Hindus and Mohammad...

Society Religion & Philosophy
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Saalllaaam/Heylloo

THE LAST KALKI AUTAR(MESSENGER) THAT VEDA HAS FORETOLD AND WHO IS BEING AWAITED BY HINDUS IS NO OTHER THAN PROPHET MOHAMMAD.

A recently published book in Hindi has raised a lot of hue and cry all over the india. In the event of the author being a Muslim, he would have been jailed and a strict ban would have certainly been imposed on the printing and publishing of the book. The author of this important research work “Kalki autar” i.ee “guide and prophet of the whole universe” comes of a bangali race and holds an important portfolio at Ilahabad University. Pundit Vaid Parkash is a Brahman Hindu and a well known Sanskirt scholar and research worker. Pundit Vaid Parkash, after a great deal of toil and hard-work, presented the work to as many as eight great Pundits who are themselves very well known in the field of research in India, and are amongst the learned religious leaders. Their Pundits, agter thorough study of the book, have acknowledged this to be true and authentic research work.

Important religious books of India mention the guide and prophet by the specific names of ‘ Kalki Autar’ it denotes the great man Mohammad who was born in Mecca. Hence, all Hindus where-ever they may be, should wait no longer for anyother ‘ Kalki Autar’ but to embrace Islam and follow in the footprints of the last Messenger of Allah who was sent in the world about fourteen hundred years ago with a mission from Him and after
accomplishing it has long ago departed this world. As an argument to prove the
authenticity of his research, Pundit Vaid Parkash quotes from Veda a sacred book among Hindus:

Accouding to a prophecy of Hinduism that Kalki Autar will be born in an Island and his fathers’s name will be ‘Vishnu Bhagat’ and his mother’s be Somanib.

  1. Veda mentions that ‘ Kalki Autar’ will be the last Messenger/Prophet of
    Bhagwan(Allah) to guide the whole world. After quoting this reference the Pundit Parkash says that this comes true only in the case Mohammad.

  2. According to a prophecy of Hinduism ‘Kalki Autar’ will be born in an island and that is the Arab territory which is known as ‘Jazeeratul Arab’.

  3. In the ‘ sacred’ book of Hindus the father’s name of “Kalki Autar’ is mentioned as ‘Vishnu Bhagat’ and his mother’s name as ‘Somanib’. In sanskrit ‘Vishnu’ stands for Allah and the literal meaning of ‘Bhagat’ is slave (Abdullah). ‘Somanib’ in Sanskirt means peace and tranquillity which in Arabic in denoted by the word ‘Amina’. Whereas the last messenger Mohammad’s father and mother’s names were Abdullah and Amina respectively.

  4. In the big books of Hindus it is mentioned that ‘ Kalki Autar ‘ will live on olive and dates and he will be true to his words and honest. In this regard Pundit Parkash writes “This is true established only in the case of Mohammad.”

  5. Veda mentions that ‘Kalki Autar’ will be born in the respected and noble dynasty of his land. And this is also true as regards Mohammad as he was born in the respected tribe of Quraish who enjoyed great respect and high place in Mecca.

  6. “Kalki Autar” will be taught in the cave by a Bhagwan through his own messenger. And it is very true in this matter. Mohammad was the only one person in Mecca who has taught by Allah’s messenger Gariel in the cave of Hi ra.

  7. It is written in the books which Hindus believe, that Bhagwan will provide ‘ Kalki Autar’ with the fastest of a horse with the help of which he will ride around the world and the seven skies/heavens. The riding on ‘Buraq’ and ‘Meraj’ by the Prophet Mohammad proves what?

  8. It is also written in Hindus books that ‘Kalki Autar’ will be strengthened and heavenly helped by Bhagwan. And we know this fact tha Mohammad was aided and reinforced by Allah through His angel in the battle of Badar.

  9. Hindus books also mention that ‘Kalki Autar’ will expert in horse riding,
    arrow-shooting and swordmanship. What Pundit Vaid Parkash comments in this regard is very important and is worth attention and consideration. He writes that the age of horse, swords and spears is long ago gone and now is the age of modern weaponslike tanks, missiles & guns and therefore it will be unwise to wait for ‘Kalki Autar’ bearing sword and arrows or spears. In reality the mention in our books of ‘Kalki Autar’ is clearly indicative of Mohammad who was given the heavenly book known as Al-Quran.

Jaawan

Till next timeK_I_S_S

[This message has been edited by Jaawan (edited August 31, 1999).]

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I have always felt that Hindus could become our brothers if only they would follow their own scriptures and accept Islam.

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How can you rely on their own scriptures when their idea of God is totally against what the Quran tells us, so don't take this research too seriously!

It is written in the Athur Veda that at the time of worshipping God, the following should be uttered:

"O'Swami Parmatma of the followers of Jain! obeisance be to thy mouth; obeisance is to thy eyes; obeisance is to thy skin; obeisance is to thy organs; pray is to thy belly; obeisance is to thy tongue; obeisance is to thy face; obeisance is to thy teeth;
obeisance is to the stench of thy teeth."

The concept of God is the most sublime idea. It is now obvious that what would be the nature of the deeds of a nation which has this idea of God in its sight, Neither the mind of this nation can be free from the superstition, nor can their actions be based on knowledge and insight. God to whom they submit is never above the human countenance.

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Interesting article.

Xtreme,

we could all be brothers, just forget this idea of God. ;)

Camille wrote:

O'Swami Parmatma of the followers of Jain!<

Are you sure this is from the Atharva Veda? The mention of "followers of Jain" sounds like an anachronism to me.

It is now obvious that what would be the nature of the deeds of a nation which has this idea of God in its sight, Neither the mind of this nation can be free from the superstition nor can their actions be based on knowledge and insight<

What exactly do you consider as a superstition? What may seem to be superstition to a muslim maybe the "eternal truth" to the hindu, as taught by his religion, and vice versa. Islam, as i understand, considers the worship of God's creations a mark of disrespect to the creator. Hinduism considers all creations to be divine. Islam says God is formless or incomprehensible to humans, Hinduism goes into great details regarding the description of it's God's physical appearances.

Pretty contrasting, but in either case, I don't see how it affects the actions of a person,in this world atleast, to a drastic extent. Maybe it leads to petty arguments over who's right, which lead to riots and wars.

And yeah, I'd say belief in God itself is a superstition that ties down people, makes them narrow-minded and blocks free thinking.

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I suppose you have really answered your own question in a way about what superstition is by the above quote. Superstition to me is belief in God in the way that Hinduism promotes it, and does make its people narrow minded and blocks their free thinking. The division of the permanent classes is jutified under Hinduism and accepted by the people, the ruling classes have always been Brahmans and the people accept this because as far they are concerned they are being paid back for whatever they did in their last life. , it makes man a mere helpless being; whatever he may do, he cannot bring any change in his existing state and, thus, divides the society into such permanent classes, which cannot be eliminated, and then what eventually is the purpose of this exertion and struggle? - Only to get salvation from the whirling of tansmigration (the cycle of death and re-birth). How meaningless is the purpose of the creation of man and the cosmos?

The existing hindu religous books bear testimony to the fact that these are the writings of that age when human mind was in its infancy. The infantile mind can never perceive the concept of an abstract reality in any shape other than its concrete form. How could the mind of that age have established the pristine concept of the personality of God? It transformed God on its own nature only with the difference that man (for example) has two hands, God was conceived to have eight, man has one head, God had ten; man can drink a cup of water, God can pour in the whole ocean.

What the Quran offers is something which is completely the opposite and free of superstition:

"Then it said So far as the personality of God is concerned, you cannot conceive it, because you can only conceive the things, which are perceptible to senses, and the self of God is an exception to this phenomenon. Therefore."Human eyes cannot perceive him, He can keep watch over the eyes. He is very subtle and All-knowing." Al-Quran 6/104) His personality cannot be conceived with any example, because "He is analogous to none"(Al-Quran 42/11)" Neither He is himself the ;son of any one, nor anyone else is His son"(Al-Quran 112/3) "Nor is any one else is equal in rank to Him. He is altogether unique, incomparable and unprecedented." Al-Quran 112/4).

The question is: What is the advantage of believing in these attributes of God? One accepts that these are the attributes of God and the other rejects. What impact does this acceptance and rejection has on their lives? The Holy Quran answers this question. It says that every human is a carrier of "Divine energy" which is called the human personality. Every human personality is bestowed with the possibility of progressively actualizing these attributes (within human limits). This is the hue of God beyond which no other hue is more elegant. (Al-Quran 2/138)

That is why these attributes are the objective standard for the nourishment of human personality It is this ideal to which man wants to mould himself. This is the standard, which he strives to come up to . Every moment, he measures his own self against this objective standard and evaluates rationally the extent to which his personality has developed and how far it still remain to be developed.

In addition to it, the Holy Quran also informs as to which attribute operates at what occasion so that the likewise facet may also operate in the like event on the part of the man. This also determines man's reaction in the face of external events and occurrences. Remember, as is the upholding of the balanced attributes for the man a must, similarly the emergence of that attribute most appropriate to that occurrence is imperative.

The proof of its antiquity is provided by its existing religious books where each of its leaves bear testimony to the fact that these are the writings of that age when human mind was in its infancy. The infantile mind can never perceive the concept of an abstract reality in any shape other than its concrete form. How could the mind of that age have established the pristine concept of the personality of God? It transformed God on its own nature only with the difference that man (for example) has two hands, God was conceived to have eight, man has one head, God had ten; man can drink a cup of water, God can pour in the whole ocean.

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Superstition to me is belief in God in the way that Hinduism promotes it, and does make its people narrow minded and blocks their free thinking.<

Does that mean Islam is free from superstitions, in your opinion?

The division of the.......of man and the cosmos? <

Caste division is a good example of where man has been narrowminded and selfish. It was once an unquestioned phenomenon in Hindu society. But you are mistaken if you think Hindu religion justifies discrimination. The definition of brahmin in the vedas isn't one based on birth, one is a brahmin only by erudition. Unfortunately, people misinterpret it and practice this wretched custom. It is still carried on in rural areas in India, though in cities no one gives a damn what caste you are. I'd say caste system in hinduism is something like the practice of slavery among a few of the muslim rulers of Ancient Delhi or maybe like Taliban rule in Afghanistan, a misrepresentation of the real thing.

The existing hindu religous books bear testimony to the fact that these are the writings of that age when human mind was in its infancy.<

Ever read a translation of the "Geetha"? Maybe "Ramayana"and "Mahabharatha" do sound more like fairy tales, but the Bhagvat Geetha is certainly a highly intellectual book.

It transformed God on its own nature ..... whole ocean.<

I still don't understand how an insight into the personality can be more important than tolerance towards fellow beings and other down to earth matters.

You explain with this quote:

This is the hue of God beyond which no other hue is more elegant. (Al-Quran 2/138) <

Now why can't this be just a superstition? Er..stupid question, but i can't help it. I can't understand how you think quoting the Quran can be superior to quoting a hindu holy book. I assume you never delved into hinduism as much as you have done with Islam. How can you then claim that Hindu books are products of infantile brains?

An addition to it, the Holy Quran also informs as to which attribute operates at what occasion so that the likewise facet may also operate in the like event on the part of the man.<

Sorry, i don't understand.

This also determines man's reaction in the face of external events and occurrences.<

Again, I'm lost. I guess you want to say that the Quran is a guide for everyone. I don't mean to be insensitive, but every Dale Carnegie book claims the same. So why Quran? Isn't it because your elders drilled it in when you were mouldable?

Do you consider the theory of evolution a superstition? Afterall, it's the product of not-so-infantile brains, a few of whom are nobel prize winners. When it can all be explained without a superstition called God, why complicate matters ? Not just evolution, everything else too.

:)

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Some good points Queer and I appreciate where you are coming from. The Quran is free from superstition, the Islam practiced today is probably not. I agree with you on the caste issue and the comparison with the Afhganistan is a good one.

But I think your confused about things here……my points are purely related to the concept of God in hinduism and Islam and very little to do with Darwin or anyone else, the comaprison is purely a religious one. So if a peron is a hindu and wishes to discuss the concept of God then we can go onto explore the issues above, otherwise we can both say that verything is superstition etc.

You have assumed that I have been moulded at an early age to follow the sheep as it were, however that is not the case at all. I had very little to no religious education from my youth and only encountered the Quran within the last year so your assumption with all the prejudices attached with are wrong. The questions you are asking about Islam are valid and should be the questions that every so called muslims should be asking themselves. Why do you believe in the Quran? What you have to start from is asking yourself do you believe in God (as an entity)? If the answer is yes than you have look at history and the so called communications from this entity and assess them accordingly. The methodolgy you adopt is very important and not something which you can do overnight it a constant struggle to find the truth (a bit like the X files!). Then you have to assess why you think the Quran is the truth and why you should follow it, in my case this often means rejecting a lot of the traditional writings which are outside of the Quran….but I'm still looking and learning.

Its not always easy to explain why or what you believe in - that should prompt you or anyone else to think about their own existence.

By the way what do you believe in? Why do you exist, why are you here? You talk about tolerance and kindness etc why? Why should one be tolerant, why should be kind, why should I help others? Confused? Well I am anyway! Still searching though……..

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jawaan,

Avatar (Muhammed) has come and gone. But, his followers are in a terrible mess taking a path of total self anhilation.

I get a feeling 'Nostradamus' may have predicted right.

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Jawaan... first off, 'avtaar' means a re-incarnation of God. I don't think you should say that about Mohammad, as being an avtaar goes against the Islamic belief that 'there are no partners with God'.

Camille... you say that when books of hinduism were written, human mind was in infancy and could not have realized concept of God. Ever read Gita? or any of Vedas. Read them and then tell me whether you find it work of an infantile mind.

I have not read Quran in detail, so i would resist from making comments or quoting from it.

I'm in a hurry, but shall be writing more on hinduism later on. I don't really believe in debating trying to establish supremacy of one religion over another. I'd rather just talk to a seeking spirit, someone who wants to know for knowledge's sake. Everyone is free to believe in what they want to. Take it or leave it. But i'd like to address specific points you have raised... age of infancy, concept of god, purpose of existence.

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lol Jawaan, actually you should be careful. What Ved Prakash might want to imply by saying Mohammad is an avtaar is that everyone is a Hindu, Mohammad is just another re-incarnation of God like Ram or Krishna were. You see, Hindus wouldn't have any problem with this concept. We have freedom to choose in who to believe... which ever deity we can identify with, or even none at all. Its probably you who would have problem with this cause you would say not to believe in any other.

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Read the article carefully with your eyes open !!! Take the damn thing seriously, forget what you worshipp today, let it make sense to you if you have some sense to understand it!

It says that hindus are waiting for some prophet, the articl list the specification, and only Mohammad meets that speicifications, now that means you have to get rid of your currant practices and embrace ISLAM. it was simple as that...if not then this verse for you...
"O unbelievers,I serve not what you serve and you are not serving what I serve,
nor am I serving what you have served, neither are you serving what I serve.To you your religion, and to me my religion!"

jaawan

Till next time*K_I_S_S*

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Camille, I have tried to compiled the concept of Religion, God, Soul, etc put down in Vedas, as I understand it. Again, the intention is just to answer your queries. Though I wish you had asked the questions before dismissing the philosophy as immature or superstition. Since my way of seeking truth accepts concept of various routes to the same destination, it does not demand approval or belief from anyone unless they realise the same truth by themselves. Anyway, I hope the articles are self explanatory and what I want to say would be clearer…. I am presenting my thoughts in two (very long, so beware) parts. I just hope they convey the message the way I understand it. At the core of it there is One Truth, a Unity, Supreme Soul.. or call it God if you will. And the purpose of existence, cycles of birth and death is to ultimately realise that Truth…

Part I The Methods and Purpose of Religion

In studying the religions of the world we generally find two methods of procedure. The one is from God to man. The other is through man to God. The second is peculiarly Aryan. The Aryan man was always seeking divinity inside his own self. Even at the present time, if we take a European picture of a man in a religious attitude, the painter mostly makes his subject point his eyes upwards, looking outside of self for God, looking upto skies. In India, the religious attitude is always presented by closing the eyes. As is were, looking inwards… trying to realise God through Self.

The one theme that runs through all the Vedas is : “ Just as by the knowledge of one lump of clay we know all the clay that is in the Universe; So what is that (Truth) knowing which we know everything else?”. This more or less clearly expresses the theme of all human knowledge. It is the finding of a Unity towards which we all are going. A man is single to begin with, concerned with only his needs. Slowly he grows, comes to love his family, friends, country, then world and slowly perfects it by loving the whole Universe. Irresistibly we are drawn towards that perfection which consists in finding the Unity, making ourselves broader and broader.

The more ignorant, the more unenlightened the soul, the more it thinks it is separate from the rest of the world. But we find that, as knowledge comes, man grows, morality is evolved, and the idea of non-separateness begins. The idea that the "other person is no different from myself". That is the foundation of all morality. It is the quintessence of all ethics, preached in any language or in any religion or by any prophet in the world. That you are a part of me, and I of you. The recognition that in hurting you I hurt myself, and in helping you I help myself.

Religions divide themselves generally into three parts. First is the Philosophy--- the essence, the principles. These principles find expression through second part Mythology… lives of saints or heros, demi-gods or gods or divine beings. The last part is Ceremonies or symbols of that religion.

Vedanta (teachings of Vedas)--- represent the philosophy of Hindu religion. They are not work of a single man or prophet, but compilation of teachings of many seers and Rishis. That is why no one deity (Ram or Krishna or any avtaar) overshadows the basic principles laid down. They are a means to illustrate some of the Philosophy to make it easier for man to conceptualise. The persons appeal to emotions; and the Principles to something higher, to our calm judgement. Principles must conquer in the long run.

The religions which do not provide this clear distinction between its Philosophy and Mythology—often see one prophet or one person overshadow that philosophy. Since Persons appeal to our emotions and emotions can many times drag us down. Therefore when principles are entirely lost sight of and emotions prevail, religions degenerate into fanaticism and sectarianism.

Vedas are compilation of ‘Mantras’, put forth by many Rishis. ‘Mantra’ means ‘thought out’. The Hindu philosophy encourages you to think for yourself. The God does not say believe because I say so. Why was reason given to us if all we have to do is simply believe? Is it not blasphemous or superstitious to believe against reason? What right have we not to use the greatest gift that God has given to us? I am sure God will pardon a man who will use his reason and finds himself unable to believe rather than a man who believes blindly instead of using the faculties given by Him.

We must reason; and when the reason proves to us the truth of the deities, prophets and great men about whom the ancient books speak of in every country, then we shall believe them. We shall believe them when we see such prophet in ourselves. We shall then find that they were not peculiar men, but only illustrations of certain principles. We shall have to work to express those principles in us. Unity. We shall believe them when we “realize” them in ourselves, one with us.

That is the one principle of Vedanta – religion is through realization. For you to become religious means that you start without any religion, work your way up and realize things; and when you have done that, then and then alone, you have religion. Before that you are no better than an atheist, or worse, because the atheist is sincere – he stands up and says, “I do not know about these things”. While others do not know either but go about saying “we are very religious”.

Realization of the religion is the way taught to Hindus. Each one of us have to make our own realization. All the scriptures, sacred books are like maps, expression of past men, as a motive power to us to make the same experiences and discover the same way, if not better! (it encourages you to forge your own way, no book, no rule, no diety is an end in itself).

Again, these methods of self realization can be various. We are all different with our own idiosyncrasies. If there were only one method to arrive at truth, it would be the death of everyone else who is not similarly constituted. Take up any one you like; and if it does not suit you, another may. “Let each person in the world be separate if you will; behind that One principle, One unity”. Therein lies the tolerance of Hindu philosophy. Whatever method, whatever religion you follow, it only preaches Unity…. One God… of which all the prophets, saints or deities are illustrations and manifestations. Take any path you like, follow any prophet you like; but choose only that method which suits your own nature, so that you will be sure to progress. That is why it is called ‘Swadharma’… ‘swa’ means Self, dharma means duty/course of action. Each person is free to choose is own course of action that which takes him closer to that Unity.

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Part 2. Nature of Soul, Existence and its purpose.

As I said before, Vedic philosophy stresses that religion is through realization. Before that realization saying that I do not believe in god, is not frowned upon. God does not demand unconditional belief without reason. If realization is the foundation of belief, then the ultimate goal of human being, or its soul is to realize that God through itself… to become One with it. Unity. Yoga (which means join.. means of joining self with god). If you do not succeed, in one lifetime, there is always the next one, but strive we must.

The soul is that entity which is not bound by any body or form. It lives on even after the body dies, and hence to reinforce the idea that soul is not limited by body, the body is burnt after it dies.

To become one with God who is omnipresent, infinite… we have to believe man, his soul is infinite too. Now the question is: If soul is infinite, what is meant by its taking up body forms, cycle of birth and death? The idea is that ‘soul’ neither comes nor goes, neither is born nor dies. But as a man having a book in his hands, reads one page and turns it over, goes to the next page and so on… it is the book that is being turned over, not the man. Each life, each birth as it were, a page of that book; until the whole book is read and the soul becomes enlightened, having got all the experiences of nature. The ideas of heaven and hell are not the final destinations for the soul… they are temporary resting places where it gets the results of its karma, learns more, and on to the next life… ultimate goal is self realization.

If every soul is infinite, how is it there can be many souls? There cannot be many infinites. One would limit the other and mak each other finite. So now the philosophy narrows down that there is actually One supreme soul… One Unity, all others are its mere reflections.

The human soul goes after sense-enjoyment, vanities of the world. When there comes a blow, it looks upwards and sees the infinite Lord a moment, comes a little closer… but is again dragged away by its desires, past actions. Another blow, another lesson learnt, another life, another realization and it comes a little more closer to God. As the soul becomes successively more evolved, more enlightened, broadening its horizons, becoming one with Universe, melting away its intense selfishness, when the desire to sacrifice the whole world to please its little self starts melting away…. Vision changes for such a compassionate soul, it becomes sufficiently near to Lord to realize that it is one with it. That it was nothing but a reflection of that Unity all along. That all of us are infact reflection of that Unity. This is the idea behind Hindu philosophy of realizing the same Supreme soul in oneself and in every other being around us. Again, ‘realization’ is the key, not merely paying lip service to the idea. The goal is to reach that level of compassion through your efforts, meditations, selfless actions, learning… may take many lifetimes.

When you actually realize that omnipresent soul, that truth inherent in all nature and phenomena in yourself, then you are liberated. This is Nirvana. Know that You are He and know that You are free.

It is only through karma, through active actions that we make this journey of self realization. Its more than just belief.

Well this philosophy makes me think, lets me make choices, teaches that there is no escape... Karma is the key, search for truth, strive to realize God through myself, in myself and in all others… Call it infantile or superstition if you like. I am free and so are you to make your own journey towards Truth.

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Just thought i would add what one of the hindu religions says about religious tolerance.

Santhana Dharma is a religion that declares that there is no religion that can be labeled "One and Only". It says that all religions are but facets of the one Truth. All names are the names of one and only God, that all forms are but His forms. No religion can claim to represent fully the universal eternal Truth. If one finds fault with another's faith, he is casting a slur on his own faith. If anyone defames another religion, he only reveals his ignorance of the nature of religion and glory of God.

[This message has been edited by queer (edited September 04, 1999).]

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But according to Camille, all these thoughts of tolerence come from a time when human mind was not properly developed (examples of this undeveloped mind would be buddha or ramanuja or writers of upanishadas). apparently human mind became more and more clever in time. but since camille does not accept anything beyond the scripture written 1400 years ago and strongly disagrees modern philosophies, we should accept that human mind reached pinnacle 1400 years ago and is degrading ever since.
P.S. on the other hand, it is nice that camille sees religions as products of mid. One may be a product of uncivilized primitive minds of indus valley and other may be product of civilized, advanced minds of arabia. but none of them is word of god. just prducts of human mind.

[This message has been edited by ZZ (edited September 05, 1999).]

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Why are we/you taking this things so..debatably...the research was done already no need to debate on it. Great pundits of Hindus did the research Pundit Vaid Parkash is a Brahman Hindu and a well known Sanskirt scholar and research worker. Pundit Vaid Parkash, after a great deal of toil and hard-work, presented the work to as many as eight great Pundits who are themselves very well known in the field of research in India, and are amongst the learned religious leaders. Their Pundits, agter thorough study of the book, have acknowledged this to be true and authentic research work. This research does not need any more of authencity by people who dont know any religion, but do make right or wrong comments on it, which is NOT right!!!

Jaawan

Till next time*K_I_S_S*

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ZZ,

Tolerance - don't think I was discussing whether Hinduism was tolerant or not? Focus on the discussion which was the concept of God and nothing to do with anything else. When did I strongly disagree with any modern philosphies discussed?
What happened 1400 years ago was nothing to do with the development of the human mind, infact those people were also infantile in their thoughts and were idol worshippers. You talk about the word of God, how do you judge what the word of God is? How dare you put words in my mouth and state that I see all religions as products of the human mind? Please get your facts right before quoting me, thanks.

If you want to explain Hinduism to then go ahead, but either come into the discussion and try and justify your argument (as Anayana is doing) or stay out- don't sit on the fence and pass comments which are irrelevant. We are discussing the concept of God in Hinduism, do you have any comments or are your reactions of a purely knee jerk nature?

Ananya,

Thanks a lot for your thoughts and information, I'll have a good read and try to digest it all!

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You are welcome, Camille. You see there is no prescribed path to follow in Hinduism. The concept of God is sublime indeed… the spirit of universe, and purpose of our life is to realise that divine spirit in ourselves. Many people in India do worship idols, or deities of human form… but that is the form of Bhakti-Yoga… love for God. And as human forms, the deities appeal to the emotions. Again, it is not the only way to realise God.

I like to explore Vedanta philosophy and message of Gita… they appeal to my reason. In theological terms it can be called ‘Jnana Yoga’ and ‘Karma Yoga’. Striving towards Unity through learning(jnana) and action(karma). And ‘yoga’ as i mentioned is means to become one with God. I rarely do any form of worship or prayer.

I recommend following articles for anyone who wants more information on Vedic philosophy, that i could find on internet:

Vivekananda’s lecture on vedanta http://www.vedanta.com/future.html

And an article ‘vedanta’ on http://www.vedanta.com

regards.

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Anyone who is interested in learning about Hinduism should also visit this site;

http://www.islamzine.com/ideologies/hinduism/

It is very informative and a balanced view is given rather than idealistic misrepresentation.

[This message has been edited by Mr Xtreme (edited September 07, 1999).]

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Please only add links if they are related to the topic. Thank you.

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[This message has been edited by hmcq (edited September 07, 1999).]