AS the time is here Again for the Hindus to celebrate another holiday -‘Kartik Snaan (Purnima)’, I humbly ask for a little space in your column to share with them a few thoughts about the occasion. We as Hindus are given so many festivals, occasions and holidays for great purposes. For this reason, I shall repeat something about our festivals which I said in the past– in Hinduism, there is a wheel of festivals, observances and seasons, which makes us constantly remind ourselves of the existence of God, and which assist us very profoundly to engage in pious, positive and non-violent activities, that will carve paths for good and righteous living. They help to shape and mould our lives in such ways that will definitely make us walk on the path of God’s realisation. They create paths for spiritual elevation and solace.
In its literal sense, ‘Kartik’ refers to a Hindu month [November—December] and ‘Snaan’ means a bath. It is therefore at its literal scope, a bath taken in the sacred and holy river Ganga. The bath is done for the purification of the physical body and prayers are offered for well being.
However, this occasion is not a simple bath, but an inner bath; a bath of the mind and life itself. It is a time for Hindus to reflect upon the importance of the cleansing of their minds and life; the harbouring of pure thoughts and performance of good deeds. Our human lives are not given the real chance of its purpose when we allow negative thoughts and vices to intervene and take control.
Vices are the evils that sway us from the path of real and serene living. Lust, greed, anger, hate, malice, conceit, jealousy, etc, are the root cause of man’s miseries and sufferings in this world. Swayed by them, man eats the wrong things; speak the wrong things; spend money on non-essential things; harbour wrong company; and do the wrong things in his life. Mistakes are therefore committed when humans allow vices to intervene and take control in their lives. He cannot make the right decision at this stage, and as a result, he lives his life like a brute. At this stage even religion and God become a mockery for him.
The essence of Kartik Snaan or Purnima is therefore for us as Hindus to create and live good lifestyles, abstain from alcohol, drugs, and immoral languages; identify and adopt good companies; resist from abusing of spouse, children, etc. If we are prepared to use the occasion of Kartik Snaan to change and transfer our lives to a spiritual state or to do what is right and free from violence, then a mere bath in the river is not necessary. What sense it makes for us to say that we are celebrating Kartik Snaan by taking a bath in the river [which many Hindus do], when inside of us lies that which is negative and harmful? Of course, no doubt, there are good Hindus who maintain purity and yet perform the outside acts such as the physical bath in the rivers. That is highly commendable. These Hindus must help the weak ones to also evolve spiritually and seek to do what is ethical and righteous. Do not allow your Hindu siblings to go astray from their Dharma, Hinduism, just because of their weaknesses and ignorance. We have to ensure that our Dharma, Hinduism grow and get stronger and more vibrant.
We, the Hindus can only be proud of our Dharma if we strengthen and protect it. Hinduism has no beginning. It is Sanaatana [eternal]. Its originator is God and its principles are related to life and the universe. These principles exist eternally. The religion of the Hindus is called Hinduism or Hindu Dharma. Hinduism is also known by the name of Sanatana Dharma, meaning ‘eternal religion’. It is called ‘eternal’ because it is old as creation itself. The entire structure of Hindu life is built on eternal truths which were discovered by Hindu Rishis or Seers of ancient Bharata [India], after long penances, meditation and passionate search for truth. That is the reason why this Dharma has lasted through a great many millennium.
The fundamental and eternal truths of Hindu Dharma are fixed and unchanging, like the laws of nature which prevailed thousands of years ago and still prevail. The spiritual truths discovered and taught by the Hindu Rishis in the hoary past have not changed and still hold. Hence,the name Sanatana Dharma was given by the Rishis.
Hinduism is also known by the name of ‘Vaidic Dharma’ because the earliest literature through which it found expression is the Veda, the world’s oldest scripture. Hinduism is also known as ‘Manava Dharma’ or Universal Religion. It is called so because of its comprehensiveness to suit the needs of every human being, irrespective of age, colour, or race.
While the dates of the beginning of other religions are fixed, none can be fixed for Hinduism. Hindu Dharma is not limited by time and space since the principles upon which it is based are not limited by time and space.
Therefore to conclude, I humbly and most sincerely wish to advice my Hindu siblings not to allow our festivals and occasions to go in vain. Let the celebration of each festival be an opportunity to become purer and better Hindus and humans. Enjoy your Kartik Snaan.