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On Hinduism
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07. Scriptures
Just like the Bible and Quran are the fundamental scriptures for Christianity and Islam, the Vedas are Hinduism’s oldest and most important scriptures. Vedas are meditations that explore the nature of reality, or the “Truth”, and are classified into 4 books. Each of the 4 Vedas have 4 sections:
- Samhitas – Hymns
- Brahmanas – Priestly Manuals
- Aranyakas – Forest treatises
- Upanishads – Enlightened Discourses
Upanishads are also known as Vedanta, that which comes at the end of the Vedas. They are the metaphysical discourses that are usually in an entertaining story format, with a teacher and a student, exploring the nature of “Truth”.
Upanishad, the word literally means “come sit near”. The seers of the Vedic age were used to giving public talks (similar to the stories of the Buddha giving large sermons). However, not all the secrets can be revealed to a crowd. If Einstein were asked to explain the Theory of Relativity to a crowd at the Madison Square Garden, he would likely give a lighter-weight TED-talk on his findings. Crowds do not understand nuance.
The Truth (ultimate truth) is subtle. Understanding the truth requires a preparation of the body, mind and spirit. When the student is ready, the teacher would ask the student to “come sit near”, so the truth may be revealed with clarity and precision. The Upanishads record the Truth with nuance, clarity and precision. It is best to approach these texts with reverence and a reasonable estimation of one’s readiness.
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Other reading material: Book-The Upanashads by Eknath Easwaran,
Relevant videos:
Contributor: Madhu
Location of this post (7b): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/what-are-the-upanishads-about/
Category:
07. Scriptures
19. Hindu Life
Desire is born out of attachment that human beings have with the material world. This material world is perceived by human senses. Therefore, desire is natural.
Eastern wisdom – especially in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism – has highlighted the absolute absence of all (personal) desires as the hallmark of the highest spiritual wisdom. Upanishads declare that desire is the sign of ignorance (avidyā), and arises from the false sense of incompleteness (apoornatā).
Swami Visharadananda writes, “Why do we have desires? Because we tend to identify ourselves with our body-mind ego or body-mind adjuncts/appearance (upādhi). We forget our divine nature, our atman-nature which is ever fulfilled and free from all worldly needs.”
The enlightened man, who has higher knowledge (vidyā), feels complete (poorna) and therefore has no need for seeking pleasure or for acquiring any object.
akāmo nishkāma āptakāma ātmakāmo
na tasya prānā utkrāmanti
brahma eva san, brahma āpnoti
Free of want, devoid of desire, having all his desires fulfilled,
delighting in the Self alone, this man is Brahman;
he attains Brahman. His energies do not lead to another birth.
(Brihadāranyaka Upanishad, 4.4.6).
Other reading material:
Relevant videos:
Contributor: Jyoti Lulla
Location of this page (:19c): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/why-do-we-have-desires-and-how-to-control-them/
Category:
19. Hindu Life