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Hinduism for Confused Hindus – To Resist & Escape Conversion
1. Its original name is ” Sanatana Dharma” (Eternal Principle).
2. It is the only religion of “Dharma” and not a religion of Faith. I believe = I do not know…!!! Better to know than to blindly & ignorantly Believe…!!!
3. “Laws of Nature” are inescapable irrespective of faith.
4. It does not promise “Liberation” by denying “Freedom of Thought & Action” + Imposing Regimentation.
5. The only religion where atheists have a place – and practice their own personal realities.
6. Only religion where there is real freedom of thought & action and never any imposed regimentation on the way of living.
7. Only religion where no one prophet or one holy book rules all aspects & parts of life.
8. Many Rishis + 4 Vedas + Many Upanishads + 18 Puranas (Mythologies) + 2 Itihasas (Histories)…choose what you like to read or follow…!!!
9. Only religion that propounds that “There is Only God” and never says that “There is only One God – and that is Only Our God“.
10. Only Religion that gives the perfect definition of GOD = सर्व कारण कारका = Sarva Karana Karaka = The Original Cause of All Causes.
The core tenets of Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism)
Yama & Niyama are the first 2-stages of Ashtanga Yoga of Patanjali
The 10 Yamas – Restraints or Proper Conduct
- Ahimsa …………………or Non-injury
- Satya ……….. …………or Truthfulness
- Asteya ……….. ………..or Nonstealing
- Brahmacharya ……….. or Sexual Purity
- Kshama ……………….. or Patience
- Dhriti ……….. …………or Steadfastness
- Daya ……….. ………….or Compassion
- Arjava ……….. ………..or Honesty
- Mitahara ……….. ……..or Moderate Diet
- Saucha ……….. ………..or Purity (Hygiene)
The 10 Niyamas – Observances or Practices
- Hri ……….. …………….or Modesty
- Santosha ……….. ………or Contentment
- Dana ……….. …………..or Charity
- Astikya ……….. ………..or Faith
- Ishvarapujana ………….or Worship of the Lord
- Siddhanta Sravana …….or Scriptural Listening
- Mati ……….. ……………or Cognition
- Vrata ……….. ………….or Sacred Vows
- Japa ……….. ……………or Incantation
- Tapas ……….. ………….or Austerity
How simple they sound and how difficult they are! Are they truly difficult? Anything you are not accustomed to – appears difficult. For a person who has not even seen a swimming pool or pond before – swimming appears difficult. Familiarity removes the fear and makes it easy. Then, once a person starts familiarizing with the above – they progressively become easy and practicable.
MSR Ayyangar
Dharma – Everything that is there to know about!
If there is one word in “Sanskrit” that pervades the entire physical & material universe on one side – and also the universe of Life & Spirit on the other side – it is “Dharma”. It is used very colloquially on one side by all and sundry – as much as with extreme poignancy and significance by the very learned to explain the esoteric truths of God’s creations.
Let us look at the Indian mythological connection to this word and I quote ….
Dharma: An ancient “Hindu Sage” – a Rishi, who married thirteen of Daksha‘s daughters. According to the Mahabharata, Daksha sprang from the right thumb of Brahma, and his wife from that god’s left thumb. Their numerous progeny, transparently personifications of virtues and religious rites, were married to – “Dharma” (meaning moral duty in Sanskrit); to Kashyapa – another ancient sage and the grandfather of Manu, the progenitor of mankind; and to Soma – the king of the Brahmins and the guardians of sacrifices. Dharma in Hindu religion is the doctrine of the duties and rights of each caste in the ideal society, and as such the mirror of all moral action.
Now we look at the religious interpretations and I quote ….
MSR Ayyangar's Blog 