MOST of today’s Hindus whom I have come in contact with are very confused and most ignorant about their own Dharma, Hinduism. They do not know what really their Dharma is; its roots; teachings and application to humans’ lives. For such reasons, I sincerely seek a little space of your column to express a few thoughts upon Hinduism, so that Hindus, who are searching for some basic knowledge of their Dharma, Hinduism, may find great enlightenment and wisdom. I shall deal with the names of Hinduism first and in future writings, I will focus upon its philosophical teachings and universal applicability.
The religion of the Hindus is called by many names of which these are most common; Sanaatan Dharma, Sanaatan Vaidic Dharma, Manava Dharma and Arya Dharma.
Hinduism is called ‘Sanaatan Dharma’. ‘Sanaatan’ means ‘that which knows no age’/‘eternal’. It is eternal because its creator is God; the principles upon which it is built are eternal. Further, it is not limited by space or time for it was not started by any one person or saint or prophet. The principles and truths on which it is rested were there since before its discovery. Just as how the law of gravity existed before its discoverer, Issac Newton. Similarly before our ancient and most God realised Sages discovered the truths of Hindu Dharma, they were there already. Hence, it has lasted for countless millenniums and continues to exist.
The other name by which Hinduism is known is ‘Sanaatan Vaidic Dharma’. The word ‘Vaidic’ tells us that this religion or way of life has its roots in the Vedas, the world’s oldest scripture written is the oldest language, Sanskrit. A fact that is indisputable. The Vedas are said to be the authority and voice of Hinduism and consists of all truths of life, God, soul, matter, creations, etc. Everything that is worth knowing has its roots in the Vedas. If any other Hindu scripture has anything that contradicts  the teachings of the Vedas, then that scripture should be given up. The Vedas are the Laws of God.
The Vedas are the primary scriptures of the Hindus. Veda comes from the root word ‘Vid’-to know. The Veda means knowledge. The Vedas are the foundations of Hinduism. They are known as the most authoritative scriptures of both the Hindus and even of renowned scholars all over the world. They are revelations of eternal truths, truths of which are perfect to guide man on the path of realisation. Our Vedas are held to be the ‘Apaurusheya’ or superhuman. There are no authors of the Vedas. Now the question arises, how can a book be without an author?
The Vedas were revealed by God to ancient ‘Rishis’ or sages, who were in search for truths. “In the beginning of the world, the Self-Existent revealed the Vedas, which are Eternal and Divine. They are the source and guide of all human activities.” (Mahabharata)
Our Rishis {Seers} were very passionate for truths not for themselves, but for the wellbeing of the world. That is why they did not even care to mention their names. The Hindus are not concerned about fame or name; they are concerned about truths. This is so because the entire cosmos is built on truths. “It is truth that stabilises the world and makes the sun shine. It is truth that allows the wind to blow and it is truth that supports everything.”(Chanakya Neeti)
Hence, after decades of penances and meditations, the Vedas were revealed by God himself to our ancient Hindu sages or Rishis. So the Sages heard the truths. They were not their own. They did not create them from their own minds and brains. “The Rishis first lived and tested the truth of the instructions of the Vedas, and through their divine qualities and mental purity, verified their accuracy. (Atharva Veda) These thoughts or truths were already there, they are of God, and the Rishis were the medium to transmit them. For this reason the Vedas are supreme truths of God, they are not man-made.
Because the Vedas were originated from God, they remain to be the glorious pride of the Hindus and great men of wisdom. The Vedas are the source of all other sets of Hindu scriptures. “There is no greater Scripture than the Vedas. All other scriptures are derived from and are based upon the Vedas.” (Yajnavalkya Smriti) They comprise  knowledge that will suit man at any given time and place.
Most religions hold very strongly and most indisputably some messenger as their authority. They believe that some God, man or prophet or messenger has delivered their scriptures. However, the Vedas do not have any such special messenger or authority. The Vedas themselves are the authority, for knowledge of God is eternal and does not need an authority. Yes the knowledge of God is eternal, for God himself is eternal. It does not have any beginning as well as end. The knowledge of God exists beyond time. They are the breath of God, and for this reason, the book can be destroyed, but the knowledge remains. It happened during the many invasions by alien forces into Bharat (India), and yet the knowledge of the Vedas continues to prevail. The Hindus cannot forsake what is eternally true.
In the beginning, the Veda was one book, but the great and most celebrated sage, Vyasa divided it into specific subjects in the form of four books namely; Rig veda, Saama veda, Atharva veda, and Yajur veda. Hence, the sage is called ‘Veda-vyasa’.
Our religion or Dharma is also called ‘Arya Dharma’.  The word Aryans means ‘noble’. It stands for persons who are noble, cultured, disciplined, decent and sinless in thoughts, words and actions. This means that Hindus from the very genesis were ‘not’, and I repeat ‘not’ illiterate, ignorant, or harmful in any way. Hindus from the very beginning are self-disciplined people. They were religious minded and highly educated both in morals and spirituality. They knew the art of real living. For this reason, Manu, the earliest, Law Giver of India, called India ‘Aryavarta’, which means the abode of noble people.
However, it must not be denied that many of our Hindus today are not really living up to the true meanings of their Dharma, Hinduism, something which they are supposed to be doing. This has resulted in the fall of their Dharma; conversion of weak Hindus to other faiths; violent and unrighteous actions stepped in. Hence, some people measure Hinduism by the acts and conducts of a few Hindus who are acting  arbitrarily to the teachings of Hindu Dharma.  I mean no offence, but I wish that by this writing, I will be able to bring home change and transformation to my weak Hindu siblings so that a stronger and more vibrant Hinduism can permeate. Remember, people judge or misjudge our Dharma, Hinduism by our lives and conducts.
The word ‘Hindu’ is made up of two syllables- ‘Hin’ and ‘Du’. ‘Hin’ derives from ‘Hinsa’ which means violence and ‘Du’ means ‘distance’. So, a Hindu is one who distances him/herself from violence. He is pure in thoughts, words and deeds. He never seeks to harm anyone or even harbours negative thoughts of a person. He does all that brings happiness to his fellow human.