is the Holy Spirit". Having gained this divine knowledge. Nachiketa returned to earth and gave this knowledge to others. Since then this knowledge is being given to generations after generations, in the land called Bharat (INDIA). 0m Shanti Shanti Shanti

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2.

MESSAGE OF NACHIKETA STORY

We observed one age-old story from Kathopanishad. Such mystic stories are told for giving noble messages to all people, young and old. We will now try to understand the symbolic messages from this story. The first impression we get from this story is that Nachiketa is a very brave boy. He is not afraid of death. Secondly he is lover of truth. Third message is this. He loves his father a man of great knowledge and wealth in those days. He is a great observer and original thinker. He understands the value of alms or donations. If one wants to give. donations, it should be of some usefulness to the recipient and not garbage like stuff, given to earn name and fame. The father, is a great Rishi, a man of great wisdom and achievements. He has taught his son good things from the Scriptures, but when it comes to the real practice in life, the father adopts a different standard. Many average people, politicians and religious priests today behave like the father of this boy. To preach noble ideals of Scriptures is easy, but to practice (translate into daily life) is very difficult. This is true because in this study each individual has to seek, search and find the answer by himself. Knowledge of ones own self, "Who am I?" is the basis of spiritual study in all Upanishads, Darshans like Yoga and Sankhya, and the Gita. These are Scriptures of self knowledge. All satisfactory answer will be found in the Gita, which is an extract of all Upanishads. The subject of study and the object of study is one i.e., one's own self or ATMA. Remember this. No Guru can teach you Self-knowledge. The children's minds are like blank papers. Whatever the parents write by their manners and behavior, get written upon in young childrens minds in an invisible manner. This we call as "Sanskar or cultural training. Parents are responsible for the cultural and behavioral training of their children, to a great extent. Thus it becomes an important duty (Religion, dharm) of parents to remain alert and conscious when they teach good manners to their children. To earn name and fame of donations, the father gives to priests, sick and malnourished cows. The boy feels it is his duty, (Dharma = Religion) to point out this mistake to father. The father gets angry. Most average parents also get angry when a child tells or brings to their notice, the error that they are making. This message is nicely told in this story. Yama, or the imaginary God of death is not some person. But the religious Scriptures are written in this manner. The second name of this deity God is Dharma meaning RELIGION. No one would care for God or Religion if there was no death to for every born. Everybody is afraid of death. Nobody can escape this end event of life. We all know this. We all want to live and live long and don't want to die. But all living creatures including human beings- a strong man, a learned one, a king, a rich person, a poor or a priest- have got to face this event one day in life. By a path of Yama and Niyama and Sanyama, meaning awareness, regularity and self control one can push back Yama or Death, and live a long healthy and happy life. 71

Nachiketa is a fearless boy, in his teen age. A long life ahead is waiting for him. He is obedient, dutiful, and lover of truth. He is not afraid to die, performing his duty. To keep his father's words, he goes to meet Death. How many of us will pay the debts of our parents or keep their promises and commitments? Only boys like Nachiketa maintain noble family names and traditions. TAPA or some hardships must be endured, if one wants to be truly a religious person. To meet a fearful deity God of Death- Yama, Nachiketa had to fast and remain without food and water for three days. Food and water are gifts of God. If a starving person is sitting at your door, you give him food and water as the first thing before asking him anything else. This is the message for a house holder. This is an important religious commandment of Vedas and Upanishads. "ATITHI DEVO BHAVA". "Welcome your Guests as if God has come to your home." This is nicely shown in the behavior of YAMA. Having satisfied the guest that has come to your home, with food and water, one should inquire about the reason of his coming to your place. In this manner one important doctrine is taught. Yama promises Nachiketa three boons, as repentance or failure in performing his duty towards Home Coming Guest. If a sin is committed it is not necessary to go to a priest for confession. One should try to correct it by own-self. Even a powerful deity God like Yama can commit sin or fail to perform his duty. Nachiketa had come to die. But the law of merciful God is perfect. HE does not kill those whose accounts are not over. The intelligence of Nachiketa is beautifully shown in asking of the boons. Having asked first for the peace of mind for the father, and then having learnt the way of going to Heaven and then him asks about ATMA or the Divine knowledge of the Holy Spirit. Yama tries to tempt him by offering other things of material happiness, but the determined boy denies all such things. This portion of the story tells us that, if one wants to get the Divine Knowledge of soul, one must over come all obstacles and renounce material attractions. There is no easy way short cut, for gaining this most important knowledge (Atman-Gyan = Self Knowledge), besides other kinds of material knowledge in this world. Two important things are pointed out in this part of the story. [1]. One must overcome the fear of death, [2]. One should have firm determination like Nachiketa to get only this knowledge and nothing else. There should be no other desire or attachments to other objects of material happiness, if one wants to get this knowledge of "Self" or Pure Spirit. We have to learn our ancient Scriptures. They teach all a path or a way of making direct touch with the Supreme God, the Perfect Creator of this Universe, Bhagavan, Allah, whatever name of God you believe is. Summary in brief: (1) Remove the fear of Death. (2) Respect the words of parents and teachers and obey them. (3) Parents can also make mistakes. Intelligent children should point such mistakes to them in a humble and smart manner. 72

(4) Treat home coming guests with food and water first, and then ask the reason of their coming. (5)Curiosity of "Self" knowledge, is the first requirement for self realization. (6) Total rejection of all material objects of sensual joy is next important requirement to reach the final state of "Bliss". 0m Shanti Shanti Shanti.

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3. A BEGGER OF KNOWLEDGE
(Story from Brahad-aranyak Upnishad) In the land of ancient India, there lived a great Rishi, Gautam. He was son of Aruna, a man of great wisdom and learning. Swetketu was a young son of Gautam. The learned father gave all the knowledge of Vedas, the ancient holy scripts to his son Swetketu. After learning all the Vedas Swetketu started moving around in the country from one kingdom to another to earn money, good name and fame. It was the style of those days. Noble kings used to invite scholars of knowledge and arrange scriptural debates of religions and morality in their courts. In the discussions at the courts of different kings, Swetketu used to defeat many Brahmins who were men of average learning. They were not well read in the Vedas. Gaining many victories in this manner in different kingdoms, Swetketu became very arrogant and egoistic. Traveling in this manner, Swetketu came to a region known as Panchal (Old Punjab, Panchaab = land of five rivers). This ancient land is associated with the name of Panchali. (It was Draupadi's second name. She was daughter of the king of Panchal). A well read and noble king Pravahan, used to rule that land in those days. He encouraged learned people in his court and kingdom. Daily he arranged conferences of Pundits, (men well read in scriptures) and gave prizes to all winners. Swetketu had heard this news. So he came to the court of king Pravahan and gave an open challenge to all Pundits. "Is there any body that can defeat me in knowledge of Vedas'' He declared. Hearing such arrogant words from a young boy, the king immediately recognized that this boy has great Ego of Vedic knowledge. The king inquired about the teacher who gave knowledge to Swetketu. Swetketu told that he was the son of a well-known father Gautama, who was his teacher. He was also a grand son of famous Aruna Rishi. Learning all such great family names the king welcomed Swetketu and offered him a respectful chair in the court. There was going to be a debate in the open court next day. Swetketu entered the hall with a sense of ego and pride. He was looking at Pundits as if they were little cats and rats. In opening the discussion, the king humbly said these words to Swetketu. "Great grandson of Aruna and son of a great Rishi Gautama, respected Swetketu, I ask only five questions to you. Q. 1. What happens to all human beings souls after death? Where do they go ? Swetketu said, "I do not know." Q. 2. Having gone to different places (Lokas), how do those same souls come back in this world again and again? Swetketu had to admit he had no answer to this question, also.

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Q. 3. Since times immemorial, many millions souls after death have gone to the same unknown land (Parlok) heaven or hell). Yet why there is no over crowding in that region? Do you know the reason for this? Swetketu replied, "No, I do not know." Q. 4. After how many transformations (Changes) and transmutations (Aahuties), a little water (meaning semen, VIRYA in Sanskrit), assumes the form of a human embryo (Garbha)? Do you know anything about this? ''No, Sir" was the answer from Swetketu. Q: 5. Do you know the ways and the means of following the path of (DevMarg) divine life, or that of following path of parent worship (Pitru-Marg)? It is said that Father is Heaven (Swarga) and Mother is Land (Prithvi). In between these two paths there is a constantly moving object. Do you know the name of this object? With great humiliation Swetketu had to admit that he had no knowledge of the spiritual field. Having understood his complete defeat, Swetketu left the court. The king asked him to join the royal lunch that day and tried to give him some gifts. But living there with the shame of a defeat, he had no mood to wait for a moment in the court. He straightaway walked out and went home. He complained to his learned father and told that you had given me all the knowledge of the Vedas in this world. The king asked me only five questions. But I could not answer a single question of an ordinary king. It was a moment of great dishonor and shame for me". Father learned about the five questions from Swetketu. Then he told, "Swetketu, my dear son, even I do not know the answers to any of these questions. Let us go to this king. I think that only the king knows the true answers. Knowledge is no body's monopoly. Knowledge is like an endless ocean. One must try to gain knowledge from any body, who has some knowledge. A life long attitude of a student should be cultivated. This king seems to be a man of great knowledge and wisdom. Let us go to him and beg for this divine knowledge". But the egoistic Brahmin boy Swetketu, did not agree to the proposal of his father. He told his father You may go alone. I will not come with you. The great seeker of true knowledge, Gautam Rishi approached the king Pravahan. The King gave great respect and welcome to the Rishi and inquired about his mission for coming to his court. Gautam said, "I have come to you to learn the answers of the five questions that you had asked to Swetketu, my son." The king was in a great dilemma. He was a Kshatriya (warrior). It was against the religious and ethical tradition of those times. A Kshatriya cannot teach a Brahmin. In those days this divine knowledge of body and soul relationship (Upanishads) was known to Kshatriyas only. The king requested Gautam Rishi, that he should ask the Devas for this knowledge. He was a mortal human being. He could give him material wealth that can help him a great deal in this worldly life.

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But the curious Rishi, begged and begged only for the spiritual knowledge. Being a Brahmin, he needed only one wealth, and that was the Divine Knowledge of soul and body. Here we see some similarity between the story of Nachiketa and this Gautam Rishi. They are not attracted by the worldly wealth. Their eagerness to get knowledge about the spirit or soul is very great. Only such students can get this divine knowledge from self-realized and knowledgeable teachers. Looking to the real quest of learning, from this great Rishi, Pravahan, agreed to give "The Alms of the Knowledge". The king said, "Oh great Rishi, it is going to take a long time to give you this knowledge. I am Kshatriya and you are Brahmin. For any moment during your studentship, never allow this difference to enter in your mind. Otherwise you will never learn." The rushi agreed to be a true pupil of the king. He stayed there for many years and learned the divine knowledge from a Kshatriya. Thus Gautam Rishi was the first person to get this Divine knowledge. But his arrogant son Swetketu, remained devoid of this supreme knowledge. It was in this way that the Knowledge of Soul, 'Brahman' was made known to Brahmins. After that time it was passed over to true seekers, from great masters to genuine students, in a teacher-pupil tradition. We will conclude this short story of Swetketu and his father Gautam Rishi, with a verse from "Bhartuhari Niti Shatak." This verse beautifully shows the relationship between knowledge and humbleness.
"yada kinchid gyno aham, tada sarvagnosmi eeyi bhavad yada kinchit kinchit tada murkhosmi eeti jwar eve dwipeve madandha samabhavam, valiptam mama manah! budh jana sakashadvagatam mado may vyapagatah !!

Meaning: When I knew little, like a small frog in a well, my mind was living in great pride. I thought that I knew everything in the world. But gradually on various occasions, when I came in contact with wise and learned people; then I realized that I was a great fool. Then my false ego of knowledge vanished like fever coming down with a tablet of aspirin (antipyretic). MESSAGE OF THIS STORY. 1. This short story carries a great message, about the knowledge in the Vedas. The ancient Vedic Brahmins did not know much about the spirit or soul. 2. It is in the Upanishads that we get some glimpses of the great heritage of Hinduism. The Upanishad Rishies lived family life and did not take Sanyas (Priesthood), at early age. They taught whatever they learned from their fathers to their sons and to all curious students. In this manner accumulated knowledge was preserved and passed over from generation to generation. 3. The kings were knowledge worshippers, and encouraged well-read people in their kingdoms. They used to pay respect to Brahmins, and used to give them gifts etc. 4. The class system appears to be present in those days also. But untouchability was not there. It has today become a great evil in Hinduism today. This has played a great roll in deterioration of the noble ethical heritage. It is time that we all try to 76

reorganize true religion for meeting the needs of our children in U.S.A., the land of great religious freedom. 5. Knowledge must be gained from any country or person. In this matter an attitude of respect and humbleness towards the teacher is a must. No body is born knowledgeable. With gaining of knowledge humbleness must enter our mind and not an Ego of Knowledge. A constant self-evaluation is a good practice, which can be cultivated by meditation. 6. Knowledge is the real Wealth of an individual. Human mind has a wonderful capacity to stock a heap of knowledge. Curiosity (Jignasa), interest, (Gyana Pipasa) and continuous effort (Purusharth) to gain knowledge, learn new things, is the only way to a higher path of living. Knowledge, Gyan or Veda, is an endless ocean. Hindu Upanishads had developed after the Vedic Era and four class system kingdom of an Aryan King Manu (2500-BC). Veda knowing Brahmins possessed a false Ego of knowledge of Vedas. This story teaches a great message to all students and Vedic rituals minded Indian Brahmin priests. Remain a life long student is the shortest message of this story. 0m Shanti Shanti Shanti

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4.

ENDURE MORE AND MORE

(A story from Taittairiya Upnishad)

Bhrugu is a famous name in ancient Scriptures of Hindu Upnishads. This name is associated with one famous Scripture, called Bhrugu Samhita. "Dron Guru", is a well known name in Mahabharat. His teacher was Bhrugu Rishi. Dron is teacher of Pandava and Kaurva, in Mahabharat Story. Bhrugu's father Varuna Rishi, was a man of great wisdom and spiritual knowledge. For many years the Brahmin boy Bhrugu, studied the Vedas from different "Gurus", but no body could teach him the knowledge of spirit or "Brahm." A true Brahmin must know 'The Brahm', otherwise he cannot be called a Brahmin. So Bhrugu decided to get knowledge about 'Brahm' (Spirit or soul). His father was a famous scholar of the knowledge about Brahm. He approached his father, in the status of a student and requested to give him this divine knowledge. He said, "Everybody talks about Brahm, Brahmvidya and such things. I learnt all the Vedas, but I have not understood this Brahm. Please tell me everything about Brahm". (One should note hear that Vedas do not teach this divine knowledge, as most of Hindu priests think. This knowledge is totally different. It is only gained under the guidance of a self realized teacher by meditation). The father, Varuna, now saw real curiosity in his son, for this spiritual knowledge. He said, "My dear son, this is something that you have to find out by your own self. I will only give you some guidance". "But how shall I find it?" Varuna indicated, "It is the point from where all the living creatures start, it supports all living beings and in it all living creatures disappear and vanish, is Brahm. Now you go and find it by 'Tapa Sadhana". (Hardships endured for gaining divine knowledge is called TAPA SADHANA). Bhrugu started, inquiry about all creatures. He will ask that creature, "Are you the creator, maintainer and destroyer of life?" In this way thinking and meditating, he arrived to some understanding. He found that all lives arise from Food (ANNA), is maintained by food and ultimately ends up into food. So food is Brahm. "ANNAM BRAHM" was the first hit in the search of Brahm. He was not fully satisfied within, with this answer. So he went to his father and said. "Is food Brahm? Father observed that his son was now on the path of meditation. He said, "Do more thinking, do more TAPA (endure more and more). Endurance (TAPA is the only way that leads to Brahm. Tapa is path towards Brahm, to some extent". Bhrugu carried on the quest of the search. Day and night he was in meditation. He took very little food to test the effect of food on body. He observed that it is the breathing, (PRANA), that maintains his life. Life starts with breathing, is maintained by breathing and ends when breathing stops "PRANO BRAHM"? He declared to his father. 78

Father noted the progress of the boy. But that was not the final answer. He gave the same advice. ''Endure more and more. Do more TAPA. Only by TAPA you will reach Brahm''. The inner vision (ANTER DRASHTI) of Bhrugu was now unfolding. He thought, all creatures arise from mind, (conscious thinking), live by mind and vanish in mind. Therefore mind is Brahm. He went to his father and said. "MANO BRAHM" (Mind is Spirit). Father observed, his boy had reached a step higher in meditation. Only those reach the final point, who have real curiosity and zeal for this divine knowledge. They find the Absolute Truth. The teacher asked the boy to try further more. "Endure more and more", was his advice. Bhrugu was not disappointed, nor did he leave his meditation. By this amount of TAPA, he had gained fresh courage and confidence in himself. The goal appeared near. He meditated more and more. Now he 'saw' a new light coming to his inner vision. All his mind, breath, and language vanished, Only his intellect was in the fore front of his meditation. From this intellect (Buddhi), arises the power of reason, judgment and Vigyana (Science). All life starts from Science, lives with science, and vanishes by science. He thought that Intellect (BUDDHI), is Brahm. "VIGYANAM BRAHM". (Science and Intellect is the final word, about the ultimate reality). He proclaimed. Father admired and congratulated him for this achievement. But said. "Try still further, do more TAPA". Father had noted that he was very near to the final point of self realization. It was not difficult to teach and give him the divine knowledge at this point. But he did not do that.
UDTHARET ATMANA ATMANAM ATMAIEVA HI ATMANO BANDHU NAATMANAM AVASADAYET ATMAIEVE RIPUHU ATMANAHA

(Gita. VI-5). One must uplift one's self by one's self only. Never consider one's self inferior to any body. An individual (Self, Atman) is his own brother (or friend) and (Self, Atman) is his own enemy. Knowledge given ready made as alms in donation, is very superficial, and it does not last for a long time. That knowledge which springs from within, is the true knowledge. Really devoted, curious and hard working Bhrugu was not disappointed by the words from his father, which repeated the same monotonous advice each time. "Endure more, suffer more." In a few years he went beyond the intellect and reached the final point of Blissful State of mind. It was state of Joy. From Joy arises all life. It lives with Joy. Finally it ends up in Joy of a permanent type. Therefore Joy is Brahm, Brahm is joy. (Ananda is the nature of Brahm, called Bhrammaanand). He now declared with conviction. "ANANDO BRAMHA. All his doubts and fears had vanished, all dualities of mind, thoughts and intellect had come to an end. All options, possibilities (SHAKYATAS), and probabilities (SAMBHAVAS AND 79

ASMBHAVAS) were over. He was now a man of firm determination to remain in a stale of permanent joy. A mental state of "Absolute Truth" (Sat), doubtless mind (Vishuddha Chitta), and Joy (Ananda). was reached by Bhrugu. When he declared this final answer of the nature of Brahm, to Varuna, the great scholar, teacher and father was very delighted. The boy had completed his study. After knowing this "BRAHM and ANAND", nothing else remained to be known. The person himself becomes 'Brahmananda Swaroop'. He follows the path of truth, with clear thinking and determined action, in complete righteousness. He becomes a perfect man, a perfect creation, of The perfect Creator. PURANAM ADAHA PURNAM IDAM PURNAT PURNAM UDA CHAYA TE PURNASYA PUANMAADAYA PRUNAMEVAVASHISHYATE . (IshaVasya Upnishad) In brief the meaning of above verse is like this. "This is perfect. That is perfect. A perfect creates perfect. When a perfect goes out from perfect, yet only perfect remains". Only this one verse of Upanishad literature is sufficient to disclose the nature of Absolute Truth, which indicates perfect Universe made by One Supreme God. One has to get convinced about the truth contained in this verse. Then an individual can make direct contact with absolute truth or One Supreme God by Self meditation. Message of Bhrugu's Story Some ending verses of this Upanishad give us very good and practical guide lines. We shall omit the Sanskrit Verses, but will try to get the practical message. "Do not reject food. To take food is your duty. Water (VARUNA) is higher than food. Fire in body is the food eater. One who knows that food is important for the body, becomes possessor of food. He becomes great in progeny, in cattle and in his spiritual luster. Thus he gets great fame and name". "Grow and accumulate plenty of food. It is duty (Vratam). Do not turn away any body, who seeks shelter or asks for food. Those who have food should always say, "Food is ready". Food is to be prepared in the best manner and it should be given to guests in the best manner". One of main well known religious doctrine is ''Atithi Devo Bhava" (Treat guests as Gods). It comes from this Taittariya Upanishad. "The Supreme resides in Speech, as ''well being" (KSHEMAM); It resides in Respirations (Prana and Apana). As acquirer and preserver; It dwells in hands as skills and actions; It resides in legs as movements; In the anus it does the activity of excretion. This is the understood by the path of self meditation of Brahm in case of all human beings". This method of self inquiry was popular in India from ancient times. This way all important equipments of body were to be searched one by one. The father or the teacher only guides the student here and there. When he comes out with some findings, the teacher appreciates, but asks the student to make further search. This is the Upanishad style of learning and finding the divine within.

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The other point that we note in this story, is that the father does not give, ready made knowledge, to his own son. He studies all the Vedas from other teachers. When a true desire to get the divine knowledge, springs in the mind of the well read person, then and then only, one turns to this study of spiritual knowledge. The path of this knowledge is not easy. One has to undergo lot of hardships and endurances. There are no books or Scriptures for this knowledge. But the need of a well read teacher and self realized teacher (GURU) is necessary in the early period, for guiding the person. This is a very ancient Upanishad. 'It has provided the basis of many later Scriptures. The note worthy theory of Panch Kosha, popularized by Adi Shankaracharya (7th century A.D.) can be traced to this Upanishad. It is called "Panch Kosha", five kinds of body cells (Sheaths) preached by Adi Shankaracharya. These five "Koshas" Cells, are described as follows. 1. ANNAMAYA KOSHA. Physical body, also called KARAN SHARIR is made by food. Food is made by Earth. So sometimes we refer to body as Earthly body, made up from matter or mud. 2. PRANAMAYA KOSHA. Air maintains the Respiration. In this manner this second sheath is linked with the body function of breathing. Oxygen in air is called PranVayu. 3. MANOMAYA KOSHA. Mind sheath. This sheath is made up of water. Mind is like water. It responds quickly to emotions and flows in different directions, just like water. Water adopts to the vessel in which it is poured and assumes same shape. But in maintenance of life, water is very important element. Food cannot grow without water, land and air. Sanskrit word for water is "Varuna". 4. VIGYANAMAYA KOSHA. Knowledge is GYANA. Knowledge intermingled with experience and intellect is called VIGYANA Vigyana in English, meaning Science. Science is Higher Knowledge. It has proof of conviction, experience and logic behind it. Intellect (Buddhi) is responsible for the achievements of science. It is brightened by the "Light" (JYOTI OR TEJUS), which we get from The Sun. To a fair extent by deep meditation, any one can reach this point of understanding that life on Earth depends to a great extent upon the Light of Sun, Gayatri Mantra is a worship mantra of SUN. Food cannot grow, clouds cannot form, the heat in air cannot be there, without The Sun. The plants cannot grow leaves and bear fruits without Sun's light. Sun is the source of all the energy (SHAKTI) on earth. The Sun was and is worshipped as First Deity God, (Aditya Narayan) by the Aryans since Vedic times. 5. ANANDMAYA KOSHA. The true nature of Brahm is Joy or Blissful state. This is the true Spiritual inquiry to be done by any Individual (Atman). It is only in this way that only a few individuals, who practice and search the spiritual self within, can find the ultimate truth. Divinity is the nature of this spirit which is present in all human beings. This is "pure spirit or soul". All religious Scriptures describe it by various terms. Christians call it "Holy Spirit or Ghost; Islam refers as "Noor" and so on. The Jains and most of the Hindu Swamis and saints call it "Atman". I believe that this term should not be used to explain or mean spirit while translating ancient Scriptures in other languages. One should call it "Braham" only and reserve the term ATMA for referring to one's self. ATMA means SELF. Second meaning of ATMA is any one living individual. 81

Never use ATMA in meaning of soul, "Spark of life", Chaitanya, Jiva, Jivatma. These are other terms used by various teachers in the sense of spirit. In science one should stick to clear definitions of the important words and special terms. This human form or body is very important in reaching this state of mental attitude. Only such a person can feel the presence of THE SUPREME SELF, The One and Only One God, at all times, in all material objects and all living beings at all times and all places. The Messages of this story is very clear. There cannot be any Holy Book or a Scripture or Scriptures for this Science of Self. One has to experiment and find the true and pure self within by self meditation. Yoga Darshan and Vedant Darshan are the later developed Scriptures which deal with this kind of knowledge and give some more hints. We will end this short chapter with a prayer, recited in many rituals and ceremonies. These are called "Ved Mantras". One has to learn to pronounce them properly, under the guidance of a teacher.
SHAM NO MITRA ADITYAHA. SHAM NO MITRA VARUNAH. SHAM NO BHAVTU ARYAMA. SHAM NO INDRO BRAHASPATIHl SHAM NO VISHNU RUKRAMAHA

NAMO BRAHMANE - NAMO VAYOHO TVAM EVA PRATYAKSHAM BRAHMAH TVAM EVE PRATYAKSHAM BHAMA VADISHYMI RITAM VADISHA MI SATYAM VADISHAMI

TANMAMAVIT TAEDVATAKARAMAVI AVINMAM AVIDVT AKARAM OM SHANTIHI SHANTIHI SHANTIHl

The meaning of above Ved Mantra is something like this. "May The Sun be good to us. May The Water (VARUNA), be good to us. May the God of Death (YAMA), be good to us. May Lord lndra (lndra has two meanings, a. God of rain and a powerful noble king), be good to us. May a knowledgeable doctor (Brahaspati), be good to us. May Lord Vishnu (Husband of Earth) be good to us. (Husband of EARTH is Land owner and good Farmer). My salutations to Brahm (Spirit in All living beings) and to all good airs. (Surroundings and good Events). I declare that "Thou indeed, are the visible Brahman, Thou are the Right and Thou are the Truth. 82

Be like that in truth, goodness and form". That has protected me. That has protected the teacher. Let peace- resulting from true knowledge OM prevail. Let peace prevail. Let peace prevail. Let peace prevail. OM Shanti Shanti Shanti.

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SECTION (III)
Lives Of Great Prophets, Saints And Their Messages.
From : "My Religion " by Mahatma Gandhi. "I reject any religious doctrine that does not appeal to reason and is in conflict with morality. I tolerate unreasonable religious sentiment when it is not immoral. As soon as we lose the moral basis, we cease to be religious. There is no such thing as religion, overriding morality. Man for instance cannot be untruthful, cruel and incontinent and claim to have God on his side".

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1. LIFE AND MESSAGE OF LORD BUDDHA.

The name of Buddha is associated with an important Religion and Philosophy called Buddhism to-day. He is a definite Historic Personality, born in India in sixth Century B. G. Prior to Buddha's birth the ancient philosophy, culture and real religion, viz., the same soul pervades in all living creatures, was forgotten. The ritual minded priests, called Brahmins, were performing fire sacrifices (YAGNAS). Many sheep and goats were killed, cooked in fire and their meat was accepted as God's "Prasad''-or gift of God or Divine food. There was nothing like a religious organization and anybody knowing some Sanskrit verses and hymns, could fool people and Kings in the name of God. The position is no better even today. In a small kingdom, called Kapilvastu, situated in base region of THE HIMALAYAS, Buddha was born in 6th Cent. BC. His father was a king named Shuddhodan, who had two wives. They both were sisters. After giving Birth to a son, real mother died. The child Siddharth was raised by his aunt-mother (Mausi). The fortune teller priests of king had predicted that this boy will become an Emperor or a great religious personality. The father wanted him to become a King. So he was raised, in special manner, with a view that he may not see the miseries in life like disease, poverty and death etc. The boy had a curious and inquisitive mind, right from early boyhood. He learned quickly what ever specially employed teachers by King taught him. His memory and logical abilities were so sharp that the teachers had to tell the father after some time, that their stock of knowledge was over and have nothing more to teach. In this manner, future Lord Buddha was raised, in most favorable circumstances. The king had made provision of three different types of palaces, for this son. One was used in winter, one in summer and third one in monsoon. A staff of special caretakers, servants, aides and cooks attended this prince, at all times. Special dresses were prepared and all the luxuries available in those days were enjoyed by this boy. In this manner he reached his twenties. But his thinking mind was constantly observing the attitudes of his servants, who were poor. They were quarreling for small things like clothes and food and such other material things. At proper age, he was married to a beautiful princess, Yashodhara. Thus the early years of this great future personality, were passing in an earthly heaven, provided by the affectionate parents. TURNING POINT One day Siddharth, asked his favorite coach-man, to take a ride in the city. This is a famous event well recorded in all Buddhist Scriptures. He saw an old man walking with aid of stick, a poor man begging for food, a person suffering from leprosy and a dead body being carried away by the relatives for cremation. 85

All these scenes set a great stimulus and meditation in the mind of the prince. He asked of his coach-man, what was the meaning of these scenes. The coach-man replied, "Sir, these are inevitable and unavoidable states that any living body has to pass as age advances". The prince thought and thought. Is there any way out, so that a person may not suffer all these grieves? The TURNING POINT in life of Siddharth had arrived. The electric switch to the thinking mind was ON. After a great mental agitation, prince Siddharth decided to go out in the world and find out a way of life, by which there can be a state of permanent happiness, for every body. The true seeker was on his path of spiritual research. One midnight he left the palace in absolute seclusion. He left behind, his beautiful wife and a charming young son RAHUL. Siddhartha, with the help of his most trustworthy friend- the coachman, left the palace. All the charms, comforts, friends and relatives were left behind. He was now on path of finding a way of permanent happiness, not for himself alone, but for the entire mankind. Having driven some miles until morning, he told his coachman to go back. He gave him his ornaments, decorated dresses and all his princely wealth and asked for the ordinary dress that coachman was wearing. Seeing this great renunciation of prince, the chariot driver was also got inspired. He was also ready to join and go with Siddharth. But the prince prevented him and told him that he should inform his parents and wife. He will surely come back, when his quest for eternal happiness was fulfilled. His all time friend returned to palace with the sad news for the king and all his relatives. This event is known as MAHABHINISHKRAMAN of Lord Buddha. The word Buddha, ''wise-man", roots from the Sanskrit word "Buddhi", meaning intellect, or power of logic and judgment, TAPA AND YOGA SADHANA Buddha, as now we shall call this prince, contacted many well known Yogis of his time, to learn the Tapa (Body torture-methods) and various silent meditation methods. As such he had left all the comforts of a kingly palace, with one stroke of determination. This was by it self a great renunciation, or "TYAGA". Now he was eating whatever food was given to him as alms to a bagger With different Yogis, he underwent great hardships (Tapas) e. g. remaining exposed to Sun in hot summer of Tropical India, wearing only loin clothes in winter and standing in river for days together, in the monsoon. He starved for days and days, till his fine physique was reduced to a skeleton of bones and skin.
(BHIKHKHU).

One day he was found unconscious on road, due to starvation and thirst. A passing by shepherd woman, poured some goat milk in his mouth. He gained some consciousness and the first thing he learned from this experience was that, it is useless to starve the body to this extreme extent. This was not TAPA. Proper food and water must be taken to preserve the body in good shape. The further story is long, full of many incidences, achievements, struggle and observations. One day, after such fourteen years of search, "Sadhana"; BUDDHA SAW DIVINE LIGHT UNDER A TREE. This tree and the place is a famous pilgrim place in India. Many people come here. It is a holy place of pilgrimage like Jerusalem for 86

Christians and Makka for Muslims. After this ultimate self realization, Buddha started preaching his new religion of moderation and art of remaining tuned to the present, with full attention (Dhyan Yoga), which became easily understandable to the common people. BUDDHA'S FINDINGS AND MESSAGE IN BRIEF. 1. Death, old age, diseases and loss of worldly property are the major factors of unhappiness for most of the people in general. These were the most ancient truths, known to the Aryans (Vedic Truths), which Buddha accepted. One should note here, that the age old (SANATAN) truths of VEDAS, were accepted by Lord Buddha. Hindus worship Buddha as the NINTH INCARNATION OF GOD, after SHREE KRISHNA, who is worshipped as EIGHTH INCARNATION OF VISHNU. But Buddhism as Religion which does not believe in God was driven away from India by Adi Shankaracharya, nearly after twelve hundred years, (in the 7th century A.D.). 2. What Hindus call as MOKSHA, Jains refer as KAIVALYA, was termed as NIRVANA by Buddha. It means Liberation, or Salvation, a state of total freedom of mind from all worries and fears. This is a state of mind, of perfect detachment from the worldly material joys and comforts of living. It is the life of contemplation and meditation. It is not a state to be achieved after death, but in this very life. Each individual must have this goal in life. 3. The Soul, upon which our existence depends, is the same and equal in all human beings. It is also same in lower animals, like the ants, sheep, cows, horses, birds and snakes. The heavenly Gods cannot be pleased by killings and fire sacrifices of such animals. AHIMSA (Non-Violence) should be life guiding way (Dharm) for all, who call them religious persons. Contribution of Lord Buddha in this direction,- along with preaching of Lord Mahavira, a contemporary of Buddha the 24th incarnate God for Jains of India, - is of great historic significance in establishment of this one important religious doctrine of NON-VIOLENCE, common in all religions. The ritualistic Brahmins and the Kshatriya kings were eating meat prior to sixth century B. G. 4. Lord Buddha should be looked upon as the first person in human history, who founded a great religious organization called BUDDHISM He was a true reformer of religion and a revolutionary. He preached in prevalent common language of people, Pali. The Brahmins had prevented the common masses to learn or speak Sanskrit, also called DEVNAGRI - (LANGUAGE OF GODS ONLY). To some extent this state of affairs is present in India, even today. This had and has been responsible for the down trend of Hinduism, during the entire period of twenty five hundred years after Buddha's Nirvana. 5. Lord Buddha's preaching and simple doctrines of moderation in all walks of life had a great effect on the masses. His slogan of the same SOUL, present in all living creatures, was immediately accepted by the learned and understood by common men, who did not know much about Scriptures. Lord Buddha's greatest slogan of EQUALITY of all human beings, attracted the kings and the average people. HE gave DIKSHA, acceptance as priests in his religion to all castes and classes of people, including even the prostitutes, who wanted to live a chaste life. He had to face a lot of opposition of the powerful priests to achieve all this. This is usual story of any one who wants to bring radical changes in established, traditional rituals and beliefs of so called cult like religions, called SAMPRADAYAS.

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6. A big list of radical religious changes, done by Lord Buddha, can be put up. If one analyses the historic state of affairs, and the state of religious blind faiths and myths, prevalent in those days; only then one can understand the effect and development of an era of great political peace and progress that started and remained in India, after Buddha's religion was accepted by the great King Ashoka, 300 years B.C. 7. We shall conclude the contribution of Buddha with the following famous and simple Buddha-Padas or DOCTRINES (MANTRAS) of Buddha Religion. These are chanted by true devotees, as their prayers.
A. DHAMMAM SHARANAM GACHCHAMI. B. SANGHAM SHARANAM GACHCHAMI. C. BUDDAM SHARANAM GACHCHAMI

The above short sentences - Well Known as Dhamma Padas.-or MANTRAS OF BUDDHA RELIGION, form the main core of BUDDHISM as a Religion. The meaning in brief is-. A: I surrender to religion. B: I surrender to Organization; group, community; or majority. C: I surrender to "Buddha" (To a man of great wisdom and intellect). Whenever a person of some achievement in religious study, starts talking about false myths, propagated by the traditional priests, he has to face a great opposition of priests, as well as the people. Lord Buddha's later life is full of many such events. Yet his message of Non-Violence and equality of all human beings, was so penetrating, that in his own life, Buddhism started getting organized into a well defined religion. Rich, poor, kings and many scholars of Scriptures became his disciples. Lord Buddha lived up to age of 78 years or so, and spent nearly 40 years to spread His Message of moderation, Universal Love and Non-Violence. Nearly 300 years after his NIRVAN (death), the great king Ashoka, accepted BUDDHISM as a state religion This gave a great push to Buddhism. Learned priests were sent as messengers and ambassadors of peace, to Eastern countries like China, Japan, Java, Sumatra, Shree Lanka, and so on. The Bodhi Monks called (Bhikhkhus) travelled to west and carried his message of peace and a new way of thinking, i.e. of spiritual equality of all human beings. History records one important religious conference held in Shree Lanka, some 500 years after Buddha. In course of time one religion started by Buddha, got divided into two main groups, called Mahayan, the Major Division. It is popular in the Eastern countries like Java, Burma, Sumatra, China, Japan etc,. It is some what open minded and accepts ancient Sanskrit Scriptures of Hindus. The second smaller Division called Hinyan is prevalent in Shree Lanka today. It is somewhat orthodox and believes in preserving the teachings of Buddha in the original Pali Language. Presently in the Eastern countries, like Japan, China, etc, recently a third division of Buddhism is becoming popular, amongst the philosophers, it is called ZEN Buddhism of modern times. The Famous (?Controversial) Late Indian, Bhagvan Rajanish was practicing and preaching Zen Buddhism. This has an immediate effect upon the listeners and one who has not read much about other religions, and has no deep study, is carried away by the logic of the well read teacher. 88

Let us sum up and end this short chapter by stating that Today's Buddhists do not believe in One Supreme GOD. They have forgotten Non-Violence was the most important religious doctrine preached by LORD BUDDHA. Also they have neglected the sociological doctrines (dealing with family life) preached by Buddha, which are not dealt with in this short chapter. MAY THE BLESSINGS AND THE INSPIRATIONS OF LORD BUDDHA GUIDE OUR PATH OF LIFE. BUDDHAM SHARNAM GACHCHAMI.

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CHRONOLOGY OF HINDU SCRIPTURES

By H. K. Gandhi

OM IS SYMBOL OF KNOWLEDGE AND ROOT OF SPOKEN WORDS. 7000 B.C. EARLY HINDUISM OF THE VEDIC ARYANS. SEARCH OF KNOWLEDGE. Vedas were also called SHRUTIES or AUDIO-knowledge. Rig, Yajur and Sam Vedas develop. In early 3 Vedas there is worship of Natural Elements like sun, Fire, Rain, Air, Water, Land etc.. These were refereed to as Devas and Devies. First 3 Vedas took nearly 3 to 4 thousand years to develop. VEDIC PERIOD.5000 BC.
The Aryans were the earliest tribe to develop Vedas. Fire (Agni) and Rain Gods (Indra) were worshipped as Gods. After settling in N-W Parts of Indian sub-continent, their King Manu dictated the doctrines of a four class socio-political system the Varna Dharma (Dharma= Duties).

SMRUTI PERIOD. After the Vedas one observes development of Smruties, which dictate the class laws of 4500. BC. King Manu called Manu Smruti. Development of early Upanishads like Ishavasya and Kathopanishad. 4000. BC. Special privileges are given to higher classes of Brahmins and Kshatriyas. 3000 BC. Aryans and original residents of India fight. Stories of Devas (deities) and Asuras (demons) are seen in Hindu scriptures. They suggest conflicts or wars between more civilized and less civilized people. 2000. BC. UPANISHAD PERIOD: Search of self and its relationship with Vedic deity Gods is studied in Upanishads. 1200. BC. DARSHAN PERIOD. WONDERFUL SPIRITUAL HINDU SCRIPTURES DEVELOP. These include the famous later Upanishads and six Hindu Darshans. By this time in the Ganges regions, Sun worshipping and moon worshipping royal dynasties were established. EARLY YOGA, NYAYA, SANKHYA, VAISHASHIK AND POORVA MIMANSA DEVELOP. Seventh Charvak's Darshan denies the theory of rebirths of souls propagated by selfish ritual minded Brahmins. ? VALMIKI RAMAYANA written in this age. Rama was the 58th son in the dynasty of Manu. ? Krishna, in human form after Rama, perhaps lived in the 12th cen. BC. MAHAVIRA AND BUDDHA START TWO GREAT RELIGIONS BUDDHISM AND 600. BC. JAINISM, LAYING STRESS on NON-VIOLENCE IN RELIGION.

500. BC.

GITA AND MAHABHARAT BY VED VYASA WRITTEN IN THIS PERIOD AFTER BUDDHA AND MAHAVIRA. VEDANTA DARSHANA WRITTEN IN THIS AGE ALSO.
PURANIC PERIOD --> Mythology enters in Hinduism. 18 Purina(Mythology)scriptures develop during 2nd BC. To 3rd AD. IMAGINARY GODS LIKE SHIVA, VISHNU, AND BRAHAMA ARE DESCRIBED IN THE PURANAS. Their mystic stories symbolize divine love between husbands and wives. Bhagavatum became a popular Vishnu PURANA after 15th century A. D. which describes 10 major Incarnations of VISHNU, RAMA & KRISHNA, & BUDDHA being the 7th, 8th, & 9th respectively.

300. BC.

0000- CHRISTIAN CALANDER. + Christ is born. He preaches LOVE and FORGIVENESS in the West.
500 AD. 700 AD. 1000 AD. 1200 AD. Roman Church in West. Arya Bhatt invents Zero in Math. SHANKARACHARYA (preaches Adwaita theory) IN EAST. MOHAMMAD IN WEST. PERIOD of Islamic invasions all over Europe and India starts. Islamic rule in India for next 600 years.Ghori, Lodi, and Mogul dynasties rule India Era of SAMPRADAYAS OF ACHARYAS. MADHAVA, RAMANUJA, KABIR, SURDAS preach BHAKTI PATH.(All preach Dwaita Philosophy) COLUMBUS INVENTS AMERICA AND VASCODE GAMA SEA ROUTE TO INDIA. Rule of King Akbar * Mira & Tulsidas. Vallabhacharya starts Vaishnivism. Chaitanya, Narsinha Mehta (in Gujarat) Guru Nanak starts Shikh Religion END OF ISLAMIC EMPIRE AND START OF BRITISH RULE IN INDIA.

1492 AD.
1500 AD.

1757 AD. 1800 AD.

SWAMI SAHAJANANDA SWAMINARAYANA RELIGION IN GUJARAT.

1900 AD. Vivekananda comes to America. Gandhi leads INDIA to freedom. 1947 AD. India Independent. 40 Years Rule of Nehru Dynasty in Democratic India. GURUS build palacious temples at Haridwara only. They have forgotten their duty of educating the poor people in

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21st CENTURY NEEDS NEW LIGHT IN RELIGIOUS FIELD. MAHATMA GANDHI WILL GIVE IT. I believe that Jesus Christ and Mahatma Gandhi are the 10th and 11th Incarnations of God. Summary. Hinduism is a non-prophet philosophy of getting wisdom by search of self (Atman). This subject is discussed in great details in Upanishads, Darshans, and the Gita. Innumerable Prophets in Hinduism are seen only in recent centuries. They have started many secular Guru worshipping cults (sampradayas), also called religions. SARCH OF GOD STARTS WITH SELF, AND ENDS IN SELF BY UNDERSTANDING OF PERFECT LAWS OF MOTHER NATURE. =========================================================

villages of India. THE

LAST COVER PAGE OF ORIGINAL BOOK.

RELIGION IS ALSO A SCIENCE.

Dr. Gandhi is not a writer of religious mythology, but has a positive and practical approach to problems in day-to-day life. He has tried to link religion with science. His science does not lead to atheism, nor he ignores the element of faith (Shraddha) required in religion. Swami Sachchidanandji
Bhakti Niketan Ashrama. (DANTALI). P.O.Box - 19 Petlad. Dist Kaira. Gujarat - INDIA.

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May the experience, the wisdom the traditions of India, continue to reach her children across the seas, to give them the light and the courage to build a just society and one family of the children of God living together in love and harmony. Father : G Valles
(St. Xaviers College - Ahmedabad)

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