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Hindu Dharm Requirements

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Hindu Dharm Requirements

The first and foremost surprising fact is this that our Ved which are the authorities of our religion, do not mention the word Hindu anywhere.

According to one definition, a Hindu is one who acknowledges the authority of the Ved. By this definition, who does not accept their authority, he is atheist. In practice, however, most Hindu were illiterate as to the contents of the Ved, and many started believing in offshoots of Hindu Dharm, such as Jainism and Buddhism, while Sikh didn't know what was Ved and why they were rejecting Ved. In fact any person belonging to any faith should have no problem accepting the essential teachings of the Ved.

Unfortunately, there has been quite an ignorance about the true Hindu religion. Many writers confuse Hindu religion with caste system. While others confuse it with the requirement of dividing life span into four periods - Brahmcharya, Grihasth, Vaanprasth and Sanyaas. Yet another group thought that cow is sacred animal for Hindu, that is why they do not eat beef. In fact all of them are present in one way or other in all societies. Lastly some people even deny the existence of a well-defined Hindu Dharm. But observing all of them stated above, does not mean that Hinduism is only this. It is much more than this.


Hindu Dharm is Flexible
Hindu Dharm Shaastra is most practical and in places when one faces obstacles Dharm Shaastra itself comes to our rescue: for example --

(1) Although one needs to take bath daily and especially before worshipping, but when one cannot take bath due to ill health or for some other reason, Shaastra will say give a towel bath; when this is not possible then Prokshanam; when even Prokshanam is not possible one can smear Vibhooti on forehead and do the religious duties; if one cannot even do this let his son or others in the family as a substitute do Sandhyaa Vandan.
(2) In the same way Darbhaa grass is considered very holy and it shouldbe used; but when Darbhaa grass is not available use Kush or Kushaa grass; when Kush grass is not available use Doorvaa (argumpill) grass, if Doorvaa grass is also not available use normal grass.
(3) When there is a condolence in the family, offer
Arghya with Gaayatree at Sandhyaakaal only and recite only 10 Gaayatree if not 108.
(4) In cities we use water stored in sump which is old, any water stored over night is considered old in Hnduism. Does it mean that we abandon Sandhyaa Vandan just only on the pretext of no fresh water? No, we can recite Aghmarshan Sootra (Taitteerya Upanishad 4th Prashn Mahaa Naaryanopanishad) and water will be fit for performance of Karm.
(5) When no water is available like one gets stuck in a desert use sand for Sandhya Vandan.

Thus the drive behind the whole dDharm Shaastra is : it will not allow Dharm Lobh at any cost or time and is flexible. The flexibility is built-in in Dharm Shaastra therefore we cannot introduce relaxation on our own into Dharm Shaastra.

 

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Created by Sushma Gupta on 3/15/06
Contact:  sushmajee@yahoo.com
Updated on 06/09/11