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
*****************************************************************************************************************************
31. What are 'Puranas' and how many are there?
There are 18 'Puranas' and they generally deal with these five topics:
a. Sarga : primary creation or cosmogony
b. Pratisarga : secondary creation, sustenance, destruction, and re-creation of worlds, including chronology
c. Vamsha : genealogy of deities and patriarchs
d. Manvantara : reigns of the different Manus
e. Vamshanucharita : history of the solar and lunar dynasties, and their descendants
The 18 'Maha-puranas' are divided into three categories of six:
1. Brahma Puranas - Brahma, Brahmanda, Brahma-vaivarta, Bhavishya, Markendeya, Vamana
2. Vaishnava Puranas - Vishnu, Bhagavata, Garuda, Naradiya, Padma, Varaha
3. Shaiva Puranas - Shiva (Vayu), Agni, Kurma, Linga, Matsya, Skanda
In addition to these 18 'Puranas', there ae 46 'Upa-puranas'. Of the 46 Upa-puranas, 18 are prominent:
1. Bhargava
2. Brihannaradiya
3. Devi Bhagavata
4. Durvasa
5. Ganesha
6. Hamsa
7. Kalika
8. Kapila
9. Nandi
10. Narasimha
11. Parashara
12. Samba
13. Sanat Kumara
14. Shiva-rahasya
15. Surya
16. Vamana
17. Varuna
18. Vasishtha
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ-Scriptures), Chinmaya Mission
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32. What are the two major historical epics in Hinduism?
'Ramayana' and 'Mahabharata' are the two 'Itihasas', or historical sagas, that serve as an inspiration for humanity and exemplify the realization of the four 'Purusharthas':
1. Dharma (righteous and dutiful living)
2. Artha (wealth)
3. Kama (deire fulfillment)
4. Moksha (liberation)
a. 'Ramayana' literally means "the abode of Rama" and it is the smaller of the two works. The epic mirrors the highest ideals of Hindu tradition, culture, and civilization. The story, which took place in 'Treta Yuga' (one of the four ages of the world, explained later), centers on Rama, the prince of Ayodhya and the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and his wife Sita, the incarnation of Mother Lakshmi. 'Ramayana' sings the Lord's glories and instructs humanity on how to lead a fulfilling life and attain the four 'Purusharthas'. The epic is profound and timeless in it popularity, and teaches, with the use of symbolism, how an individual can evolve to greatness and perfection.
Sage Valmiki's 'Ramayana' has been translated into most Indian languages, as well as several foreign languages, including Russian. It consists of 24,000 stanzas in seven cantos, and depicts Rama as the ideal king, son, brother, friend and husband. In Bharata, Lakshmana, and Shatrugna, we see exemplified the ideal brothers. In Sita, we have the purest flower of Indian womanhood, who is devoted to her Lord in thought, word, and deed.
'Ramayana' is an ideal textbook of morals and values that inspires nobler dimensions of character and conduct. Other noteworthy and famous versions of 'Ramayana' include Sage Veda Vyasa's 'Adhyatma Ramayana', Goswami Tulasidasa's 'Shri Ramacharitamanasa (Tulasi Ramayana), and Kambar's 'Kamba Ramayana.'
b. 'Mahabharata' is an epic that is more than eight times the size of Homer's 'Iliad' and 'Odyssey' combined, and in philosophical content is unparalleled to any other literary work in the world. This grand book of knowledge contains more than 100,000 stanzas in 18 chapters and is the work of the reowned Sage Veda Vyasa.
The underlying theme of 'Mahabharata' is 'yato dharma tato jayah', meaning "where there is dharma, there is victory," indicating the ultimate truimph of good over evil and the extablishment of righteouness.
The story unfolds toward the end of 'Dvapara Yuga', and describes the genealogy and events leading up to, and after, the familial war between royal cousins.
The story is used as a vehicle to convey eternal philosophical truths of the highest order. It is said, "That which is in 'Mahabharata' can be seen elsewhere, but what which is not therein cannot be seen anywhere else." This gives an idea of the comprehensiveness of subjects in the epic, which is full of lofty instructions on all aspects of human life and endeavor -
an inspiring saga of India's past glory, potraying all that is great and noble in humanity.
The guiding spirit throught this epic is the divine figure of Lord Krishna, who brings the pure and righteous to Himself, and who destroys evil and evildoers. 'Shrimad Bhagavad Gita' or the "Lord's Song," is part of 'Mahabharata'.
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ-Scriptures), Chinmaya Mission
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33. What is Shrimad Bhagavatam ?
The Sanskrit term 'Bhagavata' means "pertaining to the Lord": He who has (the six) glories. 'Shrimad Bhagavata Purana', or 'Shrimad Bhagavatam', is commonly referred to as 'Bhagavata', or 'Bhagavatam', and is undoubtedly the most voluminous and popular of the 'Puranas'.
This devotional text potrays the sagas of Lord Vishnu's various 'Avataras' (incarnations), focusing on the life of Lord Krishna. 'Shrimad Bhagavatam' remains unrivaled in its stories, expressions, and teachings on devotion, knowledge, and action, all dedicated to the Divine.
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ-Scriptures), Chinmaya Mission
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34. What is Yoga Vasishtha ?
'Yoga Vasishtha' is a book of 36,000 verses from the pen of the celebrated Sage Valmiki, the author of 'Ramayana'. Sage Vasishtha's spiritual teachings and advice to Shri Rama comprise the subject matter of this highly philosophical treatise. The method employed by Sage Vasishtha is unique, as he confounds profound philosophical truths to Shri Rama through the narration of innumerable stories.
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ-Scriptures), Chinmaya Mission
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35. What are the Dharma Shastras, how many are there, and who wrote them ?
The 'Dharma Shastras' are works by various sages. They are social laws that include codes of conduct to be observed by the individuals throughout their lives.
Manu's 'Dharma Shastra', also known as 'Manu Smriti', is the fundamental 'Dharma Shastra' that is applicable to the entire 'Manvantara' (time period until the appearance of the next Manu, see tomorrows question). 'Manu Smriti' forms the basis of Hindu law.
Additionally, there are 18 specific 'Dharma Shastras' that are applicable in different periods of time. The 18 'Dharma Shastras' are named after their authors:
1. Apastamba
2. Devala
3. Gautama
4. Harita
5. Likhita
6. Parashara
7. Bharadvaja
8. Samakha
9. Samvarta
10. Shatanika
11. Shatotraya
12. Shaunaka
13. Daksha
14. Vasishtha
15. Vishnu
16. Vyasa
17. Yajnavalkya
18. Yama
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ-Scriptures), Chinmaya Mission
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36. Who is Manu and what is a Manvantara, or the Hindu calculation of time ?
'Antara' means "space" or "duration between." Therefore, a 'Manvantara' is the period of time or duration that a Manu (the archetypal human being) rules the entire creation. Hindus calculate time based on 'Manvantaras'. Western scientists and archaeologists later discovered that these 'Manvantaras' are based on accurate astronomical calcualtions.
One 'Manvantara' is calculated as follows:
1. 360 human years make one 'divya varsha' (celestial year)
2. 4,800 'divya varshas' make one 'Satya Yuga', or 'Krita Yuga'
3. 3,600 'divya varshas' make one 'Treta Yuga'
4. 2,400 'divya varshas' make one 'Dvapara Yuga'
5. 1,200 'divya varshas' make one 'Kali Yuga'
All the 'yugas' together total 12,000 divya varshas, and this one cycle of all the 'yugas' make one 'maha-yuga' or 'chatur-yuga'.
One 'Manvantara' = 71 'maha-yugas', or 306,720,000 human years.
One 'Kalpa', or cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction = 14 'Manvantaras'.
Thus, the cycle of time continues.
At the beginning of each 'Manvantara', a Manu appears and codifies all ethical and social regulations to be followed during the 'Manvantara'. The Manu whose code is currently being followed is 'Vaivasvata Manu', who is the seventh in the line of the cycle of 14 Manus. The six Manus who preceded Vaivasvata Manu were : Svayambhuva, Svarochisha, Uttama, Tamasa, Raivata, and Chakshusha. The seven who will follow Vaivasvata Manu are : Daksha-savarani, Brahma-savarni, Dharma-savarni, Rudra-savarni, Deva-savarnai, and Indra-savarni.
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ-Scriptures), Chinmaya Mission
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37. Is there any special significance of the number 18 in the Hindu scriptures ?
Yes. Aside from the fact that there are 18 'Puranas', 18 major 'Upa-puranas', and 18 'Dharma Shastras', the significance of the number 18 is best illustrated in 'Mahabharata', which is divided into 18 'Parvas', or sections. The Mahabharata war was fought with 18 army divisions: 11 on the Kaurava side and 7 on the Pandava side. The war lasted 18 days. Finally, it is said that only 18 persons survived the war. The treatise 'Shrimad Bhagavad Gita' is a part of 'Mahabharata' and has 18 chapters. In 'Gita', Lord Krishna describes the ideal man in 18 verses at the end of Chapter 2, in which he lists the 18 traits that consitute the man of steady wisdom.
The theme of all scriptures of all the religions in the world is the same: the victory of the higher Self over the lower self, or righteousness over unrightousness, of good over eveil, of dharma over adharma. Veda Vyasa originally titled 'Mahabharata' as 'Jaya' (victory). The word 'Jaya' is in the opening stanzas of both, 'Mahabharata' and 'Gita'.
In Sanskrit numerology, the Katapayadi System, each letter has a formula-based, numerical value. The numerical value of the
word 'Jaya' is 18. To stress the importance of the word 'Jaya', the number 18 is given a prominent place not only in 'Mahabharata', but also throughout various Hindu scriptures. The number 18 is thus repeatedly used as an auspicious reminder to be alert in our constant battle for inner, spiritual victory.
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ-Scriptures), Chinmaya Mission
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38. What does OM mean ?
'Om' is the all-encompassing, sacred symbol that represents the infinite, indefinable 'Brahman', the Reality indicated by the Vedas, the all-pervading substratum of this universe. Om is 'pranava', or God as the primal sound. It is solemnly chanted at the commencement of all prayers and rituals, and is an aid to concentration and contemplation.
Om is comprised of three syllables, a-u-m, which represent our three states of experience, namely, waking, dream, and deep sleep. Collectively, Om represents the fourth state, the superconscious state known as 'Turiya'. Om is a vast and subtle subject; for futher study see 'Mandukya Upanishad'.
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ - Mantras and Worship), Chinmaya Mission
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39. What is mantra ?
A mantra is a sacred workd or words recited and contemplated upon during worship. 'Mananat trayate iti mantrah : "That (word or phrase) which leads us to the highest Goal through relfection upon it is called a mantra."
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ - Mantras and Worship), Chinmaya Mission
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40. What is the Gayatri Mantra ?
Om bhur bhuvah suvah
Tat savitur varenyam
Bhargo devasya dhimahi
Dhiyo yo nah prochodayat
"We meditate on Om, the supreme Reality that pervades earth, interspace, and the heavnes, that is worshipful and adored Lord Sun, who shines as the light of Conciousness in our intellects. Burn away our ignorance and illuminate our intellects [with the wisdom of the highest truth]."
The 'Gayatri Mantra' (Rig Veda 3.62.10) is one of the most ancient and divine hymns, and is the quintessence of the Vedas and Hindu culture. The mantra, originally revealed in meditation to Rishi Vishvamitra, is a treasure of knowledge in both spiritual and secular fields, for it grants the aspirant cosmic energy, acute intelligence, subtle discrimination, creative vision, healing powers, and ultimately, Self-realization.
The word 'gayatri' literally means 'gayantam trayate iti gayathri, "that [mantra] which protects the one who sings or chants it." 'Trayate' also means "that which takes one across the ocean of transmigration or saves one from the cycle of birth and death." Chanting the 'Gayatri Mantra' invokes divinity in a person and blesses him with spiritual illumination. The universal prayer for ultimate enlightenment is not chanted for material gain.
In some ancient texts, the 'Gayatri Mantra' is also referred to as 'Savitri-Gayathri', indicating that it is an invocation to the Lord in the form of sun: Lord Sun. Lord Sun represents the giver of Light (Knowledge), the illuminator of all experiences, 'Atman'. As pure Conciousness, Lord Sun is the core of our being, around which all our matter envelopments revolve, just as the entire solar system revolves around the sun with mathematical precision. Just as there would be no life on Earth without the sun, so too, we would be mere inert matter without the 'Atman'.
The 'Gayatri Mantra' is central to the teachings of Yoga, Vedanta, Ayurveda, and Vedic astrology. In yoga, it transforms the 'yogi' by stimulating his 'kundalini shakti'. To the Vedantin, it grants Self-knowledge. To the practioner of 'Ayurveda', the mantra bestows the power of cosmic 'prana', which is born of the sun. For the 'jyotisha', or astrologer, it grants the knowledge of the movements of the heavenly bodies ruled by the cosmic sun.
The Vedic meter in which this powerful mantra is composed has also come to be called 'Gayatri'. The 'Gayatri' meter consists of three lines of eight syllables each.
Source - Hindu Culture Series - Hinduism (FAQ - Mantras and Worship), Chinmaya Mission
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