Roots of Hindu Culture - I

हिनानी गुण्नानी दुष्यन्ति इति हिन्दू

मेरुतंत्र

According to this definition from the text of Merutantra, Hindu is one who destroys inferior guna in self¹. Vedas lay the foundation of Hinduism and various schools of thoughts co-existing in it. A Hindu may follow any of the Hindu schools of philosophy such as Advaita (non-dualism), Vishishtadvaita (non-dualism of the qualified whole), Dvaita (dualism), DvaitaAdvaita (dualism with non-dualism); he may follow a tradition centered on any particular divine like Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism etc.; and he may practice any of the yoga systems including bhakti, dharma, samsara etc. In legal language, Supreme Court of India adopts the definition given by Bal Gangadhar Tilak that goes like:

"Acceptance of Vedas with reverence, recognition of the fact that means of salvation are diverse, and realization of truth that number of Gods to be worshipped is large - that indeed is the distinguishing feature of a Hindu."

Source: wiki

Strange but how many Hindus today would like to or do identify themselves with above definitions?

Nonetheless, there is a vast majority for whom these scriptures are sacrosanct. But do they really adopt it the way they are? Has there been a widening gap between what those saints wrote and what we understood and how we understood along all this time - amid various influential phases of Indian history. Do you really think that Sati pratha, purdah system are products of our scriptures? The values behind the norms and cultures specified in these smritis - are they still living or we are just left with hollow and loud noises of so called "Hindu" culture. What exactly is our culture...where are its roots? Do we filter its components as per our fancy and desires, or do we really take pride in being related to Hindu culture? I am on this expedition, and will keep logging about my slow but steady journey of exploring what exactly lies beneath our Hindu ritis and riwaz.

About Hindu scriptures

Hindu law is derived from two classes of text - shruthi (revealed) and smriti (remembered).

Shruthi is believed to be direct revelation of cosmic sound of truth heard by ancient Rishis who then translated it into understandable form. Main shruti literature comprise of Vedas (Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, and Adharva Veda) and their commentaries (Brahmanas, Arayanakas, Upanishads). Because of Vedas divine and unadulterated form, rule that claims connection to this literature is given more merit. Shruthi exists as a source of Hindu Law.

Smriti was composed after Vedas portraying the traditions of rules on dharma. Smriti consists of memories of wisdom that sages have passed on to their disciples. The earliest scripture in Smriti is Manu Smriti recently edited and translated by Patrick Olivelle. The Smriti literature includes six Vedangas, epics - the Ramayana and th Mahabharata, and th Puranas.

Smriti is considered second authority after Shruthi and is refered when Shruthi does not provide an answer.

Source: wiki

In Bhagvadgeeta, Shri Krishna tells Arjuna

"I preached this imperishable yoga to Vivasvata (Sun) who taught it to Manu, who in turn imparted it to Ishvaku. The saintly kings who received it by family tradition knew it, but in the course of time it was lost. The same yoga of antiquity I shall teach you today. Since you are not only my devotee, but also a dear friend of mine, I shall reveal to you this great mystery."

I believe that culture is product of a society - to bind it in harmony and in togetherness which is sometimes not inherent in nature. For such a force to be effective, a culture must change with changing society. What should not change is - the truth and the harmony.

1. Hindu is not a sanskrit word so not sure of the authenticity of this line!