The ancient Hindu sages realized that it was easy to believe in the lofty ideal of self-sacrifice, but it would be difficult for ordinary people to apply it in their daily lives. To help people practise self-sacrifice everyday, Manu, the ancient Hindu writer on ethics, prescribed five daily obligations, Panchmaha Yajna, for householders: 1. Brahma […]
Those who believe that equality for women is a Western concept will be surprised to learn that ancient Hindus accorded women a place of equality, honour and dignity. In the Vedic society, women had the freedom to educate themselves, study the Scriptures and achieve the status of sages, saints and scholars. Hindu literature of ancient […]
Most Hindus call their religion Hindu Dharm, but in the western world it is called Hinduism. However, it is interesting to note that the word ‘Hindu’ is not of Indian origin. This word is not found anywhere in Hindu scriptures. There are many interesting stories and explanations about the origin of the word ‘Hindu’. Some […]
Shivling, or sivalingam, is a significant Hindu symbol often misunderstood in the West. It combines two Sanskrit words: Shiva, representing God’s power to dissolve and regenerate creation, and linga, meaning symbol or sign. The cylindrical structure symbolizes the eternal nature of God. Despite its auspiciousness in Hindu rituals and ancient literature, Western interpretations have wrongly associated the shivling with phallic worship, causing offense among Hindus. This distortion often emerged from missionary propaganda aimed at converting Hindus. Mahatma Gandhi criticized this vulgar misinterpretation, highlighting the pain it caused within the community. In Canada, Hindu temples proudly display shivalinga, asserting their cultural identity.
Last month, we had our water heater replaced. When the installers finished their work in the basement, I invited them to my kitchen and offered chai (Indian-style tea) and snacks. They were surprised. While sipping chai, one of them commented that they rarely experienced such hospitality from their customers. His comment reminded me of my […]
About five years ago, I had a stroke which left me partly paralyzed. It happened suddenly, with no warning signs or symptoms. I was devastated. Lying in hospital feeling helpless, I wondered: Why me? I had never hurt anyone knowingly. I earned my living honestly. I had been a compulsive do-gooder since high school. Why […]
One of the most common myths about Hinduism is that it considers this world a maya or illusion and, therefore encourages Hindus to shun this material world and become ascetics. This is just not true. “Enjoy the resources, the gift of God; do not covet what belongs to others,” say the scriptures (40-1 Yajur Veda). […]
One summer afternoon, a group of 100 or so middle-aged Hindus gathered in the basement assembly hall of a Toronto temple. They had come from all across Ontario to listen to a renowned swami from India. Some brought their Canadian-born children with them, as the discourse was to be in English. The chairs and a […]
A widespread misconception in the West about Hindu philosophy on life is its otherworldliness, its emphasis on keeping an eye on the afterlife and a constant preoccupation with the soul, renunciation and liberation from the cycle of birth and death. This observation is based on thoughts and practices that existed during the period when Europeans […]
In order to reach the top of any human endeavor or field of knowledge, one must have a teacher. One who chooses to tread a spiritual path seeking Brahm-Ashnute, or God-realization, needs a master or a guide referred to as a Guru in Hinduism. The word “guru” literally means “weighted one,” the one who is […]
After birth, we grow up, get an education, find a job, get married, produce children, grow old and die. “Is this what life is all about?” many may ask. The ancient Hindu sages in India pondered the same question. The only thing that separates us from animals, they said, is our intellectual capability to acquire […]
After his father’s death in India, Arvind emigrated to Canada with only one mission in life – to improve the quality of life for his four brothers and widowed mother. Arvind at 17 was sincere, handsome, loyal to his family, and had never uttered a harsh word against anyone. He respected his elders and was […]
Hinduism in not a one-prophet, one-book religion, but Hindus do have revealed scriptures called Ved or Veda as pronounced in the West. The word Ved is derived from the Sanskrit root word Vid meaning ‘to know’ or knowledge. This treasury of spiritual, divine knowledge is not a single book frozen in time, and composed by […]
Rajiv and Amita are expecting their first child this summer. They were strangers until Rajiv’s aunt hatched a conspiracy to bring them together. Two years ago, they were married with the blessings of their parents and relatives. Rajiv and Amita (not their real names) follow Hinduism. But there is an unusual aspect about it. Rajiv […]
Hindus consider Lord Krishn as the eighth Avatar or Divine Incarnation who took on an earthly appearance in order to destroy wickedness and re-establish Dharma or righteousness. Krishn’s life story, narrated and sung in the temples of India, in street theatre and public parks still enthrals. The Krishn legends unite, inspire, excite, enchant, motivate and […]
In the recent parliamentary elections in India, the stunning victory of the Congress Party over its archrival, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), and the refusal of its leader, Sonia Gandhi, to accept the reins of the largest democracy on Earth, were not the only surprises. More interesting is that India now has a Muslim president […]
Those who believe gender equality is a modern concept may be surprised to learn that the primary Hindu scriptures, Rig Veda, do not consider woman inferior in any sphere of human endeavor. As many as 20 women were among the sages to whom God revealed Rig Veda. Hinduism conceives God in both male and female […]
Next Friday, Hindus around the world will begin preparations to celebrate the birthday of Ram, whose divine incarnation laid the foundations of Hindu moral values and ethics. The birthday, known as Ramnavami, is April 21, a day that brings together Hindus of different languages, regions and spiritual practices. The concept of divine incarnation is a […]
“Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, and drenched it often, and often with human blood, destroyed civilization, and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is […]
Many affluent Canadians have realized material comforts do not necessarily bring peace of mind. Some of them fail to find inner peace and harmony by following organized religions, but still search for satisfactory answers to such questions as: Who am I? What is the real purpose of my life on this Earth? Where do I […]
Over the past 20 years, I have been seeing more and more white faces in Hindu temples and religious congregations. Why are so many mainstream Canadians gravitating to Hinduism? Traditionally, the Western popular media have focused primarily on gaudy, exotic aspects of Hinduism and the darker side of Hindu society. These serious and open-minded seekers […]
Many religious North Americans believe the idea of cloning amounts to scientists playing God and tinkering with his Creation in a way that’s dangerous and downright sinful. And if something were to go wrong in the process, how would they fix it? After all, there is no “user’s manual.” Such concerns, although valid, are based […]
How did religion influence or shape our attitude towards the natural environment? UCLA history professor Lynn White answered the question in his article “The Historical Roots of Our Ecological Crisis” published in a 1967 issue of Science. White wrote that the Western world’s attitude towards nature was shaped by the Judeo-Christian tradition, Islam and Marxism. […]
Usha Chadda, fifty-seven year old accounts clerk of Mississauga, was diagnosed of kidney failure in1988. She had to go for dialysis every other day, while waiting for a kidney transplant. After three years of misery and hopelessness, a perfect kidney match was found. With the kidney transplant, eventually, Usha’s life was back on track, thanks […]
All Canadians, based on their innate talents and skills, can be classified into four broad categories: creative thinkers and intellectuals; politicians and government employees; commercial employers and business people; and manual workers. This is what ancient Hindu sages did when Hindu society was being transformed from a tribal to a settled society. They called it […]
My grandfather in India died at the ripe old age of 108. He devoted the last 48 years of his life to following a daily routine of meditating, praying and performing rituals. He would start his day with an early morning walk in a nearby public park. He carried a pouch containing bran. He would […]
Over the past four decades, yoga has become a household word in the West. It was popularized in the 1960s by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who introduced his own style of yoga called transcendental meditation. Physicians and therapists routinely recommend yoga exercises and meditation as treatment for a host of medical and psychological disorders, including high […]
I grew up watching my mother worship every morning. She would light a small clay lamp, called a Deeya, and burn incense in front of an idol of goddess Durga, meaning “fortress” or “protector.” She would then fold her palms together, close her eyes and mutter a prayer, her head bowed. My father never joined […]
