Why follow Sanatan Dharm?

Sanatan Dharm is present since the beginning of creation, and it is still thriving.

Almost all other civilizations/cultures have fallen. Some examples are Egyptian, Greek, Mayan, Native red Indians, Romans, Inca, Babylon.

Some of these civilizations did not care and gave up their culture. Some were invaded and surrounded from all sides and then subjected to violence, cheating, and atrocities.

Invaders had no values and foundation. Their reins are on decline/collapse now.

India was also invaded. It was mainly for its wealth, resources, knowledge, values, scientific advancements, prosperity, etc. Despite these invasions, India is still surviving, actually thriving.

Land of India is known by the name Dev Bhoomi. It has the best geography, the Himalayas on one side and the ocean on the other. It has all four seasons, many rivers, and plenty of natural resources. Invaders came from the Northside. It was not easy for them to reach the south. They had to pass through the middle of the country. They faced many obstacles. Veer people of India fought with them valiantly and tirelessly. India lost some of its lands due to the barbarism and atrocities of invaders.

However, Sanatan Dharm is still alive for following reasons:

• It is eternal and based on values, principles, science, knowledge of Veds, experience, inclusiveness, acceptance, etc.
• It is not based on a person/father/prophet/founder and does not impose sanctions/punishments.
• There are no fixed rules to follow.
• It is flexible.
• It gives freedom to choose your way of life and also gives the liberty to change it whenever you want. Followers of Sanatan Dharm can be atheists, astiks, or nastiks.
• It encourages questions, curiosity, and discussions.
• It does not need any paraphernalia as everything is Brahm and will go back to Brahm. Bhagwan is inside everyone. Anyone can become one with Parmatma.
• It says that anyone and everyone can find happiness as it is inside us.
• No mediator needed to attain Moksh.
• All are equal (as everything is made of Panchtattv) and have access to the same knowledge.
• There is no competition as everyone is on his own journey.
• Its foundation is not the accumulation of material things and fulfillment of desires but detachment and Karm siddhant.
• It is based on the principle of Sarve Bhavantu Sukhina and Vasudev Kutumbkam.
• It takes care of plants, animals, insects, water bodies, environment, etc.
• It considers everyone divine.
• It believes in oneness of existence.
• It has many Festivals, Texts, oral education system, Lineages, Traditions, Story telling custom, Arts, Mandirs, Inscriptions on walls, mountains, etc.
• It believes in live and let live.

• It is flexible, adaptable, inclusive, progressive, scientific, liberal, secular, universal, experiencial, dynamic, relevant, holistic

  A country may survive an atomic bomb attack. However, an attack on its education system, culture, and Dharm have the potential to dismantle that civilization completely.
  To save ourselves, we need to protect our country. To protect our country, we need to preserve our Dharm, education system, and culture.
  Strong societies study their past, feel the present and have a vision for the future.

Bharti Raizada

Hinduism
1) Believe in God ! - Aastik - Accepted.
2) Don't believe in God ! - You're accepted as Nastik.
3) You want to worship idols - please go ahead. You are a murti pujak.
4) You dont want to worship idols - no problem. You can focus on Nirguna Brahman.
5) You want to criticise something in our religion. Come forward. We are logical. Nyaya, Tarka etc. are core Hindu schools.
6) You want to accept beliefs as it is. Most welcome. Please go ahead with it.
7) You want to start your journey by reading Bhagvad Gita - Sure !
You want to start your journey by reading Upanishads - Go ahead.
9) You want to start your journey by reading Purana - Be my guest.
10) You just don't like reading Puranas or other books. No problem my dear. Go by Bhakti tradition( bhakti- devotion).
11) You don't like idea of Bhakti ! No problem. Do your Karma. Be a karmayogi.
12) You want to enjoy life. Very good. No problem at all. This is Charvaka Philosophy.
13) You want to abstain from all the enjoyment of life & find God - jai ho ! Be a Sadhu, an ascetic !
14) You don't like the concept of God. You believe in Nature only - Welcome. (Trees are our friends and Prakriti or nature is worthy of worship).
15) You believe in one God or Supreme Energy. Superb! Follow Advaita philosophy.
16) You want a Guru. Go ahead. Receive gyaan.
17) You don't want a Guru.. Help yourself ! Meditate, Study !
18) You believe in Female energy ! Shakti is worshipped.
19) You believe that every human being is equal. Yeah! You're awesome, come on let's celebrate Hinduism! "Vasudhaiva kutumbakam" (the world is a family).
20) You don't have time to celebrate the festival.
Don't worry. One more festival is coming! There are multiple festivals every single day of the year.
21) You are a working person. Don't have time for religion. Its okay. You will still be a Hindu.
22) You like to go to temples. Devotion is loved.
23) You don't like to go to temples - no problem. You are still a Hindu!
24) You know that Hinduism is a way of life, with considerable freedom.
25) You believe that everything has God in it. So you worship your mother, father, guru, tree, River, Prani-matra, Earth, Universe!
26) And If you don't believe that everything has GOD in it - No problems. Respect your viewpoint.
27) "Sarve jana sukhino bhavantu " (May you all live happily).
You represent this! You're free to choose, my dear Hindu!
This is exactly the essence of Hinduism, all inclusive .. That is why it has withstood the test of time inspite of repeated onslaught both from within and outside, and assimilated every good aspects from everything . That is why it is eternal !!!
There is a saying in Rigveda , the first book ever known to mankind which depicts the Hinduism philosophy in a Nutshell -" Ano bhadrah Krathavo Yanthu Vishwathah"- Let the knowledge come to us from every direction".
Overall.. Freedom to be who you really are!
By Medha Deepak Gupta

My conversation on Religion with a relative
Relative: This Hindu-Muslim is all political, we Hindus are suppressing muslims
Me: Firstly, this is not political as it has been there even when there was no politics. Politics is part of this imperialistic religious war, not the other way around
Secondly it's not between Hindus and Muslims, it's a existential battle of Civilization between Islamists(who want Islam to rule the world) and non-Islamists.
Ok, what's the definition of being a Hindu and Muslim?
Relative: Those who believe in Quran are Muslims and those who believe in Gita are Hindus
Me: Ok, so Bhagwad Gita was said by Lord Krishna during Mahabharata, before that there was no Gita, so Ram ji was not a Hindu?
Relative: ok, so those who worship Ram are Hindus
Me: So King dashrath was not a Hindu before birth of Ram?
Relative(now skeptical): Those worshipping idols are Hindus
Me: Most of our saints did or still do meditation with no idols, do you consider them as Hindus?
Relative(in frustation): So who according to you are Hindus?
Me: Though there is no official definition, Hinduism is a name given to Geographical cultural identity of people living in between River Indus and Himalayas and following culture/knowledge of this land i.e. Multiculturalism way of life where everyone can follow their belief or thought process without forcing others to do same through fear/greed. So you can be an atheist, worship anyone or anything that you feel connected with, from Rivers, trees, stones, idols, even allah, jesus, buddha etc as long as you don't force your idea of God on others, you're following Hinduism. So Muslims who believe in multicultural co-existence are Hindus by way of life. That's why this is existential fight between Singularism and Pluralism with different names from one land to other.

The_Vedic_Tradition_Cosmos_Connections_a.pdf

HUA:

Hindu Americans comprise one of the fastest growing populations in the United States. Of the 1 billion Hindus worldwide, the Hindu American population currently numbers around 2 million, but this does not include the estimated 32 million others who derive inspiration from Hindu spirituality and practice Hindu teachings such as yoga and meditation. With growing numbers comes an increasing awareness of a place in American dialogue and the need for the accurate portrayal of the faith in line with its beliefs and practices. The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) presents herein, more short answers to common questions about Hinduism.

What is meaning of the Swastika?
I’ve heard some Hindus use the term “Sanatana Dharma.” What is that?
Do Hindus have Commandments?
What is moksha?
What is the red dot many Hindu women wear on their forehead?
How often is a Hindu supposed to pray?
Do Hindus believe in heaven or hell?
Why are so many Hindu Gods depicted blue in color or as animals?
Do Hindus belong to different denominations? If so, can they intermarry?
What are the six major schools of thought in Hinduism?
What are the major Hindu holidays?
I read that yoga can’t be claimed by any religion. Isn’t yoga a Hindu practice?
Do I have to be Hindu to practice yoga?
Is Hinduism compatible with science?
What is a guru? What is a shishya?
Why does Hinduism have so many Gods?
Do Hindus have a “Bible”?
Do Hindus believe in reincarnation?
What is Karma?
What is Dharma?
Why are many Hindus vegetarians?
What is the status of women in the practice of Hinduism?

What is the meaning of the Swastika?
Contrary to the hateful and violent meaning the Swastika has come to take on since its misappropriation by the Nazis, the original Swastika (as pictured below) is an ancient and holy symbol of auspiciousness and good fortune. It is still commonly used at the entrance of Hindu homes, in temples, and on invitations to auspicious occasions such as weddings and other rites of passage. In Sanskrit, the word is a combination of “Su,” meaning “good,” and “Asti,” meaning “to exist.” The four limbs of the Hindu Swastika have diverse symbolic meanings: the four Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama, Atharva), the four stages of life (Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha, Sanyasa), the four goals of life (Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha), the four seasons, the four directions, and the four Yugas (Satya, Treta, Dvapara, Kali). The Swastika is also a sacred symbol for Buddhist, Jains, and Sikhs. Unfortunately, Hitler’s usurpation of the Swastika still continues to overshadow the beautiful meaning behind this ancient Hindu symbol.

I've heard some Hindus use the term "Sanatana Dharma." What is that?
Sanatana Dharma and Hinduism are synonymous. The term Sanatana Dharma, loosely translated as “Eternal Law or Way,” is self-referential. The term “Hindu,” however, is a 12th century Persian abstraction referring to the Indic civilization they found espousing certain philosophical precepts, practices, and a way of life on the banks of the Indus (therefore Hindu) river. Over the millennia until today, the diverse adherents of Sanatana Dharma or Hindus include those who, amongst other concepts, are inspired by the Vedas and other Hindu sacred texts; accept that there are multiple paths to, perspectives on, and ways to worship the one all-pervasive Ultimate Reality, Absolute, Divine, or Consciousness (Brahman); acknowledge an underlying unity of all existence; understand life to be shaped by the law of karma and reincarnation; view dharma or right living as both a responsibility and way of being that is most conducive to spiritual growth; and see liberation (moksha) as an ultimate goal. Other terms used to refer to Hinduism include Vedic, Sanskritic, Yogic, Indic, Dharmic, and Ancient Indian.

Do Hindus have Commandments?
Hinduism is a family of traditions that emphasizes experience and evaluation and thus, offers overarching guidelines rather than absolute lists of do’s and don’ts or commandments in regulating individual behavior. For a Hindu, all actions are to be guided by dharma. Hindu ethical values flow from one’s understanding of the nature of reality and inform the Hindu understanding of right and wrong.

Sage Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra provides a very succinct codification of ten principles which are also found in numerous sources of Hindu scripture and teachings and considered the foundations for dharmic action. Of the ten, five are yamas or guides for social behavior and five are niyamas, or guides for personal behavior. The five yamas include non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, sexual responsibility and abstention from greed. The five niyamas include cleanliness, contentment, austerity, scriptural study and loving devotion to Ultimate Reality, Divine, or Absolute.

What is moksha?
The ultimate purpose and goal for a Hindu’s religious and spiritual practice is to attain moksha. Moksha is achieved through Self-realization (atma-jnana) or realization of one’s true, divine nature. Hindus understand each individual (anything living) to be a divine self (atman, soul, life principle, consciousness), but that spiritual ignorance leads one to identify the self completely with the body and ego, thereby forgetting the divine nature of not only one’s self, but all of existence. Moksha is characterized by the overcoming of spiritual ignorance; the complete elimination of material desires and attachments; the perfected ability to live in the present moment and experience absolute peace; and most importantly, the awakening of pure compassion towards all. Moksha also translates to liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth (samsara). Someone may attain moksha during his or her lifetime or upon the death of his or her physical body.

What is the red dot many Hindu women wear on their forehead?
The “red dot” or bindi, once primarily a symbol of marriage, has largely become a fashionable accessory for Hindu females of all ages, regardless of their marital status. Traditionally, bindis were red or maroon in color, circular in shape, made of vermilion paste (kumkum), and applied with the ring finger of the right hand. Today, bindis come in all shapes, sizes, and colors and are often self-adhesive for convenience.

The male version of forehead markings is called a tilak and can be made of kumkum, sandalwood or sacred ash. It is applied in a variety of shapes including lines, U-shapes and dots. The tilak can be representative of an individual’s deity tradition. The adornment of tilaks are not as prevalent as bindis. However, the marking of either is amongst the first requisite steps in most rituals and sacred ceremonies.

Both bindis and tilaks are placed approximately one centimeter above the center of the eyebrows, which is considered to be the sixth chakra, ajna, in Kundalini Yoga. The bindi is associated with the worship of the Ultimate Reality as the feminine divine. It is also indicative of the conceptual “third eye of spiritual wisdom”, as Shiva, the greatest of Yogis, is depicted as having. Bindis and tilaks may also represent interdependence of both the feminine and masculine aspects of the Ultimate Reality. Lastly, the bindi and tilak serve as reminders of a seeker’s ultimate goal of enlightenment, liberation or moksha.

How often is a Hindu supposed to pray?
Prayer is integral to Hindu practice. Many Hindus follow set, obligatory guidelines in terms of specificity of prayers as well as timing, frequency and length while others may be more fluid and individualized in their practice. One is not necessarily guaranteed moksha upon the performance of certain types or amounts of prayer nor is anyone condemned for lack of prayer, but progress towards moksha is proportional to spiritual effort. Hindus may pray at a personal, home altar which is usually placed in a room or space dedicated for worship; at a temple; or wherever they may be (and without an altar) . Prayers may be to a specific deity or set of deities or to no deity in particular. Prayer may also vary in form and include:

Rituals and offerings conducted by the individual or a priest
Chanting of a particular deity’s name or deity specific mantra (japa) using a mala. Often a mala, a looped thread which holds 108 beads, is used during chanting as an aid for keeping count and the devotee’s concentration.
Chanting of time specific slokas, including upon waking, while bathing, while lighting a sacred oil lamp, prior to eating, before studying and prior to retiring for the day Chanting of slokas for peace and universal well-being (including nature)
Singing of devotional poems
Meditating
Studying scripture

Do Hindus believe in heaven or hell?
Because Hindus believe in karma and reincarnation, the concept of heaven and hell as worlds of eternal glory or damnation do not exist in Hinduism. Hindus also do not ascribe to the concept of Satan or devil that is in eternal opposition to God or the Ultimate Reality.

Some Hindus may believe in what is described in Hindu scriptures as two planes of existence that can be likened to heaven and hell. These are respectively svarga and naraka. Neither svarga or naraka, however, are permament or eternal. Both are intermediary planes of existence in which the atman might exhaust a portion of its karmic debt or surplus before taking physical birth once again to strive for moksha.

Why are so many Hindu Gods depicted blue in color or as animals?
The depiction of some Gods and Goddesses (deities) as blue toned is an example of the importance of symbolism in Hinduism. Blue, the color of the sky, represents the limitlessness of the sky and universe. Blue is also the color of water, which is life-sustaining. Swami Chinmayanada, a spiritual leader, explained that the human eye sees that which is infinite as blue so the blue tone serves as a reminder of the Divine’s infiniteness.

Because Hinduism teaches that all of nature is Divine, Hindus believe that the Ultimate Reality manifests in the various forms that are found in nature, including animals, rivers, mountains and earth. For example, Ganesha, the Remover of Obstacles, is depicted with an elephant head which symbolizes wisdom, as elephants are recognized to be among the wisest of animals. Hanuman, worshipped as the perfect devotee and depicted as a monkey, symbolizes the individual’s ability to quiet the ever racing human mind through loving devotion to the Divine and selfless service.

Do Hindus belong to different denominations? If so, can they intermarry?
Hinduism is not divided by denomination, but by other categories, including deity traditions, sampradaya, parampara and darsana. Most Hindus belong to one of four major deity traditions – Shaivas, Shaktas, Vaishnavas, and Smartas. While all traditions share many beliefs and practices, the central deity worshipped as well as certain philosophical tenets differ. Shaivas primarily worship different forms of Lord Shiva, Shaktas worship Shakti or the Divine Mother in Her various forms, Vaishnavas worship forms of Lord Vishnu and Smartas worship different forms of six major deities including Lord Shiva, Shakti, Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesha, Lord Subrahmanya and Lord Surya, holding them all to be forms of Brahman, the eternal, infinite, unchanging principle that is the substratum of the universe and is both immanent and transcendent.

Each deity tradition may also further branch into sampradayas. Adherents of a sampradaya have familial connections and/or strong faith in the heightened spirituality, divine experiences, and philosophical knowledge of the founder and/or current guru or swami (spiritual head) of the sampradaya. Hindus may also freely choose between different sampradayas based on their liking and understanding. A sampradaya following a particular lineage or succession of swamis is said to be of a particular parampara. Hindus of different deity traditions, sampradaya and parampara can intermarry although many choose to marry within these branches for a variety of reasons.

What are the six major philosophical schools in Hinduism?
Over the ages, various philosophical or theological schools developed in Hinduism through a dynamic tradition of intelligent inquiry and debate. From timeless and universal questions such as the purpose of life to the relationship between humans and the Divine emerged many philosophical schools or darshana. Darshana literally means “seeing.” In Hindu teachings darshana relates to the different ways of “seeing” the Divine and attaining moksha or liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth.

These schools very often approach the same texts and teachings, but from different perspectives and arriving at different conclusions. Six darshanas are recognized as the most influential include Sankhya, Vaisheshika, Nyaya, Mimamsa, Yoga and Vedanta.

While each school is comprehensive and complex, they are succinctly summarized below:

Vaisheshika: considered one of the most ancient atomic theories founded by Sage Kanada. Sage Kanada held that all matter is made up of atoms and these atoms are activated through Divine intervention. Vaisheshika and Nyaya eventually merged.
Nyaya: a system of logic proving the existence of the Divine as well as other core Hindu concepts such as karma. Nyaya insists that nothing is acceptable unless it is in accordance with reason and experience. The thoroughness of Nyaya logic and epistemology greatly influenced succeeding orthodox and unorthodox schools of thought.
Sankhya: considered one of the oldest schools of thought. Sankhya divides all of existence into two categories – Purusha (divine consciousness) and prakriti (matter). Very little Sankhya literature survives today, and there is some controversy over whether or not the system is dualistic because it propounds the existence of these two categories.
Mimamsa or Purva Mimamsa: interprets the rules of Vedic ritual, proffering perfection in ritual as a path towards moksha.
Yoga: more aptly Raja Yoga focuses on quieting the mind through an eight limb system (Ashtanga yoga) as described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras for a balanced life and ultimately moksha.
Vedanta: arguably the most influential on modern Hinduism and relies primarily on transcending one’s identification with the physical body for liberation. The means by which an individual can transcend one’s self-identity is through right knowledge, meditation, devotion, selfless service, good works amongst other religious and spiritual disciplines. Major subschools of Vedanta include Advaita, Dvaita, and Visishtaadvaita.

What are the major Hindu holidays?
Holidays and ways of celebrating those holidays are as richly diverse as the family of traditions called Hinduism. However, there are certain holidays that have come to be widely celebrated throughout the Hindu diaspora. Generally, Hindu holidays may commemorate a particular deity, season or event in history. Often times the same holiday may celebrate several different events or attributes of a variety of manifestations of the Divine (God or Deity). Hindu holidays don’t necessarily fall on a specific day each year as the Hindu calendar is lunar.

Deity Celebrations

Shivaratri (February/March) – pays homage to Lord Shiva, the divine manifestation of transformation and regeneration
Ramanavami (March/April) – celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu and embodiment of dharma (righteousness)
Krishna Janmashtami (August/September) – celebrates the birth and life of Lord Krishna, one of the most endeared incarnations of Vishnu and deliverer of the Bhagavad Gita
Ganesha or Vinayaka Chaturti (August/September) – pays homage to Lord Ganesha or Lord Vinayaka, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and divine manifestation of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune
Navaratri (March/April, June/July, September/October, December/January, January/February) – A nine night celebration of the feminine divine that occurs five times a year (the spring and fall celebrations being amongst the more widely celebrated). The most popularly worshiped manifestations of the feminine divine include Goddess Durga representing the Mother Goddess and Shakti (Divine Energy), Goddess Saraswati representing knowledge, speech and the arts and Goddess Lakshmi, representing good health, wealth and prosperity. Many fasts and rituals associated with Navaratri are exclusive to women.
All of these celebrations may include fasting, temple visits, special rituals, chanting of mantras, singing of devotional prayers, dancing and all-night vigils.

Seasonal Celebrations

Makara Sankranti, Uttarayana or Pongal (January 14) – one of the few solar holidays that marks the transition of the Sun into Capricorn or Makara rashi on its celestial path and the northward journey of the sun. It also broadly coincides with the winter harvest in many parts of India. Hindus thank God for the bountiful harvest and may pay homage to Goddess Saraswati on this day as well as to ancestors. Pongal is widely celebrated in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.
Holi (February/March) – Welcomes arrival of spring and the harvests it brings. It also celebrates triumph over divisiveness and negativity. A visually stunning event with people tossing colored powders in the air and using dyed water in an atmosphere where culture, camaraderie and oneness are honored. In the evening, the community lights bonfires and eats festive foods. One of the largest festivals in the world, Holi is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists.
Vaisakhi (April 13) – Vaisakhi is an ancient harvest in the Indian state of Punjab as well as Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. It also marks the solar new year for Hindus in Nepal and the Indian states of Kerala, Orissa, West Bengal, and other regions with celebrations paying homage to various regional deities. For Sikhs, Vaisakhi is especially signficant as commemorating the establishment of the Khalsa (collective family of all initiated Sikhs) in 1699.
Other Celebrations

Raksha Bandhan / Veda Upakarma (August/September) – A holiday which celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters tie a decorative sacred thread or amulet on the right wrist of her brothers (often including distant cousins and friends considered honorary brothers) with her prayers for his protection and well-being while sweets are exchanged. In return, brothers give their sisters small tokens or gifts of appreciation.
Diwali or Deepavali (October/November) – One of the most celebrated Hindu festivals, commemorates the victory of good over evil. The word refers to rows of earthen lamps celebrants place around their homes. The light from these lamps symbolizes the illumination within the individual that can overwhelm ignorance, represented by darkness.

I read that yoga can't be claimed by any religion. Isn't yoga a Hindu practice?
Yoga refers to spiritual disciplines that are essential to the understanding and practice of Hinduism. The term covers a wide array of practices, embodied in eight “limbs,” which range from ethical and moral guidelines to meditation on the Ultimate Reality. Yoga is a way of life that combines both physical and spiritual exercises, entails mastery over the body, mind and emotional self, and transcendence of desire. The ultimate goal is moksha.

In the West, Yoga has largely become an asana-based (posture) physical practice, allowing practitioners to delink it from its Hindu philosophical and spiritual roots. But a perusal of the best known Yoga texts will demonstrate the contrary. Patajanli allots less than 25% of his revered Yoga Sutras to asana. The remainder focuses on what is essentially Hindu philosophy.

Yet, even when Yoga is practiced solely in the form of an exercise, its Hindu roots cannot be avoided. As the legendary Yoga guru B.K.S Iyengar points out in his famous Light on Yoga, “Some asanas are also called after Gods of the Hindu pantheon…” It is disappointing that many yogis regularly practicing Hanumanasana or Natarajasana continue to deny the Hindu roots of their Yoga practice.

In effect, the delinking of Yoga from its Hindu roots disenfranchises Hindus of recognition and appreciation for one of their ancestors’ beneficial contributions to civilization and inhibits their ability to promote an accurate and deeper understanding of Hinduism.

Do I have to be Hindu to practice yoga?
Hinduism, as a non-proselytizing religion, never compels practitioners of yoga to profess allegiance to the faith or convert. Yoga is a means of spiritual attainment for any and all seekers. Thus, while one does not have to profess faith in Hinduism in order to practice Yoga or asana, Yoga is still an essential part of Hindu philosophy and the two cannot be delinked, despite efforts to do so.

Is Hinduism compatible with science?
Contrary to popular perceptions that Hinduism is a mystical religion exclusively concerned with transcendental concepts of spiritual practice, Hinduism has been a wellspring of scientific thought and contributed immensely to the global civilization spanning more than five millennia. As a religious practice aspiring to understand the eternal mysteries of existence, Hinduism has never been a regressive or closed dogma satisfied with historicentric interpretations of one holy book. Hindu scriptures describe the concept of planets in the solar system circling the sun and the earth as round and rotating on its axis. Ancient Hindus also made epochal strides astronomy, chemistry, mathematics, metallurgy, medicine (ayurveda) and surgery, including many findings upon which modern science, medicine and technology are based.

Revered Hindu sages, such as Swami Vivekanada and Paramahansa Yogananda, spent time working with and learning from scientists and saw compatibility with Hindu teachings. The French Nobel laureate Romain Rolland said, “Religious faith in the case of the Hindus has never been allowed to run counter to scientific laws,” while Carl Sagan once called Hinduism the only religion whose time-scale for the universe matches the billions of years documented by modern science.

What is a guru? What is a shishya?
The word guru very often refers to a master teacher who has great knowledge of or skill in a particular subject area, such as music, dance, sculpture, or other arts. When used in referring to a religious or spiritual teacher, however, a guru is one who not only has deep knowledge that can lead to moksha (liberation or enlightenment), but also has direct experience of Divine vision and grace which they have assimilated into their way of being. The literal translation of ‘guru’ is “dispeller of darkness.”

The students of a guru are known as shishya, meaning pupil or disciple. Prior to accepting a student, a guru traditionally tests potential students for their seriousness of study, with students progressing through different degrees of initiation and study with their teacher. A guru guides their shishya on an artistic or spiritual path, which requires both devotion and commitment to the guru’s teachings and advice, yet also requires independent contemplation and discernment. Given the deep bond often created in this relationship, though students can and have changed their guru, it is not a common occurrence nor a decision taken lightly.

The method of transmission of knowledge and relationship between student and teacher is often referred to as guru-shishya parampara (lineage). This relationship and method of teaching has been considered a sacred one in both the Hindu and broader Indian tradition since ancient times. Until the latter part of the 20th century, certain subjects, such as yoga asana, meditation techniques, and Vedanta, were only taught in this manner, through an oral tradition.

Traditionally, students used to live in the home of their guru, with that home becoming their own through their active participation in that family life as if it were the home of their birth. In this way, the guru took on the role of a parent. In modern times, lay students living with a guru is less common.

Why does Hinduism have many Gods?
Most Hindus believe in one, all-pervasive Divine Reality, that is formless (Brahman) or manifests and is worshiped in different forms (Ishvara or God/Goddess or Deities). This belief in the existence of one Divine Reality with diverse manifestations can best be described as monism. Hindu monism is the foundation for understandings of the Ultimate Reality or Divine that range from non-dualistic – that existence and the Divine are not separate, but one and the same, to dualistic – that existence and the Divine, while sharing divine qualities, are separate. Hinduism also encompasses theologies of pantheism, that all of existence is Divine, to panentheism, that all of existence is within the Divine, to a theology of the Divine being external to all of existence. The Sanskrit hymn, Rig Veda I.164.46:

Ekam sat vipraha bahudha vadanti
Truth is one, the wise call it by many names.

And just as Hindus believe that Truth is one, called by many names, so too is the Ultimate Reality called by many names.

Do Hindus have a “Bible”?
Hinduism is rich in scripture, but does not have a “Bible” in terms of one central, authoritative book. Hindu scripture is an extensive collection of ancient religious writings which expound upon eternal Truths that have been revealed by the Ultimate Reality and realized by the ancient sages and enlightened wise men. These Truths, which were passed on for generations through an extraordinary oral tradition, include the Vedas and Agamas, the Upanishads, the Epics, including the Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana, the Puranas, lawbooks and many other philosophical and sectarian texts. Scripture in Hinduism, however, does not have the same place as it does in many other faiths. Hinduism is premised on realization, not revelation. To be enlightened, one must have personal experience of the Truths set out in the Vedas and other revealed/realized sacred texts and teachings. Important to note also is that the words of a living, enlightened teacher are as valid as the words of scripture.

Do Hindus believe in reincarnation?
Hindus recognize the atman (soul, self, life principle, or consciousness) to be immortal and evolving through the experience of varied lives in a process wherein it reincarnates into different physical bodies through cycles of birth and death. Guided by the Laws of Karma (see below), the atman continues on its path of spiritual evolution. The ultimate aim of Hindus is for the atman to attain freedom from this continuous cycle of birth and rebirth and discover its divine origin.

What is Karma?
Karma is the universal law of cause and effect. The critical and subtler understanding of karma is that each action has a reaction and that this cycle is endless. Thus if one sows goodness, one reaps goodness and conversely, if one sows evil, one will reap evil. To avoid the cycle of karma, Hindus strive to remain unattached to the fruits of their virtuous action in thought, word, and deed. When one can work without expecting rewards, Hindus believe that society as a whole benefits and the individual is freed from the cycle of karma and reincarnation. The Bhagavad Gita, III.19 and III.20 expounds on this:

Tasmad asakta satatam
Karyam karma samacara
Asakto hy acaran karma
Param apnoti purusah
Lokasampraham eva’pi
Sampasyan kartum arhasi

Therefore, without attachment
Perform always the work that has to be done
For man attains to the highest
By doing work without attachment
Likewise you should perform with a view to guide others
And for the sake of benefiting the welfare of the world

What is Dharma?
Dharma is a multi-layered term and its meaning dependent on context. It is also the mode of conduct for an individual that is most conducive to spiritual growth. Dharma includes Sanatana Dharma or Eternal Law, which encompasses the inherent laws of nature and the Divine, sÄmanya dharma and vishesha dharma. . Samanya dharma includes general laws that govern all forms and functions, including one’s duty to strive towards and achieve contentment; forgiveness; self-restraint; non-stealing; purity; control of senses; discrimination between right and wrong; spiritual knowledge; truthfulness; and absence of anger. Vishesha dharma, or special duties, expound upon social law or the laws defining an individual’s responsibilities within the nation, society, community and family; law according to life stage or the laws governing age-appropriate duties related to the natural process of maturing from childhood to old age; and personal law or the individualized application of dharma according to an individual’s sum of past karma, intelligence, aptitudes, tendencies, physical characteristics and community.

Why are many Hindus vegetarian?
In India, more than 30% of all Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs are vegetarian because of the fundamental belief in non-violence, or in Sanskrit, ahimsa. The Vedas propound that all beings, from the smallest organism to man, are considered manifestations of God and members of a universal family. With this worldview, violence in thought, word or deed against a living being is contrary to the natural balance of the universe. Many Hindus, therefore, refrain from killing animals for food when a plethora of vegetarian alternatives are available.

What is the status of women in the practice of Hinduism?
One of the most profound attributes of Hinduism is the recognition and worship of the God as feminine. In fact, Hinduism is the only major religion, which has always worshipped the Ultimate Reality in female form and continues to do so today. Hindus revere the Divine’s energy, or Shakti, through its personification in a Goddess. The Vedas are replete with hymns extolling the equality of men and women in the spiritual, social and educational realms. It is unfortunate, however, that the gender equality of the Vedic period and that of the Hindu view of the Divine has been corrupted by the realities of social practice and taboo. Yet, Hinduism remains one of a few major religions in which women have occupied and continue to occupy some of the most respected positions in the spiritual leadership including, Sharda Devi, The Mother, Anandamayi, Amritanandmayi Devi or Ammachi, Shree Maa, Anandi Ma, Gurumayi Chidvilasananda and Ma Yoga Shakti.

Ancient Bharat.pdf

Hamhindusatyasanatanhain.mp3

https://www.hinduamerican.org/hindutva-guide

Indians contribution in USA.pdf

Bharat- The mother of Democracy.pdf

विश्व का सबसे बड़ा और वैज्ञानिक समय गणना तन्त्र (ऋषि मुनियों द्वारा किया गया अनुसंधान)

■ काष्ठा = सैकन्ड का 34000 वाँ भाग
■ 1 त्रुटि = सैकन्ड का 300 वाँ भाग
■ 2 त्रुटि = 1 लव ,
■ 1 लव = 1 क्षण
■ 30 क्षण = 1 विपल ,
■ 60 विपल = 1 पल
■ 60 पल = 1 घड़ी (24 मिनट ) ,
■ 2.5 घड़ी = 1 होरा (घन्टा )
■3 होरा=1प्रहर व 8 प्रहर 1 दिवस (वार)
■ 24 होरा = 1 दिवस (दिन या वार) ,
■ 7 दिवस = 1 सप्ताह
■ 4 सप्ताह = 1 माह ,
■ 2 माह = 1 ऋतू
■ 6 ऋतू = 1 वर्ष ,
■ 100 वर्ष = 1 शताब्दी
■ 10 शताब्दी = 1 सहस्राब्दी ,
■ 432 सहस्राब्दी = 1 युग
■ 2 युग = 1 द्वापर युग ,
■ 3 युग = 1 त्रैता युग ,
■ 4 युग = सतयुग
■ सतयुग + त्रेतायुग + द्वापरयुग + कलियुग = 1 महायुग
■ 72 महायुग = मनवन्तर ,
■ 1000 महायुग = 1 कल्प
■ 1 नित्य प्रलय = 1 महायुग (धरती पर जीवन अन्त और फिर आरम्भ )
■ 1 नैमितिका प्रलय = 1 कल्प ।(देवों का अन्त और जन्म )
■ महालय = 730 कल्प ।(ब्राह्मा का अन्त और जन्म )

सम्पूर्ण विश्व का सबसे बड़ा और वैज्ञानिक समय गणना तन्त्र यहीं है जो हमारे देश भारत में बना हुआ है । ये हमारा भारत जिस पर हमे गर्व होना चाहिये l
दो लिंग : नर और नारी ।
दो पक्ष : शुक्ल पक्ष और कृष्ण पक्ष।
दो पूजा : वैदिकी और तांत्रिकी (पुराणोक्त)।
दो अयन : उत्तरायन और दक्षिणायन।

तीन देव : ब्रह्मा, विष्णु, शंकर।
तीन देवियाँ : महा सरस्वती, महा लक्ष्मी, महा गौरी।
तीन लोक : पृथ्वी, आकाश, पाताल।
तीन गुण : सत्वगुण, रजोगुण, तमोगुण।
तीन स्थिति : ठोस, द्रव, वायु।
तीन स्तर : प्रारंभ, मध्य, अंत।
तीन पड़ाव : बचपन, जवानी, बुढ़ापा।
तीन रचनाएँ : देव, दानव, मानव।
तीन अवस्था : जागृत, मृत, बेहोशी।
तीन काल : भूत, भविष्य, वर्तमान।
तीन नाड़ी : इडा, पिंगला, सुषुम्ना।
तीन संध्या : प्रात:, मध्याह्न, सायं।
तीन शक्ति : इच्छाशक्ति, ज्ञानशक्ति, क्रियाशक्ति।

चार धाम : बद्रीनाथ, जगन्नाथ पुरी, रामेश्वरम्, द्वारका।
चार मुनि : सनत, सनातन, सनंद, सनत कुमार।
चार वर्ण : ब्राह्मण, क्षत्रिय, वैश्य, शूद्र।
चार निति : साम, दाम, दंड, भेद।
चार वेद : सामवेद, ॠग्वेद, यजुर्वेद, अथर्ववेद।
चार स्त्री : माता, पत्नी, बहन, पुत्री।
चार युग : सतयुग, त्रेतायुग, द्वापर युग, कलयुग।
चार समय : सुबह, शाम, दिन, रात।
चार अप्सरा : उर्वशी, रंभा, मेनका, तिलोत्तमा।
चार गुरु : माता, पिता, शिक्षक, आध्यात्मिक गुरु।
चार प्राणी : जलचर, थलचर, नभचर, उभयचर।
चार जीव : अण्डज, पिंडज, स्वेदज, उद्भिज।
चार वाणी : ओम्कार्, अकार्, उकार, मकार्।
चार आश्रम : ब्रह्मचर्य, ग्राहस्थ, वानप्रस्थ, सन्यास।
चार भोज्य : खाद्य, पेय, लेह्य, चोष्य।
चार पुरुषार्थ : धर्म, अर्थ, काम, मोक्ष।
चार वाद्य : तत्, सुषिर, अवनद्व, घन।

पाँच तत्व : पृथ्वी, आकाश, अग्नि, जल, वायु।
पाँच देवता : गणेश, दुर्गा, विष्णु, शंकर, सुर्य।
पाँच ज्ञानेन्द्रियाँ : आँख, नाक, कान, जीभ, त्वचा।
पाँच कर्म : रस, रुप, गंध, स्पर्श, ध्वनि।
पाँच उंगलियां : अँगूठा, तर्जनी, मध्यमा, अनामिका, कनिष्ठा।
पाँच पूजा उपचार : गंध, पुष्प, धुप, दीप, नैवेद्य।
पाँच अमृत : दूध, दही, घी, शहद, शक्कर।
पाँच प्रेत : भूत, पिशाच, वैताल, कुष्मांड, ब्रह्मराक्षस।
पाँच स्वाद : मीठा, चर्खा, खट्टा, खारा, कड़वा।
पाँच वायु : प्राण, अपान, व्यान, उदान, समान।
पाँच इन्द्रियाँ : आँख, नाक, कान, जीभ, त्वचा, मन।
पाँच वटवृक्ष : सिद्धवट (उज्जैन), अक्षयवट (Prayagraj), बोधिवट (बोधगया), वंशीवट (वृंदावन), साक्षीवट (गया)।
पाँच पत्ते : आम, पीपल, बरगद, गुलर, अशोक।
पाँच कन्या : अहिल्या, तारा, मंदोदरी, कुंती, द्रौपदी।

छ: ॠतु : शीत, ग्रीष्म, वर्षा, शरद, बसंत, शिशिर।
छ: ज्ञान के अंग : शिक्षा, कल्प, व्याकरण, निरुक्त, छन्द, ज्योतिष।
छ: कर्म : देवपूजा, गुरु उपासना, स्वाध्याय, संयम, तप, दान।
छ: दोष : काम, क्रोध, मद (घमंड), लोभ (लालच), मोह, आलस्य।

सात छंद : गायत्री, उष्णिक, अनुष्टुप, वृहती, पंक्ति, त्रिष्टुप, जगती।
सात स्वर : सा, रे, ग, म, प, ध, नि।
सात सुर : षडज्, ॠषभ्, गांधार, मध्यम, पंचम, धैवत, निषाद।
सात चक्र : सहस्त्रार, आज्ञा, विशुद्ध, अनाहत, मणिपुर, स्वाधिष्ठान, मुलाधार।
सात वार : रवि, सोम, मंगल, बुध, गुरु, शुक्र, शनि।
सात मिट्टी : गौशाला, घुड़साल, हाथीसाल, राजद्वार, बाम्बी की मिट्टी, नदी संगम, तालाब।
सात महाद्वीप : जम्बुद्वीप (एशिया), प्लक्षद्वीप, शाल्मलीद्वीप, कुशद्वीप, क्रौंचद्वीप, शाकद्वीप, पुष्करद्वीप।
सात ॠषि : वशिष्ठ, विश्वामित्र, कण्व, भारद्वाज, अत्रि, वामदेव, शौनक।
सात ॠषि : वशिष्ठ, कश्यप, अत्रि, जमदग्नि, गौतम, विश्वामित्र, भारद्वाज।
सात धातु (शारीरिक) : रस, रक्त, मांस, मेद, अस्थि, मज्जा, वीर्य।
सात रंग : बैंगनी, जामुनी, नीला, हरा, पीला, नारंगी, लाल।
सात पाताल : अतल, वितल, सुतल, तलातल, महातल, रसातल, पाताल।
सात पुरी : मथुरा, हरिद्वार, काशी, अयोध्या, उज्जैन, द्वारका, काञ्ची।
सात धान्य : उड़द, गेहूँ, चना, चांवल, जौ, मूँग, बाजरा।

आठ मातृका : ब्राह्मी, वैष्णवी, माहेश्वरी, कौमारी, ऐन्द्री, वाराही, नारसिंही, चामुंडा।
आठ लक्ष्मी : आदिलक्ष्मी, धनलक्ष्मी, धान्यलक्ष्मी, गजलक्ष्मी, संतानलक्ष्मी, वीरलक्ष्मी, विजयलक्ष्मी, विद्यालक्ष्मी।
आठ वसु : अप (अह:/अयज), ध्रुव, सोम, धर, अनिल, अनल, प्रत्युष, प्रभास।
आठ सिद्धि : अणिमा, महिमा, गरिमा, लघिमा, प्राप्ति, प्राकाम्य, ईशित्व, वशित्व।
आठ धातु : सोना, चांदी, ताम्बा, सीसा जस्ता, टिन, लोहा, पारा।

नवदुर्गा : शैलपुत्री, ब्रह्मचारिणी, चन्द्रघंटा, कुष्मांडा, स्कन्दमाता, कात्यायनी, कालरात्रि, महागौरी, सिद्धिदात्री।
नवग्रह : सुर्य, चन्द्रमा, मंगल, बुध, गुरु, शुक्र, शनि, राहु, केतु।
नवरत्न : हीरा, पन्ना, मोती, माणिक, मूंगा, पुखराज, नीलम, गोमेद, लहसुनिया।
नवनिधि : पद्मनिधि, महापद्मनिधि, नीलनिधि, मुकुंदनिधि, नंदनिधि, मकरनिधि, कच्छपनिधि, शंखनिधि, खर्व/मिश्र निधि।

दस महाविद्या : काली, तारा, षोडशी, भुवनेश्वरी, भैरवी, छिन्नमस्तिका, धूमावती, बगलामुखी, मातंगी, कमला।
दस दिशाएँ : पूर्व, पश्चिम, उत्तर, दक्षिण, आग्नेय, नैॠत्य, वायव्य, ईशान, ऊपर, नीचे।
दस दिक्पाल : इन्द्र, अग्नि, यमराज, नैॠिति, वरुण, वायुदेव, कुबेर, ईशान, ब्रह्मा, अनंत।
दस अवतार (विष्णुजी) : मत्स्य, कच्छप, वाराह, नृसिंह, वामन, परशुराम, राम, कृष्ण, बुद्ध, कल्कि।
दस सति : सावित्री, अनुसुइया, मंदोदरी, तुलसी, द्रौपदी, गांधारी, सीता, दमयन्ती, सुलक्षणा, अरुंधती।

*उक्त जानकारी शास्त्रोक्त 📚 आधार पर... हे.....💐
जय श्री राम राधे कृष्णा राधे श्याम🙏🙏
ऐसी जानकारी बार-बार नहीं आती, और आगे भेजें, ताकि लोगों को सनातन धर्म की जानकारी हो सके आपका आभार धन्यवाद होगा

1-अष्टाध्यायी पाणिनी
2-रामायण वाल्मीकि
3-महाभारत वेदव्यास
4-अर्थशास्त्र चाणक्य
5-महाभाष्य पतंजलि
6-सत्सहसारिका सूत्र नागार्जुन
7-बुद्धचरित अश्वघोष
8-सौंदरानन्द अश्वघोष
9-महाविभाषाशास्त्र वसुमित्र
10- स्वप्नवासवदत्ता भास
11-कामसूत्र वात्स्यायन
12-कुमारसंभवम् कालिदास
13-अभिज्ञानशकुंतलम् कालिदास
14-विक्रमोउर्वशियां कालिदास
15-मेघदूत कालिदास
16-रघुवंशम् कालिदास
17-मालविकाग्निमित्रम् कालिदास
18-नाट्यशास्त्र भरतमुनि
19-देवीचंद्रगुप्तम विशाखदत्त
20-मृच्छकटिकम् शूद्रक
21-सूर्य सिद्धान्त आर्यभट्ट
22-वृहतसिंता बरामिहिर
23-पंचतंत्र। विष्णु शर्मा
24-कथासरित्सागर सोमदेव
25-अभिधम्मकोश वसुबन्धु
26-मुद्राराक्षस विशाखदत्त
27-रावणवध। भटिट
28-किरातार्जुनीयम् भारवि
29-दशकुमारचरितम् दंडी
30-हर्षचरित वाणभट्ट
31-कादंबरी वाणभट्ट
32-वासवदत्ता सुबंधु
33-नागानंद हर्षवधन
34-रत्नावली हर्षवर्धन
35-प्रियदर्शिका हर्षवर्धन
36-मालतीमाधव भवभूति
37-पृथ्वीराज विजय जयानक
38-कर्पूरमंजरी राजशेखर
39-काव्यमीमांसा राजशेखर
40-नवसहसांक चरित पदम् गुप्त
41-शब्दानुशासन राजभोज
42-वृहतकथामंजरी क्षेमेन्द्र
43-नैषधचरितम श्रीहर्ष
44-विक्रमांकदेवचरित बिल्हण
45-कुमारपालचरित हेमचन्द्र
46-गीतगोविन्द जयदेव
47-पृथ्वीराजरासो चंदरवरदाई
48-राजतरंगिणी कल्हण
49-रासमाला सोमेश्वर
50-शिशुपाल वध माघ
51-गौडवाहो वाकपति
52-रामचरित सन्धयाकरनंदी
53-द्वयाश्रय काव्य हेमचन्द्र

वेद-ज्ञान:-

प्र.1- वेद किसे कहते है ?
उत्तर- ईश्वरीय ज्ञान की पुस्तक को वेद कहते है।

प्र.2- वेद-ज्ञान किसने दिया ?
उत्तर- ईश्वर ने दिया।

प्र.3- ईश्वर ने वेद-ज्ञान कब दिया ?
उत्तर- ईश्वर ने सृष्टि के आरंभ में वेद-ज्ञान दिया।

प्र.4- ईश्वर ने वेद ज्ञान क्यों दिया ?
उत्तर- मनुष्य-मात्र के कल्याण के लिए।

प्र.5- वेद कितने है ?
उत्तर- चार ।
1-ऋग्वेद
2-यजुर्वेद
3-सामवेद
4-अथर्ववेद

प्र.6- वेदों के ब्राह्मण ।
वेद ब्राह्मण
1 - ऋग्वेद - ऐतरेय
2 - यजुर्वेद - शतपथ
3 - सामवेद - तांड्य
4 - अथर्ववेद - गोपथ

प्र.7- वेदों के उपवेद कितने है।
उत्तर - चार।
वेद उपवेद
1- ऋग्वेद - आयुर्वेद
2- यजुर्वेद - धनुर्वेद
3 -सामवेद - गंधर्ववेद
4- अथर्ववेद - अर्थवेद

प्र 8- वेदों के अंग हैं ।
उत्तर - छः ।
1 - शिक्षा
2 - कल्प
3 - निरूक्त
4 - व्याकरण
5 - छंद
6 - ज्योतिष

प्र.9- वेदों का ज्ञान ईश्वर ने किन किन ऋषियो को दिया ?
उत्तर- चार ऋषियों को।
वेद ऋषि
1- ऋग्वेद - अग्नि
2 - यजुर्वेद - वायु
3 - सामवेद - आदित्य
4 - अथर्ववेद - अंगिरा

प्र.10- वेदों का ज्ञान ईश्वर ने ऋषियों को कैसे दिया ?
उत्तर- समाधि की अवस्था में।

प्र.11- वेदों में कैसे ज्ञान है ?
उत्तर- सब सत्य विद्याओं का ज्ञान-विज्ञान।

प्र.12- वेदो के विषय कौन-कौन से हैं ?
उत्तर- चार ।
ऋषि विषय
1- ऋग्वेद - ज्ञान
2- यजुर्वेद - कर्म
3- सामवे - उपासना
4- अथर्ववेद - विज्ञान

प्र.13- वेदों में।

ऋग्वेद में।
1- मंडल - 10
2 - अष्टक - 08
3 - सूक्त - 1028
4 - अनुवाक - 85
5 - ऋचाएं - 10589

यजुर्वेद में।
1- अध्याय - 40
2- मंत्र - 1975

सामवेद में।
1- आरचिक - 06
2 - अध्याय - 06
3- ऋचाएं - 1875

अथर्ववेद में।
1- कांड - 20
2- सूक्त - 731
3 - मंत्र - 5977

प्र.14- वेद पढ़ने का अधिकार किसको है ?
उत्तर- मनुष्य-मात्र को वेद पढने का अधिकार है

प्र.15- सबसे बड़ा वेद कौन-सा है ?
उत्तर- ऋग्वेद।

प्र.16- वेदों की उत्पत्ति कब हुई ?
उत्तर- वेदो की उत्पत्ति सृष्टि के आदि से परमात्मा द्वारा हुई । अर्थात 1 अरब 96 करोड़ 8 लाख 43 हजार वर्ष पूर्व ।

प्र.17- वेद-ज्ञान के सहायक दर्शन-शास्त्र ( उपअंग ) कितने हैं और उनके लेखकों का क्या नाम है ?
उत्तर-
1- न्याय दर्शन - गौतम मुनि।
2- वैशेषिक दर्शन - कणाद मुनि।
3- योगदर्शन - पतंजलि मुनि।
4- मीमांसा दर्शन - जैमिनी मुनि।
5- सांख्य दर्शन - कपिल मुनि।
6- वेदांत दर्शन - व्यास मुनि।

प्र.18 शास्त्रों के विषय क्या है ?
उत्तर- आत्मा, परमात्मा, प्रकृति, जगत की उत्पत्ति, मुक्ति अर्थात सब प्रकार का भौतिक व आध्यात्मिक ज्ञान-विज्ञान आदि।

प्र.19 प्रामाणिक उपनिषदे कितनी है ?
उत्तर- केवल ग्यारह।

प्र.20 उपनिषदों के नाम बतावे ?
उत्तर-
01-ईश ( ईशावास्य )
02-केन
03-कठ
04-प्रश्न
05-मुंडक
06-मांडू
07-ऐतरेय
08-तैत्तिरीय
09-छांदोग्य
10-वृहदारण्यक
11-श्वेताश्वतर ।

प्र.21 उपनिषदों के विषय कहाँ से लिए गए है ?
उत्तर- वेदों से।
प्र.22- चार वर्ण।
उत्तर-
1- ब्राह्मण
2- क्षत्रिय
3- वैश्य
4- शूद्र

प्र.23- चार युग।
1- सतयुग - 17,28000 वर्षों का नाम ( सतयुग ) रखा है।
2- त्रेतायुग- 12,96000 वर्षों का नाम ( त्रेतायुग ) रखा है।
3- द्वापरयुग- 8,64000 वर्षों का नाम है।
4- कलयुग- 4,32000 वर्षों का नाम है।
कलयुग के 5122 वर्षों का भोग हो चुका है अभी तक।
4,27024 वर्षों का भोग होना है।

पंच महायज्ञ
1- ब्रह्मयज्ञ
2- देवयज्ञ
3- पितृयज्ञ
4- बलिवैश्वदेवयज्ञ
5- अतिथियज्ञ

स्वर्ग - जहाँ सुख है।
नरक - जहाँ दुःख है।.

*#भगवान_शिव के "35" रहस्य!!!!!!!!

भगवान शिव अर्थात पार्वती के पति शंकर जिन्हें महादेव, भोलेनाथ, आदिनाथ आदि कहा जाता है।

🔱1. आदिनाथ शिव : - सर्वप्रथम शिव ने ही धरती पर जीवन के प्रचार-प्रसार का प्रयास किया इसलिए उन्हें 'आदिदेव' भी कहा जाता है। 'आदि' का अर्थ प्रारंभ। आदिनाथ होने के कारण उनका एक नाम 'आदिश' भी है।

🔱2. शिव के अस्त्र-शस्त्र : - शिव का धनुष पिनाक, चक्र भवरेंदु और सुदर्शन, अस्त्र पाशुपतास्त्र और शस्त्र त्रिशूल है। उक्त सभी का उन्होंने ही निर्माण किया था।

🔱3. भगवान शिव का नाग : - शिव के गले में जो नाग लिपटा रहता है उसका नाम वासुकि है। वासुकि के बड़े भाई का नाम शेषनाग है।

🔱4. शिव की अर्द्धांगिनी : - शिव की पहली पत्नी सती ने ही अगले जन्म में पार्वती के रूप में जन्म लिया और वही उमा, उर्मि, काली कही गई हैं।

🔱5. शिव के पुत्र : - शिव के प्रमुख 6 पुत्र हैं- गणेश, कार्तिकेय, सुकेश, जलंधर, अयप्पा और भूमा। सभी के जन्म की कथा रोचक है।

🔱6. शिव के शिष्य : - शिव के 7 शिष्य हैं जिन्हें प्रारंभिक सप्तऋषि माना गया है। इन ऋषियों ने ही शिव के ज्ञान को संपूर्ण धरती पर प्रचारित किया जिसके चलते भिन्न-भिन्न धर्म और संस्कृतियों की उत्पत्ति हुई। शिव ने ही गुरु और शिष्य परंपरा की शुरुआत की थी। शिव के शिष्य हैं- बृहस्पति, विशालाक्ष, शुक्र, सहस्राक्ष, महेन्द्र, प्राचेतस मनु, भरद्वाज इसके अलावा 8वें गौरशिरस मुनि भी थे।

🔱7. शिव के गण : - शिव के गणों में भैरव, वीरभद्र, मणिभद्र, चंदिस, नंदी, श्रृंगी, भृगिरिटी, शैल, गोकर्ण, घंटाकर्ण, जय और विजय प्रमुख हैं। इसके अलावा, पिशाच, दैत्य और नाग-नागिन, पशुओं को भी शिव का गण माना जाता है।

🔱8. शिव पंचायत : - भगवान सूर्य, गणपति, देवी, रुद्र और विष्णु ये शिव पंचायत कहलाते हैं।

🔱9. शिव के द्वारपाल : - नंदी, स्कंद, रिटी, वृषभ, भृंगी, गणेश, उमा-महेश्वर और महाकाल।

🔱10. शिव पार्षद : - जिस तरह जय और विजय विष्णु के पार्षद हैं उसी तरह बाण, रावण, चंड, नंदी, भृंगी आदि शिव के पार्षद हैं।

🔱11. सभी धर्मों का केंद्र शिव : - शिव की वेशभूषा ऐसी है कि प्रत्येक धर्म के लोग उनमें अपने प्रतीक ढूंढ सकते हैं। मुशरिक, यजीदी, साबिईन, सुबी, इब्राहीमी धर्मों में शिव के होने की छाप स्पष्ट रूप से देखी जा सकती है। शिव के शिष्यों से एक ऐसी परंपरा की शुरुआत हुई, जो आगे चलकर शैव, सिद्ध, नाथ, दिगंबर और सूफी संप्रदाय में वि‍भक्त हो गई।

🔱12. बौद्ध साहित्य के मर्मज्ञ अंतरराष्ट्रीय : - ख्यातिप्राप्त विद्वान प्रोफेसर उपासक का मानना है कि शंकर ने ही बुद्ध के रूप में जन्म लिया था। उन्होंने पालि ग्रंथों में वर्णित 27 बुद्धों का उल्लेख करते हुए बताया कि इनमें बुद्ध के 3 नाम अतिप्राचीन हैं- तणंकर, शणंकर और मेघंकर।

🔱13. देवता और असुर दोनों के प्रिय शिव : - भगवान शिव को देवों के साथ असुर, दानव, राक्षस, पिशाच, गंधर्व, यक्ष आदि सभी पूजते हैं। वे रावण को भी वरदान देते हैं और राम को भी। उन्होंने भस्मासुर, शुक्राचार्य आदि कई असुरों को वरदान दिया था। शिव, सभी आदिवासी, वनवासी जाति, वर्ण, धर्म और समाज के सर्वोच्च देवता हैं।

🔱14. शिव चिह्न : - वनवासी से लेकर सभी साधारण व्‍यक्ति जिस चिह्न की पूजा कर सकें, उस पत्‍थर के ढेले, बटिया को शिव का चिह्न माना जाता है। इसके अलावा रुद्राक्ष और त्रिशूल को भी शिव का चिह्न माना गया है। कुछ लोग डमरू और अर्द्ध चन्द्र को भी शिव का चिह्न मानते हैं, हालांकि ज्यादातर लोग शिवलिंग अर्थात शिव की ज्योति का पूजन करते हैं।

🔱15. शिव की गुफा : - शिव ने भस्मासुर से बचने के लिए एक पहाड़ी में अपने त्रिशूल से एक गुफा बनाई और वे फिर उसी गुफा में छिप गए। वह गुफा जम्मू से 150 किलोमीटर दूर त्रिकूटा की पहाड़ियों पर है। दूसरी ओर भगवान शिव ने जहां पार्वती को अमृत ज्ञान दिया था वह गुफा 'अमरनाथ गुफा' के नाम से प्रसिद्ध है।

🔱16. शिव के पैरों के निशान : - श्रीपद- श्रीलंका में रतन द्वीप पहाड़ की चोटी पर स्थित श्रीपद नामक मंदिर में शिव के पैरों के निशान हैं। ये पदचिह्न 5 फुट 7 इंच लंबे और 2 फुट 6 इंच चौड़े हैं। इस स्थान को सिवानोलीपदम कहते हैं। कुछ लोग इसे आदम पीक कहते हैं।

रुद्र पद- तमिलनाडु के नागपट्टीनम जिले के थिरुवेंगडू क्षेत्र में श्रीस्वेदारण्येश्‍वर का मंदिर में शिव के पदचिह्न हैं जिसे 'रुद्र पदम' कहा जाता है। इसके अलावा थिरुवन्नामलाई में भी एक स्थान पर शिव के पदचिह्न हैं।

तेजपुर- असम के तेजपुर में ब्रह्मपुत्र नदी के पास स्थित रुद्रपद मंदिर में शिव के दाएं पैर का निशान है।

जागेश्वर- उत्तराखंड के अल्मोड़ा से 36 किलोमीटर दूर जागेश्वर मंदिर की पहाड़ी से लगभग साढ़े 4 किलोमीटर दूर जंगल में भीम के पास शिव के पदचिह्न हैं। पांडवों को दर्शन देने से बचने के लिए उन्होंने अपना एक पैर यहां और दूसरा कैलाश में रखा था।

रांची- झारखंड के रांची रेलवे स्टेशन से 7 किलोमीटर की दूरी पर 'रांची हिल' पर शिवजी के पैरों के निशान हैं। इस स्थान को 'पहाड़ी बाबा मंदिर' कहा जाता है।

🔱17. शिव के अवतार : - वीरभद्र, पिप्पलाद, नंदी, भैरव, महेश, अश्वत्थामा, शरभावतार, गृहपति, दुर्वासा, हनुमान, वृषभ, यतिनाथ, कृष्णदर्शन, अवधूत, भिक्षुवर्य, सुरेश्वर, किरात, सुनटनर्तक, ब्रह्मचारी, यक्ष, वैश्यानाथ, द्विजेश्वर, हंसरूप, द्विज, नतेश्वर आदि हुए हैं। वेदों में रुद्रों का जिक्र है। रुद्र 11 बताए जाते हैं- कपाली, पिंगल, भीम, विरुपाक्ष, विलोहित, शास्ता, अजपाद, आपिर्बुध्य, शंभू, चण्ड तथा भव।

🔱18. शिव का विरोधाभासिक परिवार : - शिवपुत्र कार्तिकेय का वाहन मयूर है, जबकि शिव के गले में वासुकि नाग है। स्वभाव से मयूर और नाग आपस में दुश्मन हैं। इधर गणपति का वाहन चूहा है, जबकि सांप मूषकभक्षी जीव है। पार्वती का वाहन शेर है, लेकिन शिवजी का वाहन तो नंदी बैल है। इस विरोधाभास या वैचारिक भिन्नता के बावजूद परिवार में एकता है।

🔱19. ति‍ब्बत स्थित कैलाश पर्वत पर उनका निवास है। जहां पर शिव विराजमान हैं उस पर्वत के ठीक नीचे पाताल लोक है जो भगवान विष्णु का स्थान है। शिव के आसन के ऊपर वायुमंडल के पार क्रमश: स्वर्ग लोक और फिर ब्रह्माजी का स्थान है।

🔱20.शिव भक्त : - ब्रह्मा, विष्णु और सभी देवी-देवताओं सहित भगवान राम और कृष्ण भी शिव भक्त है। हरिवंश पुराण के अनुसार, कैलास पर्वत पर कृष्ण ने शिव को प्रसन्न करने के लिए तपस्या की थी। भगवान राम ने रामेश्वरम में शिवलिंग स्थापित कर उनकी पूजा-अर्चना की थी।

🔱21.शिव ध्यान : - शिव की भक्ति हेतु शिव का ध्यान-पूजन किया जाता है। शिवलिंग को बिल्वपत्र चढ़ाकर शिवलिंग के समीप मंत्र जाप या ध्यान करने से मोक्ष का मार्ग पुष्ट होता है।

🔱22.शिव मंत्र : - दो ही शिव के मंत्र हैं पहला- ॐ नम: शिवाय। दूसरा महामृत्युंजय मंत्र- ॐ ह्रौं जू सः। ॐ भूः भुवः स्वः। ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्‌। उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात्‌। स्वः भुवः भूः ॐ। सः जू ह्रौं ॐ ॥ है।

🔱23.शिव व्रत और त्योहार : - सोमवार, प्रदोष और श्रावण मास में शिव व्रत रखे जाते हैं। शिवरात्रि और महाशिवरात्रि शिव का प्रमुख पर्व त्योहार है।

🔱24.शिव प्रचारक : - भगवान शंकर की परंपरा को उनके शिष्यों बृहस्पति, विशालाक्ष (शिव), शुक्र, सहस्राक्ष, महेन्द्र, प्राचेतस मनु, भरद्वाज, अगस्त्य मुनि, गौरशिरस मुनि, नंदी, कार्तिकेय, भैरवनाथ आदि ने आगे बढ़ाया। इसके अलावा वीरभद्र, मणिभद्र, चंदिस, नंदी, श्रृंगी, भृगिरिटी, शैल, गोकर्ण, घंटाकर्ण, बाण, रावण, जय और विजय ने भी शैवपंथ का प्रचार किया। इस परंपरा में सबसे बड़ा नाम आदिगुरु भगवान दत्तात्रेय का आता है। दत्तात्रेय के बाद आदि शंकराचार्य, मत्स्येन्द्रनाथ और गुरु गुरुगोरखनाथ का नाम प्रमुखता से लिया जाता है।

🔱25.शिव महिमा : - शिव ने कालकूट नामक विष पिया था जो अमृत मंथन के दौरान निकला था। शिव ने भस्मासुर जैसे कई असुरों को वरदान दिया था। शिव ने कामदेव को भस्म कर दिया था। शिव ने गणेश और राजा दक्ष के सिर को जोड़ दिया था। ब्रह्मा द्वारा छल किए जाने पर शिव ने ब्रह्मा का पांचवां सिर काट दिया था।

🔱26.शैव परम्परा : - दसनामी, शाक्त, सिद्ध, दिगंबर, नाथ, लिंगायत, तमिल शैव, कालमुख शैव, कश्मीरी शैव, वीरशैव, नाग, लकुलीश, पाशुपत, कापालिक, कालदमन और महेश्वर सभी शैव परंपरा से हैं। चंद्रवंशी, सूर्यवंशी, अग्निवंशी और नागवंशी भी शिव की परंपरा से ही माने जाते हैं। भारत की असुर, रक्ष और आदिवासी जाति के आराध्य देव शिव ही हैं। शैव धर्म भारत के आदिवासियों का धर्म है।

🔱27.शिव के प्रमुख नाम : - शिव के वैसे तो अनेक नाम हैं जिनमें 108 नामों का उल्लेख पुराणों में मिलता है लेकिन यहां प्रचलित नाम जानें- महेश, नीलकंठ, महादेव, महाकाल, शंकर, पशुपतिनाथ, गंगाधर, नटराज, त्रिनेत्र, भोलेनाथ, आदिदेव, आदिनाथ, त्रियंबक, त्रिलोकेश, जटाशंकर, जगदीश, प्रलयंकर, विश्वनाथ, विश्वेश्वर, हर, शिवशंभु, भूतनाथ और रुद्र।

🔱28.अमरनाथ के अमृत वचन : - शिव ने अपनी अर्धांगिनी पार्वती को मोक्ष हेतु अमरनाथ की गुफा में जो ज्ञान दिया उस ज्ञान की आज अनेकानेक शाखाएं हो चली हैं। वह ज्ञानयोग और तंत्र के मूल सूत्रों में शामिल है। 'विज्ञान भैरव तंत्र' एक ऐसा ग्रंथ है, जिसमें भगवान शिव द्वारा पार्वती को बताए गए 112 ध्यान सूत्रों का संकलन है।

🔱29.शिव ग्रंथ : - वेद और उपनिषद सहित विज्ञान भैरव तंत्र, शिव पुराण और शिव संहिता में शिव की संपूर्ण शिक्षा और दीक्षा समाई हुई है। तंत्र के अनेक ग्रंथों में उनकी शिक्षा का विस्तार हुआ है।

🔱30.शिवलिंग : - वायु पुराण के अनुसार प्रलयकाल में समस्त सृष्टि जिसमें लीन हो जाती है और पुन: सृष्टिकाल में जिससे प्रकट होती है, उसे लिंग कहते हैं। इस प्रकार विश्व की संपूर्ण ऊर्जा ही लिंग की प्रतीक है। वस्तुत: यह संपूर्ण सृष्टि बिंदु-नाद स्वरूप है। बिंदु शक्ति है और नाद शिव। बिंदु अर्थात ऊर्जा और नाद अर्थात ध्वनि। यही दो संपूर्ण ब्रह्मांड का आधार है। इसी कारण प्रतीक स्वरूप शिवलिंग की पूजा-अर्चना है।

🔱31.बारह ज्योतिर्लिंग : - सोमनाथ, मल्लिकार्जुन, महाकालेश्वर, ॐकारेश्वर, वैद्यनाथ, भीमशंकर, रामेश्वर, नागेश्वर, विश्वनाथजी, त्र्यम्बकेश्वर, केदारनाथ, घृष्णेश्वर। ज्योतिर्लिंग उत्पत्ति के संबंध में अनेकों मान्यताएं प्रचलित है। ज्योतिर्लिंग यानी 'व्यापक ब्रह्मात्मलिंग' जिसका अर्थ है 'व्यापक प्रकाश'। जो शिवलिंग के बारह खंड हैं। शिवपुराण के अनुसार ब्रह्म, माया, जीव, मन, बुद्धि, चित्त, अहंकार, आकाश, वायु, अग्नि, जल और पृथ्वी को ज्योतिर्लिंग या ज्योति पिंड कहा गया है।

दूसरी मान्यता अनुसार शिव पुराण के अनुसार प्राचीनकाल में आकाश से ज्‍योति पिंड पृथ्‍वी पर गिरे और उनसे थोड़ी देर के लिए प्रकाश फैल गया। इस तरह के अनेकों उल्का पिंड आकाश से धरती पर गिरे थे। भारत में गिरे अनेकों पिंडों में से प्रमुख बारह पिंड को ही ज्‍योतिर्लिंग में शामिल किया गया।

🔱32.शिव का दर्शन : - शिव के जीवन और दर्शन को जो लोग यथार्थ दृष्टि से देखते हैं वे सही बुद्धि वाले और यथार्थ को पकड़ने वाले शिवभक्त हैं, क्योंकि शिव का दर्शन कहता है कि यथार्थ में जियो, वर्तमान में जियो, अपनी चित्तवृत्तियों से लड़ो मत, उन्हें अजनबी बनकर देखो और कल्पना का भी यथार्थ के लिए उपयोग करो। आइंस्टीन से पूर्व शिव ने ही कहा था कि कल्पना ज्ञान से ज्यादा महत्वपूर्ण है।

🔱33.शिव और शंकर : - शिव का नाम शंकर के साथ जोड़ा जाता है। लोग कहते हैं- शिव, शंकर, भोलेनाथ। इस तरह अनजाने ही कई लोग शिव और शंकर को एक ही सत्ता के दो नाम बताते हैं। असल में, दोनों की प्रतिमाएं अलग-अलग आकृति की हैं। शंकर को हमेशा तपस्वी रूप में दिखाया जाता है। कई जगह तो शंकर को शिवलिंग का ध्यान करते हुए दिखाया गया है। अत: शिव और शंकर दो अलग अलग सत्ताएं है। हालांकि शंकर को भी शिवरूप माना गया है। माना जाता है कि महेष (नंदी) और महाकाल भगवान शंकर के द्वारपाल हैं। रुद्र देवता शंकर की पंचायत के सदस्य हैं।

🔱34. देवों के देव महादेव : देवताओं की दैत्यों से प्रतिस्पर्धा चलती रहती थी। ऐसे में जब भी देवताओं पर घोर संकट आता था तो वे सभी देवाधिदेव महादेव के पास जाते थे। दैत्यों, राक्षसों सहित देवताओं ने भी शिव को कई बार चुनौती दी, लेकिन वे सभी परास्त होकर शिव के समक्ष झुक गए इसीलिए शिव हैं देवों के देव महादेव। वे दैत्यों, दानवों और भूतों के भी प्रिय भगवान हैं। वे राम को भी वरदान देते हैं और रावण को भी।

~शिवालय