As I, We And They Perceive

I have been often requested by acquaintances to define Hinduism. However, I never took it seriously till a matter came up in Supreme Court wherein Justices admitted Hinduism as a complex issue, a life-style and what not. These observations are tangential, at best. Let me attempt to define Hinduism from multiple perspectives to the assistance of all those who have been seized with the matter so far. 

Sanatana Pantha of Hinduism is as mystical as the Absolute Consciousness i.e. Param Brhamatma Himself. Just as every 'Bhakta' has his own take on Absolute Divinity, so are multitudinous definitions of Hinduism, may be individualised, personalised or otherwise. Straight-jacketed definition of Hinduism is impossible to concretise as it will never be perfect owing to its multiple perspectives. Hinduism is an eternal Pantha, as much all inclusive as Param Brhamatma Himself, being Bhagirathi of faiths of all rivers, rivulets and glaciers of other faiths. 

Let us move a little bit beyond. Water is the basic constituent of every drink as there can be no drink without water, the base. Hinduism is 'water' of every other faith/religion. Every Muslim, Jew, Hispanic, Buddhist or Christian is essentially a Hindu. Even the Pastor in Florida who wanted to burn Koran in public few years ago, is a Hindu !! So was Nadir Shah !! So was Robert Clive !!! Difference lies only in the range and content of the elemental constituent in their respective faiths...Hindu content of their respective faiths/religions in proportion to their other man-made additives and constituents. Sanatana Pantha of Hinduism is like ‘Akasa’ that pervades entire universe as Hinduism pervades entire existence. Only those privileged ones are profoundly qualified to offer precise definition of Hinduism who have attained the pinnacle of Consciousness through Nirvikalpa-Samadhi - wherein the Cogniser, Cognised and Cognisable merge into one entity, the Absolute Entity. They do leave behind a moot question before us all - Will you ever come back to render definition of Hinduism with absolute and precise exactitude ?? 

Most conspicuous feature of Hinduism is that the faith in non-monolithic without any authoritarian ‘holy’ book. Under the banyan tree of Sanatana Dharma, one is at liberty to design his/her own religion by selecting a battery of rituals of choice out of so many available in scriptures. Being humanist in disposition, it is entirely a natural way for a Hindu to wish and pray well in all respects for all. In spite of all Hindu-holocausts, Hindu-s have remained non-semitic looking for universality of all faiths. Whenever leadership of society or a country is vested in hands of Hindu-s, equity, prosperity and security are assured to the last member of society as well as nature too. Sanctity and validity of Hinduism is vehemently affirmed by the reality that all alternative modes of faith have ultimately failed to satiate Adhyatmika thirst of humanity for 2000 years and now the onerous responsibility has been cast upon mighty shoulders of Hinduism. 

Yoga is the best way of manifestation of Sanatana Pantha i.e. Hinduism whose expansion across the world after being accepted by the United Nations and celebrated as International Yoga Day on June 22, marks growing acceptance of Hindu way of thinking as the way to effectively address all crises challenging humanity. With Yoga being ancient as well as modern so much so that it has been readily accepted by the world, even ancient Hindu-s can be very well declared modern too. Global acceptance of Yoga has re-affirmed, Hindu-s are ones who perceive confluence of all human diversities into one universality. Hindu is the one who is incessantly conscious of proceeds of indulgence with Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha and Ahamkara. And a Hindu is constantly engaged in pursuits to subjugate and overpower these human frailties. The moment one introverts his/her consciousness in search of the ultimate reality, one becomes a Hindu. 

Several ancient commentators viewed Hinduism and Hindu-s as –

Greek physician Ktesias of Persian King Artaxerxes [404-358 BC] authored “On the justice of the Hindus” in his Indica.  

Megasthenes [350–290 BC] stated, “…thefts were extremely rare and the people honoured truth and virtue.”

 Arrian [86-160 AD] on governing officials: “They oversee what goes on in the country or towns, and report everything to the king, where the people have a king, and to the magistrates, where the people are self-governed, and it is against the use and wont of these to give a false report; but indeed no Hindu is accused of lying.”

Chinese traveller Hiuen-Tsiang visited Bharata during 629-645 AD, wrote some thirty comments on various aspects of people he visited. Some of these are - 

“active and impetuous; lively and courageous; brave, true and upright; brave and impetuous; hard and fierce; regard justice and bravery; simple and honest, resolute and fierce, ardent and courageous”, 

“timid and soft; soft and agreeable; docile and virtuous; soft and complacent ... contended and peaceful; light and frivolous, weak, pusillanimous”, 

sincere and truthful (mentioned three times); pure and honest and honest and sincere”, 

“soft and effeminate, and somewhat sly and crafty; fierce and value highly the quality of courage, given to deceit; no refinement; hard and rough ... cold and insincere”. 

“rough and rude; quick and violent; savage kind; violent and headstrong; quick and hasty”.

Probably he did not specify names of respective regions and communities he coined those adjectives for.
Marco Polo [1254-1324] said, “…these Abraiaman of Mysore are the best merchants in the world, and the most truthful, for they would not tell a lie for anything on earth”.

Islamic chroniclers like Idrisi wrote in his ‘Geography’ during 11th century on Hindu-s, “The Hindus are naturally inclined to justice, and never depart from it in their action.  Their good faith, honesty, and fidelity to their engagements are well known, and they are so famous for these qualities that people flock to their country from every side.” 

Writers among Islamic invaders too had some favourable comments on Hindu-s -

Shems-ed-din Abu Abdullah [1320–1380] mentioned in Bedi ezr Zenan, “The Hindus are innumerable, like grains of sand, free from all deceit and violence. They fear neither death nor life.”
Akbars Minister, Abul Fazl [1551–1602] stated: “The Hindus are religious, affable, cheerful, lovers of justice, given to retirement, able in business, admirers of truth, and grateful and of unbounded fidelity; and the soldiers know not to what it is to fly from the field of battle.” 

British comments of their Hindu subjects are interesting –  

Warren Hastings [1732-1818]: “They are gentle and benevolent, more susceptible of gratitude for kindness, and less prompted to vengeance for wrongs inflicted than any people on the face of the earth; faithful, affectionate, submissive to legal authority.” 

Bishop Heber [1783-1826], “The Hindus are brave, courteous, intelligent, most eager for knowledge and improvement; sober, industrious, dutiful to parents, affectionate to their children, uniformly gentle and patient, and more easily affected by kindness and attention to their wants and feelings than any people I ever met with.” 

Sir Thomas Munro [1761-1827], “I do not exactly know what it means by civilizing the people of India. In the theory and practice of good government they may be deficient; but, if a good system of agriculture, if unrivaled manufactures, if the establishment of schools for reading and writing, if the general practice of kindness and hospitality, and, above all, if a scrupulous respect and delicacy towards the female sex denote civilized people; then the Hindus are not inferior in civilization to the people of Europe.”

HH Wilson [1786-1860], “always found amongst them cheerful and unwearied industry, good humoured compliance with the bane of their superiors, and a readiness to make whatever exertions were demanded from them: there was among them no drunkenness, no disorderly conduct, no insubordination. There was considerable skill and ready docility. I should say that where there is confidence without fear, frankness is one of the most universal features in the Indian character.” On Hindu-Pandits, he said, “In them I found the similar merits of industry, intelligence, cheerfulness, frankness, with others peculiar to their avocation.” On so-called upper classes, he found, “…polished manners, clearness and comprehensiveness of understanding, liberality of feeling and independence of principle that would have stamped them gentleman in any country in the world”.

Sir William Sleeman [1788-1856], “They adhere habitually, and I may say religiously, to the truth; and I have had before me hundreds of cases in which a man’s property, liberty, or life has depended upon his telling a lie, and he has refused to tell it to save either. I believe there is no class of men in the world more strictly honourable in their dealings than the mercantile classes of India.”   

Some of western scholars so cerebrated over Hinduism - 

Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) said, "Hinduism and Hindus will one day rule this world because it is a mixture of knowledge and wisdom.”

Herbert Wells (1846-1946) said, “How many generations are going to face atrocities and murders until Hinduism is well understood ! But the world will one day be inspired by Hindutva. Only on that day will the world become a place for humans to settle and live.”

 Albert Einstein (1879-1955) said, “He does what the Jews cannot do. He did it with knowledge and energy. But only Hinduism has the power to lead to peace.”

Houston Smith (1919) said, “Hindutva is not more trusting than we have in ourselves. If we can turn our thoughts and hearts towards Hindutva, it will benefit us.” 

Michael Nostradamus (1503-1566) said, “Hinduism will become the ruling religion of Europe. The famous metropolis of Europe is the Hindu capital.”

Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) said, “I read about Hinduism. I feel that this is the religion of mankind all over the world. Hinduism spread throughout Europe. Many scholars studying Hinduism will appear in Europe. One day the situation will develop where only Hindus will lead the world.”

Costa Loban (1841-1931) said, “Hindus only talk about peace and reconciliation. I invite Christians to praise change and believe in it.”

Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) said, “One day this world will accept Hinduism. Refusing to accept the true name of Hinduism will only make one accept its principles. Western nations will surely one day convert to Hinduism. The religion of the learned is equal to that of Hinduism.”

Johann Keith (1749-1832) said, “If not today, one day we will have to accept Hinduism. Because that is the true religion.”

So we behold, all their perceptions have been external and superficial as they had not introverted themselves to perceive the core of Hinduism within themselves. Hinduism is mystical and not mythical.