TWO TYPES OF HINDUISM : REVIEWED BY RAJNI CHHABRA

 REVIEW BY RAJNI CHHABRA: PUBLISHED IN INDIAN LITERATURE


BOOK REVIEW

 2 TYPES OF HINDUISM : SANJIV BHATLA

SPIRITUALISM TINGED WITH MATERIALISM

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Hinduism, an Indian religion includes a range of philosophies and is linked by shared concepts, recognizable rituals, cosmology, pilgrimage to sacred sites and shared textual resources that discuss theology, philosophy and mythology. Glorified for its antiquity, is Hinduism really as old and as good as it is made out to be? The book is journey in that pursuit. The author has tried to present a well-crosschecked narrative , his massive knowledge on the subject dealt with, he owes to Google, as well as several authors, translators and compilers.

Hindu texts are classified into Sruti and Smriti , comprise of the major scriptures , the Vedas, the Upanishads, The Puranas, The Mahabharta, the Ramayana and The Agamas, forming the bedrock of Hinduism. The Hinduism originated sometime in mid-to-late second Millennium BC., roughly belonging to the same period as Judaism. The author has elaborately discussed  Hindu Epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The philosophical discourse of the Mahabharata, contained in the Bhagavad Gita has retained its relevance even for our contemporary life. After furnishing innate knowledge imbued in Epics, Puranas and Upanishads, he averts to Manusmriti. Though Manusmriti served as a great guideline for administrative pursuits, massive rites performed in the pursuit of seeking salvation, by pleasing Brahmin in multiple ways, throwing light on almost every practical aspect of life is criticized by the author for main cause leading to disparities in society and for defying the teachings of lord Krishna in its very basic tenet about the caste system and for outright condescending of the women, saying that do not deserve independence. He also quotes other examples of Sage Bhrigu’s arbitrariness, randomness and wilderness.

The progressive movements Brahmo Samaj aimed at mobilization of public opinion within Hinduism and asserted oneness of God, denouncing polytheism and idol worship. Next to it, Arya Samaj  presented its ten-point credo mainly asserting that  God is the primary cause of all true knowledge ;to him alone worship is due; the Vedas are the books of true knowledge.

Jainism and Hinduism are in line with Hinduism and both conform to basic humanism, both believe in re-incarnation of soul and its liberation.

The author resents that the field of vision of today’s Hinduism is blurred; the pristine component almost completely missing from it. Bhagwad Gita, Vedas and Upnishads are not in focus. Conventionally peripheral stuff like Puranic tales about Durga and Ganesha or Ramayana’s  folklores about lord Rama are catching full glare of publicity.

R S S is another target of his critical analysis of religion as followed in modern era, without properly landing deep into knowledge of Hinduism and so called Hindutav. The conviction about Brahmanical superiority dominant, with an obsession to somehow make India a Hindu Nation. Manusamrti is the hollowed book of RSS.

Author’s main concern is that incidents of intolerance have increased alarmingly as well as animosity against Muslims, after changed political scenario since 2014 and true spirit of Hinduism is being neglected.

The author imposes a question to the readers, ‘If you have to choose between, Love Thy Neighbour and Preach Thy Neighbour , which one will you choose ?”

The author, a staunch believer in One Super Power and one God across all the world, points out many uncanny similarities between the Bhagwad Gita and the Quran. Citing many such parallels, he avers that Hinduism's Lord Krishna is the same One God who is mentioned in the books of Abrahmic religions. With a background of science, he tends to employ analytical ability, providing ample supportive proofs.

Hope you will relish this food for mind!

Rajni Chhabra

 

Book Review

Name of Book: 2 Faces of Hinduism

Author: Sanjiv Bhatla

Publisher : Crabwise Press, Maharrashtra (India)

Edition:2020

Price:INR

Pages : 359

 

 

 

 

 

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