Hindu-hinduism: call and reality about hinduism

 The phrases “Hindu” and “Hinduism.” the truth is that authentic “Hinduism” is primarily based on Vedic expertise, which is related to our spiritual identification. Many human beings do receive it to mean the same element as Sanatana-dharma, which is a more accurate Sanskrit term for the Vedic direction. Such identification is past any brief names such as Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, or maybe Hindu. In the end, god never describes himself as belonging to this type of category, saying that he's only a Christian god, a Muslim god, or a Hindu god. That is why a number of the best religious masters from India have prevented figuring out themselves best as Hindus. The Vedic direction is eternal, and consequently past all such transient designations. So am I calling the name “Hindu” a transient designation?

We ought to keep in mind that the term “Hindu” isn't always even Sanskrit. Several scholars say it is not discovered in any of the Vedic literature. So how can the sort of name clearly constitute the vedic course or lifestyle? And without the Vedic literature, there may be no basis for “Hinduism.”

Maximum pupils experience that the name “Hindu” become developed through outsiders, invaders who could not pronounce the call of the Sindhu river nicely. Consistent with Sir Monier Williams, the Sanskrit lexicographer, you cannot locate an indigenous root for the words Hindu or Indian. Neither are these words observed in any Buddhist or Jain texts, nor any of the legit 23 languages of India. A few sources file that it become Alexander the Amazing who first renamed the river, Sindhu, as the indu, dropping the start “s”, as a result making it less complicated for the Greeks to pronounce. This became known as the Indus. This become when Alexander invaded India around 325 b.C. His Macedonian forces thereafter called the land east of the Indus as India, a name used in particular in the course of the British regime. Earlier than this, the Vedic name for the region was Bharath Varsha, which many humans nevertheless choose to name by using that call.

Later, when the Muslim invaders arrived from such locations as Afghanistan and Persia, they called the Sindhu River the Hindu River. Thereafter, the name “Hindu” became used to describe the population from that tract of land in the northwestern provinces of India in which the Sindhu river is placed, and the region itself was referred to as “Hindustan.” because the Sanskrit sound of “s” converts to “h” inside the Parsee language, the Muslims reported the Sindhu as “Hindu,” even though on time the human beings of the region did not use the name “Hindu” themselves. This word become utilized by Muslim foreigners to pick out the human beings and the religion of folks that lived in that vicinity. Thereafter, even the Indians conformed to those requirements as set by those in power and used the names Hindu and Hindustan. Otherwise, the word has no means besides for people who region cost on it or now use it out of convenience.

That is corroborated and explained in addition by using marjoram Camaro charge-Deshmukh, where he explains, “at the juncture of the Greek invasion, the noun Hindu had no longer yet evolved. The natives have been [known as] the Vedic individuals who followed the practices prescribed inside the Vedas in which fireplace worship turned into prominent amongst different forces of nature, together with Indra (rains), Varun (water), Vayu (wind), ash (horse), etc. As a faith, Islam become formalized around 622 adverts, and the Persian conquest of 642-44 ad through the Arabs as Islamic strength destroyed the age-vintage Persian civilization in phrases of philosophy, subculture, type of worship, and many others. Within one hundred years of the Arabic conquest, the Persians were overwhelmingly converted to Islam.

 At this juncture, because of Persian interchangeability among ‘s’ and ‘h’, Hindus ought to have grown to be Hindu, and the persons referred to their brothers throughout the river as Hindus and the dwelling house of the Hindus as Hindusthan. Nehru in his ebook titled Discovery of India also states that the earliest reference to the period Hindu become observed within the Tantrik literature of the eighth-century advert. Accordingly, fantastically talking, Hindu is the present-day term for the Vedic Indians via the Persians who had lost their historic civilization to the Arabs.” (Ramayana: truth or fiction? using Sarjerao Camaro charge-Deshmukh, Pratibha Deshmukh, Pune, October, 2003, p.236)

Another view of the name “Hindu” shows the confusing nature it causes for understanding the true essence of the spiritual paths of India. As written by R. N. Suryanarayan in his book Universal Religion (p.1-2, published in Mysore in 1952), “The political situation of our country from centuries past, say 20-25 centuries, has made it very difficult to understand the nature of this nation and its religion. The Western scholars, and historians, too, have failed to trace the true name of this Brahmanland, a vast continent-like country, and, therefore, they have contented themselves by calling it by that meaningless term ‘Hindu’. This word, which is a foreign innovation, is not made used by any of our Sanskrit writers and revered Acharyas in their works. It seems that political power was responsible for insisting upon the continuous use of the word Hindu. The word Hindu is found, of course, in Persian literature. Hindu-e-Falak means ‘the black of the sky’ and ‘Saturn’. In the Arabic language Hind not Hindu means nation. It is shameful and ridiculous to have read all along in history that the name Hindu was given by the Persians to the people of our country when they landed on the sacred soil of Sindhu.”

The location wherein the word "Hindu" occurs for what some people feel for the first time is in the Avesta of the Iranians in its description of the country of India and its people. As their state religion of Zoroastrianism grew, the word seemed to take on a derogatory meaning. And of course, as Islam spread in India, the words "Hindu" and "Hindustan" became even more disrespected and even hated in the Persian arena, and more prominent in the Persian and Arabic literature after the 11th century.  

Another view of the source of the name Hindu is based on a derogatory meaning. It is said that “Moreover, it is correct that this name [Hindu] has been given to the original Aryan race of the region by Muslim invaders to humiliate them. In Persian, says our author, the word means slave, and according to Islam, all those who did not embrace Islam were termed as slaves.” (Maharishi Shri Dayanand Saraswati Aur Unka Kaam, edited by Lala Lajpat Rai, published in Lahore, 1898, in the Introduction)

Furthermore, a Persian dictionary titled Lughet-e-Kishwari, published in Lucknow in 1964, gives the meaning of the word Hindu as “chore [thief], Dakota [dacoit], raahzan [waylayer], and Ghulam [slave].” In another dictionary, Urdu-Feroze-ul-Laghat (Part One, p. 615) the Persian meaning of the word Hindu is further described as Barda (obedient servant), sia foam (black color), and kalua (black). So these are all derogatory expressions for the translation of the term Hindu in the Persian label of the people of India.

So, basically, Hindu is merely a continuation of a Muslim term that became popular only within the last 1300 years. In this way, we can understand that it is not a valid Sanskrit term, nor does it have anything to do with the true Vedic culture or the Vedic spiritual path. No religion ever existed that was called “Hinduism” until the Indian people in general placed value on that name, as given by those who dominated over them, and accepted its use. Furthermore, the term has been used to convey demeaning connotations. So is it any wonder that some Indian Acharyas and Vedic organizations do not care to use the term?

The real confusion started when the name “Hinduism” was used to indicate the religion of the Indian people. The words “Hindu” and “Hinduism” were used frequently by the British with the effect of focusing on the religious differences between the Muslims and the people who became known as “Hindus”. This was done with the rather successful intention of creating friction among the people of India. This was in accord with the British policy of divide and rule to make it easier for their continued dominion over the country.

However, we should mention that others who try to justify the word “Hindu” present the idea that rishis of old, several thousand years ago, also called central India Hindustan, and the people who lived there were Hindus. The following verse, said to be from the Vishnu Purana, Padma Purana, and the Bruhaspati Samhita, is provided as proof, yet I am still waiting to learn the exact location where we can find this verse:

 Aaasindo Sindhu Paryantham Yasyabharatha Bhoomikah

Mathrubhuh Pithrubhoochaiva sah Vai HindurithismrithaahAnother verse reads as: Sapta sindhu muthal Sindhu maha samudhram vareyulla Bharatha bhoomi aarkkellamaano Mathru bhoomiyum Pithru bhoomiyumayittullathu, avaraanu hindukkalaayi ariyappedunnathu. Both of these verses more or less indicate that whoever considers the land of Bharatha Bhoomi between Sapta Sindhu and the Indian Ocean as his or her motherland and fatherland is known as Hindu. However, here we also have the real and ancient name of India mentioned, which is Bharata Bhoomi. “Bhoomi” (or Bhumi) means Mother Earth, but Bharata is the land of Bharata or Bharata-Varsha, which is the land of India. In numerous Vedic references in the Puranas, Mahabharata, and other Vedic texts, the area of India is referred to as Bharata-Varsha or the land of Bharata and not as Hindustan. The name Bharata-Varsha certainly helps capture the roots and glorious past of the country and its people.

Another couple of references that are used, though the exact location of which I am not sure, include the following:

 Himalayan Samaarafya Yaavat Hindu SarovaramTham Devanirmmitham Resham Hindustanam Prachakshathe Himalyam mutual Indian maha samurai vareyulladevanirmmithamaya deshaththe Hindustanam ennui parayunnu

These again indicate that the region between the Himalayas and the Indian Ocean is called Hindustan. Thus, the conclusion of this is that all Indians are Hindus regardless of their caste and religion. Of course, not everyone is going to agree with that.

            Others say that in the Rig Veda, Bharata is referred to as the country of “Sapta Sindhu”, i.e. the country of seven great rivers. This is, of course, acceptable. However, exactly which book and chapter this verse comes from needs to be clarified. Nonetheless, some say that the word “Sindhu” refers to rivers and sea, and not merely to the specific river called “Sindhu”. Furthermore, it is said that in Vedic Sanskrit, according to ancient dictionaries, “sa” was pronounced as “ha”. Thus “Sapta Sindhu” was pronounced as “Hapta Hindu”. So this is how the word “Hindu” is supposed to have come into being. It is also said that the ancient Persians referred to Bharat as “Hapta Hind”, as recorded in their ancient classic “Bem Riyadh”. So this is another reason why some scholars came to believe that the word “Hindu” had its origin in Persia.

            Another theory is that the name “Hindu” does not even come from the name Sindhu. Mr. A. Krishna Kumar of Hyderabad, India explains. “This [Sindhu/Hindu] view is untenable since Indians at that time enviably ranked highest in the world in terms of civilization and wealth would not have been without a name. They were not the unknown aborigines waiting to be discovered, identified, and Christened by foreigners.” He cites an argument from the book Self-Government in India by N. B. Pavgee, published in 1912. The author tells of an old Swami and Sanskrit scholar Mangal Nathji, who found an ancient Purana known as Brihannaradi in the Sham village, Hoshiarpur, Punjab. It contained this verse:

himalayam samarabhya yavat bindusarovaram

hindusthanamiti qyatam hi antaraksharayogatah

Again the exact location of this verse in the Purana is missing, but Kumar translates it as: 

“The country lying between the Himalayan mountains and Bindu Sarovara (Cape Comorin sea) is known as Hindusthan by a combination of the first letter ‘hi’ of ‘Himalaya’ and the last compound letter ‘end’ of the word ‘Bindu.’”

This, of course, is supposed to have given rise to the name “Hindu”, indicating an indigenous origin. The conclusion of which is that people living in this area are thus known as “Hindus”.

 So again, in any way, these theories may present their information, and in any way you look at it, the name “Hindu” started simply as a bodily and regional designation. The name “Hindu” refers to a location and its people and originally had nothing to do with the philosophies, religion, or culture of the people, which could certainly change from one thing to another. It is like saying that all people from India are Indians. Sure, that is acceptable as a name referring to a location, but what about their religion, faith, and philosophy? These are known by numerous names according to their various outlooks and beliefs. Thus, they are not all Hindus, as many people who do not follow the Vedic system already object to calling themselves by that name. So “Hindu” is not the most appropriate name for a spiritual path, but the Sanskrit term of Sanatana-dharma is much more accurate. The culture of the ancient Indians and their early history is Vedic culture or Vedic dharma. So it is more appropriate to use a name that is based on that culture for those who follow it, rather than a name that merely addresses the location of a people.

            It seems that only with the Vedic kings of the Vijayanagara empire in 1352 was the word "Hindu" used with pride by Bukkal who described himself as "Hinduraya suratrana". Whereas the main Sanskrit texts, and even the rituals that have been performed in the temples from millennia ago, used the word "Bharata" about the area of present-day India. Thus, it is traditionally and technically more accurate to refer to the land of India as "Bharata" or "Bharat Varsha".

            Unfortunately, the word “Hindu” has gradually been adopted by almost everyone, even the Indians, and is presently applied in a very general way, so much so, in fact, that now “Hinduism” is often used to describe anything from religious activities to even Indian social or nationalistic events. Some of these so-called “Hindu” events are not endorsed in the Vedic literature, and, therefore, must be considered non-Vedic. Thus, not just anyone can call themselves a “Hindu” and still be considered a follower of the Vedic path. Nor can any activity casually be dubbed as a part of Hinduism and thoughtlessly be considered a part of the true Vedic culture.

Therefore, the Vedic spiritual path is more precisely called Sanatana-dharma, which means the eternal, unchanging occupation of the soul in its relation to the Supreme Being. Just as the dharma of sugar is to be sweet, this does not change. And if it is not sweet, then it is not sugar. Or the dharma of fire is to give warmth and light. If it does not do that, then it is not fire. In the same way, there is a particular dharma or nature of the soul, which is sanatana, or eternal. It does not change. So there is the state of dharma and the path of dharma. Following the principles of Sanatana-dharma can bring us to the pure state of regaining our forgotten spiritual identity and relationship with God. This is the goal of Vedic knowledge and its system of self-realization. Thus, the knowledge of the Vedas and all Vedic literature, such as Lord Krishna’s message in Bhagavad-gita, as well as the teachings of the Upanishads and Puranas, is not limited to only “Hindus” who are restricted to a certain region of the planet or family of birth. Such knowledge is actually meant for the whole world. As everyone is a spiritual being and has the same spiritual essence as described according to the principles of Sanatana-dharma, then everyone should be given the right and privilege to understand this knowledge. It cannot be held for an exclusive group or region of people.

Sanatana-dharma is also a fully developed spiritual philosophy that fills whatever gaps may be left by the teachings of other less philosophically developed religions. Direct knowledge of the soul is a “universal spiritual truth” which can be applied by all people, in any part of the world, at any time in history, and in any religion. It is eternal. Therefore, being an eternal spiritual truth, it is beyond all time and worldly designations. Knowledge of the soul is the essence of Vedic wisdom and is more than what the name “Hindu” implies, especially after understanding from where the name comes.

 Even if the time arrives in this deteriorating age of Kali-yuga after many millennia when Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and even Hinduism (as we call it today) may disappear from the face of the earth, there will still be the Vedic teachings that remain as a spiritual and universal truth, even if such truths may be forgotten and must be re-established again in this world by Lord Krishna Himself. I doubt then that He will use the name “Hindu.” He certainly said nothing of the sort when He last spoke Bhagavad-gita.

Thus, although I do not feel that “Hindu” is a proper term to represent the Vedic Aryan culture or spiritual path, I do use the word from time to time to mean the same thing since it is already so much a part of everyone’s vocabulary. Otherwise, since I follow the Vedic path of Sanatana-dharma, I call myself a Sanatana-pharmacist. That reduces the need to use the label of “Hindu” and also helps focus on the universal nature of the Vedic path. Therefore, I propose that all those who consider themselves to be Hindus begin to use the term Sanatana-pharmacist, which not only refers to the correct Sanskrit terminology but also more accurately depicts the true character and spiritual intention of the Vedic path. Others have also used the terms Sanatanis or even Dharmists, both of which are closer to the real meaning within Vedic culture.

However, for political and legal purposes it may be convenient to continue using the name Hindu for the time being. Until the terms Sanatana-dharma or Vedic, dharma become more recognized by international law and society in general, “Hindu” may remain the term behind which to rally for Vedic culture. But over the long term, it is a name that is bound to change in meaning to the varying views of it due to its lack of a real linguistic foundation. Being based merely on the values people place in it, its meaning and purpose will vary from person to person, culture to culture, and certainly from generation to generation. We can see how this took place with the British in India. So there will be the perpetuation of the problems with the name and why some people and groups will not want to accept it.

Yet by the continued and increased use of the terms Vedic dharma or Sanatana-dharma, at least by those who are more aware of the definitive Sanskrit basis of these terms, they will gain recognition as being the more correct terminology. It merely takes some time to make the proper adjustments.

This is the way to help cure the misinterpretation or misunderstandings that may come from using the name "Hindu," and also end the reasons why some groups do not care to identify themselves under that name. After all, most Vedic groups, regardless of their orientation and the specific path they follow, can certainly unite behind the term Vedic dharma.

APPENDIX: Srila Prabhupada, founder of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness, has said different things at different times or to different people regarding the use of the name “Hindu”. Many times members of Iskcon seem to think that the name Hindu should be avoided at all costs. And on numerous occasions, Srila Prabhupada did say Iskcon members are not necessarily Hindus.

            However, he succinctly explains to Janmanjaya and Taradevi in a letter from Los Angeles on July 9th, 1970 that there is a connection between Hinduism and Krishna Consciousness: “Regarding your questions: Hindu means the culture of the Indians. India happens to be situated on the other side of the Indus River which is now in Pakistan which is spelled Indus–in Sanskrit it is called Sindhu. The sindhu was misspelled by the Europeans as Indus, and from Indus, the word ‘Indian’ has come. Similarly, the Arabians used to pronounce Sindhu as Hindus. This [thus] Hindus are spoken as Hindus. It is neither a Sanskrit word nor is it found in the Vedic literature. But the culture of the Indians or the Hindus is Vedic and begins with the four varnas and four ashramas. So these varnas and four ashramas are meant for the really civilized human race. Therefore the conclusion is actually when a human being is civilized in the true sense of the term he follows the system of varna and ashrama and then he can be called a ‘Hindu’. Our Krishna Consciousness Movement is preaching these four varnas and four ashramas, so naturally, it has got some relationship with the Hindus. So Hindus can be understood from a cultural point of view, not a religious point of view. Culture is never religion. Religion is a faith, and culture is educational or advancement of knowledge.”

  He further says in a letter from Los Angeles, July 16th, 1970, wherein he answers questions for a Nevatiaji: “9. The Americans are very intelligent and qualified boys and girls so they understand the principles as genuine and thus they accept them. They understand that Krishna Consciousness Movement is neither Indian nor Hindu, but it is a cultural movement for the whole human society although of course because it is coming from India it has [an] Indian and Hindu touch.”

 In this way, Srila Prabhupada differentiated Krishna Consciousness as a universal, cultural, and spiritual movement that could stand on its own, apart from any particular religious and cultural distinction. Yet he still relates how there is certainly an Indian and Hindu relationship with what is being presented within his movement. And this does not have to be nor should it be completely ignored or avoided. We can certainly work together for the preservation and promotion of Vedic culture without difficulty with those who may prefer to call themselves Hindu, knowing our connection with the Vedic traditions.