The Roots of Hinduism

PANDIT BALBADAR’S COLUMN 

The Roots of Hinduism

The roots of Hinduism reach deep into pre-historic hoary past. It has evolved over these millennia, and still this process continues. Hinduism proves to be a great synthesis of many diverse trends and elements.

‘Hinduism’ is a modern term, but it represents the most living religion and culture of the world. It is called the ‘Sanatana Dharma’, ‘Sanatana’ meaning eternal and ever-lasting, and ‘Dharma’ means something which upholds or maintains. Thus, ‘Sanatana Dharma’ stands for the Law which upholds and maintains life and order. It also underlines the fact that Hinduism has neither a beginning nor an end.

Of all the known religions, it is universally accepted that Hinduism is the oldest. It was revealed by God to the ancient Aryan Rishis of Bharata (India) many thousand years ago. The Hindus were God’s first chosen people to whom He revealed Himself and His Teachings. They were the architect of a most advanced and civilized society. When thousands of years ago, (no one knows how long), the world was running about naked, living in caves on raw meat of both animals and man, our Hindu ancestors discovered God.

All the revelations of God are written in the world’s oldest Book (Veda), and in the world’s oldest language, Sanskrit. Sanskrit was developed and perfected before the rest of the world knew how to speak.

Hinduism, the most ancient religion of the world is not based on a single scripture or the utterance of a single prophet. Since its undated past, it has grown with the times. Shruti, Smriti, Puranas, Dharma Shastras have all contributed to build it up in the thoughts of its adherents and in their practices. Universal in scope and accommodating all kinds of adherents, making infinite allowances to their temperaments and capacities, it has meant many things to many people. Schools and sects of Hinduism with differences of view of the nature of man and his destiny are innumerable and have arisen as often as a new prophet came on the scene, laying stress on one aspect or another of this inexhaustibly comprehensive religion.

Innumerable Rishis and Avataras, seers and sages have descended on the holy soil of Hindustan, not as founders but as contributors to the great edifice of the Hindu Religion. As it is not a creedal religion, Hinduism can be described as a natural development – a persistent flow from the human heart. It is not the opinion or the verbal display of man, but a realization of Eternal Truths about God and the universe. Throughout the ages many enlightened souls have realized these truths.

Hinduism has taught man not to lay stress on mundane pleasures or sensualism, but to develop divine qualities by surmounting hypocrisy, arrogance, self-conceit, anger and ignorance. It has inspired man to respect every creature as the veritable abode of God. It has given mankind the message of the immortality of the Atma and the perishable nature of this body and the world.

(Pandit Ramdial Balbadar is a prominent Aachaarya (Teacher) of Hinduism in Guyana. He is the compiler and author of many titles and has over 30 years experience in Pandits’ Training across Guyana. He is currently the President of the Sanatan Vaidic Dharma Pandits’ Sabha, Region 3).