Hinduism - Basics & FAQ
Preface:
Collection of FAQs to understand basics of Hinduism - a collection of facts as shared by my friend, Shri Sai, a vivid forum contributor in Tamil 'Thuglak' magazine. Entire collection here and the following pages in several parts, due to volume of information, are fully attributed to Shri Sai. His various sources are attributed 'then and there' where relevant. Have a pleasant reading-cum-learning, readers!!
- Singai Sivas
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Preface:
Collection of FAQs to understand basics of Hinduism - a collection of facts as shared by my friend, Shri Sai, a vivid forum contributor in Tamil 'Thuglak' magazine. Entire collection here and the following pages in several parts, due to volume of information, are fully attributed to Shri Sai. His various sources are attributed 'then and there' where relevant. Have a pleasant reading-cum-learning, readers!!
- Singai Sivas
*******************************************************************************************************************************
25. What are the Upanishads?
The Upanishads are the first source of scriptural authority in the 'prasthana-traya'. The Upanishads generally form the end portion of the 'Aranyakas' of the Vedas, and therefore the philosophy described therein is called Vedanta, which means the "the end of the Vedas." It is important not to take this definition literally, as Upanishads also appear in other sections of the Vedas and are distinguished as such through their subject matter: the supreme Reality. The Upanishads are texts that deal with the highest knowledge - the knowledge of pure Self-and arae thus the ultimate teaching, the end goal indicated by the Vedas.
The Upanishads contain the essence of Vedic teachings. They are the foundation on which most of the later philosophies of India rest. There is no important form of spiritual thought originating in India that has not been derived from the Upanishads.
The word 'Upanishad' consists of three syllables: upa-ni-shad, meaning, "near-below-sit." This meaning denotes the flow of knowledge from the higher to the lower level, from the guru to the 'shishya' (disciple). The word also reflects the reverential attitude of the 'shishya', who physically sits below the level of the guru, near his feet. For further study, see Adi Shankaracharya's 'Vivekachudamani' and introduction to 'Katha Upanishad'.
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ-Scriptures), Chinmaya Mission
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26. How many Upanishads are there?
There are 1,179 Upanishads, as follows:
a. 21 in Rig Veda
b. 108 in Yajur Veda
c. 1,000 in Sama Veda
d. 50 in Atharva Veda
Traditions considers 108 Upanishads (will be listed later) as important and authoritative. Of these 108, ten are considered as the major Upanishads:
1. Aitareya
2. Brihadaranyaka
3. Chhandogya
4. Ishavasya
5. Katha
6. Kena
7. Mandukya
8. Mundaka
9. Prashna
10. Taittiriya
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ-Scriptures), Chinmaya Mission
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27. What are the greatest declarations, or 'mahavakyas', and where are they found in the Vedas?
The quintessence of Vedanta is found in "great declarations" called 'Mahavakyas'. These are numerous and appear throught the Vedas in different places. There are four popularly known 'Mahavakyas', culled from four Upanishads, one from each of the four Vedas.
Though every 'Mahavakya' is complete by itself and has the potential to grant liberation to a fit aspirant, a common, sequential storyline to connect the teachings in four 'Mahavakyas' and provide a roadmap to 'Sadhana', is given as follows:
a. Prajnanam Brahma : "Consciousness is Brahman." (Aitareya Upanishad, Rig Veda)
This first 'Mahavakya' is the 'Lakshana vakya' (statement of definition), for it gives a definition of Truth. It declares that Conciousness, the spiritual core that enlivens each of us, is he same all-pervading Consiciousness in all beings and things.
b. Tat Tvam Asi : "That Thou Art." (Chhandogya Upanishad, Sama Veda)
The disciple, after reflecing on the guru's teachings, still has doubts. In the second 'Mahavakya', the 'Upadesa vakya' (statement of instruction), the guru tells the disciple that he (the disciple) is verily the supreme 'Brahman'and not the limited personality he imagines himself to be.
Thus, the Truth the disciple is seeking is none other than his own Self and is to be found within. This state of Consciousness is to be realized here and now through Self-inquiry.
c. Aham Brahma Asmi : "I am Brahman." (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Yajur Veda)
Through meditation, aftr overcoming his habitual thinking of the Truth as something other than himself, the student comes back to the master filled with his intimate and direct experience of the Truth. His experience is of the nature of this 'Mahavakya', which is he 'Anubhava vakya' (statement of experience).
d. Ayam Atma Brahma : "This Self is Brahman." (Mandukya Upanishad, Atarva Veda)
Once the disciple is established in his real nature, the guru advises him to constantly revel and abide in the Self. The nature of his abidance is expressed by this 'Mahavakya', which is the 'Anusandhana vakya' (statement of constant practice).
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ-Scriptures), Chinmaya Mission
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28. What are Sutras?
'Sutras' are systematic treatises in the form of aphorisms. They are act as pointers and memory aids for intensive discussions on any topic. 'Padma Purana' gives the following requirements for the creation of a 'Sutra':
a. Should be concise to facilitate memorizaion
b. Should hold no ambiguity
c. Should give the esssence of various viewpoints on a topic, covering all aspects of the question
d. Should use only words that are absolutely necessary, relevant, and meaningful
e. Should be capable of being understood from all perspectives
f. Should not be repetitious
g. Should not have any logical fallacies.
Examples - The 'Brahma Sutras' of Veda Vyasa, the 'Yoga Sutras' of Patanjali, and the 'Bhakti Sutras' of Sage Narada.
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ-Scriptures), Chinmaya Mission
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29. What are the Brahma Sutras?
The 'Brahma Sutras', also known as 'Sharirika Sutras', are the second source of scriptural authority in the 'Prasthana-traya'. The 'Brahma Sutras' are compendium of 555 aphorisms by Sage Veda Vyasa. The 'Sutras' present, in a concentrated form, the entire philosophy of the Upanishads. In this textbook for postgraduate Vedantic studies, Sage Vyasa leads the student into the inquiry of the nature of the supreme Reality, the relationship between the human being and the supreme Reality, the ultimate fulfillment of human birth and existence, and the means to realize this fulfillment.
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ-Scriptures), Chinmaya Mission
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30. What is Shrimad Bhagavad Gita?
'Shrimad Bhagavad Gita' is the third source of scriptural authority in the 'Prasthana-traya'. 'Bhagavad Gita', or the 'Lord's Song," written by Sage Veda Vyasa, is traditionally comprised of 700 'shlokas', or verses ( 1 said by Dhritarashtra, 41 said by Sanjaya, 84 said by Arjuna, and 574 said by Lord Krishna).
There is also a widely accepted version of 'Gita' that contains 701 verses. The spiritual teacher, Shri Madhusudana Sarasvati, who also authored 'Gita Dhyanam' and the concluding colophon at the end of each 'Gita' chapter, added a question to open Chapter 13. The 18 chapters of 'Gita' are found in 'Mahabharata : Bhishma Parva 25-42.'
'Shrimad Bhagavad Gita' is the most popular, profound, and poetic philosophical composition in Sanskrit literature. It is said to be perhaps the only philosophical song of its kind existing in any known language. It is a text that conveys sublime spiritual teachings and the art of living. If the hold that a specific work has on the mind of a human being is any indication of its importance, then 'Shrimad Bhagavad Gita' is the most influential work in Indian thought. It is the only philosophical treatise in the world that was delivered on a battlefield and, as such, also has great allegorical significance. Its teachings are timeless; they are applicable at universal level and address humanity everywhere, at all times, in all aspects.
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ-Scriptures), Chinmaya Mission
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