On Hinduism

Vedas are the most authoritative and the root scripture from which others are derived. Vedanta is the end part of the Vedas that consist of the philosophical aspects of vedic teachings. Itihasa and Purana show the practical aspects of how people lived in alignment with Vedic teachings. As questions emerged in the society about the practical aspects of vedas, they were allowed to freely question, meditate, debate and determine a common course/understanding. Summary of such common understanding of the practical aspects of Vedas were then documented in the Smriti’s.

Sri Aurobindo Ghose (1872-1950), Indian mystical and philosopher, put it this way: Hinduism is the most skeptical and the most believing of all religions. It is most skeptical because it has questioned and experimented the most and the deepest, rejecting nothing but insisting on testing and experiencing everything. From this come our scriptures and our beliefs: the Vedas, the Vedanta, the Gita, the Upanishads…But the most authoritative scripture is the heart, where the Eternal has His dwelling.

If you are new to Hinduism or exploring it, the best scripture to start with is Holy Gita. However, the most authoritative are the Vedas. 

Other reading material:

Relevant videos: 10 min summary on Gita, 

Author; Dilip Amin

Location of this post (7d): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/which-one-is-the-most-authoritative-scripture/

Gita predates the modern British imperial social construct of Caste, thus Gita has no mention of caste. However, Gita talks extensively about varna and gunas but that is not caste.

In Bhagawad Gita Lord Krishna says, “According to the three modes of material nature and the work ascribed to them, the four divisions of human society were created by Me.” (BG 4:13) Then He continues, “Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Sudras are distinguished by their qualities of work in accordance with the modes of nature.” (BG 18:41) 

It is important to observe that there is no mention of birth as a determining factor for one’s varna or classification. They are ascertained by their quality of work. 

Lord Krishna adds, “By following his qualities of work, every man can become perfect… By worship of the Lord, who is the source of all beings and who is all-pervading, man can, in the performance of his own duty [or occupation], attain perfection.” (BG 18:45-46). 

Forced designation or untouchability was never a part of the Vedic process.

Source: https://www.stephen-knapp.com/casteism.htm

Other reading material: https://www.hinduamerican.org/all-about-caste 

Relevant videos:

Contributor: Dilip Amin

Location of this page (25b): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/what-does-gita-say-about-the-caste-system/

Hindus believe there is an Ultimate energy or God and your soul or atman is a part of that Ultimate.

In Hinduism, Vedas are the body of knowledge that reveal God. That means, if you want to “know” God, Vedas are the source for such knowledge. Vedas are considered “Apaurusheya” – i.e. not created by a “purusha” – neither human nor divine being. It is just “pre-existing knowledge” that was given to the four faced creator, Brahma to govern the function of creation with its help. Per the vedas, God exists severally – and pervades every atom, cell, object/beings as antaratma.

Mahavira, the 24th tirthankara (ford-finder or one who establishes the path; 527 BC) approach represents a complete departure from the theistic world with a radically new way of engaging spiritual practice being initiated. In Jainism, the concept of God is fully replaced by a focus on the self, the soul being viewed as capable of discovering its own inner truth or divinity entirely for itself. Going within ensures that every soul could become paramatma (a fully enlightened being). In this respect, Jainism is a nastik (not believing in Vedas teaching) religion.

Other reading material:

Relevant videos

Contributor: Dilip Amin

Location of this post (29d): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/what-is-the-main-difference-between-hinduism-and-jainism