WHY you no study HINDUISM???

The most prevailing misconception about Hinduism, "Hinduism has many Gods, and that we worship all sorts of things ranging from trees, snakes, rocks... everything under/above the sun and the SUN too! " Saddening...  

Adding to that, the introduction given to Hinduism by Ang Lee in his latest movie 'Life of Pi' does not seem to help much. The protagonist, Pi says " Hinduism has 330 million Gods". Two thumbs up for the movie minus this blunder! 

And today, I was served this on the internet! 

           Source:  http://ragedindian.com/2009/09/13/macam-macam-ada-la-hinduism/  "Macam macam ada la Hinduism"  It's an old post, but better late than never right?

*TING TING TING TING! Mandaikku mani adichathu! 

Then I go like this....

I read that blog post several times, trying to comprehend what the penulis trying to convey... then gave up. :(  I understand very well, writing  on such an issue will drag me into lots of nonsense.. perhaps un-intellectual arguments or worse the agony of personal attacks from hardcore fans of that particular blog. Thinking  again, screw that! I should stand up for my faith, just how I will back up my parents!

Back to  the issue. As a young  Hindu, I always feel annoyed when such thoughts were imposed on our faith by both followers and others.  I look at it this way, it's like making a peacock believe that it's actually a crow, worse still when the peacock itself so foolishly believes that assertions.

Basic concept of Hinduism. -[ Hinduism, Course Code :0001 ]- Hindus believe in the one all pervasive Supreme who energizes the entire universe. We see God in the life shinning out of the eyes of humans and all creature. Hindus adopt the all-encompassing concept. It says that God is both above the world and beyond it, both immanent and transcendent. What is confusing about Hinduism is the various  names and forms according to their denomination or regional tradition.

Let's take a look into bona fide scriptures to have a better understanding.

ekam sat viprah bahudha vadanti (RV 1.164.46)

Truth is one; sages call it by different names.
                                                                                 Rig vedham

ஒன்றவன் தானே இரண்டவன் இன்னருள்
நின்றனன் மூன்றினுள் நான்குணர்ந் தான்ஐந்து
வென்றனன் ஆறு விரிந்தனன் ஏழும்பர்ச்
சென்றனன் தானிருந் தான்உணர்ந் தெட்டே. 

                                                                                 திருமந்திரம் 

The One is He, the Two His sweet Grace,

In Three He stood, in all the Four witnessed,

The Five He conquered, the Six He filled,

The Seven Worlds pervades, manifests the Eight,

And so remains.  
                                                                                 Thirumanthiram

To simplify matters, classic analogy for this are as below;

 1. A man is a faithful son to his parents, then a loving husband to the wife, a responsible father to his children. When he gets to work he becomes a staff. Among his peers, he is a friend. What he wears at home, at the office and the gym varies.The same man carrying out different roles,with different costumes, with different designations.  Now, does it make him a different person? Absolute NO. 

 2. What we are today is not similar to what we were... dig out your childhood picture and see. All your cells have been replaced. So, does that make you a different person? Again, NO!

Things will be much easier/better if people stop listening to any "Muthu, Raju and Gopal" blabbering about Hinduism and read our scriptures. We have allowed others to mould the perception of Hinduism into something barbaric. TELL ME NOW, where in the world did this "drinking goats blood make you close to God' come from? 

And about on trees being God,  Our ancestor practised  the circumambulating  of bodhi/neem trees so that we could absorb the 'healing power' from these trees.Not simply any trees. Then it was distorted to worshipping the trees itself.  Now explain, how in earth  a tree become God? 

We should once and for all stop making a mockery of ourselves. If you know nuts about Hinduism, take some initiative to learn rather than writing according to your whims and fancies. If one has intention to rectify things at the grassroot level, by all means, start from within. 

Originally, every Hindu rituals and practices had it's rationale, through time, many exploited the freedom given by Hinduism leading to what is left today. The sole cause of this predicament  is the people, Hindus, WE, who blindfolded our eyes. NOT HINDUISM, nothing wrong in it's core and philosophy. 

By the way, I can't sleep today if I miss to elaborate on the 330 million Gods here. The figure  33 is derived from  the Brhadaranyaka Upanishad.  Based on my research, Scholars suggest that the Upanishads actually mentioned 33 parts which was then misinterpreted as 33 millions.

1 Prajapati 

1 Indra, 

12 Adityas, 

11 Rudras  

and 8 Vasus 
when you add it all,  you'll get  33.

Again, remember that the Supreme God is One. In a simplified manner, Prajabathi is 'the one'. Indra represents power. While the 12 Adittyas refers to different facets of time. When "time" and "energy" combines it produces 11 types of energy currents and 8 cover elements, the Rudras and Vasus respectively.The 11 Rudras consists of 5 direct currents, 5 indirect currents and 1 cumulative. While the 8 Vasus are water, fire, air, space, mind, intellect and ego. Our subtle body is made up these elements. In short, it talks about science of life. 

I admit that it is tough to explain due to my own limitations, I am no expert on it. Don't want to drag you into the "confusion of the loose motion" any more. Nevertheless, it is sufficient for us to refrain from fooling ourselves that Hinduism has 330 million Gods! 

My final thoughts, if you are reading this, chances are you are a youngster.Kindly use your potential to discover on what the oldest faith of this universe is all about. Stop relying on our SPM Sejarah Text Book or Wikipedia as your recourse on Hinduism. There are plenty of simplified bona fide  books/ virtual discourses and lesson available even online. Take one step ahead at a time, soon you will discover the nectar of life. Ultimately, a Hindu should always think and ask questions, leading to self discovery. 

Hinduism is never a religion of faith, but the way of life. 

ps: I don't wish to be an Instant Online Guru of Hinduism :P Hence, I am sharing this article if  you have further questions on the basis of Hinduism. 

Ten Questions About Hinduism (PDF)  <---- Click Here to download a copy.