09-07-2007, 11:32 PM
Pioneer, 7 Sept., 2007
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Dharma of life deciphered
Chandril Basak
<b>Hindu Tenets, J Agarwal, Pustak Mahal, Rs 150</b>
What made J Agarwal write this book? <b>The author came across several Hindu professionals in his long stay in the US who were ignorant of the concepts of Hinduism. Being motivated by the ignorance of a majority of people, Agarwal decided to write Hindu Tenets, depicting the philosophy of 'Sanatan Vedic Hindu Dharma'.</b>
In Hinduism, the word dharma does not simply mean religion, as it is commonly understood. Before elucidating the term, it is necessary to describe the meaning of 'religion'. <b>Swami Vivekananda had once observed, "Religion is the manifestation of the divinity already in man. It is the idea which is raising the brute unto man, and man unto God. The secret of religion lies not in theories but in practice. To be good and do good - that is the whole of religion." </b>
As for the term dharma, <b>Sri Aurobindo, said: "Dharma is the Indian concept in which rights and duties lose the artificial antagonism, created by view of the world which makes selfishness the root of action, and regain their deep and eternal unity." Dharma, therefore, is the necessary code of conduct by following which man can attain the ultimate objective.</b>
<b>The book provides the Vedic definition of Hinduism, which says that a man "irrespective of his caste, colour or creed" can be a Hindu if he is noble and "discharges his sublime duties (dharma) and conducts himself with dignity and self-confidence in society, keeping the welfare of others uppermost in mind." </b>
Contrary to the common belief, the <b>Vedic Hindu Dharma has never had any divergence with science and material prosperity;</b> rather, they are complementary to each other. <b>The discussion on creation of the cosmos transpires that the Vedas corroborate the modern theory of formation of nebulae, which finally transformed into several cosmic objects.</b>
<b>As per the Vedas, Hinduism is monotheistic in its philosophy</b>. One wonders how can there be a conflict between the Vedas and the dominant Hindu notion of multiple gods. The book clears the air of confusion on such issues.
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<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Dharma of life deciphered
Chandril Basak
<b>Hindu Tenets, J Agarwal, Pustak Mahal, Rs 150</b>
What made J Agarwal write this book? <b>The author came across several Hindu professionals in his long stay in the US who were ignorant of the concepts of Hinduism. Being motivated by the ignorance of a majority of people, Agarwal decided to write Hindu Tenets, depicting the philosophy of 'Sanatan Vedic Hindu Dharma'.</b>
In Hinduism, the word dharma does not simply mean religion, as it is commonly understood. Before elucidating the term, it is necessary to describe the meaning of 'religion'. <b>Swami Vivekananda had once observed, "Religion is the manifestation of the divinity already in man. It is the idea which is raising the brute unto man, and man unto God. The secret of religion lies not in theories but in practice. To be good and do good - that is the whole of religion." </b>
As for the term dharma, <b>Sri Aurobindo, said: "Dharma is the Indian concept in which rights and duties lose the artificial antagonism, created by view of the world which makes selfishness the root of action, and regain their deep and eternal unity." Dharma, therefore, is the necessary code of conduct by following which man can attain the ultimate objective.</b>
<b>The book provides the Vedic definition of Hinduism, which says that a man "irrespective of his caste, colour or creed" can be a Hindu if he is noble and "discharges his sublime duties (dharma) and conducts himself with dignity and self-confidence in society, keeping the welfare of others uppermost in mind." </b>
Contrary to the common belief, the <b>Vedic Hindu Dharma has never had any divergence with science and material prosperity;</b> rather, they are complementary to each other. <b>The discussion on creation of the cosmos transpires that the Vedas corroborate the modern theory of formation of nebulae, which finally transformed into several cosmic objects.</b>
<b>As per the Vedas, Hinduism is monotheistic in its philosophy</b>. One wonders how can there be a conflict between the Vedas and the dominant Hindu notion of multiple gods. The book clears the air of confusion on such issues.
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