Book Review on "Sacred Texts of the Hindu Religion"

Book Review 5 pages (1717 words) Sources: 1+

[EXCERPT] . . . .

sacred texts of the Hindu religion, called the Vedas, by unknown authors. Specifically, it will contain a book report and discussion of the text. The texts are available online from a variety of sources. This Hindu work is not the traditional type of all-inclusive books or writings of the leader of their religion. Instead, it is a collection of things "heard" and things "remembered." Initially, the texts were passed down orally from one generation to the next, rather than in written form. Because the Hindu texts are not the traditional book of guidance, they are a little different, and demand a different way of debating and analyzing them. The book is intended for all of those who follow the Hindu faith, and it offers them both guidance and principles to follow. While it is non-traditional, it is extremely appropriate for the Hindu audience, whose religion is a bit more mystical and interesting to those of us in the west.

While the Vedas are the main Hindu texts, there are others, as well. The Vedas consist of four different texts, called the Rg-Veda (Rigveda), Yajur-Veda, Sama-Veda, and Atharva-Veda. Basically, these texts help guide Hindus through their daily lives and tell them how to live their lives according to Hindu principles. The other books include the Upanisads, which discuss the individual with the soul Hindus consider their leader Brahman. One text discusses the forms of reincarnation Hindus believe in, which is an important aspect of their religion. Another is the Smrutis, which represent tradition and the Laws of Manu. Next is the Ramayana, which has the sacred story of Rama and his wife Sita, which represents the perfect Hindu relationship and the triumph of good over evil. Next is the Mahabharata, which is really in poetic form. The Bhagavad-Gita, one of the most famous parts of the Hindu texts, is a part of this poem. Finally, are the Puranas, which talks about the lives of the saints and the different incarnations a person can face in the next life.

While all of these texts form the basis for the Hindu religion and way of life, the Vedas are the oldest and most sacred of all the texts in most expert opinions. The word Veda means knowledge in Hindu, so the people believe these texts give them the knowledge to live their lives fully, along with the religious spirituality to live them well enough to transcend this life and reach Nirvana, which will allow them to reunite with their loved ones and live a life of perfections. Many of the Vedas are actually written as hymns or mantras, which can be used during meditation, as well.

The first book, the Rg-Veda (Rigveda), is comprised of 10 main chapters. The first chapter contains over 190 hymns that celebrate everything from the natural world to their dwellings and protection. One hymn says, "Good to mankind, the yearning Purifier hath among men been placed as Priest choice-worthy. / May Agni be our Friend, Lord of the Household, protector of the riches in the dwelling" (Unknown). Another hymn in another chapter of the Rigveda says, "Upholders of the Law, ye strong ?dityas, remove my sin like her who bears in secret. / You, Varu-a, Mitra and all Gods who listen, I call to help me, I who know your goodness. / Ye, Gods, are providence and ye are power: remove ye utterly all those who hate us" (Unknown). Many of these hymns read like the traditional Psalms in the Christian Bible, which shows that at their hearts, many sacred texts emulate each other and the qualities that make a good spiritual person, no matter what their beliefs.

The writers' style is extremely lyrical and poetic, which is fitting since these hymns are in poetic form. Because these are arranged as hymns, they are usually short, and can be performed during a time of medication or contemplations. The texts are organized by chapters and verses, much like the Bible. Each chapter contains references to several gods and saints in the religion, and many refer to sacred objects, such as the cow. Another passage says, "O Cows, ye fatten e'en the worn and wasted, and make the unlovely beautiful to look on. / Prosper my house, ye with auspicious voices. Your power is glorified in our assemblies" (Unknown). This presents the evidence that cows are sacred in the Hindu religion, and that they will not harm them or eat them for sustenance. As you move through the texts, the writers offer many different types of organization, from persuasion through examples, such as the section relating to the cow, to the evidence that these writings have come down from the lips of Brahma, and represent the beliefs of the true Hindus.

Like most religious texts, the hymns are persuasive that to reap the full rewards of Hinduism, believers must share their wealth. Another hymn notes, "Yea, Heaven and Earth, ye hold in your possession full many a treasure for the liberal giver. / Grant us that wealth which comes in free abundance. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings" (Unknown). One of the central beliefs of the Hindu religion is that wealth and possessions are not the most important things to acquire in this life. Instead, they are knowledge, compassion, and a sense of giving, along with inner awareness and understanding. Sharing your possessions will help you reach Nirvana more than accumulating wealth, and this passage is an example of that. Since there are so many sacred texts, there are many different facts and evidence that the reader should know, so just reading the Vedas, even if they are the most sacred and oldest Hindu texts, will not give the reader an entire understanding of the religion.

The next text, the Sama-Veda, is basically a handbook and book of hymns for the priests of Hinduism. It covers the many decades the religion has been in existence, and contains hundreds of hymns for priests to use as they lead religious services. For example, they offer a prayer to the ultimate God of the Hindus, Brahman. They say, "This Brahman, comer at the due time, named Indra, is renowned and praised. To thee alone, O Lord of Strength, go, as it were, all songs of praise. / Like streams of water on their way, let bounties, Indra, flow from thee! (Unknown). Just as priests and ministers in other religions offer prayers to God, this book offers prayers of hope and redemption to the many Hindu Gods.

The next book, the Yajur-Veda, is written in poetic form in some areas, and more like a manual in others. It is basically a manual that describes the many different animal sacrifices and the positioning of the funeral pyre when a person dies. The sacrifices are meant to celebrate the gods and appease them, while the funeral pyre and celebration are meant to send the person on to the next life, so they can eventually reunite with their loved ones. Early in the text, the funeral pyre is explained. It says, "Thou art the substance of the sacriflee. / the Raksas is burned up, the evil spirits are burned up" (Unknown). This shows why the Hindus believe in the funeral pyre, and essential part of Hindu rebirth and reincarnation, one of the central tenets in their religion.

Finally is the Atharva-Veda, which contains 20 chapters and is the most comprehensive of the books. Each of these books contains more hymns, but also charms for Hindus to use for favors from the gods. One of these charms reads, "We drive away the Spotted Hag, Misfortune, and Malignity: / All blessings to our children then! We chase Malignity away. / Let Savitar, Mitra, Varuna, and Aryaman drive away Stinginess / from both the hands and feet: / May Favour, granting us her bounties, drive her off. The Gods created Favour for our happiness" (Unknown). While we may think that Hinduism is a very serious religion, this indicates there is much joy and happiness in the religion, as well, and that Hindus are determined to live quiet lives of examination and inner peace, but they are committed to joy and happiness for their friends and families, as well.

I think the text is extremely effective in what it coveys and explains to Hindus. It is clear it is an exalted text that serves as a roadmap for the Hindu belief system and way of life. When compared to other religious texts, it might seem different or strange, such as the discussion of sacrifices and funeral pyres, which might seem macabre to many western religions. However, it serves as a basis for Hindu belief, and in this, it is extremely effective, perhaps in part because it is so detailed in many areas. One of the major strengths is the overall writing of the book (although they are based on original writings in Sanskrit, so they could have changed subtly in meaning). The writings are extremely lyrical and poetic… READ MORE

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