Misconceptions on Hindu Religion-1

The other day I was reading a book on my gurudev, whilst returning from work. Out of curiosity, one of the colleagues sitting next to me, wanted to see that, since we three--the colleague, the book & I--indulge in Bengali language. He was going through the book randomly & was asking me, what is the book about. I said, "Its on my gurudev, mostly reminiscences written by many people, who were deeply influenced by my gurudev's life & teachings." He started asking me about the order & was surprised when I talked about Ramakrishna order, who we consider, an incarnation of the Supreme Being, or as per Swami Vivekananda proclaimed,"avatara-baristhaya", Shri Ramakrishna is the God of all avatars[incarnations].
The colleague being a muslim, was telling me that they believe in a formless God, Allah, and was asking why Hindus believe in God, who has a form?
Well, many people have asked me this question before, so it was easier for me answer this question.I replied, "Well, Hindus actually believe God in both forms--having a definite form & without a form.However, our scattered mind cannot think of the God in His infinite form-thats why, an Idol, a picture or any form, that is symbolic of god. But, through continuous practise of devotion, prayers, as the level of mind elevates, one can pray to God in any form--both in His formless or in form.
"However the basic concept is same--All gods are same-they are different, as per their names, as per their forms. Rigveda proclaims "Ekam sadviprah bahudha vadanti", the one is many, so say learned people. Shri Ramakrishna used to give an example. People of three religions are fetching water from the same pond, from  different banks. Hindus call it, "Jal", Muslims call it, "Paani", Christians call it, "Water/Aqua", but they are fetching the same water, in different names, from different banks. So is religion, Hindus are praying to "Vishnu, Ram" Christians to,"Father, God", whilst Muslims to "Allah".

[I will write more....]

Who am I??

Upanishads have been considered to be the source or essence of religion--the need for the religious practise & its goal. In one of the upanishads, Chapter 3 Part I of Taittiriya Upanishad the sage asks his fellow members, "Ko-ayam-atma-iti vayam-upaasmahey?"[Who is this Soul, upon which we meditate?". The other enlightened ones reply, "The soul is by which you can smell, hear, eat, see, talk". In other words, the Soul has been defined by a vital force, or in words of Swami Vivekananda, "Powerhouse of energy". The Soul, which we possess is no different from Supreme Soul, which we call "Paramatma". It is the Jeevatma[the human soul] a part of Paramatma[Supreme Soul]. Take this example, the sea & a bucket of water, rendered from sea. The sea is without a form, but the same water when kept in a bucket has a form. When the same water is thrown into the sea, it loses its form & merges with the sea.
"Who am I?", is an eternal question. A popular proverb, "Know thyself", perhaps originates from the ideas of Upanishad, "Atmanam Biddhi". There is a very nice story in Chhandogya Upanishad, which ends up in teaching son Uddalak by his venerable father, Sage Swetaketu, "Tat twam-asi", You are the one. Considered as one of the four mahavakyas[Great Statements] of the Shankaracharya Maths.
It may sound easy, but the approach to found the answer for "Who am I?" has been difficult. There are stages which are equal for either rise or fall. Kath Upanishad describes that path "Kshurasya dhara nishita duratyayaa durgama-pathah-tat kabayo vadanti", that path towards wisdom or truth is as sharp as razor & very difficult to go through, as said by learned people.
But what is the way to find the truth, to find the "Self"?There must be a way out. Upanishads suggest practise distinguishing  what is absolute, immortal & what is subjected to six forms of decay. "Neti, Neti", not this one, not this one till you reach the highest state of self-realisation.
And after self-realisation?Well, he becomes a king, a monarch, such says Swetaswatara Upanishad. "He becomes the overall ruler".
Om Shantih!!!

Shri Ramakrishna....a Prophet of 19th Century

"God can be realized through all paths. All religions are true. The important thing is to reach the roof. You can reach it by stone stairs or by wooden stairs or by bamboo steps or by a rope. You can also climb up by a bamboo pole."
When He used to utter these words, people used to think, what this illiterate, poor fellow is talking about? One who doesn't even have the basic education, how can He deliver such lectures?His stories & examples are simple, but when we think deeply whatever He said, we are truly amazed. Let me introduce you to a modern prophet of 19th. Century, Gadadhar Chattopadhyay, popularly known as "Shri Ramakrishna".
One of the most important scriptures of Hindus,i.e. Shrimat Bhagavad Gita states that whenever people will be in distress, whenever Evil will outdo the benevolent ones, God will take birth in the form of a human being, for destroying the evil forces & for boosting the benefic forces in the society--Such birth will take in every ages. Shri Ramakrishna was born in such an era, when the society was challenged by the orthodox customs of Brahmins & their practises;when people of lower castes cannot even touch the members of upper castes; when degradation of religion was in its prime.
Shri Ramakrishna from his childhood had immense devotion towards God. However, in due course, his outlook on things & his attitude towards religion changed. For example, he was being born in a Brahmin family, used to practise untouchability, however, after his realisation of God, his outlook completely changed. He firmly proclaimed, "A devotee doesn;t have a caste", as his only identity then becomes, he is a devotee of God.
He had a small laboratory, a virtual one, where he used to practise all the practices of religious customs, disciplines & traditions. For example, after realisation of God, he started *testing* with other practises too. For example, the Vedantic way, where God is formless. He was successful in that. He tried in the way Vaishnavas do & had realisation of God in their practises. Next was the way of Muslim. Yes, it is true. After his prayers in the way of Islam, he had vision of Prophet Muhammad & claimed, still, this way, one will realise God. Finally, the way a Christian practises, he did so. He listened to Holy Bible & had vision of Christ.
Regarding many names of God, he used to give a simple example. There is a pond, where people of different community draw water. Hindus call the water as "Jal", Muslims call it as "Paani", Christians as "Water" or some other calling it "Aqua". They are referring to the same water, but in different names. So is God. He is the same, but called in different names.
He says, "You may say that there are many errors and superstitions in another religion. I should reply: Suppose there are. Every religion has errors. Everyone thinks that his watch alone gives the correct time. It is enough to have yearning for God. It is enough to love Him and feel attracted to Him: Don't you know that God is the Inner Guide? He sees the longing of our heart and the yearning of our soul."

However, he kept on saying onething over & over. "The objective of being born is a human being is realisation of God".Difficult, but he says it to be the penance of this age. Its truly difficult!!
But he never advised us to stop performing our duties. He used to say, "Do your work but keep your mind firmly on God". However, practise is necessary & one should also be alert. One who is crossing the busy road, & also doing meditation will invite trouble for himself. Only in this way, one can safeguard both--God & world.

On rituals He was quite liberal. He used to say, "Rituals are like a market list. You need the list to buy all groceries, vegetables accordingly. But once you are done with buying all stuff, you dont need anymore". He was liberal to the householders, but he was strict for those who renounce the worldly life. For them he instructs, "Even the touch of money & women will be a reason for their fall".

What more can I say? He was such a wonderful man. The more I talk about him, I will surely run short of words.
All my obeiscances to this great prophet of 19th Century.
Om Namo Bhagavate Ramakrishnaya!!

The First Sermon

I am sure, it is needless to introduce myself to you. Why such a blog, may be your question?Well, I read quite a few amount of Hindu scriptures, & my thougts after reading those texts will be written in this blog.
I would like to make a point clear that there is no religion called "Hindu Religion". It may sound surprising,but it is a true fact. Westerners could not pronounce "Sindhu river"[present Indus], so they called that river as "Hindu" & so was the name for the residents, who were staying beyond the river. So, a "Hindu", becomes a resident who stays beyond that river. No reference to religion!! However, for the reader's benefit, I will refer the Traditional Vedic Religion & its followers as "Hindu".
I want this post to be light in nature, since this is my first post on this issue. Since, I am open to all religions[yes, I am open to all religions & have deep respect of their faiths, beliefs n practices], I had been to the Church of the Protestants here in Dubai a couple of weeks before, with Clement.On our way,he started ridiculing my religion, telling me, "Your religion has so many gods." I told him, "All these rivers lead to the same sea. You call "Water" by different names in so many languages, but you refer to the same water right? Take this example, the one who is your father, is husband to a lady. He is also a son of some old man, & brother of a sister. He is uncle to someone else & grandfather too. Does his identity change ?" This was my answer to him, but he kept on arguing...
What answer do you have for this question. Rig Veda proclaim, boldly, "Ekam Sadviprah Vahudha Vadanti"--The one is many, so says learned men. So true...
Spiritually yours..
Gaurav.