The Nameless Religion

If Hinduism is really the name of our religion, it should have been known so during the period of our ancestors or mentioned in our ancient holy scriptures. But it would appear that to our ancestors the name Hinduism was somewhat strange. It is so because Hinduism is really a religion without a name.

Although the religion has no name, it has a common basis – the faith in the authority of the Vedas. The term ‘Veda’ arises from the root ‘Vid’ meaning to know. So, Veda means knowledge. Learning the Vedas is to acquire knowledge. Surprisingly, the author of the Vedas is nameless too!

Dharma- Righteousness

The word Dharma is synonymous with Hinduism. Sanatana Dharma is a way of life. The ancient scriptures (Sastras) prescribe many rigorous duties for a Hindu. For example, the Manu Dharma Sastra describes many duties, the following five being most important:

अहिंसासत्यास्तेय ब्रह्मचर्यापरिग्रहाः

ahiṁsā-satya-asteya brahmacarya-aparigrahāḥ

These five essential dharmas (duties) are:

1.Ahimsa (non-harming or non-violence in thought, word and deed)
2.Satya (truthfulness)
3.Asteya (non-stealing)
4.Brahmacharya (celibacy or ‘right use of energy’)
5.Aparigraha (non-greed or non-hoarding)

In present times, don’t we see or hear about many important personalities getting into problems by not abiding one or more of these valuable lessons? Some of them suffer great mental stress leading to even suicides.

The Vedas lay great stress on the devotion to: parents, the Guru or preceptor, and the guest. The following are verses from the “Taittiriya Upanishad” that are the essence of all life lessons.

सत्यं वद धर्मं चर , मातृ देवो भव , पितृ देवो भव ,आचार्य देवो भव

satyam vada; dharmam chara; mAtRu dEvO bhava; pitRu dEvO bhava; AcArya dEvO bhava.

Speak the Truth. Abide by your Dharma, Know your mother to be like a Goddess, know your father to be like a God, know your teacher to be like a God, know a guest to be like a God.

The respect shown by the Vedas to different individuals is simply amazing and has no match!

Among the four main pursuits for mankind, Dharma is the first and foremost!