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Many people find it difficult to understand Hinduism because of the
numerous deities, scriptures and schools of thought. The difficulty is
primarily due to the popular concept of God – that there is a God
sitting somewhere up in the heavens and controlling the happenings on
earth. In fact majority of Hindus too believe in a ‘God sitting above’
but the sole difference that a Hindu can choose a personal God or Gods
from the numerous deities in the Hindu pantheon who are all the
representative of the Supreme Being – Brahman.
Hinduism,
the real name Sanatana Dharma, should be understood step by step. The
confusion arises when people directly jumps into the various schools of
thought and scriptures or by forming an opinion by standing in the
outskirts.
- There is
only one Supreme Truth called by different names. It is present in all
animate and inanimate. All birth and death are the result of this
Supreme Truth. We are born into this state of Supreme Bliss.
- But soon this Supreme Bliss is replaced by various schools of thoughts primarily due to society, family and education. Every Hindu begins by praying to a personal god or gods or goddess or goddesses. There is a goddess for learning, there is a god of wealth etc etc. Each individual’s personal god is a symbol of his/her highest ideals.
The
whole confusion exists in this level. The numerous gods and goddesses
exist in this step. The various schools of thoughts, numerous rituals,
scriptures, the caste system, mythology, incarnations, festivals,
prayers, debates, astrology, shlokas exist in this level. Most people in
this level are fortune seekers – who want to lead a good life on the
earth with the help of God. So they propitiate a personal god, they
bribe the god and so on to see miracles happen in their life. The three
important sects in Hindu religion – the Vaishnava (Vishnu), Shaivism
(Shiva) and Shakti (Mother Goddess) is also found in this level.
Even
majority of Hindus do not realize the concept of Brahman in this level.
The personal god becomes the sole refuge for many. But the scriptures
like the Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads constantly remind people to think
beyond and to find answers to questions like Who am I? or Why do I
suffer? Very few find time to find answers or even dare to enter the
next domain.
- The next level begins with contemplation. Some people reach at this level by questioning the very existence of God. Others by trying to find answers to questions like Who am I?
In
this level the person realizes that I and God are one and therefore he
studies more and more about Brahman. In this level he reads the
scriptures, looks out for a Guru, and follows the teachings of ancient
seers and modern day gurus. Most seekers in this level are students –
they read and try to find answers.
A person in
this level will frequently go back to the previous level. Because it is
difficult to understand Brahman or that there is only one reality. Some
cannot accept the fact that God is not going to help him in finding
wealth and provide comforts or perform miracles.
- There are few souls who will get into the next level. They realize that there is only Brahman – I and Body will drop.
They
will become silent or sing praises of the numerous gods or concentrate
on a single personal God. Reaching this level is very difficult. But
very few return back from this level. They like solitude life or become
wandering monks. They find the true meaning of ‘Thou Art That’ or
everything is Brahman. There is no death or birth but mere
transformation. But even in this level to a small degree the Brahman
remains outside.
- The next level is the return to the first level of Supreme Bliss.
Nothing to write, nothing to talk because there is no SECOND. No Birth. No Death.
source:-http://www.hindu-blog.com/2008/05/understanding-hinduism-hindu-religion.html
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